Nebraska wrestlers win medals at Pan-American Championships

Incoming freshman Camden McDanel won his second-straight gold medal at the 2024 Pan-American Championships in Lima, Peru, in the 97 kg division. 

A Nebraska wrestler has won another international competition. Incoming freshman Camden McDanel won his second-straight gold medal at the 2024 Pan-American Championships in Lima, Peru, in the 97 kg division.

McDanel is one of six newcomers for the Cornhuskers 2024-25 team. He would finish the tournament 3-0 and outscored his opponents 30-0 to earn the victory.

He helped the USA wrestling team sweep the event, with all ten wrestlers winning gold medals. The incoming freshman won via three straight technical falls.

Another newcomer, LJ Araujo, would earn the bronze medal in the 79 kg division, competing for his father’s home country of Brazil. It was the first international medal for the four-time North Dakota state champion.

LJ Araujo – Bronze (79kg)

  • Quarterfinals: Loss to Zackary Ryder (USA)
  • Consolation: Defeated Hector Hernandez Castillo (ECU)
  • Third-Place Match: Defeated Dario Cubas Castillo (PERU)

Camden McDanel – Gold (97kg) 

  • Round 1: Bye
  • Round 2: Forfeit win over Alex Ortiz (PUR)
  • Quarterfinals: Defeated Tejvir Dhinsa (CAN)
  • Semifinals: Defeated Gabriel Garibaldi (ARG)
  • Finals: Defeated Tejvir Dhinsa (CAN)

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