The U.S. Open is one of the premiere events of the senior level wrestling season. Starting on Friday some of the nation’s best wrestlers will vie for a national championship. The winners of the tournament receive a free pass into the final best-of-three match at the World Team Trials. This year’s event will take place in Cleveland. Make sure you tune into the Big Ten Network on Sunday for the finals broadcast.
Instead of previewing all 14 of the men’s weights — seven freestyle and seven Greco-Roman — I will simply give my pick to win each class. For full brackets, check out TheMat.com.
Freestyle
55 kg/121.25 lbs
Danny Felix represented the U.S. in last year’s World Championships. However, for the Open I am going with Nick Simmons. The former four-time all-American for Michigan State is the returning national champion at this weight and lost to Felix in last year’s World Team Trials. Simmons is extremely tall for 55 kg, and he uses his length very well to score from the front-headlock position.
Pick = Nick Simmons
60 kg/132.25 lbs
At last year’s World Team Trials Shawn Bunch seemed to finally get over the Mike Zadick hump. The two have traded several matches over the past few seasons. Expect Bunch and Zadick to face off in the finals once again. Zadick won the Dave Schultz Memorial this year, but Bunch gained valuable experience competing in the Freestyle World Cup. Plus he is a card-carrying member of Team Thirsty/GDP.
Pick = Shawn Bunch
66 kg/145.5 lbs
With Trent Paulson moving up to 74 kg, a lot of people are making Jared Frayer the favorite at 66 kg. However, 2008 Olympian Doug Schawb is back in the mix this year. The Iowa assistant coach has been rumored as a candidate for the head coaching job at Northern Iowa this year, so 2010 could be his last season on the senior circuit.
Pick = Doug Schawb
74 kg/163 lbs
This is an interesting weight class. Twin brothers Trent and Travis Paulson are both entered, and have said that they will wrestle if they meet. Trent has had a great season since moving up. He split matches with 2008 Olympian and MMA fighter Ben Askren, and will be my pick to take the Open title.
Pick = Trent Paulson
84 kg/185 lbs
Jake Herbert is rising star on the international wrestling scene. Herbert earned a silver medal at the World Championships last summer, and he has continued his winning ways this season. Also in the field is former Oklahoma State NCAA champion Chris Pendleton who defeated Herbert in an exhibition match during the NCAA finals weekend. Look for Herbert to come out with a purpose and claim the title.
Pick = Jake Herbert
96 kg/211.5 lbs
Jake Varner is the clear cut favorite in this weight class. Last year he won both the U.S. National Championships and the World Team Trials. He is coming off his senior season at Iowa State. He went undefeated and earned his second NCAA title at 197 lbs.
Pick = Jake Varner
120 kg/264.5 lbs
Returning world bronze medalist Tervel Dlagnev should be able to handle the field. His biggest rival, Steve Mocco, will not participate in this year’s Open. Interestingly enough former world team member and Dlagnev’s training partner Tommy Rowlands is entered. A matchup between the two would be an interesting one to say the least.
Pick = Tervel Dlagnev
Greco-Roman
55 kg/121.25 lbs
A lot of wrestling fans have been waiting for 2008 Olympian Spenser Mango to make the jump to the next level, and this could be the year he does. He recently won a University National title in Greco and will be looking to make the world team again this year. He could have some competition in the finals from veteran and possible MMA fighter Lindsay Durlacher.
Pick = Spenser Mango
60 kg/132.25 lbs
Jeremiah Davis should have no trouble working his way through a field that does not include Joe Betterman.
Pick = Jeremiah Davis
66 kg/145.5 lbs
Faruk Sahin finally got over the hump and made the world team last year. He should be the favorite again this season. However, both Glenn Garrison and Ben Sanchez of the USOEC should provide some stiff competition.
Pick = Faruk Sahin
74 kg/163 lbs
Jake Fisher is another favorite who should be able to keep his momentum going towards an Open title. He defeated a tough opponent from Uzbekistan in the finals of the Dave Schultz Memorial earlier this year.
Pick = Jake Fisher
84 kg/185 lbs
With T.C. Dantzler not in the field Chas Betts should be able to march through the field en route to a championship. Betts represented the U.S. in the World Championships last year.
Pick = Chas Betts
96 kg/211.5 lbs
Justin Ruiz defeated Robbie Smith in the finals of the Dave Schultz Memorial earlier this year. Now they find themselves on the way to a rematch as the number one and two seeds. Ruiz defeated Smith in two periods, and will probably do the same this weekend.
Pick = Justin Ruiz
120 kg/264.5 lbs
Dremiel Byers established himself as the man in U.S. heavyweight Greco last year by earning a silver medal in the World Championships. Look for him to continue his stretch of dominance with a victory in this year’s Open.
Pick = Dremiel Byers