Northern Michigan University Greco-Roman wrestlers pose, from left, Payton Jacobson, NMU alumnus Benji Peak and Max Black. (Photo courtesy NMU)

POREC, Croatia — A pair of Greco-Roman wrestlers from Northern Michigan University medaled at the Valamar Cup held in the eastern European country of Croatia last weekend.

Max Black and Payton Jacobson each won a bronze medal in their respective weight divisions. They continue to stay in this Porec, Croatia, this week for training with wrestlers from multiple countries.

Black, a junior at NMU, wrestled at 60 kilograms (132.3 pounds) and opened with a win over 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials champion and Northern alumnus Dalton Roberts. Black then lost to reigning under-23 world champion Giorgi Tokhadze of the former Soviet republic of Georgia.

Jacobson, an NMU junior who wrestled at 87 kg (191.8 lbs.), began with a narrow defeat to Tokyo Olympian Ivan Huklek of Croatia, then bounced back with a victory over U-23 world champ Exauce Mukubi of Norway for his medal.

Jacobson also competed at the Paris Olympics in August.

A group of Wildcat Greco-Roman wrestlers are scheduled to compete at the Dubuque Dual in Dubuque, Iowa, on Saturday, while others are set to attend the U-23 World Championships in Tirana, Albania, from Oct. 21-23.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.