By BRIAN CARSON

The 2025 USA Wrestling US Open will take over The Expo at World Market Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, from April 23-27, bringing together the nation’s elite wrestlers for five days of high-stakes competition. For hardcore wrestling fans, the men’s freestyle tournament on April 25-26 represents one of the most significant domestic events of the year, with major implications for World Team selection and international representation.

Tournament Significance and Format

The US Open stands as one of the marquee domestic senior-level wrestling events each year, serving as a critical step in the World Team qualification process. For men’s and women’s freestyle wrestlers, winning the US Open grants direct advancement to Final X, scheduled for June 14, 2025, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

The qualification pathway is important to understand: US Open champions earn the right to face either a returning World/Olympic medalist (if one exists at that weight class) or the World Team Trials Challenge Tournament champion at Final X. This best-of-three series at Final X ultimately determines who represents the United States at the World Championships.

For wrestlers with championship aspirations, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Champions from the US Open are not eligible to compete in the World Team Trials Challenge Tournament, making this their direct path to Final X and potentially the World Team.

Men’s Freestyle Weight Classes and Top Seeds

The men’s freestyle competition features ten Olympic weight classes, each showcasing America’s premier wrestling talent. Here’s a breakdown of the weight classes and their top seeds:

57 KG

1. Luke Lilledahl (Nittany Lion WC/Titan Mercury WC)

2. Daniel Deshazer (Gopher WC)

3. Liam Cronin (Nebraska WTC/Titan Mercury WC)

4. Brandon Courtney (Atreus WC)

Lilledahl enters as the favorite, but this weight class features exceptional technical wrestling with Deshazer and Cronin, both capable of making deep runs.

61 KG

1. Marcus Blaze (Titan Mercury WC)

2. Daton Fix (Cowboy RTC)

3. Nahshon Garrett (Lehigh Valley RTC/Titan Mercury WC)

4. Seth Gross (MATPAC WC)

This weight class might be the tournament’s most competitive, with Fix—a perennial national contender—looking to challenge top-seeded Blaze. Garrett’s explosive style makes him a dangerous opponent for anyone in the bracket.

65 KG

1. Joey McKenna (Cowboy RTC/Titan Mercury WC)

2. Jesse Mendez (Ohio RTC/Titan Mercury WC)

3. Beau Bartlett (Nittany Lion WC/Titan Mercury WC)

4. Real Woods (Cliff Keen WC)

McKenna’s international experience gives him the edge, but Mendez has been on a meteoric rise. Bartlett’s tactical approach and Woods’ conditioning make this another deeply competitive weight.

70 KG

1. James Green (Nebraska WTC/Titan Mercury WC)

2. Yianni Diakomihalis (Spartan Combat RTC/Titan Mercury WC)

3. Alec Pantaleo (Cliff Keen WC/Titan Mercury WC)

4. Will Lewan (Cliff Keen WC)

The veteran Green faces a serious challenge from Diakomihalis, whose collegiate dominance has translated well to the freestyle circuit. This weight class features some of the most dynamic offensive wrestlers in the tournament.

74 KG

1. David Carr (Cyclone RTC/Titan Mercury WC)

2. Mitchell Mesenbrink (Nittany Lion WC/Titan Mercury WC)

3. Quincy Monday (New Jersey RTC/Titan Mercury WC)

4. Jarrett Jacques (Tiger Style WC)

Carr enters as the favorite after an impressive international season, but Mesenbrink’s aggressive style has earned him the second seed and makes him a legitimate threat to take the title.

79 KG

1. Evan Wick (SoCal RTC/Titan Mercury WC)

2. Dean Hamiti (Cowboy RTC/Titan Mercury WC)

3. Kennedy Monday (New Jersey RTC/Titan Mercury WC)

4. Danny Braunagel (Illinois RTC/Illini WC)

Wick’s technical precision has established him as the top seed, though Hamiti’s explosive scoring ability makes this weight class one to watch for potential upsets.

86 KG

1. Kyle Dake (Nittany Lion WC/Titan Mercury WC)

2. Zahid Valencia (Cowboy RTC/Titan Mercury WC)

3. Chance Marsteller (New Jersey RTC/Titan Mercury WC)

4. Parker Keckeisen (Panther WC RTC)

This weight class features perhaps the tournament’s biggest star in Dake, a multiple-time world champion. Valencia presents a formidable challenge as the second seed, making their potential final one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament.

92 KG

1. Trent Hidlay (Wolfpack WC/Titan Mercury WC)

2. Michael Macchiavello (Lehigh Valley Wrestling RTC/Titan Mercury WC)

3. Aeoden Sinclair (Nebraska WTC/Titan Mercury WC)

4. Eric Schultz (Nebraska WTC/Titan Mercury WC)

Mifflin County’s own Trent Hidlay enters as the top seed in what promises to be one of the tournament’s most compelling weight classes. The former Mifflin County High School standout brings an impressive resume to Las Vegas, having compiled a perfect 81-0 record in his final two high school seasons and a career mark of 154-14 overall. A two-time Pennsylvania state champion, Hidlay was the first wrestler in Mifflin County history to reach the finals three times.

His collegiate career has been equally impressive, earning five All-American honors and reaching the NCAA finals twice. Hidlay’s technical skill, combined with exceptional conditioning, makes him the favorite, though Macchiavello’s experience and Sinclair’s athleticism ensure this weight class will feature intense competition.

