Also named Outstanding Wrestler
NEW YORK – Northern Michigan Greco-Roman Wrestler Payton Jacobson captured the 87 kg title and was named Outstanding Wrestler of the 2026 Bill Farrell Memorial International, leading Northern Michigan and Team USA on the world stage.
A 2024 U.S. Olympian, Jacobson delivered a dominant performance, winning all four matches by technical fall and outscoring his opponents 34-0. He opened the tournament with a 9-0 technical fall in 1:39, followed by an 8-0 victory in 2:00 and another 8-0 win in 3:42 to advance to the championship bout.
In the championship match, Jacobson faced Johan Antonio Batista of the Dominican Republic. After taking an early 1-0 lead, Jacobson delivered back-to-back four-point moves to secure the 9-0 technical fall in 1:49 and claim the 87 kg gold medal. He finished with 38 team points and a perfect 4-0 record.
Kenneth Crosby and Brennan Carey also picked up victories for the Wildcats. Competing at 60 kg, Crosby opened with a 3-2 decision before finishing with five team points. Carey earned a 7-0 decision at 130 kg, also contributing five points.
At 97 kg, Cody Kwak recorded an 8-0 technical fall in just 34 seconds to finish with five team points. Will Scherer added a 10-0 technical fall in 47 seconds at 77 kg, finishing with 13 team points. Troy Shannon also earned a victory at 77 kg, taking a 5-2 decision to contribute five points.
Anthony Santana picked up a 6-0 decision at 63 kg, while Tomi Uljens Posio earned a 6-4 decision at 72 kg.
Also competing were Henry Baronowski, Xavier Berdecia, Konner Blaney, Aaron Dobbs, Elyle Francisco, Max Francisco, Garran Leffel and Landon Morris.
