DIII at the US Open

Full Results and Video

The US Open took place last week, and a contingent of current and former DIII athletes took part in the event. The top DIII freestyle finisher was Joe Rau, formerly of Elmhurst College, who finished as the runner-up in 97kg freestyle. He is qualified for the World Team Trials to be held May 21-22 in Coralville, Iowa. Two freestyle matches pitted DIII wrestlers against each other. Elroy Perkin defeated Grant Zamin 15-2 in the second round at 70kg, and Brandon Murray defeated Tyler Shilson 13-4 in the first round at 74kg.

57 Nate Hansen (Luther) – 0-2
61 Joe Pins (Wartburg) – 0-2
70 Elroy Perkin (UWW) – 2-2
70 Grant Zamin (UWLax) – 2-2
70 Devinaire Hayes (Dubuque) – 1-2
74 Tyler Shilson (Augsburg) – 4-2
74 Brandon Murray (Loras) – 2-2
97 Donovan Corn (Luther) – 1-2
97 Duncan Lee (Central) – 2-2, 7th place
97 Joe Rau (Elmhurst) – 3-1, 2nd place

In Greco-Roman, Ryan Epps finished in 3rd place at 82kg to lead the DIII group. Three current/former Loras wrestlers also placed with Brady Vogel in 4th at 97, Eddie Smith 5th at 72, and Guy Patron 6th at 97. Coe’s Kaleb Reeves finished 5th at 130 and Tom Foote was 8th at the same weight. The top six finishers at each weight qualify for the World Team Trials.

72 Orlando Ponce (Augsburg) – 1-2
72 Eddie Smith (Loras) – 3-2, 5th place
77 Luke Silva (Aurora) – 0-2
82 Ryan Epps (Augsburg) – 4-1, 3rd place
97 Guy Patron (Loras) – 2-2, 6th place
97 Brady Vogel (Loras) – 5-2, 4th place
130 Tom Foote (Williams) – 2-3, 8th place
130 Kaleb Reeves (Coe) – 4-2, 5th place

Other DIII wrestler who have already qualified for the trials at other events include the following:
Freestyle 57 Michael Tortorice (Whitewater) – 2nd at Bill Farrell
Greco 60 Leslie Fuenffinger (Augsburg) – 3rd at Olympic Trials
Greco 72 Orlando Ponce (Augsburg) – 2nd at Bill Farrell
Greco 82 Richard Carlson (UW-La Crosse) – 3rd at 2021 World Team Trials
Greco 87 Tyler Hannah (UW-Platteville) – 3rd at 2021 World Team Trials
Greco 130 Donny Longendyke (Augsburg) – 4th at Olympic Trials

The final chance for athletes to qualify for the 2022 World Team Trials is the Last Chance Qualifier in Atlantic City on May 13th.