Zahid Valencia, a wrestling powerhouse with two NCAA titles and a 2023 World bronze medal already under his belt, has made a game-changing move, joining the elite Cowboy Regional Training Center (RTC) in Stillwater. He’s now training under the watchful eye of none other than Olympic gold medalist David Taylor, a partnership that’s creating serious buzz in the wrestling world. This big switch, announced back in October 2024, was all part of Taylor’s grand plan to build a wrestling mecca, drawing in top-tier talent like Valencia to sharpen the program’s competitive edge. And Zahid, of all people, gets it. His words say it best.
Here on, Valencia is set to face four-time world champion Kyle Dake at Final X on June 14, 2025, in a best-of-three series that will decide who represents the U.S. at 86 kg on the world team. In a recent chat with FloWrestling’s journalist, Valencia opened up about his experience in Stillwater, highlight how Taylor’s direct influence has reshaped his mindset and preparation for the Dake clash. He gave a glimpse into the grueling scenarios in the wrestling room, saying, “Yeah, you know, just scenarios that we do in the wrestling room, even though you’re up against some of the guys, David’s another one. Even when the guys are going full, they’re not doing anything.”
Zahid Valencia’s Thoughts The Day Before Kyle Dake Showdown pic.twitter.com/P0TaIaNU5l
— FloWrestling (@FloWrestling) June 13, 2025
Valencia emphasized the mental toughness Taylor has instilled in him. “Kenn’s stealing my kind of mindset like, ‘Hey, no matter what, keep emotions in check, go out there, get your mind right.’” His new approach is all about “lockdown defense” and keeping his cool under pressure. As he explained, “I have to go lockdown defense, just everything away, the way the coaches have been talking to me, the way my partners are putting pressure on me, I think it’s all working hand in hand.”
This mental and strategic evolution under Taylor’s guidance is absolutely critical as Valencia prepares for Dake, a wrestler renowned for his lightning-fast counters and step-outs, having consistently scored points in their past three encounters. The anticipation for this matchup is sky-high. The two have wrestled three times before, and Dake leads the series 2-1, but Valencia’s stunning upset victory over Dake at the 2025 U.S. Open, where he masterfully controlled the pace to earn his ticket to Final X, has spiced up things.
As Valencia stands on the brink of this monumental showdown, the big question looms: will Taylor’s mentorship and Stillwater’s intense training environment be the secret weapon he needs to overcome Dake’s seasoned experience and clinch that coveted world team spot? Meanwhile, the Cowboy RTC trio is aiming for a US Team spot.
Cowboy RTC stars ready to rumble at Final X
Tomorrow, June 14, at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., along with Zahid Valencia, two more incredible wrestlers from the Cowboy Regional Training Center (RTC) are on the cusp of realizing their dreams. Wyatt Hendrickson and Joey McKenna are all set to battle it out at Final X, each fighting for a coveted spot on Team USA and the chance to represent the nation at the World Championships this September. They’ve all earned their shot by winning at the U.S. Open in April, and now, in best-of-three series against their rivals, they’ll determine who truly earns that world team status. Get ready for a weekend of intense, high-stakes wrestling!
Credits: IMAGO
Wyatt Hendrickson, fresh off a dominant performance at the U.S. Open where he racked up four double-digit point victories, and a recent gold at the Pan-American Championships, is gunning for the first World team spot of his career at 125 kg. This former Oklahoma State standout and NCAA champion came agonizingly close in 2023, finishing fourth. Now, he faces a familiar opponent in Trent Hillger. Their last meeting at the U.S. Open saw Hendrickson victorious with a 10-4 score. Can he deliver that same winning performance when the pressure of Final X is at its peak?
At 65 kg, Joey McKenna brings a wealth of experience to the mat, proudly displaying 12 international medals and two U.S. Open titles. His formidable opponent for this crucial series is Real Woods, the Senior World Team Trials champion. McKenna’s last appearance at Final X ended in heartbreak when he couldn’t quite qualify for Team USA against Logan Stieber. As he steps onto the mat once more, the burning question on everyone’s mind is whether McKenna can finally overcome those past setbacks and seize this golden opportunity to shine on the world stage.
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