American University

2024-25 (Junior): Wrestled the best season of his career so far, leading the team in dual wins (13) and dual points (59)... Went 22-13 overall for the third-most wins on the team, also served as a team captain… Finished tied for the lead in pins with 11, and third on the team in major decisions with five… Recorded the fastest pin of the season in just 14 seconds against Davidson’s Enis Ljikovic on 12/15… Posted three pins on the way to a 3-3 showing at the EIWA Championships, taking sixth place on the podium at 133… Battled with Army’s #22 Ethan Berginc in the Consolation Semis, falling after two rideout periods…Took home the Billy Sheridan Memorial award for most pins in the shortest amount of time in the tournament… Had a dominant showing at the Chippewa Challenge on 1/26, going 3-0 with three major decisions… Finished second at the Patriot Open on 12/8, and third at the F&M Open on 1/10… Was ranked #28 in the season’s first RPI rankings… Won the Iron Eagle award at the team’s annual banquet, given to the wrestler who displays exemplary dedication in the weight room. 

2023-24 (Sophomore) - Battled through injury, starting the season in December and going 8-6 overall with a 6-4 record in dual meets... Represented AU in the 141-pound weight class at the EIWA Championships, going 2-2... Beat #28 Braden Basile of Army in a dual meet on Feb. 25... Earned three technical falls, including a 17-1 score against Davidson's Josh Viarengo in his first match of the season on Dec. 2.

2022-23 (Freshman) - Finished 12-11 overall in his first season at American... Co-recipient of the Coaches Award at the team's end-of-year banquet... Pinned Franklin & Marshall’s Aidan O’Shea for a win at his first EIWA Championships... Finished 4-0 to take first place at The Citadel Open, with his wins coming by pin, technical fall, major decision and decision... Went 2-1 in AU’s first three duals including a pin against Duke.

Before AU - Wrestled for Troy Tirapelle, brother of AU associate head coach Alex Tirapelle, at Buchanan High School... Was a part of three consecutive team state titles... Placed second at the California State Tournament as a junior... Also a Doc Buchanan champion and Folkstyle National Champion... Spent one year at Army Prep after high school.

Personal - Son of Lisa and Ted Escalante... Majoring in philosophy... Chose AU because it "just felt right.... the family atmosphere and the chance to be a part of something great that the coaches are going to build is what brought me here.... beautiful location in the heart of DC and great academics at AU."