Suffolk County’s own Camryn Howard has added another remarkable achievement to his growing résumé, capturing the U.S. Open Under-17 71-kilogram freestyle national title with an impressive performance on one of wrestling’s biggest stages.
Howard, a Bellport sophomore, showcased skill, toughness, and composure throughout the tournament, finishing his championship run with a dominant 5-0 shutout victory over Jason Dube in the title match. The win secured Howard the national crown and further established him as one of the top young wrestlers in the country.
After surviving a dramatic first-round comeback victory earlier in the event, Howard left no doubt in the finals. He opened the scoring on a shot clock violation before delivering a lightning-quick counter go-behind takedown as the first-period clock expired, pushing his lead to 3-0. A failed challenge by Dube’s corner added another point, giving Howard a commanding 4-0 advantage heading into the second period.
Still pressing the action, Howard added one final step-out point later in the match to complete the 5-0 decision and secure the championship. His combination of timing, defense, and relentless pace proved too much for the competition.
Howard’s title also means New York State will once again have a freestyle representative at the UWW Under-17 World Championships. It marks the fourth time in the past five seasons that the Empire State has sent a representative to the prestigious international event.
He now joins an impressive group of New York wrestling standouts who have represented the state on the world stage, including Zack Ryder, Elijah Diakomihalis, and Yianni Diakomihalis, the only New Yorker to win gold at the event since it returned in 2011.
Earlier in the tournament, Howard earned his place in the national finals with a commanding 8-0 semifinal victory over Minnesota standout Lincoln Robideau. Howard built a 6-0 lead by halftime through a series of takedowns, turns, and activity points before closing out the match in dominant fashion.
He was also tested in the quarterfinals, where he battled past nationally ranked Colin Rutlin of Missouri by a score of 13-8 in one of the most competitive matches of the weekend. Howard answered every challenge and continued advancing.
For Bellport, Suffolk County, and the Long Island wrestling community, Howard’s championship is a proud moment.
With a national title now in hand, Camryn Howard’s future continues to shine brighter with every match.