Episode 8: Anthony Echemendia & Yonger Bastida

Anthony Echemendia is a former Cuban citizen who defected from Cuba and made his way to the United States. In High School, he was an undefeated Arizona State Champion, 2019 Fargo Champion in freestyle and Greco, Who’s Number 1# Champion, Senior Freestyle Medalist (Silver & Bronze), back-to-back Cuba Junior Freestyle National Champion, & won three-straight Cadet freestyle Cuban national titles. After transferring from Ohio State, Anthony earned a 2024 5th Place All-American finish and was a Big12 Champion. Yonger Bastida is also a Cuban-American wrestler for Iowa State, winning the Pan-American Junior Gold Medal at 92 kg, & Bronze at the U23 World Championships. He is a 3x NCAA National Qualifier, with a 5th Place finish for Iowa State in 2022, and a Big12 title in 2024.