Senior Men's Freestyle Dark Horses At The US Open
Senior Men's Freestyle Dark Horses At The US Open
There are surprises at every US Open. Here are some dark horses at this year's event to keep an eye on.
Who's going to come from seemingly out of nowhere to dazzle the crowd in Vegas this weekend? We're highlighting some potential dark horses that are looking to make waves at the U.S. Open and shed their sleeper status.
Watch the 2018 U.S. Open LIVE on FloWrestling
When: April 25-28 | Where: Las Vegas, NV
57kg: Daniel DeShazer
DeShazer almost beat world silver medalist Thomas Gilman at the 2017 World Team Trials Last Chance Qualifier. There's no 2018 Last Chance Qualifier this year, so DeShazer is in Vegas to try and turn some more heads.
57kg: David Terao
Terao's uchi-matas are tailor-made for freestyle. The All-American from American University has the ability to go big and change the momentum of a match on a dime.
61kg: Johnni DiJulius
With a bracket this deep, every 61 kilogrammer is going to have to do a lot of work to stand out, dark horse or not. DiJulius is one who could slip through to the podium. His signature triceps dump is good for a quick four, and those kinds of moves are game changers.
61kg: AJ Schopp
Schopp is making a name for himself as one of the most well-respected young lightweight coaches in the country and lately has not been very active on the competitive freestyle circuit. He competed at the Bill Farrell a month ago and could use the Open to springboard his freestyle career in a major way.
65kg: Andy Simmons
Although not as well known as his brother Nick, Andy represented the family impressively at the Bill Farrell in March. Do not be surprised to see another quality performance in Vegas.
70kg: Mario Mason
Mason has been grinding for nearly a decade since his freshman year in college. A veteran with that much experience is dangerous for any opponent.
74kg: Jake Sueflohn
It's been a couple years since Sueflohn completed his career for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. He qualified for the NCAAs four times and yet he never reached the podium, though he finished in the blood round twice. That kind of motivation could fuel a successful freestyle career.
79kg: Nate Jackson
A two-time All-American for Indiana, Jackson was last seen wrestling at 184 pounds. At 79 kilos (about 174 pounds), Jackson's length and reach are going to be a problem.
86kg: Nick Reenan
Reenan had a solid true freshman campaign as a starter for the NC State Wolfpack two seasons ago. He's spent last season bulking up to 184 and had another solid season on a redshirt. It will soon be clear to those who haven't noticed yet that the bulking process was successful.
92kg: Cody Walters
Despite his coaching duties at Gardner-Webb, Walters decided to get back into the competitive arena. Close sources say he's never looked better.
97kg: Ben Honis
Squeezed out of the Cornell lineup due to incoming freshman Ben Darmstadt, Honis could be on his way up to heavyweight with a stop at 97kg along the way. He's got the frame and size for it, and working with Damion Hahn—at least until Hahn got the new head coaching job at South Dakota State—certainly can't hurt.
125kg: Ceron Francisco
Originally coming out of NAIA's Concordia University Nebraska, Francisco has since hooked up with the Caviler Wrestling Club in Charlottesville, Virginia. He's got the size and the movement to hold his own with the more established heavies.
