Hi, I’m Carmela Cancelmo, and I’m aiming to compete at the 2026 U.S. Open and 2026 Beach Wrestling Nationals. Both are premier wrestling tournaments in the country. These events will give me the opportunity to pursue my dream of competing at the highest level and potentially qualify to compete for a spot on the world team.
My journey into wrestling began unexpectedly during my senior year of high school, sparked by an interest in MMA. With no prior experience, I dove into the sport at the varsity level and instantly fell in love with it. Wrestling became the first sport I truly felt passionate about.
I’m a graduate of East Stroudsburg University, where I competed on a nationally ranked NCAA Division II team. Now, I give back to the sport by volunteering as a coach at Little Falls, sharing the knowledge and experience I’ve gained throughout my journey, while continuing to learn and improve every day, even though I no longer compete on a team.
Here are some of my competitive highlights:
- 7th place at Regionals (2021)
- 6th place at the Albion Invitational (2022)
- 5th place at the PA Women’s Collegiate State Championship (2023) & 6th place in 2024
- 4th place at the Will Abel Ursinus Women’s Open (2023)
- 3rd place at the Nassau Open (2023)
- 4th place at the Guelph Open, Canada (2024)
- Finished my college career with a 10-2 dual meet record, with 9 pins
- 2nd place at the Millersville Women’s Collegiate Open (2024)
The U.S. Open will take place in April 2026 and Beach Nationals will take place in August. This is an incredible opportunity for me to compete at the highest level. However, the costs associated with traveling and accommodations are substantial. I’m reaching out to ask for your support to help make this dream a reality.
Every contribution brings me one step closer to my goal, and I’m deeply grateful for any assistance you can provide. Thank you for being part of my journey as I strive to represent the sport I love on the biggest stage!