GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala — South Dakota State University wrestler Tanner Sloan’s debut in international competition was a successful one as he claimed the 97-kilogram championship Friday in the junior division of the Pan-American Championships.
A native of Alburnett, Iowa, Sloan went undefeated in round-robin competition Friday to claim the title. Wrestling as a member of the Jackrabbit Wrestling Club, Sloan opened the day with a 10-0 shutout of Cristian Solano Mendez of Costa Rica. He moved into gold medal position by defeating Ikjyot Randhawa of Canada, 12-2, and by posting a 6-0 decision over Ecuador’s Victor Mancheno Jumbo later in the day.
Sloan was to have faced Juan Cantillo Torres of Panama in his final bout, but Cantillo Torres withdrew from the tournament due to injury, giving Sloan his final and decisive victory.
With his first international title under his belt, Sloan moves on to represent the United States at the 2019 Junior World Championships Aug. 12-18 in Tallinn, Estonia.
The junior division features wrestlers ages 17-20. Sloan redshirted for the Jackrabbits during the 2018-19 season, but posted a 24-2 record in open tournaments.
