U.S. Men's Greco-Roman Team Heads to Las Vegas
The national team has finalized its roster ahead of the 2026 U23 World Championships.
Updated on Oct. 11, 2026 in Wrestling
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The United States men's Greco-Roman wrestling team has assembled for the 2026 U23 World Championships in Las Vegas. The roster features several athletes with ties to the Northern Michigan University wrestling program.
Why it matters
The tournament serves as a key international stage for developing athletes as they transition between collegiate and global competition levels. Several team members, including Joel Adams and Ryder Rogotzke, have established significant credentials in international and domestic settings.
Ryder Rogotzke will compete at 97kg following a third-place finish on the senior ladder, while Brett Back represents the U.S. at 72kg. Joel Adams is entered at 77kg, with projections indicating a return to 165 pounds for Oregon State.
The players
Ryder Rogotzke
He is a wrestler who finished third on the senior ladder at 97kg and replaced Arian Khosravy on the roster.
Joel Adams
He is a wrestler who joined Oregon State in 2025 and earned gold at the 2022 U17 World Championships.
Max Black
He is a wrestler who earned a silver medal at the 2026 U23 Pan American championships.
Otto Black
He is a wrestler who earned a bronze medal at the 2025 U23 World Championships.
Landon Drury
He is a 20-year-old athlete competing as part of the United States wrestling contingent.
The details
Athletes secured their spots on the U23 team by earning placement on the senior ladder. Five team members have trained through the Northern Michigan University Greco-Roman program, which has provided an alternative training structure for athletes outside the standard NCAA format.
Timeline
2021: Ryder Rogotzke placed eighth at the U17 World Championships.
2022: Joel Adams earned a gold medal at the U17 World Championships.
2023: Michael Altomer finished 12th at the U23 World Championships.
2026: The U23 World Championships take place in Las Vegas.
2028: The Northern Michigan University wrestling program is scheduled to discontinue.
Season Trajectory
The participation of these athletes reflects a critical transition point for Greco-Roman prospects aiming to secure spots for the Los Angeles Olympic training cycle. This tournament serves as a testing ground for those balancing international goals with impending shifts in collegiate program availability.
Joel Adams is expected to return to folkstyle competition at 165 pounds for Oregon State immediately following his participation in the world championships. The event also highlights the remaining timeline for the Northern Michigan University program, which will continue operations until 2028.
The takeaway
These world championships provide a rare opportunity for fans to see top domestic talent compete in an international format within the United States. Following the event, collegiate wrestling rosters may see shifts as athletes like Joel Adams return to their university programs.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments on the mat in the Wrestling section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NCAA.
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