# Yonger Bastida

Yonger Pauli Bastida Pomares (born September 19, 1999) is a Cuban freestyle and former folkstyle wrestler who competes at heavyweight for the Iowa State Cyclones. In freestyle, he is most notably a U23 and U20 World Championship medalist. In folkstyle, Bastida is an NCAA Division I All-American out of the Iowa State University.

## Early life and career in Cuba

Born in Trinidad, Cuba, Bastida became one of the most promising prospects in his native country in 2019, when he broke into the international scene.
Bastida grabbed a silver medal at the Cerro Pelado International, notably defeating NCAA champion Kyven Gadson in the semifinals. Afterwards, he claimed a U20 Pan American Championship title, as well as a silver medal at the U20 World Championships. Lastly, Bastida claimed a bronze medal at the U23 World Championships.
In 2020, Bastida once again grabbed a silver medal at the Cerro Pelado International, notably defeating US National champion Hayden Zillmer before falling to two-time World Champion and Olympic bronze medalist J'den Cox.

## Career in the United States
### College
#### 2020–2021

In November of 2020, the Iowa State University announced they had recruited Bastida as an international student and a member of the wrestling team.
Bastida earned the varsity spot at 197 pounds when he defeated teammate Cody Fisher by major decision. As a freshman, he would record a 4–4 record during regular season, but would not be chosen as a starter for the post-season.

#### 2021–2022

Showing notable improvements, Bastida recorded upsets over third and sixth-ranked Jacob Warner and Rocky Elam over the regular season. After a fifth-place finish at the Big 12 Championships, Bastida became an All-American with a fifth-place finish at the NCAA National Championships, pulling off multiple upsets and closing up the season with a 25–7 record.

#### 2022–2023

Bastida earned the spot at 197 pounds by beating teammate Rowan Udell by major decision. After multiple duals during the regular season, Bastida placed sixth at the Big 12 Championships, but was not able to place at the NCAA National Championships, closing up the season with a 18–9 record.

#### 2023–2024

Bastida made the move up to heavyweight, and started off the season by pinning teammate Xavier Bruening at the team's wrestle-offs. During regular season, Bastida amassed an undefeated 15–0 mark in dual meets and claimed the Cliff Keen Invitational title.
In the post-season, Bastida claimed the Big 12 Conference title with notable victories over All-Americans Wyatt Hendrickson and Zach Elam. At the NCAA tournament, Bastida reached the quarterfinals, where he was upset by two-time All-American Lucas Davison in a rematch from the Cliff Keen Invitational, and was pushed into the consolation bracket. In the blood-round, he was upset once again by Yaraslau Slavikouski, which eliminated him from the tournament, failing to place.

## Freestyle record

Senior Freestyle Matches :
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Score | Date | Event | Location |
| 2020 Cerro Pelado International at 97 kg |||||||
| Loss | 7–3 | J'den Cox | TF 1–11 | February 14, 2020 | 2020 Granma y Cerro Pelado | Havana, Cuba |
| Win | 7–2 | Hayden Zillmer | 7–4 | February 14, 2020 | 2020 Granma y Cerro Pelado | Havana, Cuba |
| Win | 6–2 | Luis Sosa | TF 11–0 | February 14, 2020 | 2020 Granma y Cerro Pelado | Havana, Cuba |
| 2019 U23 World Championship at 92 kg |||||||
| Win | 5–2 | Demur Megeneishvili | 6–2 | October 28 - November 3, 2019 | 2019 World U23 Wrestling Championship | Budapest, Hungary |
| Loss | 4–2 | Batyrbek Tsakulov | 1–6 | October 28 - November 3, 2019 | 2019 World U23 Wrestling Championship | Budapest, Hungary |
| Win | 4–1 | Bendegúz Tóth | TF 13–2 | October 28 - November 3, 2019 | 2019 World U23 Wrestling Championship | Budapest, Hungary |
| Win | 3–1 | Sargis Hovsepyan | TF 11–0 | October 28 - November 3, 2019 | 2019 World U23 Wrestling Championship | Budapest, Hungary |
| Win | 2–1 | Michał Bielawski | Fall | October 28 - November 3, 2019 | 2019 World U23 Wrestling Championship | Budapest, Hungary |
| 2019 Granma y Cerro Pelado at 97 kg |||||||
| Loss | 1–1 | Reineris Salas | TF 0–10 | February 15–23, 2019 | 2019 Granma y Cerro Pelado | Havana, Cuba |
| Win | 1–0 | Kyven Gadson | | February 15–23, 2019 | 2019 Granma y Cerro Pelado | Havana, Cuba |

