Indianapolis – Aaden Valdez and the Adams State Wrestling team saw their 2025 Division II Wrestling Championships campaign come to a close, with Valdez securing a third-place finish and earning his second career All-American honors.

Competing at 157 pounds, Valdez entered the semifinals in session one of day two, facing off against top-seeded Joel Jesuroga of St. Cloud State. Jesuroga took an early lead with a first-period takedown, but Valdez battled back, escaping in both the first and second periods to close the gap. After allowing an escape early in the third, Valdez earned a penalty point from two stalling calls. However, it wasn't enough, and he dropped the match by decision, 4-3.

Valdez then moved to the consolation bracket, where he faced John Ridle of Central Missouri. Valdez dominated the match, pinning Ridle in 2:56, which advanced him to the third-place match.

Valdez was slated to wrestle against Owen Cline of Colorado Mesa for third, but Cline was forced to forfeit, giving Valdez the third-place spot.

With his third-place finish, Valdez capped off an impressive season. The Adams State Wrestling team looks to build on this success as they prepare for future seasons, with all four national qualifiers returning to make another run at a championship.