U.S. Open Senior Greco-Roman Preview: Eight past Olympians, age-group World medalists among top entries

The U.S. Senior Greco-Roman World Team Trials is one of the major events within the 2025 CLAW U.S. Open, set for April 23-27 at the The Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nevada. The winner in each weight class secures a spot on the 2025 Senior World Team that will compete at the Senior World Championships in Zagreb, Croatia, in September.

The field is large and strong this year, led by eight past Olympians: Ildar Hafizov (63 kg), Ellis Coleman (63 kg), Alejandro Sancho (72 kg), Kamal Bey (77 kg), Aliaksandr Kikiniou (77 kg), Payton Jacobson (87 kg), Josef Rau (97 kg) and Adam Coon (130 kg). Coon is also a 2018 World silver medalist.

The U.S. Senior Greco-Roman World Team Trials will be held Thursday, April 24, Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26. As this is a World Team Trials event, a best-of-three championship series will be held, and the 2025 Senior World Team will be established. There will not be a Senior World Team Trials Challenge or Final X for Greco-Roman in 2025.

The tournament will be split into two groups: A and B. Group A consists of the 55 kg, 60 kg, 63 kg, 67 kg, 72 kg,  and 77 kg weight classes, while group B features 82 kg, 87 kg, 97 kg, and 130 kg.

Below is a weight-by-weight preview and the current entry lists.

The 55 kg Greco-Roman field is set to feature a mix of young talent. 2024 U17 World Champion Jayden Raney will be aiming to make an impact in his Senior level debut. Returning is Brady Koontz, a two-time Senior World Team member and the 2023 U.S. Open champion, who also earned a 2022 Pan American gold and has three age-group World Team appearances. Jakason Burks, a 2018 U17 World Team member and U20 Pan American bronze medalist, brings age-level experience to the bracket. Billy Sullivan, a two-time age-group World Team member, is coming off a strong season as the 2024 U23 National champion, U23 Pan American Championships bronze medalist and placed fifth at the 2024 U23 World Championships.

Entries (as of 4/15)

Jeffrey Brewer, CA, California

Jakason Burks, NE, MWC Wrestling Academy

Kenneth Crosby, CO, NMU-National Training Center

Jurane Culbreath, IL, Chicago WC

Peter Del Gallo, ME, South Side WC

Fabian Gutierrez, NY, West Point WC

Ray Ray Harris, CA, Tiger WC

Tyler Klein, WI, Dubuque RTC

Brady Koontz, IA, Dubuque RTC/ Titan Mercury Wrestling Club (TMWC)

Jayden Raney, KY, NYAC

Eathon Rider, CA, Central Valley RTC

Zachary Silvis, MN, Minn Storm/NYAC

Billy Sullivan, CO, Army (WCAP)

The bracket at 60 kg is loaded with experience, including Dalton Roberts, the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials champion. Roberts is a six-time age-group/Senior World Team member and 2023 Senior Pan American Championships gold medalist, looking to secure a spot on his third Senior World team. Senior National Team member Max Black, a three-time age-group World Team member, is on a quest to earn his first trip to a Senior World Championships tournament. Randon Miranda, a past Senior National Team member and a three-time Senior Pan American Championships medalist, is also among the top athletes registered to compete. Making a transition to Greco-Roman from Men’s freestyle, 2023 Senior World Team member Zane Richards is set for his first World Team Trials in a new style. Richards has been competing internationally in freestyle since 2018. Another wrestler in the mix is three-time age-group World Team member and Junior Pan American Games bronze medalist Phillip Moomey.

