Marlborough’s Jackson Heslin won two medals at the U15 Pan American championships this weekend in Mexico. (Photo courtesy UWW)
Marlborough’s Jackson Heslin won a gold medal in freestyle and a silver medal in Greco Roman to help the United States win team championships at the Under-15 Pan American Championships this weekend in Oaxtepec, Mexico. Heslin wrestled at 56 kilograms or 114 pounds.
Heslin, a freshman at Xavier in Middletown, was one of nine Americans to win a gold medal in freestyle on Saturday. Isaiah Cortez (44kg) of Los Banos, Calif. won the tournament’s Outstanding Wrestler award. He went 4-0 on Saturday, with all of his wins coming via technical fall.
“Our team brought energy and effort to every match,” said Kevin Jackson, USA Wrestling National Developmental freestyle coach. “They were on attack the entire tournament. They battled one another for the prestigious Golden Boot/Outstanding Wrestler award. I congratulate our athletes, volunteer coaches, staff and parents on our results. They represented themselves, their families, USA Wrestling and our country with honor.”
In Saturday’s freestyle tournament, Heslin went 4-0 and beat Mexico’s David Martinez Gomez for the gold medal.
In Friday’s Greco-Roman tournament, Heslin went 3-1 and lost in the gold medal final to Ivan Olivera Montigo of Mexico.
Freestyle
52kg: Jackson Heslin, Marlborough, Conn., gold medal
WIN Wenzo da Silva (Brazil), 11-4 in 3:06
WIN Pedro Toribio Torres (Peru)
WIN David Martinez Gambino (Mexico)
Men’s freestyle final team standings
1. USA 245, 2. Mexico 185, 3. Puerto Rico 89, 4. Colombia 83, 5. Brazil 78, 6. Peru 43, 7. Chile 10, 8. Barbados 8
Greco-Roman
52kg: Jackson Heslin, Marlborough, Conn., silver medal
WIN Daniel Guevara Pimentel (Mexico)
WIN Gael Valdez Nuñez (Mexico)
WIN Pedro Toribio Torres (Peru)
LOSS Ivan Olivera Montigo (Mexico)
Greco-Roman final team standings
1. USA 240, 2. Mexico 185, 3. Brazil 94, 4. Colombia 83, 5. Peru 65, 6. Puerto Rico 60, 7. (tie) Barbados and Chile 4
