Zan Fugitt: Badger and Pan-American Champion

The Freshman's collegiate, national, and global success

Madison, Wis. – Wisconsin's Zan Fugitt was named champion at the U23 Freestyle Pan-American Championships at 61kg. This success follows his prolific season 2024-25 Badger Wrestling.

The 2024-25 season was Zan Fugitt's first official year competing after redshirting during his Freshman year. The Badger only competed in four duals total in his previous season, with a 2-2 dual record.

Fugitt returned from his Redshirt year to prove an impressive first season, finishing the regular season with a 16-5 record. He was one of four Badgers to start in all 17 duals in the regular season at 133lbs. Fugitt was also named "Performer of the Match", an award given by coaches after each dual to highlight a strong performance. His regular season established Zan as a top contributor to the team.

Coach Bono recounts, "Zan had a wonderful season , his growth and development was through the roof. He believed in the process , trusted his teammates and coaches and put it all together at the right time . He is a student of the game and did everything right. I could not be more proud to walk along side of him."

Post-season, Fugitt found success at both the Big Ten Championships and NCAA tournament.

At the Big Ten Championship, he went 4-2 and secured his qualifying spot at the NCAA tournament.

The Redshirt Freshman, went on to prove his talent on a national stage at the NCAA tournament, upsetting the competition and becoming an All-American. The 14-seed went 4-2 on the tournament, including a pin against the No. 6 seed, securing his All-American Status. Fugitt finished 4th on the podium for 133lbs.

His success also extends to the classroom, as he received 2024-25 Academic-All Big Ten and was named as a NWCA Scholar All-American.

In his final showing of the school year, Zan traveled to Queretaro, Mexico to compete at the U23 Pan-American Championships for USA. April 10-12, 2025. Zan won all three rounds of competition and took the title for U23 Freestyle 61kg Pan-American Champion.

This is the third time Fugitt has traveled to the Pan-American Championship, as he's previously earned 2nd place at 60kg at the 2023 U20 Pan-American Championships in Freestyle, and taken home two first place finishes in 2022 U17 Pan-American Championships for Greco-Roman and Freestyle at 60kg.

"Going to Pan-Ams was a great experience. I've been to Pan Ams before, never at U23 level, but I've been before, so I was just excited for the experience and really enjoy wrestling. I take freestyle as a great opportunity to evolve my overall wrestling," said Zan Fugitt.

Pan-American Results: U23 Freestyle 61kg

61kg - Zan Fugitt placed 1st and scored 24 points

Round 1 - Zan Fugitt (USA) over Blayne Pascal Helou (Canada) by VSU 12-0

Round 2 - Zan Fugitt (USA) over Diego Jimenez Pinacho (Mexico) by VFA 2-0

Round 3 -Zan Fugitt (USA) over Derek Jose Martinez Mateo (Puerto Rico) by VSU 10-0

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