PJ Duke and Rocco Welsh’s Training Facility Powers Team USA’s World Team

Rocco Welsh: Historic Achievement

KD Training Center Places Wrestlers on Every U.S. Freestyle World Team in a Single Year

The world of U.S. wrestling witnessed an unprecedented milestone in 2025 as the KD Training Center, located in New York State, etched its name into the history books.¹

For the first time ever, a single club produced athletes who secured spots on every U.S. Freestyle World Team—across all age levels: U17, U20, U23, and Senior.

The honor was brought home by wrestlers PJ Duke, Rocco Welsh, and James, who demonstrated elite-level skill, resilience, and dedication.

Let’s break down how this remarkable achievement unfolded and explore the impact it has had on the wrestling community.

KD training center is difffferenttttt💪🏻🔥. PJ Duke Senior World Team Member!

— Rocco1Welsh (@rocco_welsh) June 15, 2025

A Triple Threat on the Global Stage

Perhaps the most astounding feat came from PJ Duke, who secured his place on three separate World Teams in 2025—U20, U23, and Senior—in the 70kg freestyle category.

The magnitude of such a feat cannot be overstated. Very few athletes in the history of the sport have managed to qualify for multiple teams in the same year, let alone across this many age groups.

Duke’s road to the Senior World Team was particularly impressive. He battled and defeated 2022 World silver medalist Yianni Diakomihalis at Final X in a best-of-three series, a performance that stunned many and firmly announced Duke’s arrival at the senior level.

His win in the U20 World Team Trials in Ohio solidified his spot for the U20 World Championships, scheduled to take place in August in Bulgaria.

And he didn’t stop there. Duke also punched his ticket to the U23 World Championships, proving he’s not just a one-season wonder but a multi-level powerhouse.

Rocco Welsh: From Transfer to Team USA

After transferring from Ohio to the Penn State wrestling program, Rocco Welsh continued to raise eyebrows with his explosive performance at the U23 Nationals in Geneva, Ohio.²

Competing in the 86kg freestyle category, Welsh demonstrated technical prowess and tactical intelligence, ultimately earning a spot on the U.S. U23 World Team.

His journey reflects the increasing value of strong collegiate training programs and how they serve as a bridge to international success.

Welsh’s transition from Ohio to Penn State seems to have provided the competitive environment he needed to sharpen his skills and take his career to the next level.

The U23 World Championships will take place from October 20 to 26, 2025, in Serbia, where Welsh will test himself against the best in the world.

James Dominates at U17: A Star in the Making

While Duke and Welsh may currently garner the spotlight, James of the KD Training Center is laying the foundation for what could become a legendary career.

Competing in the 71kg freestyle category, James earned his place on the U17 World Team after a commanding performance at the 2025 U.S. Open.

His technical superiority and aggressive wrestling style set him apart from his peers. With the U17 World Championships set to be held in Athens, Greece, the stage is set for James to make a name for himself on the international scene.

Making Wrestling History: KD Training Center’s Record-Breaking Year

The KD Training Center’s feat isn’t just significant; it’s historic. By placing athletes on all four U.S. World Teams—U17, U20, U23, and Senior—they accomplished something that had never been done before in the history of USA Wrestling.

Even more incredible was their clean sweep of all 70kg freestyle spots across every age category.

On their Instagram, KD Training Center celebrated the moment with pride:

⁣⁣”For the first time in USA Wrestling history, a single club has placed athletes on every U.S. Freestyle World Team in the same year: U17, U20, U23, and Senior. To make it even more special, our athletes swept every 70kg World Team spot across all age groups. Jayden, PJ, and Rocco earned this achievement through relentless dedication, and we couldn’t be prouder of their commitment.”

This statement underscores the depth of talent being developed at KD and the high-performance culture that has been carefully nurtured over the years.

The Culture of Excellence at KD Training Center

What makes KD Training Center a breeding ground for champions?

It begins with an unwavering commitment to individualized development. Each wrestler is treated not just as an athlete, but as a student of the sport.

With a curriculum that balances technique, strength training, mental preparation, and live wrestling, the center provides an environment conducive to growth at all levels.

Another contributing factor is the center’s ability to foster long-term athletic development. Rather than rushing young wrestlers into quick wins, KD focuses on building fundamentals and slowly raising competition levels.

This approach pays off in the long term—as seen in the multi-year success of athletes like PJ Duke.

The coaching staff, too, deserves credit. Their eye for talent, ability to refine techniques, and experience in preparing athletes for high-stakes events are unmatched.

Rocco Welsh: Collegiate Connections

How NCAA Wrestling Plays a Role

Another interesting facet of this story is the role of college wrestling programs in bridging the gap to international competition.³

With Welsh at Penn State and others eyeing Division I programs, it’s evident that NCAA wrestling continues to play a vital role in producing top-tier freestyle talent.

Programs like Penn State, Iowa, and Oklahoma State often serve as the proving ground for the world stage. Training at such institutions exposes wrestlers to elite competition and top-level coaching, enhancing their readiness for events like the World Championships.

What This Means for USA Wrestling

The success of KD Training Center is not just a feather in their cap—it’s a strong indicator of the growing depth and health of USA Wrestling at the grassroots level.

Clubs like KD are now directly feeding the national and international pipeline with high-quality athletes, and that can only bode well for the future.

