Fuenffinger and Rau in US Open Finals

A pair of former DIII national champions are in the US Open Greco-Roman finals later today in Las Vegas. The winner of each finals match will receive a bye into the final wrestle off for the 2018 World Team spot.

Mike Fuenffinger, a champ for Augsburg, will face Dalton Roberts in the 60kg final. He is entered under the name Leslie Fuenffinger and won three matches to reach final. In the semis, he defeated 2017 world team member Ildar Hafizov 4-3. In Greco-Roman wrestling, an 8 point difference in score ends the match.
Click the links to see each match (FloPro required)
Round of 16 – Fuenffinger dec. Alonzo 4-0
Quarterfinals – Fuenffinger dec. Hester 12-4
Semifinals – Fuenffinger dec. Hafizov 4-3

Joe Rau, a champ for Elmhurst, will face two time Olympian Ben Provisor in the 87kg final. He shut out his first three opponents to reach the final, and defeated Cheney Haight 4-0 in the semis.
Round of 16 – Rau dec. Lozano 8-0
Quarterfinals – Rau dec. Fisher 8-0
Semifinals – Rau dec. Haight 4-0

Former DIII wrestlers Richard Carlson (La Crosse), Eric Twohey (La Crosse) and Donny Longendyke (Augsburg) are still alive in the consolation semis at 82kg, 97kg, and 130kg. Dan Olsen (Wheaton) will wrestle for 7th at 97kg. The top seven at each weight qualify for the World Team Team Trials in Tulsa, Oklahoma, June 21-22. Longendyke had previously qualified by winning the 2017 University Nationals while Olsen qualified via his 5th place finish at the 2017 US Nationals in December.

Brackets and Live Video (FloArena)

Full US Open Coverage (FloWrestling)