The first legit U.S. Open since 2019 sees the United States Greco-Roman program in a phase most commonly associated with an Olympic Trials. Not that there is an anticipated smattering of retirements on the horizon in Vegas, but a prelude to turnover is starting to be detected more so now than last year. 

Several top Seniors, who indeed should contend this coming weekend at the South Point Hotel, find themselves surrounded by next-generation studs, some of whom double as Juniors. Such an occurrence is a positive. American Greco can stake claim to more seasoned youths than at any other time in history. It is the premier positive for this discipline stateside without comparison. 

In the meantime, yes, the majority of high-profile names Greco brings to the table are entering the 2022 U.S. Open, with a handful in urgent need of turning in solid performances. The World Team Trials Challenge Tournament is less than a month away, after all. With the cavalcade of event cancellations and various other disruptions no longer a hindrance, the athletes in Las Vegas are finally free to let it fly – before heading home for a respite and to make necessary adjustments prior to taking to the skies once again. 

55 kilograms

It is not a given that Max Nowry will secure his fourth straight National title. Pan Am Championships-bound Brady Koontz has consistently challenged the WCAP star over the past three years with nearly all of their matches resulting in tight outcomes. However, Nowry does stand as one of the tournament’s most pronounced favorites, largely due to his ability to remain sharp and fitfully motivated. 

Dalton Duffield is in position to gain ground and is more than a sleeper in this bracket. Cochran and Russell sit in the second-tier mix. Jacob Cochran (already qualified for Trials) is not far behind the top three in this bracket; and Camden Russell — who hasn’t touched 55 since roundabout ‘17 — might be able to weaponize his physicality a little more here than he did at 60. 

60 kilograms

The country braces for another Dalton Roberts/Ildar Hafizov showdown, which is naturally expected to come to fruition in a bracket that is missing Ryan Mango, Randon Miranda, and a few others who contended for Tokyo 2020. It is therefore wise to focus more on those who might have a say leading into the semifinals. Koontz and Thomsen, the latter of whom won a title in ‘20, are the easiest selections in this case. Neither athlete is by definition a full-timer, but both are equally equipped, and experienced enough, to make a push in this tournament that counts for something. 

KeVon Powell, provided he has embraced suitable adjustments and upgrades, which are necessary at the Senior level, should make an impact and qualify for the Trials. Max Black first shook hands with 60 earlier this month in Iowa and certainly acquitted himself well considering the circumstances. 

63 kilograms

Jesse Thielke resuming his career following what could best be described as an agonizing, career-threatening neck injury has been the most important development of the season thus far. The road back was long, treacherous, and grinding, and yet he still powered through to attain relative health once again. At his apex, no American lightweight can do what he does, which is to blend a dynamic chain-wrestling ethos with authentic Greco-Roman attacks. Unique as it is effective. 

“The Quiet Man” Corbin Nirschl and Aidan Nutter will both no doubt have their place at this table, too. Joey Cape entering the fold following the Junior tournament should receive more play than it has up to this point. Cape, still so young, still so talented. On the other side of the age spectrum is your “X factor”, Farrokh Safaeinejad, who is the oldest athlete in the Senior event . Some laughed when first considering Safaeinejad’s viability two years ago. His coach, Shawn Sheldon, did not. And now no one else is, either. This is a guy who can create problems. 

67 kilograms

67 at the Last Chance Qualifier should really be quite something. 

But Vegas? Too many guys, not enough spots. Only the top six qualify for the WTT; and with ‘20 Olympian Alex Sancho, ‘21 World Teamer Peyton Omania, and Jamel Johnson all registered, a handful of solid competitors will likely need to make plans for Atlantic City on May 13. 

A one-off rematch of the ‘21 Trial finals between Omania and Sancho is not subject to high probability. It could happen, though potential obstacles for both athletes are numerous. 

Alston Nutter is one reason why. He gave Sancho a scare in September, collected a win over Omania in the Olympic Trials before that, and is rightfully thought of as the premier threat for either in a projected semifinal. We also have not seen Robert Perez dance with any of these characters yet. Still just 18 years of age, Perez is already a legitimate problem for domestic Seniors, and it would be fair to assume the top names here understand that. If they don’t, they will soon. Lenny Merkin returned from injury at the Farrell and went on to wrestle perhaps his crispest tournament in two years. Jessy Williams — skilled, experienced, and tortured — is still waiting for it to all click back together. Morgan Flaharty, who often appears close to a lightbulb type of moment in his own right, needs just one or two encouraging wins to take a step up the ladder. 

72 kilograms

Top-seed “Mr. Fantastic” Benji Peak tore his shoulder back in October during training camp for the U23 Worlds. A National champ in ‘20 and WTT runner-up in September (as well as one of the main stars of the Olympic Trials despite not actually making that Team), Peak will demand the most attention as he looks to regain some of the momentum lost due to injury.

Calvin Germinaro and Michael Hooker are top-shelf domestic contenders, and both have had more than enough contact with Peak to know who and what it is they are up against. Orlando Ponce, who stunned Hooker and Dominic Damon to make the Farrell final, will likely have to challenge one, if not two of the aforementioned trio to keep his new ride rolling. The biggest news here, aside from Peak having healed up, is the return of multi-time World Team member/four-time Open champ Joe Betterman, whose last appearance was in the ‘15 version of this event. Even if he’s not in prime condition, it is hard to picture Betterman not having his moments here. 

