In the exclusive world of elite youth wrestling, only a select few etch their names into history. The path to immortality runs through three of the toughest youth tournaments in the sport: the Tulsa Kickoff Classic, Tulsa Nationals, and Reno Worlds. Since 1979, this trifecta has tested the will of champions, producing legends like Kyle Dake, David Taylor, and Spencer Lee. To conquer all three in a single season is to earn the coveted Trinity Award, the most prestigious accolade in youth wrestling. This year, Missouri can proudly claim one of those rare winners: St. Louis native Cayden Mango.
Mango’s journey began at the Tulsa Kickoff Classic in the stacked 80-pound division. His first major test came against Kansas standout Brooks Blevins of Wichita. “I got a takedown, and I got reversed in the first period,” Mango recalled. Locked in a 3-3 tie late, he made a bold choice. “Going into the third period up by one point, I decided to let Brooks up and tie the score. I knew I had to get the takedown, wrestle smart, and get in a good position. If it went into overtime, I felt confident I could win.”
With 44 seconds left, Mango capitalized on a counter, securing a go-behind for the decisive 6-3 victory. It was the defining moment of his Kickoff run, a reminder of his poise and killer instinct under pressure.
At Tulsa Nationals, Mango entered as the #2 seed with a potential finals showdown looming against J.J. Sulivan of New York, a two-time Super 32 champion and the reigning Trinity Award winner. Sulivan stormed through his side of the bracket, while Mango had to survive a double-overtime thriller against Cruz Moss of West Virginia.
The finals lived up to the hype. After a scoreless first period, Mango held off Sulivan’s relentless cradle attempts from the bottom position. With the match tied entering the final period, Mango took another calculated risk, conceding a point by choosing neutral. The gamble paid off: with 30 seconds left, he converted a sweep single into a double-leg finish for the go-ahead score. He then showed his defensive grit to hold on for the victory — securing the second leg in his Trinity crown.
By the time he reached Reno Worlds, the pressure was immense, but Mango kept his focus. “I didn’t worry about the Trinity Award,” he said. “I saw it as just another tournament.” That calm carried him through a 5-3 quarterfinal and a 6-5 semifinal before meeting Colorado’s Urijah Gomez, a multi-time Tulsa champ and Super 32 finalist.
The final was nothing short of epic. Trailing by one in the closing seconds, Mango earned a stalling call to tie it. Then, with just three ticks left, he hit a stunning reversal to win 7-5. This stunning win cemented his place in history alongside past Trinity greats like Mark Hall and Zahid Valencia.
Though his name now stands among wrestling’s elite, Cayden Mango’s story is only beginning. His fearless decisions and clutch performances on the Trinity stage are a preview of what’s to come for this Missouri standout. The wrestling community will be watching closely as his career unfolds.
Cayden also expressed gratitude to coach Paul Collum and his father, Jake Mango, for their guidance and support throughout this remarkable journey.