## NCAA record

NCAA Division I Record :
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Score | Date | Event |
| End of 2023–2024 Season (junior year) ||||||
| 2024 NCAA Championships DNP at 285 lbs ||||||
| Loss | 71–22 | Yaraslau Slavikousk | 3–8 | March 21–22, 2024 | 2024 NCAA Division I National Championships |
| Loss | 71–21 | Lucas Davison | 4–6 | March 21–22, 2024 | 2024 NCAA Division I National Championships |
| Win | 71–20 | Lewis Fernandes | TF 20–5 | March 21–22, 2024 | 2024 NCAA Division I National Championships |
| Win | 70–20 | Bennett Tabor | Fall | March 21–22, 2024 | 2024 NCAA Division I National Championships |
| 2024 Big 12 Conference at 285 lbs ||||||
| Win | 69–20 | Wyatt Hendrickson | 10–7 | March 9–10, 2024 | 2024 Big 12 Conference Championships |
| Win | 68–20 | Zach Elam | MD 11–3 | March 9–10, 2024 | 2024 Big 12 Conference Championships |
| Win | 67–20 | Michael Wolfgram | Fall | March 9–10, 2024 | 2024 Big 12 Conference Championships |
| Win | 66–20 | Xavier Doolin | Fall | March 9–10, 2024 | 2024 Big 12 Conference Championships |
| Win | 65–20 | Zach Elam | MD 13–4 | February 25, 2024 | Missouri - Iowa State Dual |
| Win | 64–20 | Adam Ahrendson | TF 25–6 | February 11, 2024 | Northern Iowa - Iowa State Dual |
| Win | 63–20 | Michael Wolfgram | TF 23–8 | February 2, 2024 | West Virginia - Iowa State Dual |
| Win | 62–20 | Konner Doucet | 7–2 | January 27, 2024 | Iowa State - Oklahoma State Dual |
| Win | 61–20 | Josh Heindselman | MD 14–4 | January 26, 2024 | Iowa State - Oklahoma Dual |
| Win | | | FF | January 12, 2024 | Utah Valley - Iowa State Dual |
| Win | 60–20 | Max Acciardi | TF 21–6 | January 7, 2024 | Iowa State - Cal Baptist Dual |
| Win | 59–20 | Cohlton Schultz | 4–3 | January 5, 2024 | Iowa State - Arizona State Dual |
| Win | 58–20 | Lewis Fernandes | 6–3 | December 19, 2023 | Iowa State - Cornell Dual |
| Win | 57–20 | Josiah Hill | MD 14–4 | December 19, 2023 | Iowa State - Little Rock Dual |
| Win | 56–20 | Dayton Pitzer | 6–3 | December 19, 2023 | Iowa State - Pittsburgh Dual |
| 2023 Cliff Keen Invitational at 285 lbs ||||||
| Win | 55–20 | Lucas Davison | 5–3 | December 2–3, 2023 | 2023 Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational |
| Win | 54–20 | Grady Griess | TF 18–3 | December 2–3, 2023 | 2023 Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational |
| Win | 53–20 | Nick Feldman | MD 13–5 | December 2–3, 2023 | 2023 Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational |
| Win | 52–20 | Jack Jessen | 11–4 | December 2–3, 2023 | 2023 Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational |
| Win | 51–20 | Peter Ming | TF 21–6 | December 2–3, 2023 | 2023 Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational |
| Win | 50–20 | Bradley Hill | MD 17–6 | November 26, 2023 | Iowa - Iowa State Dual |
| Win | 49–20 | Peter Christensen | TF 19–4 | November 19, 2023 | Wisconsin - Iowa State Dual |
| Win | 48–20 | Jake Fernicola | TF 19–4 | November 12, 2023 | Davidson - Iowa State Dual |
| Win | 47–20 | Daniel Bucknavich | TF 26–10 | November 5, 2023 | Iowa State - Cleveland State Dual |
| Start of 2023–2024 Season (senior year) ||||||
| End of 2022–2023 Season (junior year) ||||||
| 2023 NCAA Championships DNP at 197 lbs ||||||
| Loss | 46–20 | Michael Beard | 1–2 | March 16–18, 2023 | 2023 NCAA Division I National Championships |
| Win | 46–19 | Andrew Davison | 3–1 | March 16–18, 2023 | 2023 NCAA Division I National Championships |
