Joey McKenna of the Pennsylvania Regional Training Center qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials at 65g after placing second at U.S. Senior Nationals this past weekend.

McKenna was dominant throughout the tournament. After winning his first three matches 29-3, he earned a spot in the semifinals against Yianni Diakomihalis and the opportunity to avenge his controversial loss at last year’s NCAA finals. The match went back and forth before McKenna scored a dramatic last second takedown to win the match 6-5.

McKenna dropped his finals match to Jordan Oliver, who was named the tournament’s Outstanding Wrestler.

PRTC athletes Ethan Lizak, Mauro Correnti, and Dan Vallimont also wrestled at the tournament. Competing at 65g, Lizak went 3-2. At 125K Correnti went 1-2 with a big win over 2019 Dave Schultz International Champion Michael Kosoy, and Vallimont lost two close matches to finish 0-2 at 74g.

Joey McKenna will next compete at the prestigious Yarigan Tournament in Krasnoyarsk, Russia at the end of January. The rest of the team will look to compete in the Henri Deglane International in Nice, France at the end of January followed by the Last Chance US Olympic Trials Qualifier March 26-28 in Millersville, PA.

The Olympic Trials will be April 4-5 in State College, PA.