Felker and Garcia headed to USAW PRESEASON NATIONALS

The USAW Preseason Nationals are an early season testing ground for some of the nation's best Folkstyle Wrestlers. This season's event is being held October 22-26th in Des Moines, IA.

When the mats roll out inside the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines this October, two of Colorado’s toughest sophomores will be stepping into one of the country’s premier wrestling battlegrounds. Tatum Garcia (113 lbs) and Jaxon Felker (126 lbs) of Severance Wrestling Club are set to compete at the USAW Preseason Nationals, held October 22–26, and they’re bringing serious momentum with them.

Tatum Garcia (So., 113) hasn't stopped wrestling since the CHSAA State Tournament, working through the freestyle season and even going to Fargo Nationals for the first time this past summer.

For Tatum Garcia, the past year has been one long climb — and he’s still accelerating. The Severance standout earned his place among Colorado’s elite with a Fargo Nationals qualification this summer and a 2nd-place finish at 120 pounds at the CUSAW Freestyle State Championships. Most recently, he added a 3rd-place podium finish at the Cosmic Clash to his résumé, showing sharp technical growth and next-level composure heading into Iowa.

Garcia’s wrestling style is aggressive and relentless — a blend of calculated setups and nonstop motion. Those who know him best describe him as a one who never panics, even in chaos. This year’s Preseason Nationals will be his chance to test those skills against some of the most disciplined and dangerous lightweights in the country.

Jaxon Felker (So., 126, first on the left) Is a returning state placer (took 6th at 120 pounds last year) and has only grown in his maturity and ability through the off season.

At 126 pounds, Jaxon Felker brings firepower and grit. A 6th-place finisher at the CHSAA State Championships, Felker has proven himself under pressure and against top-tier competition. His combination of explosiveness and tactical patience makes him a constant threat on his feet and a nightmare for opponents who underestimate his pace and strength. Training under the Severance Wrestling Club banner, Felker has spent his offseason tightening his fundamentals and refining his transitions — preparing for the kind of grind that defines Iowa-style wrestling.

The USAW Preseason Nationals isn’t just another tournament. It’s where elite high school wrestlers from across the nation gather to measure themselves before the season starts — a place where reputations are made and national rankings can shift in a single weekend. For Garcia and Felker, it’s the perfect stage to showcase how far they’ve come — and how far they intend to go.

As they take the mat in Des Moines, the mission is simple: compete fearlessly, wrestle smart, and leave no doubt that Severance belongs among the nation’s best. Whether it’s Garcia’s precision or Felker’s power, both young men embody the blue-collar discipline that’s at the heart of the sport — and of this program.

Fans and supporters can follow their results and updates through Severance Wrestling Club’s social channels. One thing is certain — when these two step onto the mat in Iowa, they’ll be representing not just themselves, but the growing tradition of toughness and excellence that’s becoming synonymous with Severance wrestling.