| Loss | 45–19 | Ethan Laird | 1–3 | March 16–18, 2023 | 2023 NCAA Division I National Championships |
| Win | 45–18 | Evan Bockman | 5–2 | March 16–18, 2023 | 2023 NCAA Division I National Championships |
| 2023 Big 12 Conference 6th at 197 lbs ||||||
| Loss | 44–18 | Evan Bockman | 2–3 | March 4–5, 2023 | 2023 Big 12 Conference Championships |
| Loss | 44–17 | Owen Pentz | 2–4 | March 4–5, 2023 | 2023 Big 12 Conference Championships |
| Loss | 44–16 | Rocky Elam | 0–6 | March 4–5, 2023 | 2023 Big 12 Conference Championships |
| Win | 44–15 | Evan Bockman | 9–5 | March 4–5, 2023 | 2023 Big 12 Conference Championships |
| Win | 43–15 | Tyce Raddon | TF 24–9 | March 4–5, 2023 | 2023 Big 12 Conference Championships |
| Loss | 42–15 | Braxton Amos | 0–4 | February 15, 2023 | Iowa State - Missouri Dual |
| Loss | 42–14 | Zach Braunagel | 3–5 | February 12, 2023 | Illinois - Iowa State Dual |
| Win | 42–13 | Wyatt Voelker | 12–6 | February 10, 2023 | Iowa State - Northern Iowa Dual |
| Loss | 41–13 | Nino Bonaccorsi | 4–6 | February 4, 2023 | Iowa State - Pittsburgh Dual |
| Win | 41–12 | Austin Cooley | MD 17–8 | February 3, 2023 | Iowa State - West Virginia Dual |
| Win | 40–12 | Luke Surber | 7–2 | January 29, 2023 | Oklahoma State - Iowa State Dual |
| Win | 39–12 | Evan Bockman | 5–3 | January 14, 2023 | Iowa State - Utah Valley Dual |
| Win | 38–12 | Jonathan Fagen | MD 24–11 | January 8, 2023 | Arizona State - Iowa State Dual |
| Win | 37–12 | Guillermo Escobedo | MD 18–7 | January 7, 2023 | Wyoming - Iowa State Dual |
| Loss | 36–12 | Max Dean | 1–4 | December 20, 2022 | Iowa State - Penn State Dual |
| Win | 36–11 | Lewis Fernandes | 4–2 | December 19, 2022 | Cornell - Iowa State Dual |
| Win | 35–11 | Tanner Harvey | 3–2 | December 19, 2022 | Oregon State - Iowa State Dual |
| Win | 34–11 | Jacob Warner | 4–3 | December 4, 2022 | Iowa State - Iowa Dual |
| Win | 33–11 | Garavous Kouekabakilaho | MD 21–8 | November 20, 2022 | Grand View (Iowa) - Iowa State Dual |
| Win | 32–11 | Elijah Sobas | TF 22–7 | November 12, 2022 | Iowa State - Cal Baptist Dual |
| Win | 31–11 | Levi Hopkins | MD 16–5 | November 5, 2022 | Iowa State - Campbell Dual |
| Win | 30–11 | Stephen Little | MD 11–3 | November 5, 2022 | Iowa State - Little Rock Dual |
| Win | 29–11 | Braxton Amos | 5–3 | November 5, 2022 | Iowa State - Missouri Dual |
| Start of 2022–2023 Season (junior year) ||||||
| End of 2021–2022 Season (sophomore year) ||||||
| 2022 NCAA Championships 5th at 197 lbs ||||||
| Win | 28–11 | Gavin Hoffman | Fall | March 17–19, 2022 | 2022 NCAA Division I National Championships |
| Loss | 27–11 | Stephan Buchanan | 3–4 | March 17–19, 2022 | 2022 NCAA Division I National Championships |
| Win | 27–10 | Greg Bulsak | 4–3 | March 17–19, 2022 | 2022 NCAA Division I National Championships |
| Win | 26–10 | Jake Woodley | 5–4 | March 17–19, 2022 | 2022 NCAA Division I National Championships |
| Win | 25–10 | Kordell Norfleet | 4–2 | March 17–19, 2022 | 2022 NCAA Division I National Championships |
| Win | 24–10 | Jaron Smith | 11–4 | March 17–19, 2022 | 2022 NCAA Division I National Championships |
| Loss | 23–10 | Rocky Elam | 0–1 | March 17–19, 2022 | 2022 NCAA Division I National Championships |
| Win | 23–9 | Braxton Amos | 3–2 | March 17–19, 2022 | 2022 NCAA Division I National Championships |
| 2022 Big 12 Conference 5th at 197 lbs ||||||