97 KG

1. Kyle Snyder (Nittany Lion WC/Titan Mercury WC)

2. Jonathan Aiello (Pennsylvania RTC/Titan Mercury WC)

3. Massoma Endene (Burg Training Center)

4. Gary Traub (Cowboy RTC/Titan Mercury WC)

Olympic gold medalist Snyder headlines this weight class as the clear favorite. His international pedigree and technical mastery make him one of the tournament’s biggest stars. However, Aiello has shown significant improvement over the past year.

125 KG

1. Hayden Zillmer (Gopher WC)

2. Wyatt Hendrickson (Cowboy RTC/Air Force WCAP)

3. Trent Hillger (Gopher WC)

4. Nick Feldman (Ohio RTC/Titan Mercury WC)

Zillmer enters as the top seed in the heavyweight division, but Hendrickson’s combination of power and surprising agility makes this another competitive weight class. The battle of styles between these top contenders should produce some of the tournament’s most tactical matches.

What to Expect at Each Weight

57 KG: Technical Showcase

This weight class typically features some of the tournament’s most technical wrestling. Lilledahl’s hand-fighting and shot selection will be tested against Deshazer’s counter-wrestling and Cronin’s scrambling ability. Expect high-scoring matches with frequent exchanges.

61 KG: Star Power

With Blaze and Fix headlining, this weight class combines star power with technical excellence. Fix’s leg attacks and ride-outs have made him one of America’s most consistent performers, while Blaze brings explosive scoring ability. Their potential final would be a clash of contrasting styles.

65 KG: Youth vs. Experience

McKenna’s veteran savvy will be challenged by the rising Mendez, whose collegiate success has positioned him as a future star. Bartlett’s tactical approach adds another dimension to this weight class, making it one of the most unpredictable in the tournament.

70 KG: Offensive Fireworks

Green and Diakomihalis both bring aggressive, score-first mentalities to this weight class. Expect high-scoring matches throughout the bracket, with defensive wrestling at a premium. Pantaleo’s counter-attacking style could prove to be the perfect foil for the top seeds.

74 KG: Next Generation

Carr leads a weight class that represents American wrestling’s next generation of stars. Mesenbrink’s aggressive approach has earned him comparisons to some of the sport’s greats, while Monday’s athleticism makes him capable of highlight-reel moments in every match.

79 KG: Technical Precision

Wick’s methodical approach has made him one of the most consistent performers in American wrestling. His attention to detail will be tested by Hamiti’s explosiveness and Monday’s athleticism in what should be a fascinating stylistic clash.

86 KG: The Superstar Weight

Dake’s presence alone makes this weight class must-watch, but Valencia’s improvement has narrowed the gap between them. Their contrasting styles—Dake’s technical mastery versus Valencia’s athleticism—could produce one of the tournament’s most interesting finals.

92 KG: Hidlay’s Homecoming

For Mifflin County fans, this weight class represents a homecoming of sorts for Hidlay, who enters as the favorite but faces challenges. His technical skill and mental toughness have made him a model of consistency, though Macchiavello’s experience and Sinclair’s raw power present threats.

97 KG: Snyder’s Showcase

Snyder remains the standard-bearer at this weight, combining technical excellence with tactical awareness that few can match. Aiello’s improvement makes him an intriguing challenger, but this weight class runs through the Olympic champion.

125 KG: Power and Precision

The heavyweight division features a fascinating contrast between Zillmer’s technical approach and Hendrickson’s power game. Hillger’s improvement adds another dimension to a weight class that has historically been America’s international strong suit.

Tournament Schedule

The men’s freestyle competition will take place over two days:

### Friday, April 25

– 10:00 AM – 2:15 PM: Preliminaries, Quarterfinals & Consolation

– 4:00 PM – 7:45 PM: Semifinals & Consolation

### Saturday, April 26

– 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Consolation, Consolation Semifinals & Medal Matches (3rd, 5th, 7th place matches)

– 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM: Championship Finals

All times listed are Pacific Daylight Time.

Qualification and Format

The tournament follows standard freestyle wrestling rules as governed by United World Wrestling (UWW). Matches consist of two three-minute periods with a 30-second rest between periods. Victory can be achieved via pin (both shoulders touching the mat simultaneously), technical superiority (10-point lead), or points decision.

The tournament uses a modified single-elimination format with repechage, allowing wrestlers who lose to finalists to compete for third place. This format ensures the two best wrestlers meet in the finals while still providing a path to the podium for those who suffer an early loss.

Historical Context

The US Open has long served as a proving ground for America’s elite wrestlers, with past champions including legendary figures like Jordan Burroughs, Kyle Snyder, and David Taylor. Success here has often translated to international achievement, with many US Open champions representing the United States at the World Championships and Olympic Games.

The tournament’s significance has grown in recent years with the implementation of the Final X format, which has streamlined the World Team selection process and raised the stakes for the US Open. Champions now earn direct advancement to Final X, placing them just one series away from representing the United States on the world stage.

Conclusion

The 2025 US Open freestyle wrestling championships promise five days of world-class competition, with national titles and World Team implications on the line. For hardcore wrestling fans, the tournament offers a glimpse of America’s best wrestlers in their pursuit of domestic glory and international opportunity.

With Mifflin County’s Trent Hidlay entering as the top seed at 92kg, local fans have additional reason to follow the action closely. His journey through the bracket will be one of the tournament’s most compelling storylines, representing both hometown pride and legitimate championship aspirations.

As the wrestling world descends on Las Vegas, the stage is set for another chapter in the storied history of the US Open, where champions are crowned, and World Team dreams take shape.