Lockett and Valencia Claim Gold for USA and CRTC at Pan-Am Wrestling. Forrest Golden Too!

(This story originated with Oklahoma State University Athletic Media Relations and was assisted by USA Wrestling and Robert Allen of Pokes Report.)

MONTERREY, Mexico – Incoming Oklahoma State freshman wrestler LaDarion Lockett bested the 74-kilogram field to claim a gold medal at the Pan-American Championships. 

USA Wrestling

Lockett stands tall in Monterrey, Mexico at the Pan-Am Championships.

In his international debut at the senior level, Lockett tallied a flawless 3-0 record with wins over Canada's Adam Thompson, Cuba's Geannis Tamayo and Venezuela's Anthony Montero. Lockett collected two wins by technical fall and the other via disqualification. Lockett, a 2023 U17 World champion, had little trouble with Anthony Montero Chirinos of Venezuela in the finals, winning 11-0. Lockett led 5-0 break after a sweet four-point hip toss. In the second period, a takedown and multiple turns ended the match.

He wasn’t the only future Cowboy to win Gold in Monterrey on the first day of free-style competition as 2026 recruit and Oklahoma State commitment Jax Forrest also blitzed through his competition.

Forrest scored an 11-0 technical fall in the finals over Joseph Silva of Puerto Rico, who wrestled for Michigan in college and Lake Highland Prep in Florida in high school. Forrest led 1-0 at the break on a shot clock point, but got his offense unleashed in the second period, with a four-point takedown, two two-point takedowns and a tilt.

Cowboy RTC athlete Zahid Valencia also collected a gold medal in today's action at 86 kilograms, picking up technical falls in all three bouts. 

The United States went a perfect 3-for-3 in the finals on the first day of men’s freestyle at the 2025 Senior Pan American Championships on Saturday night. 

Valencia scored an 11-0 technical fall over Jorge Llano of Argentina in the championship finals. Valencia had to chip away at Llano, who competed with an extremely defensive style, not willing to engage. Valencia scored two takedowns, three step outs, a gut wrench turn and got a point on a caution for his scoring onslaught.

Forrest and Valencia were 2025 U.S. Senior Open champions, and will be competing for a spot on the Senior World Team at Final X at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. on June 14.

Team USA jumped to a big lead in the team standings after three weights with 75 points, followed by second place Canada with 40 points and third place Mexico with 38 points.

The Senior Pan American Championships conclude on Sunday with the final seven weight classes (57 kg -65 kg -70 kg -79 kg -92 kg -97 kg -125 kg). Session times are 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Central Time.

Those wrestlers on Mother’s Day include Cowboy RTC athletes Wyatt Hendrickson, Joey McKenna and Roman Bravo-Young (wrestling for Mexico) begin their tournaments tomorrow at 11 a.m. CT. 

SENIOR PAN AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS At Monterrey, Mexico, May 10

Men’s freestyle results

Jax Forrest (61 kg)   

Quarterfinals: Jax Forrest (USA) tech fall Esteban Perez Castellanos (Guatemala), 10-0

Semifinals: Jax Forrest (USA) tech fall Joshua Kramer (Ecuador), 10-0

Finals: Jax Forrest (USA) tech fall Joseph Silva (Puerto Rico), 11-0

LaDarion Lockett (74 kg)

Quarterfinals: LaDarion Lockett (USA) tech fall Adam Thompson, 11-0, 1:46

Semifinals: LaDarion Lockett (USA)  dq Geannis Tamayo, 3-2, 4:43

Finals: LaDarion Lockett (USA) tech fall Anthony Montero, 11-0, 5:58

Zahid Valencia (86 kg)

Quarterfinals: Zahid Valencia (USA) tech fall Steven Rodriguez Torreyes (Venezuela), 11-0

Semifinals: Zahid Valencia (USA) tech fall Taran Goring (Canada), 10-0

Finals: Zahid Valencia (USA)  tech fall Jorge Llano (Argentina), 11-0

Tomorrow's Schedule 
Sunday, May 11
11 a.m. – MFS 57, 65, 70, 79, 92, 97, 125 Preliminaries
2 p.m. - MFS 57, 65, 70, 79, 92, 97, 125 Semifinals 
3 p.m. - MFS 57, 65, 70, 79, 92, 97, 125 Repechage
6 p.m. - MFS 57, 65, 70, 79, 92, 97, 125 Finals