Entries (as of 4/15)

Max Black, MI, NYAC/NMU

Jayden Carson, MO, Arkansas Regional Training Center

Joseph Couch, MD, West Point Wrestling Club

Paxton Creese, MN, Minn Storm/NYAC

Roberto Estrada, CO, Western Colorado Wrestling Club

Dylan Koontz, IA, Dubuque RTC/ Titan Mercury Wrestling Club (TMWC)

Randon Miranda, CA, NYAC

Phillip Moomey, NE, Neb/NYAC

Rhett Peak, OK, NYAC

Zane Richards, IL, Illinois RTC/ Titan Mercury Wrestling Club (TMWC)

Dalton Roberts, CO, Army (WCAP)

Camden Russell, NE, Neb/Nyac

King Sandoval, DC, DMV RTC

A pair of past Olympians are slated to compete at 63 kg, Ellis Coleman and Ildar Hafizov, both of Army WCAP. Coleman is a 2012 London Olympian, four-time Senior World Team member, and 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials champion at 67 kg. In early February, Coleman competed at 63 kg for the first time internationally at the Zagreb Open Ranking Series, claiming a bronze medal. Hafizov, a 2020 Tokyo Olympian, 2023 Pan American Games champion, and five-time Senior World Team member for Team USA, has traditionally competed at 60 kg for a majority of his international career. Since September of 2024, Hafizov has competed at four events at this weight, earning silver at the World Military Championships and placing 17th at the 2024 Senior World Championships in Tirana, Albania.

Entries (as of 4/15)

Ryu Brown, SC, Sons Of Thunder Wrestling

Ruben Calderon, TX, Paradigm Wrestling

Ellis Coleman, CO, Army (WCAP)

Kaden Ercanbrack, UT, NMU-National Training Center

Ildar Hafizov, CO, Army (WCAP)

Savion Haywood, IL, Iguana Wrestling Club

Logan James, IA, MWC Wrestling Academy

Lukas Kanownik, ID, NMU-National Training Center

Jace Koelzer, CO, Bear Cave Wrestling Club

Riley Lomenick, IL, USOTC

Austin Long, VA, Clinic Wrestling

Ty Lydic, PA, New York Athletic Club

Robert Pinto, CA, California

Laturey Villegas, NV, All-Air Force

The 67 kg bracket will feature a deep and talented field, including rising star Otto Black, a 2024 U20 World silver medalist who has earned gold at the Arvo Haavisto Cup and a 13th-place finish at the Zagreb Open in his first two international appearances at the Senior level. Taylor LaMont, a seven-time age-group World Team member and 2016 Junior World bronze medalist, brings vital experience to the mat. Also in the mix at 67 kg is Xavier Johnson, a Senior National Team member and the 2023 Senior World Team representative at 63 kg. Rounding out the athletes to watch in this bracket is David Stepanian, who placed 8th at the 2021 U23 World Championships and looks to build on that success at the senior level. Other athletes to watch include Duncan Nelson and Alston Nutter, a 2019 Junior World bronze medalist that has competed on three age-group World Teams.

Entries (as of 4/15)

Jaxon Bearden, UT, Team Prestige Wrestling

Otto Black, CO, NYAC/Colorado Top Team Wrestling Club

Issac Chavarria, CO, Western Colorado Wrestling Club

Connor DeBorde, MN, Minnesota Storm

Justin Feldman, OH, South West Washington Wrestling Club

Xavier Johnson, CO, Army (WCAP)

Maddox Khalimsky, IL, NMU-National Training Center

Taylor LaMont, NY, West Point Wrestling Club

Nicholas Leonetti, ID, Suples Wrestling Club

Pablo Monreal, CO, All Navy Wrestling

Duncan Nelson, IL, Air Force WCAP

Dean Noble, CO, Western Colorado Wrestling Club

Alston Nutter, CO, Army (WCAP)

Dylan Phelps, MI, Olivet Wrestling Club

Noah Rice, PA, LAW

Farrokh Safaeinejad, FL, Florida

Logan Savvy, FL, New York Athletic Club

David Stepanian, MI, New York Athletic Club

The Senior World Team Trials at 72 kg will feature a strong group aiming to compete at the Senior World Championships in Zagreb in the fall. Led by 2020 Tokyo Olympian Alejandro Sancho, a two-time Senior World Team member and 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials runner-up. Sancho is now moving from 67 kg to 72 kg. Justus Scott is a three age-group World Team member and secured back-to-back gold medals at the 2023 Senior and 2024 U23 Pan American Championships. Also in contention is Peyton Robb, a top talent who secured bronze at the 2024 Bill Farrell Memorial International and has earned three Pan American Championships titles across both Greco-Roman and freestyle at the age-group level, including a 2017 U17 Pan American Championships gold medal in Greco-Roman. Other athletes to watch include 2021 U17 World Team member Jadon Skellenger and 2024 Senior Pan American Championships bronze medalist Noah Wachsmuth.

