Austin DeSanto doesn't do "quiet." If you followed his career at Drexel or watched him transform into a folk hero at the University of Iowa, you know the vibe. High energy. Constant movement. A pace that makes viewers exhausted just sitting on their couches.
But since his college eligibility ran out, the question of what is Austin DeSanto doing now has a multi-layered answer. He hasn't just faded into the background of coaching or taken a standard 9-to-5. He’s currently deeper into the international wrestling grind than ever, and honestly, he’s winning.
The Short Answer: He's Winning Gold Medals
If you're looking for the "right now" update, look at the results from the Henri Deglane Grand Prix in January 2026. Austin DeSanto didn't just compete; he tore through the 61 kg freestyle bracket.
He ended the tournament with a gold medal around his neck after a dominant technical fall victory over Nathan Tomasello. It wasn't a fluke. Leading up to that, he had a string of technical falls against international hammers like Florian Richter and Leomid Colesnic. He’s currently representing the Hawkeye Wrestling Club and Titan Mercury WC on the senior circuit.
Basically, he’s still the same "human eraser" we saw in Carver-Hawkeye Arena, just with a more refined freestyle toolkit.
Dominating the Real American Freestyle (RAF) Circuit
Beyond the traditional international tournaments, DeSanto has found a home in the emerging professional wrestling scene. Specifically, Real American Freestyle (RAF).
In early January 2026, at RAF 05, he secured the Men's Bantamweight belt. He did it by technical fall (11-1) against the aforementioned Tomasello. It’s a huge deal in the wrestling world because it shows he can maintain that insane collegiate pace in a freestyle format where the rules usually favor more tactical, slow-burn wrestlers.
Recent Competition Highlights:
- January 2026: Won the RAF Bantamweight Title.
- January 2026: Gold Medalist at the Henri Deglane Grand Prix (Nice, France).
- November 2025: Gold Medalist at the Bill Farrell Memorial International in New York.
- Late 2024: Experimented with Greco-Roman competition in Sweden and Finland, proving he’s willing to get out of his comfort zone to grow as a martial artist.
Coaching and the Iowa City Connection
He hasn't left Iowa City. You'll often find him at the Iowa City Wrestling Club, working as an assistant coach. It’s a bit of a full-circle moment. His former teammate Alex Marinelli—another Hawkeye legend—is the head coach there.
Marinelli has joked in interviews that he wouldn't have hired Austin when they first met because of DeSanto's fiery reputation. But that’s the thing about Austin; he’s matured. He’s taken that "lightning rod" energy and channeled it into teaching the next generation of lightweights how to hand-fight until their opponents break.
Why He Still Matters in 2026
Most people remember DeSanto for the "antics"—the shouting, the intensity, the way he’d stare down an opponent. But that’s a shallow take.
What he’s doing now matters because he is the blueprint for the post-collegiate "grinder." He didn't win an NCAA individual title, falling just short despite being a 4-time All-American. For many, that’s where the story ends. For Austin, that seems to have been the fuel.
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He is currently one of the most active Senior-level freestyle wrestlers in the United States. While others wait for the Olympic Trials or World Team Trials to peak, DeSanto is overseas in France, Egypt, and Poland, rackin' up matches.
The Greco-Roman Twist
One of the most surprising things Austin DeSanto is doing now involves his foray into Greco-Roman wrestling. In late 2024, he traveled to Scandinavia to compete. National Greco-Roman Coach Herb House called him an "eager learner." It’s rare for a high-level freestyle guy to jump into the upper-body-only world of Greco this late in the game, but it fits his "wrestle anyone, anywhere" brand.
What’s Next for the Hawkeye Legend?
The trajectory is clear. He’s eyeing the major world stage. With his recent gold medals at Bill Farrell and Henri Deglane, he’s positioning himself as a legitimate threat for the U.S. National team spots at 61 kg.
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If you want to keep tabs on him, watch the Hawkeye Wrestling Club's newsletters. He is frequently listed alongside Spencer Lee and Stephen Buchanan as they prep for the next international cycle.
Actionable Next Steps:
Keep an eye on the U.S. Open and World Team Trials schedules for the remainder of 2026. If Austin maintains this current 61 kg momentum, he’s no longer just a "college highlight reel"—he’s a world-class contender. You can also follow the Hawkeye Wrestling Club social channels, as they are the primary source for his day-to-day training updates and coaching clinics in the Iowa City area.