Who’s Unstoppable Preseason Nationals has grown from its start in 2023 (Mesa High School) into one of the premier preseason wrestling events in the Southwest. Now moving to Arizona State University – Sun Devil Fitness Center, the tournament is expanding across all age divisions (boys and girls), attracting top-level out-of-state competitors, and welcoming elite PNL (Premier National League) clubs, positioning it as a must-attend national event.
The mission behind Who’s Unstoppable wasn’t built in a boardroom—it was created at Anthony Robles’ house, where Anthony Robles and Coach Joe Valle came together with a shared vision.
They saw a major gap in Arizona wrestling.
There is top-level talent in Arizona—athletes capable of competing with anyone in the country—but many go unnoticed due to the high cost of traveling to major East Coast tournaments. For many families, that opportunity simply isn’t realistic.
Who’s Unstoppable was created to solve that problem.
The goal was simple but powerful: bring National-level Competition to Arizona, giving “Undiscovered Diamonds” a platform to compete, gain exposure, and prove they belong on the national stage—without the financial burden of constant out-of-state travel.
Who’s Unstoppable Preseason Nationals officially launched in 2023 with that mission at its core: create a high-level wrestling tournament where athletes can test themselves early, compete against elite opponents, and prepare for the season ahead.
Since then, the tournament has grown year over year—drawing larger brackets, tougher competition, and increasing national attention.
We are also fortunate to have the support of strong partners who believe in this mission. Sponsors such as Desert Financial Credit Union, along with new partnerships like Nike joining as a sponsor this year, continue to elevate the tournament. Their commitment reflects a shared belief in growing exposure for athletes—not just in Arizona, but across the entire Southwest—and helping provide opportunities for wrestlers at every level.
A Major Factor behind that Growth is its Perfect Placement on the National Calendar.
The tournament is held annually on the 1st weekend of October, placing it approximately:
- 2–3 weeks before Super 32
- 2–3 weeks before Freak Show
This makes it one of the most strategically valuable Preseason Tournaments in the Country.
For wrestlers and coaches, it provides the opportunity to:
- Identify and fix style deficiencies
- Gain high-level match experience early
- Adjust strategy, conditioning, and pacing
- Build confidence heading into national competition
Instead of discovering weaknesses during expensive out-of-state travel, athletes can sharpen their performance locally—reducing costly mistakes when it matters most.
As the Tournament Continues to Grow, the Level of Competition has Risen Dramatically.
Who’s Unstoppable is now attracting top-tier boys and girls wrestling talent, including elite California training programs such as Silva Back Training Center, which develop and feed athletes into powerhouse Central Section schools like Buchanan High School—currently ranked the #1 team in the country. Alongside these elite pipelines, top programs from California’s Southern Section and Central Section are making the trip to Arizona, bringing nationally recognized competition and raising the level across every division.
The presence of these programs brings an entirely different level of competition—especially in girls wrestling, where California continues to lead nationally. Their participation elevates the tournament and creates high-level matchups across every division.
In addition to California, the Tournament has Expanded its reach Across Multiple States, bringing in Teams from:
- Utah
- New Mexico
- Kentucky
- Nebraska
- Nothern Plains
- Washington
- And other regions across the country
This growing national footprint is transforming Who’s Unstoppable into more than a regional event—it is becoming a true National Preseason Destination.
Travel Accessibility has also played a Major Role in that Growth.
For teams from Rural Midwest Towns, traveling to Arizona is often easier than trying to drive hours to a major city just to catch a connecting flight to the East Coast. Thanks to Allegiant Airlines’ hub at Mesa Gateway Airport, which offers 45+ direct flights, families and teams can travel directly into the Phoenix area with less stress, less cost, and less travel time.
Because of this convenience—and everything Arizona has to offer—many families are turning this tournament into a full experience.
Who’s Unstoppable has become more than just a wrestling event—it’s a Destination Event.
Families are planning extended stays and enjoying everything the Valley has to offer during the fall season, including:
🎃 Fall & October Events
- Tempe Oktoberfest (rides, food, music, beer garden)
- Pumpkin patches & corn mazes (Schnepf Farms, Vertuccio Farms)
- Halloween events (haunted houses, trunk-or-treats, festivals)
- Outdoor movie nights & fall festivals
👨👩👧👦 Family Attractions
- Arizona Boardwalk (OdySea Aquarium, Butterfly Wonderland, exhibits)
- Phoenix Zoo
- LEGOLAND Discovery Center (Tempe)
- Children’s Museum of Phoenix
- SEA LIFE Aquarium (Arizona Mills)
🌵 Outdoor Arizona Experience
- Desert Botanical Garden
- Papago Park (Hole-in-the-Rock hike)
- South Mountain hiking & scenic views
- Hot air balloon rides (sunrise)
- Salt River tubing (early October)
The inclusion of PNL teams ensures that every bracket—from 6U through 18U, boys and girls—will feature nationally competitive talent, raising the overall standard of the tournament.
The next major milestone is the move to Arizona State University, signaling a new era of growth and opportunity.
Hosting the event at ASU not only provides a larger platform, greater visibility, and the infrastructure to support continued expansion across all age groups and skill levels—it also creates a unique opportunity for National-Caliber Athletes to Experience a Division I campus firsthand.
Wrestlers and families will have the chance to walk the grounds, feel the environment, and begin to envision Arizona State University as a potential destination for their future Academic and Wrestling careers.
The Vision remains the same as it was in that first conversation at Anthony Robles’ house:
Give Arizona Athletes a Platform to be Seen, Compete, and Prove they Belong.
With year-over-year growth, elite national competition, strategic timing on the calendar, strong sponsorship support, the addition of PNL teams, full division expansion from 6U to 18U, and now a home at Arizona State University, Who’s Unstoppable Preseason Nationals is positioned for its biggest year yet.
For wrestlers, coaches, and families, this is more than just a tournament—it’s a proving ground. A place where talent is discovered, opportunities are created, and athletes step onto the mat ready to show exactly why they are UNSTOPPABLE.
