Sub Spectrum: Beyond The Mat
5 Midlands Champions Who didn’t win the trials
OCTOBER 15TH - JORDAN PEITZMAN
The 2024–2025 Sub Spectrum season was one of transformation, a year defined by rivalries, redemption arcs, and breakout performances that all converged at The Midlands, the grand finale of each Sub Spectrum season.
While many of this year’s champions arrived as favorites after dominant runs through their respective Trials, a select few proved that greatness isn’t defined by the qualifying events. They reminded us that in the Sub Spectrum circuit rewards consistency, momentum, and grit that can rewrite the results in an instant.
Here are five Midlands champions who didn’t win the Trials, but rose to the occasion when it mattered most:
1. Tim Leung — The Cellar Gym
A consistent and powerful presence in recent years, Cellar Gym’s “Captain” Tim Leung has quietly built an impressive résumé at Sub Spectrum — and his run at The Midlands was arguably his best yet.
After finishing as the Summer Trials runner-up at -175 lbs and taking bronze in the Absolute, Leung came into The Midlands with something to prove. He made a statement early, submitting Sam Kuenzi via heel hook in the opening round before defeating Winter Trials Champion and Des Moines-area black belt Jerrod Appenzeller by a score of 5-0 in the finals.
With momentum clearly on his side, Leung looks poised to remain a force throughout the 2025–2026 season.
Overall Sub Spectrum Record: 16-9 (14 Submissions)
2. Solomon Lankow — The Cellar Gym
Another standout from The Cellar Gym in Roseville, Minnesota, Solomon Lankow turned heads at the Summer Trials despite coming up short. He scored runner-up finishes in both the -175 lbs and Absolute categories, before putting together a breakthrough performance at The Midlands.
In the final, he submitted Winter Trials runner-up Misleal Feliberty with a perfectly timed kneebar to secure his first Sub Spectrum gold. Known for his aggressive approach, strong wrestling base, and unmatched toughness, Lankow has quickly become one of the Midwest’s most exciting prospects to watch.
Expect him to be a problem in the upcoming 2025–2026 season.
Overall Sub Spectrum Record: 8-5 (4 Submissions)
3. Nathan Becker — Precision Submission Grappling
Precision’s Nathan Becker came into The Midlands hungry after a solid showing at the Summer Trials, where he finished runner-up in the Beginner Absolute and took bronze at -210 lbs.
At The Midlands, Becker delivered in clutch fashion, scoring a first-round submission before securing a sudden death overtime takedown in the final to capture Midlands gold. A buzzer-beater takedown by Tipping Point’s Ben Lozuek was all that separated Becker from double champ status.
While he’s expected to sit out of Fallout on November 8th, Becker’s steady improvement suggests he’ll be a serious threat if he returns next season, likely making the leap to the Intermediate division.
Overall Sub Spectrum Record: 5-3 (3 Submissions)
4. Anthony Contreras — Renzo Gracie Academy
Anthony Contreras has made tremendous strides under the tutelage of Carsten Carlson at Renzo Gracie Academy in Des Moines. Another competitor who flipped the script, Contreras turned his Summer Trials bronze medal into Midlands gold.
He showcased sharp positional control and a dangerous submission attack that nearly ended that match in the final where he defeated Zane Pray by a 5-0 score to earn his first Sub Spectrum title.
Contreras is already locked in for Fallout on November 8th, where he’ll look to build on his momentum and begin his campaign for back-to-back Midlands championships in the 2025–2026 season.
Overall Sub Spectrum Record: 6-6 (2 Submissions)
5. Austin Kelso — Pinnacle Jiu Jitsu
Rounding out the list is Austin Kelso, another example of perseverance paying off. After finishing as the Summer Trials runner-up, Kelso went on a mission at The Midlands, defeating late replacement Kenny Schafer by a 5-0 score in the final to secure his first Sub Spectrum gold.
Kelso will return for Fallout on November 8th, this time stepping up in difficulty to make his Intermediate debut at -136 lbs. With his confidence and momentum both trending upward, Kelso’s development will be one to watch as the new season unfolds.
Overall Sub Spectrum Record: 3-1 (1 Submission)
The Midlands once again proved that the Trials are only one piece of the puzzle and that hunger, preparation, and timing can turn any contender into a champion. These athletes showed that the Sub Spectrum circuit rewards not just consistency, but evolution.
With a new format in place for the upcoming season, now more than ever every match, every win, every submission, and every podium finish counts. Long gone are the days of “win and you’re in.” If you want to take the Midlands stage in 2026, you’re going to have to fight for it all season long.
As the Fallout event on November 8th approaches, all eyes will be on who’s next to follow in their footsteps.