Iowa Stars Head to Final X 2026 for Team USA Wrestling Spots
Some of the best wrestlers in the country are set to compete for spots on Team USA at the 2026 World Championships. Final X takes place Friday, June 19, at the Prudential Center in New Jersey. Iowa wrestling fans have major stakes in the event, with several standout athletes from the Hawkeye State stepping onto the mat to represent their clubs and communities.
How to Watch Final X 2026 on Live Stream
The 2026 Final X event will not air on national television. Fans can catch all the action on FloWrestling, which will stream the entire competition live. You will need a subscription to the platform to watch the matches.
What is the Final X 2026 Schedule?
The action kicks off Friday, June 19. Here is the timeline for the day.
- 12:30 p.m. ET: U.S. National Team true-third matches
- 2 p.m. ET: Best-of-three series (round one)
- 5 p.m. ET: Best-of-three series (round two and round three if necessary)
Which Iowa Wrestlers Are Competing at Final X 2026?
Iowa wrestling pride runs deep at Final X this year. Multiple athletes with strong Iowa ties are fighting for the right to represent the United States on the world stage.
In the men's freestyle best-of-three series, fans will see Spencer Lee from Iowa City take on Luke Lilledahl at 57 kg. Ames native David Carr faces James Green at 74 kg. Stephen Buchanan from Coralville will battle Olympic champion Kyle Snyder at 97 kg.
On the women's side, Macey Kilty from North Liberty competes at 62 kg. Iowa City's Kennedy Blades takes the mat at 68 kg, while Kylie Welker from Iowa City wrestles at 76 kg.
The men's true-third matches also feature Iowa talent. Iowa City's Austin DeSanto wrestles at 61 kg, and Patrick Kennedy, competing for the Hawkeye Wrestling Club, will face Evan Wick at 79 kg.
Full Final X 2026 Matchups
Men's Freestyle Best-Of-Three Series
- 57 kg: Luke Lilledahl vs. Spencer Lee (Iowa City, Iowa)
- 61 kg: Marcus Blaze vs. Jax Forrest
- 65 kg: Real Woods vs. Bo Bassett
- 70 kg: Ridge Lovett vs. Zain Retherford
- 74 kg: James Green vs. David Carr (Ames, Iowa)
- 79 kg: Levi Haines vs. Chance Marsteller
- 86 kg: Zahid Valencia vs. Kyle Dake
- 97 kg: Kyle Snyder vs. Stephen Buchanan (Coralville, Iowa)
- 125 kg: Wyatt Hendrickson vs. Mason Parris
Women's Freestyle Best-Of-Three Series
- 50 kg: Katie Gomez vs. Morgan Turner
- 53 kg: Cristelle Rodriguez vs. Elena Ivaldi
- 55 kg: Everest Leydecker vs. Areana Villaescusa
- 57 kg: Helen Maroulis vs. Amanda Martinez
- 59 kg: Abigail Nette vs. Alexis Janiak
- 62 kg: Adaugo Nwachukwu vs. Macey Kilty (North Liberty, Iowa)
- 65 kg: Kayla Miracle vs. Jennifer Page
- 68 kg: Kennedy Blades (Iowa City, Iowa) vs. Isabella Mir
- 72 kg: Alexandria Glaude vs. Amit Elor*
- 76 kg: Kylie Welker (Iowa City, Iowa) vs. Dymond Guilford
*Alexandria Glaude has withdrawn from Final X following an injury. Amit Elor must make weight.
Men's Freestyle True-Third Matches
- 61 kg: Austin DeSanto (Iowa City, Iowa) vs. Benjamin Davino
- 65 kg: Joey McKenna vs. Beau Bartlett
- 70 kg: Landon Robideau vs. Caleb Henson
- 79 kg: Evan Wick vs. Patrick Kennedy (Hawkeye WC)
- 86 kg: Parker Keckeisen vs. Aeoden Sinclair
- 92 kg: Dustin Plott vs. Seth Shumate
Where Can I Stream Final X 2026?
You can stream Final X 2026 exclusively on FloWrestling. The event will not air on traditional national TV channels.
When Does Final X 2026 Start?
Final X 2026 starts Friday, June 19. The true-third matches begin at 12:30 p.m. ET, followed by the first round of the best-of-three series at 2 p.m. ET.
Which Iowa Athletes Are Fighting for Team USA Roster Spots?
Spencer Lee, David Carr, and Stephen Buchanan lead the men's freestyle roster for Iowa. Macey Kilty, Kennedy Blades, and Kylie Welker represent the Iowa women's freestyle team. Austin DeSanto and Patrick Kennedy will also compete in true-third matches.