77 kilograms

Life feels somewhat normal again with Bey once again owning the top seed at a U.S. Open. He was not all the way zeroed in at the Farrell, but if anyone can shore up some loose fittings in a hurry, it’s him. Behind Bey in, in any order, really, is a shark tank. Britton Holmes, reigning champ Alec Ortiz, Trials runner-up Fritz Schierl, Payton Jacobson, ‘19 Junior WT member Jack Ervien, and Justin McCunn… 67 might have taken over as United States Greco’s deepest weight in terms of individual match-up potential, but the toughness available at 77 stands alone. 

Thus, it is the job of ‘19 JR World rep Tyler Eischens and Riley Briggs to assert themselves early. If the game is to squeeze into the Trials, fine. Both underrated yet significantly hardened wrestlers can fight their respective ways into such a spot. But coming out firing in a weight class this loaded is of the utmost importance if they can manage it. 

82 kilograms

Gunning for a second-straight National title is Spencer Woods. Not too long ago such a statement would have seemed like a big deal. It isn’t anymore. Woods has cemented himself as an elite domestic competitor due to an unapologetically club-happy approach and sizable gas tank. He is also starting to improve defensively from par terre, previously his most glaring vulnerability. 

Tommy Brackett is linked to Woods given their history, and it is the Alaskan who has garnered more Senior accolades thus far. But Brackett is actually the more disciplined wrestler in terms of pummeling for position. That will matter, especially when tangled up with brutes like Woods and ‘21 Trials runner-up Ryan Epps. Ty Cunningham is starting to come at the top level, as well, with his raucous decision over Epps earlier this month serving as a reminder of his trajectory. If Jake Fisher shows up, he’ll be in this mix, too; for now, the foursome already mentioned along with James Burks and Jake Hendricks are the safest bets to make an impact. 

87 kilograms

Until the Trials next month, 87 kilograms is on life support. World Team member Alan Vera registering should elicit a sigh of relief for those who wish for this weight category to get its act in gear. Vera, of course, is the favorite going into this thing and there is not an 87 in Vegas who boasts anything close to resembling the Cuban-American’s skill-set. 

The other bright side is that there is plenty of room for a few on the fringe to use this Open as a catalyst for potentially big strides in their own careers. Folks will naturally look to someone like George Sikes, who keeps improving with each passing year. Behind the scenes, the buzz belongs to Christian DuLaney and Timothy Young. DuLaney, he is an established commodity with a chance to build towards what everyone agrees is a bright future. Young still needs a substantial amount of time on target developmentally, which is just fine. But the pieces for him are in place, and this feels like just the kind of tournament that could result in a breakthrough. 

97 kilograms

If not for a series of disruptions, the narrative for 97 would read “Who is the best candidate to push Luke Sheridan?” Problem is, Sheridan himself has only more recently begun rounding back into form on the heels of an injury and the birth of his daughter. He should be in decent enough condition to advance, but it also would not be a surprise if he has to dig a little deep to get the job done. 

#2 seed Khymba Johnson has long possessed the tools necessary for domestic success. He has delivered admirable performances on and off throughout his career, but something has been missing. Johnson is one who has to strike a balance between aggression and patience, which has represented his premier struggle. A plausible solution would be to stick to tie-ups that work without rushing to advance the position. Johnson, when he plays it a little tight, can give anyone fits. 

As for Chad Porter, it is a somewhat similar story, just with a different twist. Whereas Johnson has on occasion felt compelled to pull the trigger at inopportune times, Porter doesn’t squeeze the boom button when it seems most appropriate. He has the offensive mechanics and dynamism to score more often than he does, and it is a probability that opponents realize that. 

Guy Patron now firmly a part of the Greco landscape is a good thing, and his is a methodology that meshes quite well in a bracket such as this one. The Storm’s Christian Rouleau had an encouraging performance at the Farrell but needs to go back to the well for an even better one this weekend. Another to watch is Haydn Maley, who shall loom as an imposing presence in a weight class where size and strength are difference-makers. 

130 kilograms

Vegas is affording Cohlton Schultz an opportunity to reset his Greco rhythm after a tremendous campaign on the collegiate circuit. It is not that Schultz would ever dare perceive a National tournament as a “tune-up”. He wouldn’t. But this is a non-pressure situation for him that just so happens to avail at least three matches if he were to make the final. Since that is the expectation, look for Schultz to find his sea legs early and grow more dangerous as he rolls along. 

West Cathcart returning from an injury-influenced break does not relegate him to second-tier status. He was coming into his own at heavyweight before the Olympic Trials, and it was soon after when a(nother) trek under the knife called. Cathcart is a scoring-friendly sort provided the conditioning aspect is not a problem. 

Reigning champ Malcolm Allen will be heard from, and the same can be said of relative newcomer Courtney Freeman. Kaleb Reeves and Tom Foote are also doing their part and putting in the time as they settle into their respective Senior grooves. 130’s breath of fresh air is Tyler Curd. Curd — a Fargo champ in ‘16 and briefly a Northern Michigan student two years later — is a prototypical American heavyweight with loads of untapped Greco potential. Hopefully, the 2022 US Open prods him to continue moving forward.