When Real American Freestyle hits the mat for RAF 13 on Friday night, September 18, 2026, at the Watsco Center on the campus of the University of Miami, wrestling fans across the country will be tuned into Fox Nation starting at 8:00 PM EST…if not, they should be.
While the headline cards bring plenty of flash, true diehard wrestling fans will keep their eyes locked on an interesting match-up of technical grit and international pedigree: Pennsylvania legend Chance Marsteller taking on Greek world champion Georgios Kougioumtsidis at cruiserweight (79 kg).
For those of us tracking the local scene closely, this isn't just another marquee bout on a stacked card, it’s a showcase of grit, redemption, and the unbreakable mindset of one of Pennsylvania's finest.
To understand what Chance Marsteller brings to the mat under the bright lights in Miami, you have to look back at the trail of dominance he left across Pennsylvania. Competing out of Kennard-Dale High School in Fawn Grove, PA, Marsteller put together one of the most remarkable high school runs in American wrestling history.
Undefeated Perfection: A flawless 166–0 career record, culminating in four PIAA Class AAA State Championships while being named the state's Outstanding Wrestler three times.
National Dominance: Two Super 32 titles, four Powerade championships, three USA Wrestling Asics/Vaughan Cadet National titles across freestyle and Greco-Roman, and the 2012 FILA Cadet Freestyle National crown that carried him to the Cadet World Championships in Baku.
National Accolades: Highlighted by the 2014 Junior Hodge Trophy Award and the prestigious Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award as the nation’s top recruit.
When Marsteller moved to the collegiate ranks, his journey was tested by adversity. Starting at Oklahoma State before transferring home to Lock Haven University, he battled significant personal obstacles off the mat. But inside the circle, his skill was unmatched. Competing for Lock Haven, Marsteller shattered the school’s single-season win record with a 44–4 mark in 2017-18, placing fourth at the NCAA Championships. He followed that up as a redshirt senior with a 28–3 record, earning Eastern Wrestling League Athlete of the Year honors and finishing third at the NCAAs to cap off a career as a two-time Division I All-American.
Beyond the international medals and national titles, Marsteller’s legacy remains anchored right here in the Greater Philadelphia area.
Through his local club, Steller Trained, Marsteller has transformed his hard-earned lessons into coaching and mentoring the next generation of youth and high school wrestlers across the region. Operating out of Pennsylvania and working closely with local talent, his hands-on approach focuses on relentless technical precision, mental toughness, hand-fighting dominance, and character development on and off the mat.
For local wrestlers who roll on the mats at Steller Trained sessions, seeing Chance battle on international broadcasts like RAF isn't just entertainment, it's a masterclass from a coach who lives every single detail he teaches. His transition into senior-level dominance, winning the 2023 Final X title, making the U.S. Senior World Team, and claiming the 2026 U.S. Open, gives local athletes a front-row seat to world-class preparation.
Standing across the circle from Marsteller in Miami is a formidable phenomenon. Greece’s Georgios Kougioumtsidis made history by becoming the first-ever Greek freestyle wrestler to win a Senior World Championship at 79 kg when he captured gold in Zagreb, Croatia.
Age & Base: At just 24 years old, the Thessaloniki native stands 5'11" and brings explosive athleticism paired with high level defense.
International Resume: 2025 World Champion, 2022 Senior European Champion, multi-time U23 European Gold Medalist, and 2024 Paris Olympian.
Style & Mindset: Coached by his uncle, Themis Iakovidis, Kougioumtsidis is known for high-level tactical mat intelligence and relentless pace. He’s tested himself across multiple combat disciplines, including a stint in mixed martial arts, and holds a reputation as a pure competitor who wrestles for country and legacy.
Kougioumtsidis made his RAF debut earlier this year at RAF 09 in a tight decision against Parker Keckeisen that earned Match of the Night honors. He comes into Miami eager to establish his authority on the American freestyle circuit.
This 79 kg showdown puts Marsteller’s heavy hands, inside positioning, and relentless physical conditioning against the dynamic scoring ability and defensive length of Kougioumtsidis. Marsteller’s ability to control the center of the mat and enforce his pace will be crucial against the Greek star's explosive counters.
Wrestling kicks off at 8:00 PM on Fox Nation. Hopefully, the Philly wrestling community will be tuned in supporting the Pennsylvania native. It’s world-class technique meets blue-collar Pennsylvania grit at the Watsco Center. Don't miss it!