From OTS to the Podium: Brown Brothers Shine at Pan-Am Championships

A pair of Old Trail School alumni stole the spotlight at the 2025 U20 Pan-American Wrestling Championships in Lima, Peru—and brought home some serious hardware.

From July 10–12, brothers Kade Brown ’20 and Karson Brown ’22 took to the international mat, representing Team Canada with confidence, grit and the unmistakable spirit of OTS. Kade, now a redshirt freshman at the University of Pittsburgh, delivered a dominant performance, winning three consecutive matches to claim gold in the 70 kg weight class. He sealed the title with an 11-0 major decision over Mexico’s Jazziel Balam Canul in the finals.

“Overall, I think I wrestled hard today,” Kade said following the tournament. “My coaches and I came in knowing that I was going to have to scrap and would have some tough matches. I think I wrestled smart, stayed tough, was ready to scrap and got out there and made it a war.”

Younger brother Karson, who returns to St. Edward High School as a three-time Ohio state champion this fall, brought the same relentless drive that has defined his wrestling career. Competing in the 61 kg class, he posted a 2-1 record and earned a hard-fought third-place finish on the podium.

This wasn’t the first—and surely won’t be the last—time the Brown brothers made history together. During Kade’s senior year at St. Edward, he and Karson became just the second sibling duo ever to win individual state titles at the same tournament—an extraordinary feat at one of the nation’s most respected high school wrestling programs.

Ranked among the nation’s top high school recruits, Karson committed last October to join Kade at Pitt in 2026, continuing their shared path. The University of Pittsburgh, which finished last season ranked No. 17 nationally, remains one of the country’s premier collegiate wrestling programs—and the Browns are poised to make their mark together.

But what makes this story so compelling isn’t just the medals—it’s the bond: two brothers, two shared paths, one unforgettable weekend. From their earliest days at Old Trail to the roar of the Pan-Am arena, their dual triumph is a proud moment for the OTS community and a shining example of where passion and perseverance can lead.

Congratulations, Kade and Karson. We’ll be watching—and cheering—you on.

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This article first appeared in the 2025 Fall edition of the Old Trail Magazine.