Penn State wrestling rookie Jayden James dominates World Team Trials

The newest potential Penn State wrestling star dominated opening day of the Senior World Team Trials.

What a performance, indeed, for Jayden James.

The incoming Nittany Lion freshman − regarded as one of top recruits ever for coach Cael Sanderson − manhandled his three older competitors in Thursday's elite freestyle challenge tournament in Louisville, Kentucky. He started by taking out two-time Iowa NCAA finalist Mikey Caliendo and PSU redshirt sophomore teammate Joe Sealey, the top seed in their 74 kilogram weight class.

James, only the ninth seed, beat his first two opponents by a combined 18-3 score. He then pinned his semifinal opponent, former Princeton All-American Quincy Monday, with less than a minute remaining.

World Team Trials finals matches are set for Friday afternoon.

Delbarton's Jayden James raises his arm alert defeating St. John Vianney's Ryan Gavrish in a 165lb championship match of the NJSIAA Boys Wrestling State Championships at the Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Atlantic City.

James appears to be another wrestling prodigy for Sanderson, following last year's freshmen success of PJ Duke and Marcus Blaze, who finished third and fourth at the recent NCAA Championships.

James won back-to-back New Jersey state championships at Delbarton High, going 79-0 the past two years at 150 and 165 pounds. He is the nation's No. 3-ranked recruit in the 2026 class, according to FloWrestling, and won Under-17 titles at the 2025 U.S. Open and World Championships.