Missouri wrestling fans have plenty to be excited about as three of the state’s own high school wrestlers prepare to compete on the world stage at the upcoming Beach Wrestling World Championships in Katerini, Greece, on September 25–26, 2025. Jayden, Keller Talon Worden, and Jace Keller will represent Team USA and Missouri on international stage. The Beach World Championships invite only the best, and having these three Team USA athletes from Missouri is a huge honor for our wrestling community as they battle for gold on the beaches of Katerini.
Meet Jayden Keller, Talon Worden, Jace Keller
Jayden Keller, of Brookfield, Missouri, has already made history and continues to break new ground. Still a high school student, Jayden has wrestled since childhood often against boys, before girls’ wrestling was widespread. In 2024, Jayden not only made the U17 World Team; she stormed through the World Championships in Greece to earn a silver medal at 50 kg, helping lead Team USA to the U17 women’s team title. Her silver-medal performance marked one of the best international results by a Missouri wrestler, and it cemented her status as a rising star. Now she’s returning to the World Championships with even more experience and hunger for gold. Known for her speed, technique, and tenacity, Jayden’s accomplishments is not only representing the state, but also serving as an inspiration for girls in wrestling across the state of Missouri.
WATCH on Flo: https://www.flowrestling.org/events/14423134-2025-midwest-beach-wrestling-nationals/videos?playing=14448856&limit=60
Talon Worden, of Farmington,
Missouri is one of the most promising young athletes. Talon has already achieved multiple state titles and national tournament wins in folkstyle and freestyle as a youth wrestler. Missouri wrestling fans have watched Talon’s rise from a young phenom into a world-class contender, and they know his fearless style and determination could bring home a medal from Greece. This summer, Talon’s dedication paid off when he earned a spot on the U.S. U17 Beach Wrestling World Team bound for Greece. Securing a place on Team USA is no small feat as Talon had to excel at the USA Wrestling Beach Nationals and prove himself against the nation’s best. Now, he’s set to test himself against elite international competition.
WATCH on Flo: https://www.flowrestling.org/events/14423134-2025-midwest-beach-wrestling-nationals/videos?playing=14449752&limit=60
Jace Keller, of Brookfield, the younger brother of Jayden, is gearing up for a breakthrough moment as an alternate on the U17 USA World Team at the Beach Wrestling World Championships. This marks his first taste of international competition with Team USA. Keller has quickly made a name for himself on the domestic scene, highlighted by a stellar freshman year that saw him surge to the Missouri state finals at 126 pounds, where he finished as runner-up. He turned heads at the USA Wrestling Beach Nationals, placing second in the U17 70-kg division after pushing the eventual champion to a nail-biter 3-2 match. It will be a family affair in Katerini, adding an extra layer of excitement and pride for the Keller family as both Jace and Jayden take on the world stage.
WATCH on Flo: https://www.flowrestling.org/events/14423134-2025-midwest-beach-wrestling-nationals/videos?playing=14449192&limit=60
Beach Wrestling: A New Wave in the Sport
As Jayden, Talon and Jace prepare for Beach Worlds, they are also ambassadors of an emerging style of wrestling that many fans are still discovering. Beach wrestling is a fast-growing discipline under United World Wrestling, contested on sand rather than mats. The rules are streamlined to encourage action: matches are fought inside a sand circle, and the first wrestler to score 3 points wins. Points are earned through takedowns and one point for forcing any part of an opponent’s body (besides hands or feet) to touch the sand, or a full 3 points for a spectacular throw that causes the opponent’s back to hit the sand. There are no complex pinning combinations or long bouts; beach matches are intense, often lasting just a couple of minutes. This new style of wrestling has been compared to sumo in its ring-out rules and judo in its throws, making it spectator-friendly and exciting. For athletes like Jayden, Talon, and Jace, it’s also an opportunity to test themselves in a different style of wrestling.
Pride of Missouri on the World Stage
For Missouri to have three representatives on Team USA is a remarkable achievement that speaks to the strength of the state’s wrestling programs.
Missouri wrestling fans, now is the time to get loud! As Beach World Championships approach, be sure to follow Jayden Keller, Talon Worden and Jace Keller on their beach wrestling journey as they compete on the world stage. The competition kicks off September 25 in Katerini, Greece. Keep an eye on the official UWW Beach Wrestling stream and USA Wrestling updates for live results.
