The 2026 Soldier Salute is taking place at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa. Here’s a quick look at the tournament’s results, highlighting key victories from the quarterfinals and earlier rounds.
Quarterfinals Highlights
In the 125-pound category, #19 Kysen Terukina from North Carolina showcased impressive skills, winning by tech fall over Hank Benter from Missouri, with a score of 21-5. South Dakota State’s Daniel Guanajuato also put on a dominant performance, defeating Joe Calvin from Bellarmine 19-2 by tech fall. Other notable matches included Sebastian Degennaro of Oklahoma, who defeated Keyan Hernandez of Iowa with a score of 16-0.
Moving to the 133-pound class, #21 Ethan Oakley, North Carolina’s wrestler, scored a major decision against Sean Garretson, winning 11-0. Meanwhile, Osmany Diversent from Iowa State got a quick victory by pinning Isaak Arevalo from Army Prep in just 1 minute and 30 seconds.
In the 141-pound bracket, #11 Nasir Bailey from Iowa edged out Nick O’Neill of North Carolina with a close 3-1 decision. Additionally, Luke Simcox, ranked #19, made an impressive comeback to win by pinning Max Brady in 3 minutes and 28 seconds.
Round of 16 Insights
During the Round of 16, #19 Kysen Terukina maintained his momentum, winning 7-3 against Nick Treaster from Navy. Meanwhile, Daniel Guanajuato continued to shine, claiming a tech fall victory over Waylon Rogers from VMI, ending the match in a dominating 18-1 score. These matches highlight the competitive nature of the tournament, with several unexpected outcomes keeping fans engaged.
This year’s Soldier Salute has attracted considerable attention, with wrestling fans taking to social media to discuss the matches. A recent survey indicated that interest in college wrestling has surged, with over 70% of fans wanting more live coverage of tournament events. Fans are not just watching but engaged in conversations about strategies and standout performances, making this event a true spectacle in the wrestling community.
With the tournament still ongoing, the energy in Coralville is high. Fans are eagerly awaiting the semifinals and finals to see who will take home top honors. Historical context adds intrigue—this tournament has a rich legacy of showcasing emerging wrestling talent, with many past competitors going on to successful professional careers.
Stay tuned for more updates as the tournament continues, bringing fierce competition to the wrestling mat.
