2026 Final X Preview: 79 kg MFS Levi Haines vs. Chance Marsteller

It’s about that time! In the past couple of weeks, we’ve spent time having loose discussions about Final X; however, it’s time to start talking about the individual matches themselves. Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll break down all 20 Final X matchups - leading into the event itself on June 19th, from Newark, New Jersey.

Prior Previews

57 kg MFS

61 kg MFS

65 kg MFS

70 kg MFS

74 kg MFS

92 kg MFS

50 kg WFS

53 kg WFS

55 kg WFS

57 kg WFS

59 kg WFS

79 kg men’s freestyle

This is an interesting matchup between a pair of Pennsylvania legends who grew up only about 60 miles away from each other - though they are separated by eight years in high school. Levi Haines is the returning world silver medalist at this weight and automatically returned to Final X. Haines made his first Senior world team in between his junior and senior seasons at Penn State. In 2026, Haines finished a perfect 27-0 to cap his career at Penn State with two national titles and two unbeaten seasons.

The Prudential Center was the scene of a massive career achievement for Chance Marsteller. The one-time top collegiate prospect, turned bust, turned two-time All-American at Lock Haven, made the 2023 world team in Newark with a victory over Jordan Burroughs in an epic, three-match series. Since the 2023 World Championships, Marsteller has primarily competed at 86 kgs. Because of his height, Marsteller is probably better equipped to take on challenges at 79 kg, though it’s probably an unpleasant weight cut.

I tend to think that, of all the men’s freestyle series, this one could have the potential to be the most tactical and low-scoring. Both wrestlers are very stout defensively and rarely put themselves in bad positions.

How They Got Here

Haines: As mentioned above, Haines has right-of-first refusal to the Final X spot after earning a silver medal at the 2025 World Championships at this weight class. After the Senior World Championships, Haines claimed a gold medal at the U23 World Championships.

Marsteller: At the 2026 US Open, Marsteller was his normal hard-nosed self. He scored a workman-like 6-0 victory over fellow tough guy Patrick Kennedy in the semifinals. For the title, he turned in a 7-3 victory against Evan Wick, Haines’ Final X opponent from 2025.

Recent Form

Haines: Haines has only entered one freestyle competition in 2026, but at the Senior Pan-American Championships, he teched his way through the tournament. He’ll enter Newark with an eight-match winning streak in freestyle, not to mention on the strength of an unbeaten collegiate season.

Marsteller: The US Open was Marsteller’s only competition thus far in 2026. Last year, he was third at the US Open, losing only to the eventual 86 kg world champion, Zahid Valencia. At the World Team Trials, he fell to Carter Starocci in the semis. Also at 86 kg in 2025, Marsteller made the finals of three international tournaments.

Prior History

These two haven’t met, which isn’t surprising considering their age differential and the fact that Haines wasn’t very active in freestyle during the first half of his collegiate career.

Keys to Victory

I think a good word to sum up the strategy for both wrestlers is patience. This won’t be the type of series where one wrestler gets an early takedown and some turns and dominates. It will be very tactical and deliberate. Aesthetically, it might not be the most fun series of the day. A shot clock violation or a step out point is ok to surrender, but not a takedown. Give up one point and fight another fight. In a series like this, you may not win in the first minute, but you could lose. If one of the two gets frustrated or tries to force offense, just for the sake of it, they could put themselves in a vulnerable position and pay for it.