The ripple effect of this success is already being felt. Young wrestlers across the country now see clubs like KD as legitimate gateways to the world stage.

And USA Wrestling will undoubtedly look to replicate KD’s model at other regional training centers.

Eyes on Medals in Europe

The upcoming World Championships are set to test KD’s stars against the very best on the globe.

Here’s a quick snapshot of what lies ahead:

• U17 World Championships: James (71kg) | Athens, Greece

• U20 World Championships: PJ Duke (70kg) | Bulgaria

• U23 World Championships: Rocco Welsh (86kg), PJ Duke (70kg) | Serbia

• Senior World Championships: PJ Duke (70kg) | Croatia

The sheer diversity of countries and the intensity of these events means every match will count. And for KD athletes, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Rocco Welsh’s Bold Move

Transferring to Penn State Wrestling to Chase Greatness

Rocco Welsh, one of the most promising young talents in NCAA wrestling, shocked the college wrestling world when he announced his transfer from Ohio State to Penn State for the 2025-26 season.

The move immediately generated buzz—not just because he was an NCAA finalist as a freshman, but because he’s now joining the team that defeated him.

Welsh, who competed at 174 lbs during the 2024 NCAA Wrestling Championships, will now move up to 184 lbs.

More importantly, he’s set to fill the spot left by Carter Starocci, one of the most decorated wrestlers in Penn State history. Starocci defeated Welsh in the 2024 finals, and now, in a twist of fate, Welsh will look to carry forward Starocci’s legacy.

From Buckeye to Nittany Lion: The Motivation Behind the Move

Welsh’s transfer wasn’t driven by frustration or dissatisfaction—it was driven by ambition.

When asked about his reasons for joining Penn State, Welsh emphasized the strength of the program and the opportunity to train with some of the best athletes and coaches in the country.

“Just being in the room with all those really good partners and the coaches obviously. They accomplish all the stuff that I want to accomplish there…”

This quote reflects a mindset focused on growth and greatness. Welsh isn’t just looking for a fresh start—he’s aiming to elevate his ceiling by immersing himself in a championship culture.

Carter Starocci’s Shadow and a Chance to Forge His Own Legacy

Carter Starocci was more than just a champion—he was a symbol of dominance in the NCAA. Replacing him won’t be easy, but Welsh isn’t looking to replicate Starocci; he’s aiming to write his own chapter.

At 184 lbs, Welsh enters a new weight class with new challenges. However, his quick rise at Ohio State and deep run in the NCAA tournament suggest he’s ready for the spotlight.

The move also allows Penn State to maintain continuity at the weight class with another elite-level athlete.

Wrestling with Confidence: A Psychological Edge

Welsh mentioned how important it is to see others accomplish the goals he’s aiming for. That kind of environment, where excellence is the norm, breeds confidence.

It’s no surprise that Penn State’s wrestling room is legendary for producing national champions and Olympic hopefuls.

“There’s other guys in the program that are doing the stuff that you want to accomplish so it’s like, it can be done there…”

This speaks volumes about the culture at Penn State—and Welsh’s desire to be part of a system that’s already proven.

Confidence, especially in a physically and mentally grueling sport like wrestling, can be a deciding factor between silver and gold.

Rocco Welsh’s Mentality: Chasing Excellence, Not Comfort

If Welsh wanted comfort, he could’ve stayed at Ohio State, where he was already a top guy. But greatness often demands discomfort.

He chose to surround himself with the best in the country—even if that means being one of many stars instead of the star.

That says a lot about his mentality. He’s betting on himself, not just for NCAA success but possibly for future international and Olympic aspirations.

Training in the same room as world-level athletes gives him a chance to accelerate that journey.

What Fans and Analysts Are Saying

The wrestling community has responded with a mix of surprise and excitement. Analysts have praised Welsh’s maturity and ambition, while fans are eager to see how quickly he adjusts to the Penn State system.

Social media is abuzz with speculation about next season’s lineup and how Welsh will fit in.

Will he dominate at 184? Will he adapt quickly to a new environment? One thing’s for sure—he’ll be one of the most closely watched wrestlers in the country.

 

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What This Means for the 2025-26 Season

With Welsh in the fold, Penn State is looking increasingly unbeatable on paper. They already boast a deep lineup of returning All-Americans and top-ranked recruits.

Adding a national finalist into the mix, especially at a higher weight class, gives them unmatched depth and flexibility.

Expect Welsh to be a preseason top-3 contender at 184 lbs. More importantly, he’ll now be under the direct tutelage of Cael Sanderson and a coaching staff that knows how to get the best out of top-tier talent. If Welsh was dangerous at Ohio State, he could become lethal at Penn State.

The Bigger Picture: Transfers and the Evolving NCAA Landscape

Rocco Welsh’s move also highlights a growing trend in collegiate wrestling—athletes making bold, strategic decisions to transfer for better opportunities.

Unlike other sports where transfers are often met with skepticism, in wrestling, such moves are becoming more accepted as athletes look to sharpen their tools.

The NCAA transfer portal has reshaped recruiting and team building.

Programs like Penn State, Iowa, and Arizona State are no longer just developing high schoolers—they’re attracting top-tier collegiate transfers who want to be part of something bigger.