Las Vegas US Open Results

One of the most exciting tournaments of the year took place in Vegas over the weekend. The US Open showcases some of America’s best, and we had a great group of Michigan Grapplers in attendance.

At 70kg in Senior men’s freestyle, Ian Parker (St. John’s and Iowa State grad) took down Will Lewan (Michigan grad and Cliff Keen WC) in the 3rd place match. Trent Hillger had an impressive showing at 125kg, taking 5th, with his only losses coming in a 10-4 decision to Wyatt Hendrickson and 6-5 to former world teamer Hayden Zillmer. The other Michigan Grappler to place in Senior mens was University of Michigan frosh Hayden Walters. He took 6th in a loaded weight at 92kg, showing a promising future as a Wolverines starter.

Brody Compau and Jaxson Boucher, both of Michigan Premier Wrestling Club, were the first placers of the weekend. Compau would end up taking 4th in U15 Greco at 44kg, while Boucher took 4th in U15 Greco at 52kg. Compau possibly had the best weekend of all Michigan Grapplers, finishing on the podium in both styles. Compau was Michigan’s lone champ in any age group or style, taking 1st in freestyle at 44kg in U15. He would go 5-0 on the tournament with three techs, including a first period tech over Guillermo in the finals.

In Greco, Compau cruised to the semis with two techs and a fall, securing a top-6 finish. After dropping a 14-6 TF in the semi to the eventual champ Pandley, he would win in the consi semis to reach the 3rd place match. The Michigan Premier standout would ultimately lose his 3rd place match by a tough 6-5 decision. Similarly, Boucher was dominant to the semis before dropping that match to the eventual runner-up. Boucher had a big 9-0 tech in the consi semis, to reach the 3rd place match, losing that one by a 19-14 barn burner. Boucher, like Compau, also doubled up on the podium. He also took 5th at 52kg in freestyle. Boucher dropped his semis and consi semis matches but would bounce back with a big win to take 5th.

In U17 Greco, Michigan Premier had a pair of All Americans. Dakota Harmer (Lakewood HS) took 8th place at 45kg, including a big 8-0 tech fall in the blood round to secure All American honors. Dylan Nieuwenhuis (Plainwell HS) took 7th at 48kg. He capped off his tournament with a 12-4 tech in the 7th place match.

Nick Sorrow was the only placewinner in U17 Greco. The 3x state champ from Hudson took 3rd in a massive bracket at 60kg. Wrestling for SAW, Sorrow went 6-1 in the tournament, including 5 techs and a pin. His only loss came in the semis to the eventual runner-up. In freestyle, Sorrow stayed impressive, taking 4th at 60kg. In one of the biggest brackets of the entire tournament, Sorrow went 7-2 to double up on All American honors for the weekend.

Brady Baker (Lakeshore HS), Micah Roper (Oxford HS), and Michael Baldwin (Saginaw United HS) were the placers in U20 Greco. After dropping his first match, Baker rattled off 4 consecutive wins to reach the podium, ultimately taking 8th and finishing as an All American. Roper cruised to the semis before falling to the eventual runner-up. Roper would then come back to take 4th. Baldwin reached the QFs before falling to the blood round. He would pick up a quick tech in that match to secure All American honors, finishing 7th at 82kg.

Madison Nieuwenhuis (Plainwell HS) went up to 105lbs in the HS girls division where she would take 6th, making it another All American for Michigan Premier WC. She lost in the semis to the eventual champ Cohen of PA before winning her consi semis match. Nieuwenhuis would then default in the 5th place match.

Jackson Blum was an All American at 61kg in freestyle, taking 8th in U20. The Red Arrow went 7-3 on the tournament with 4 techs to give Michigan Premier another All American. The only other Michigan Grappler to place in U20 Freestyle was Michigan Wolverine Brock Mantanona. Entering the tournament as the #1 seed, Mantanona was dominant in his run to the finals. He would ultimately lose in the finals in a 12-8 barnburner to William Henckel of Blair Academy (a Penn State commit).

Michigan Revolution got on the board with a handful of All American for HS girls. Gigi Bragg lost in the quarterfinals at 115lbs but would win in the blood round and consi semis to battle back for a 4th place finish. Isabella Cepak put together an outstanding tournament at 135lbs, finishing 3rd. After losing in the quarterfinals, Cepak would win in the blood round and semis, bouncing back with a pin over Barrient (FL) to avenge her QF loss.

Alexis Lazar would end up on the podium in 5th place at 140lbs. After entering as the #1 seed, Lazar would go 5-2 on the weekend, dropping her QF and consi semis matches. At 145lbs, 4x state champ Maggie Buurma would take 4th place. After reaching the semis, Buurma dropped a tough match before winning her consi semis match.

In the Senior Open, Michigan had numerous Greco placewinners. Dalton Roberts, a former Fowlerville Gladiator entered a loaded 60kg bracket, taking 5th. He had a big win in the 5th place match over Koontz of Dubuque RTC. Warren Woods Tower grad David Stepanian took 4th at 67kg, losing to the eventual champ on the front side before losing by forfeit in the 3rd place match. Adam Coon was the lone finalist in Greco, reaching the best 2-of-3 series at 130kg. He would drop the series to Cohlton Schultz, an All American from Arizona State. Coon was dominant to the finals, but he would have to medically forfeit out of the champions series.

For Senior women, Kendra Ryan, a Fenton HS grad, took 3rd at 50kg. After losing her second match, Ryan rattled off 6 straight wins in impressive fashion to take 3rd. At 65kg, Katie Lange (this year’s national champ from GVSU) took 4th after going 3-2.