WAVERLY, Iowa — Massoma (Moe) Endene will compete for the United States at the U23 World Championships in freestyle at 97 kg Oct. 26-27 in Tirana, Albania. U23 is the highest age division before the senior level (those that compete in the Olympics). He will travel and compete as an official member of the U.S. delegation.
Endene won the 32-man bracket at the U23 team trials in June in Colombia to punch his ticket to the World Championships. He went 6-0 to be the United States representative at 97 kg. There are 10 weight classes in this competition: 57, 61, 65, 70, 74, 79, 86, 92, 97, and 125 kgs.
"To represent the United States gives me an immense sense of pride to have the opportunity to represent so many people including my family, Dallas, Texas, Wartburg College, Division III, and the United States!"
Endene is a two-time NCAA Division III National Champion at 197 lbs., won the PanAm Championship at 97 kg, and the U23 team trials. He has wrestled in four freestyle tournaments in four years, so he's newer to the discipline.
HISTORY: Every DIII wrestling champion since 1974
"Coming to Wartburg really exposed me to freestyle opportunities outside of the regular season, whether it's the U.S. Open, the regionals, or the U23 World Trials," said Endene. "My coaches have always encouraged me to try it and freestyle has become a real passion for me and something I plan to do for years to come."
"One of the greatest parts of being at Wartburg is there are no limits," said Wartburg's Director of Wrestling and head men's wrestling coach, . "We strive for excellence in all that we do, and no goal is unattainable. Having a world team member from Wartburg is a great reflection of this. Anything is achievable here!
"From day one Moe has had a pure love of learning this sport," he continued. "He has been willing to make any changes we have given him and is constantly striving for excellence. His willingness to learn and put in any amount of work it takes to be great is what has helped him continue to elevate year after year. Having the opportunity to train at the Olympic training center several times now, as well as traveling around to different RTC locations this summer has helped him continue to find new levels."
Before Moe traveled to Albania, he attended a week-long training camp Oct. 7-14 at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. A lot of star wrestlers will be in attendance including Jordan Burroughs.
"Having the opportunities to travel and compete with the best in the nation and world has been a surreal experience," noted Endene. "Training camps at the Olympic training center, the opportunity to go train this summer at the Princeton RTC, winning the Pan-American championships in June are all experiences that I feel blessed to have had."
No different than anytime he steps on a collegiate wrestling mat, Endene has high goals for himself on the world stage. "My goal for this weekend's World Championships is the same as every time I compete," he said. "I want to go out and wrestle at my full God-given potential and compete with joy and gratitude. My coaches have prepared me both physically and mentally to be at my best.
"I think this weekend will allow me to continue to grow and learn about myself as a competitor, but also as a person," he continued. "I am looking forward to the time spent with my coaches, the Team USA competitors and coaches/delegation, but also an opportunity to compete for a world championship! I have so much gratitude for this opportunity and thankful for the Wartburg wrestling family for all of their support!"
"I am hoping he can take it all in and enjoy the experience while continuing to have the same level of focus and determination he always does when he competes," said Keller. "We talk a lot in our program about keeping the focus on us and how we compete no matter who has their foot on the line across from us. That approach must remain the same. We are coming to wrestle at our highest level of our God-given potential and that is always the expectation and goal!"
Keller and assistant coach Trevor Kittleson will be in his corner in Albania as they will make the trip to coach him at this event.
"The opportunity to coach at a world championship and be at the highest-level tournament in our sport brings nothing by feelings of gratitude and excitement," said Keller. "I have a deep appreciation for the level of commitment it takes to be at this level and am thankful to have Wartburg represented on the WORLD stage!"
Keller sees this trip as translating into the collegiate season in "this opportunity is just a reminder to our team and Wartburg Wrestling family why it is so imperative that you surround yourself with people in your lives who love you, invest everything they have in you, continue to redefine what is possible and the vision, and then hold you to the highest possible standards to accomplish those goals and dreams!"
Keller believes Moe is the first NCAA Division III U23 team member to compete while he's still in college. The program has previously had the following senior level competitors:
- Alain Djoumessi: competed for Cameroon in 2003
- John Helgerson: 2016 US Olympic trials, took 5th
- Brady Kyner and : competed at senior world trials in 2021