| Win | | Owen Pentz | FF | March 5–6, 2022 | 2022 Big 12 Conference Championships |
| Loss | 22–9 | Jake Woodley | 0–1 | March 5–6, 2022 | 2022 Big 12 Conference Championships |
| Loss | 22–8 | Stephen Buchanan | Fall | March 5–6, 2022 | 2022 Big 12 Conference Championships |
| Win | 22–7 | Rocky Elam | 4–3 | March 5–6, 2022 | 2022 Big 12 Conference Championships |
| Win | 21–7 | Rocky Elam | SV–1 8–6 | February 16, 2022 | Iowa State - Missouri Dual |
| Win | 20–7 | John Gunderson | MD 21–8 | February 11, 2022 | Iowa State - Northern Iowa Dual |
| Win | 19–7 | Kayne Hutchison | TF 22–6 | February 5, 2022 | Air Force - Iowa State Dual |
| Win | 18–7 | Jackson Moomau | TF 23–8 | February 4, 2022 | West Virginia - Iowa State Dual |
| Win | 17–7 | Gavin Stika | MD 18–6 | January 30, 2022 | Iowa State - Oklahoma State Dual |
| Loss | 16–7 | Jake Woodley | 2–4 | January 28, 2022 | Iowa State - Oklahoma Dual |
| Win | 16–6 | Owen Pentz | 9–6 | January 23, 2022 | North Dakota State - Iowa State Dual |
| Win | 15–6 | Liam Swanson | Fall | January 16, 2022 | Iowa State - Providence (Mont) Dual |
| Win | 14–6 | Isaac Bartel | MD 13–5 | January 16, 2022 | Iowa State - Montana State-Northern Dual |
| Loss | 13–6 | Stephen Buchanan | SV–1 4–6 | January 14, 2022 | Iowa State - Wyoming Dual |
| Win | 13–5 | Josh Loomer | TF 20–5 | January 12, 2022 | CSU Bakersfield - Iowa State Dual |
| Win | 12–5 | Jayshon Hines | Fall | January 6, 2022 | Northwest Kansas TC - Iowa State Dual |
| Win | 11–5 | Thomas Penola | 6–4 | December 19, 2021 | Purdue - Iowa State Dual |
| Win | 10–5 | Jacob Warner | 4–2 | December 5, 2021 | Iowa - Iowa State Dual |
| Win | 9–5 | Arick Lopez | TF 23–8 | November 27, 2021 | Cal Baptist - Iowa State Dual |
| Win | 8–5 | Jack Brown | 4–3 | November 27, 2021 | Army - Iowa State Dual |
| 2021 Daktronics Open at 197 lbs ||||||
| Win | 7–5 | Bennett Tabor | TF 18–3 | November 21, 2021 | 2021 Daktronics Open |
| Win | 6–5 | Spencer Mooberry | MD 16–5 | November 21, 2021 | 2021 Daktronics Open |
| Loss | 5–5 | Silas Allred | Fall | November 21, 2021 | 2021 Daktronics Open |
| Win | 5–4 | Cody Donnelly | MD 19–5 | November 21, 2021 | 2021 Daktronics Open |
| Start of 2021–2022 Season (sophomore year) ||||||
| End of 2020–2021 Season (freshman year) ||||||
| Loss | 4–4 | Kordell Norfleet | MD 7–17 | February 14, 2021 | Arizona State - Iowa State Dual |
| Loss | 4–3 | A.J. Ferrari | 2–5 | January 30, 2021 | Oklahoma State - Iowa State Dual |
| Win | 4–2 | Jesus Gutierrez | Fall | January 30, 2021 | Iowa Central CC - Iowa State Dual |
| Loss | 3–2 | Jake Woodley | MD 0–12 | January 24, 2021 | Oklahoma - Iowa State Dual |
| Loss | 3–1 | Rocky Elam | 4–5 | January 17, 2021 | Missouri - Iowa State Dual |
| Win | 3–0 | Joe Reimers | Fall | January 10, 2021 | Nebraska-Kearney - Iowa State Dual |
| Win | 2–0 | Brady Vogel | MD 18–8 | January 10, 2021 | Loras - Iowa State Dual |
| Win | 1–0 | Kobe Woods | 15–8 | January 3, 2021 | Wartburg - Iowa State Dual |
| Start of 2020–2021 Season (freshman year) ||||||

### Stats

| Season | Year | School | Rank | Weigh Class | Record | Win |
| 2024 | Senior | Iowa State University | #2 | 285 | 25–2 | 92.59% |
| 2023 | Junior | Iowa State University | #19 (DNP) | 197 | 18–9 | 66.67% |
| 2022 | Sophomore | Iowa State University | #9 (5th) | 197 | 24–7 | 77.42% |
| 2021 | Freshman | Iowa State University | #159 | 197 | 4–4 | 50.00% |
| Career | Career | Career | Career | Career | 71–22 | 76.34% |