Isaac Hierro Captures Middle School Championship as Arizona’s Next Generation Makes Its Mark at One of America’s Most Prestigious Wrestling Tournaments
By Arizona Wrestling Staff | October 28, 2026
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA — The future of Arizona wrestling was on full display at the 2026 Super 32 Challenge, where nine youth and middle school athletes from the Grand Canyon State earned podium finishes against some of the nation’s toughest young competitors.
While Arizona’s high school wrestlers were making headlines with their own impressive performances, the state’s younger athletes were quietly building a legacy of their own.
Competing across the 8U, 11U, and Middle School divisions, Arizona’s rising stars collected one championship, two third-place finishes, and six additional top-eight placements.
For a state whose wrestling community continues to grow in both participation and national recognition, these accomplishments offer another encouraging glimpse into what the future may hold.
ISAAC HIERRO LEADS THE WAY WITH SUPER 32 CHAMPIONSHIP
The biggest performance among Arizona’s younger competitors came from Isaac Hierro of Grindhouse Wrestling, who captured the Middle School 90-pound championship.
Taking first place at an event carrying the prestige of Super 32 is a significant accomplishment at any age.
The tournament attracts talented wrestlers from across the country, creating opportunities for young athletes to test themselves against opponents they may not encounter during their regular seasons.
Hierro’s championship represents an important personal milestone while also adding another national-level achievement to Arizona’s growing wrestling résumé.
His first-place finish highlights the caliber of talent being developed within Arizona’s youth wrestling programs and the potential these athletes carry into their future high school careers.
ARIZONA MIDDLE SCHOOL WRESTLERS SHOW IMPRESSIVE DEPTH
Beyond Hierro’s championship, four additional Arizona middle school wrestlers earned places among the top eight in their respective weight classes.
Adam Sheppard of Vail Wrestling Academy secured fifth place at 120 pounds, while Joshua Hernandez finished sixth at 128 pounds.
At 136 pounds, Jaime Valencia of Cyclones earned eighth place, and Luka Momcilov of Grindhouse Wrestling added another eighth-place finish at 157 pounds.
Together, the five Middle School placers demonstrated impressive depth across a wide range of weight classes.
These results are especially meaningful because middle school represents a critical stage in a wrestler’s development.
Athletes begin refining their techniques, gaining strength, developing competitive confidence, and preparing for the increasingly demanding expectations of high school wrestling.
National tournaments like Super 32 offer valuable experience that can help accelerate that growth.
ARIZONA MIDDLE SCHOOL DIVISION — SUPER 32 RESULTS
| Weight | Wrestler | Club | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90 lbs | Isaac Hierro | Grindhouse | CHAMPION |
| 120 lbs | Adam Sheppard | Vail Wrestling Academy | 5th |
| 128 lbs | Joshua Hernandez | Not confirmed | 6th |
| 136 lbs | Jaime Valencia | Cyclones | 8th |
| 157 lbs | Luka Momcilov | Grindhouse | 8th |
TWO ARIZONA 11U WRESTLERS BATTLE TO THIRD PLACE
Arizona’s 11U division also delivered two outstanding podium performances.
Chance Ashford of Grindhouse Wrestling earned third place in the 70-pound division, while Steve Islas of Cyclones secured third place in the heavyweight division.
Both athletes finished among the top three in their brackets, a notable accomplishment against national competition.
At this age, competing in tournaments of this caliber requires more than technical ability.
Young wrestlers must demonstrate composure, determination, resilience, and the willingness to compete under pressure.
For Ashford and Islas, their third-place finishes are achievements worth celebrating and valuable building blocks for the years ahead.
ARIZONA 11U DIVISION — SUPER 32 RESULTS
| Weight | Wrestler | Club | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| 70 lbs | Chance Ashford | Grindhouse | 3rd |
| HWT | Steve Islas | Cyclones | 3rd |
ARIZONA’S 8U WRESTLERS PROVE THE NEXT GENERATION IS ALREADY COMPETING
Perhaps some of the most exciting results came from Arizona’s youngest representatives.
In the 8U 60-pound division, Mateo Isom of Trybe Wrestling earned fifth place, while Frankie Carrasco, representing Arizona, finished sixth.
Both athletes earned top-six finishes while competing at an age when many wrestlers are still discovering the fundamentals of the sport.
Their accomplishments demonstrate the increasingly competitive nature of youth wrestling and the commitment being shown by families and coaches who introduce athletes to structured training at an early age.
These young competitors have many years of wrestling ahead of them, but their Super 32 performances have already given them something special to build upon.
ARIZONA 8U DIVISION — SUPER 32 RESULTS
| Weight | Wrestler | Representation | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 lbs | Mateo Isom | Trybe | 5th |
| 60 lbs | Frankie Carrasco | Arizona | 6th |
ARIZONA’S WRESTLING FOUNDATION CONTINUES TO GROW
Across Arizona, wrestling clubs and training programs are helping young athletes develop skills that extend far beyond the wrestling mat.
Discipline, perseverance, accountability, confidence, and a strong work ethic are values that can follow these wrestlers throughout their lives.
The accomplishments of these nine athletes also represent the dedication of their coaches, families, teammates, and training partners.
Behind every national-level performance are countless hours spent practicing technique, improving conditioning, traveling to competitions, and overcoming challenges.
Arizona wrestling’s continued developmen
