1-YEAR OF DEVELOPMENT FOR FUTURE NCAA WRESTLERS
ACADEMIC SUPPORT, COLLEGIATE COMPETITION EXPERIENCE, HOUSING, AND STRENGTH & CONDITIONING
Prepare to Succeed in College
The SpartanCombatRTC is designed to provide an affordable option for the student-wrestler looking for a year of high level training and competition before matriculating into college as a full-time student.
Program Overview
On the mat preparation
The Spartan culture is a hardworking brotherhood. Training alongside the top junior wrestlers in the country under the guidance of a world-class coaching staff creates a breeding ground of success. You will become a better athlete and wrestler.
Physical Training
Training off the mat is necessary for developing optimal athletic performance. The Agoge program is dedicated to individualizing training for each athlete.
Family-like Support
Joining the Spartan Combat RTC means becoming a part of the family. We are a non-profit organization that supports athletes in all areas necessary to help them accomplish their goals.
Coaching Staff
Vito Arujau
​
Vito Arujau won the 2023 World Championship in Freestyle at 61 kg. A four-time All-American at Cornell, Vito finished his Big Red career as a two-time NCAA champion at 133 pounds and the 2023 NCAA Outstanding Wrestler. He was a four-time Academic-All American as well.
​
Vito also won World Silver at the Cadet and Junior World Championships for Team USA and was a Pan American Champion.
​
​
​
Tyler Kim
​
Tyler Kim won the 2024 NCAA Division III National Championship at Augsburg at 285 pounds to complete a 30-2 senior season. He previously finished third and fourth at NCAAs and was a multi-time Scholar All-American.
​
Tyler is now a graduate student at Cornell's Jeb Brooks School of Public Policy.
​
​
Yianni Diakomihalis
​
Yianni Diakomihalis was the World Championships Silver Medalist at 65 kg in 2022. He won four NCAA titles (one of 7 in college wrestling history to achieve this feat). A four-time EIWA Wrestler of the Year, Yianni won two championships each at 141 and 149.
​
Yianni also was a two-time Cadet World Champion for Team USA and won international events such as the Poland Open, the Henri Deglane, and the Pan American Championships.
​
​
​
Eli Bienstock
​
Eli Bienstock wrestled for Cornell for four years before graduating in 2017. He continued to assist with the Big Red wrestling program as he stayed in Ithaca to earn his JD and MBA from Cornell.
While he worked as a lawyer, Eli continued to mentor Cornell wrestlers and he assisted with coaching the Agoge program in 2024.
​
-
What are the criteria to train at the Spartan Combat RTC?Won at least one match at a USAW World or Olympic Team Trials Placed top 8 at USAW Senior Open Championships Placed top 8 at USAW University National Championships Placed top 8 at FILA Junior National Championships Placed top 8 at USAW Junior National Championships Placed top 8 at USAW Cadet National Championships Placed top 4 in the High School State Championships Placed top 4 at the Prep National Championships Placed top 4 at USAW State Junior freestyle/Greco-Roman Championships Placed top 4 at USAW State Cadet freestyle/Greco-Roman Championships to app settings and press "Manage Questions" button.
-
What about housing? Where do the athletes live? Is there help with that?​Yes, the athletes are set up with a comfortable housing situation for their time as a SpartanCombat wrestler. The house is conveniently located 1 mile south of the Friedman Wrestling Center and just six miles North of Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3). It is also located directly on the bus service route to both the training center as well as TC3. The SpartanCombatRTC house has: ​ Full kitchen with a dining area Washer and dryer, making it convenient for washing clothes. Two living areas. One on the main floor where it flows into the kitchen/dining room and is at the center of the home. The other area is on the third floor and is mainly utilized for watching movies Common study room.
-
Can they attend college? What are their options?The Spartan Combat RTC student athletes take advantage of several academic options to gain college credit. The most popular are through Tompkins Cortland Community College and any one of many online course options. The wrestlers have taken courses at Cornell University, Ithaca College, and Cortland State University. All colleges and universities lie within just a few miles of the training center.