The US Open wrestling nationals was packed with close victories and huge upsets. The US Open was in Las Vegas, NV from April 27 to 29. The US Open is one of the most prestigious tournaments in the country.

The US Open tournament is important to the wrestling world because the winner gets a bye to the finals in the world team trials to make the World Championships.. This year, the match everybody was looking for was Kyle Dake and Jordan Burroughs. It was a nail-biter with Jordan pulling out the victory with a passivity point, meaning that he won the first point after the match was in a draw.  In a quote from trackwrestling.com Jordan Burroughs said, “I know I will see Dake again for the world team trials.” But Dake on the other was upset with the calls of the refs, but he said, “I just need to get better.”

Jordan Oliver was a champion as well and beat the 2016 Olympian Frank Molinaro 4-4 with another passivity point. He beat him with outstanding technique and had to because Frank is incredibly strong. This was a motivator for Jordan Oliver because everybody was saying he lost his touch. From teamusa.org Jordan Oliver said, “JO is back baby. I’ve got my spot and next thing I’m going to do is defend it at World Team trials and then go win me a world title.”  

David Taylor also teched –scoring ten points on an opponent– his opponent in the finals and ripped through the competition at the US Opens. The process of going from 74kg to 86 kg was extremely rigorous, but now it’s finally paying off.

Everybody who won are still focused on their main goal, being a World Champion. They all have a mental edge that people need to acquire to be a champ. This was a big tournament and it showed a lot of characteristics to the wrestlers themselves,and what they need to practice more, to get on the next level because it’s all about improving in this sport.
Congratulations to the 2017 US Open Champions: Anthony Ramos, Kendric Maple, Jordan Oliver, James Green, Jordan Burroughs, David Taylor, Kyven Gadson, and Nick Gwiazdowski.