Entries (as of 4/15)

Tyler Antoniak, NE, MWC/NYAC

Riley Briggs, CA, NMU-National Training Center

DeShon Gallegos, CO, Skyview Wolverine Wrestling Club

Nicholas Janowitz, TX, Patriot Wrestling Club

Aliaksandr Kikiniou, CA, NYAC

Brett McIntosh, WY, Wyoming Wrestling Reg Training Ctr

Charles McKune, KY, NMU-National Training Center

Peter Ogunsanya, TX, Army (WCAP)

Alec Ortiz, MN, Minnesota Storm

Clay Radenz, ND, Bison Wrestling Club

Peyton Robb, MN, Neb/NYAC

Brayden Roberts, WV, LIRTC

Alejandro Sancho, CO, Army (WCAP)

Will Scherer, MO, Combat W.C. School of Wrestling

TJ Schierl, WI, Ohio RTC/ Titan Mercury Wrestling Club (TMWC)

Justus Scott, CO, Army (WCAP)

Jadon Skellenger, ID, Lehigh Valley Wrestling RTC

Noah Wachsmuth, OR, New York Athletic Club

Bobby Yamashita, CO, All Navy Wrestling

This weight class is led by 2024 Paris Olympian Kamal Bey, a 2017 Junior World champion and three-time Senior World Team member. Also registered is seasoned competitor Aliaksandr Kikiniou, a two-time Olympian for Belarus who was the runner-up at the 2023 U.S. Open and the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials at 77 kg, now competing at 82 kg. Kikiniou made the move up to 82 kg for the 2024 Senior World Championships, and is now returning to 77 kg. Arvin Khosravy, a three-time age-group World Team member and 2023 U20 Pan American champion, looks to make his mark at the Senior level. Tyler Eischens, who placed seventh at the 2023 U23 World Championships, and Aydin Rix McElhinney, who placed ninth at the 2024 U20 World Championships, are among the athletes registered with age-group international experience.

Entries (as of 4/15)

Drew Allgeyer, MI, NYAC/Minn Storm

Ethan Barr, MO, Golden Pride WC

Kamal Bey, CO, Army (WCAP)

Patrick Curran, IL, NMU/NYAC

Tyler Eischens, MN, Tar Heel Wrestling/NYAC

Britton Holmes, CO, Army (WCAP)

Hedayat Kabiri Moghadam, CA, World Team Training Center

Arvin Khosravy, CA, West Point WC

Aliaksandr Kikiniou, CA, NYAC

Quinlan Nelson, IL, Illinois

Glenn Rhees, MO, Greater Heights

Daniel Richardson, CA, All Navy Wrestling

Aydin Rix McElhinney, ME, NYAC/NMU

Kai Simmons, HI, Northern Michigan University (NMU)

Caden Young, WI, NYAC

This weight class is headlined by Jesse Porter, who brings high-level experience as the No. 3 on the Senior National Team, 2024 Senior World Team Trials runner-up, and third-place finisher at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. A 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials champion and 2021 Senior World Team member, Porter is a consistent contender. Beka Melelashvili enters with momentum after claiming silver at both the 2024 U23 World Championships and U23 Pan American Championships. Andrew Berreyesa, a two-time age-group World Team member and 2018 Junior World silver medalist, adds depth to the field. Also in the mix are Tyler Cunningham, a 2022 U23 World Team member and Senior Pan American Championships bronze medalist, and Adrian Artsisheuskiy, who recently won gold at the 2025 U23 Pan American Championships and previously represented the U.S. at the 2022 U20 World Championships.

Entries (as of 4/15)

Adrian Artsisheuskiy, NY, NYAC

Tanner Baumgartner, CO, Colorado Mesa WC

Andrew Berreyesa, NV, NYAC

Tommy Brackett, CO, NYAC

Talmage Carman, WY, Mustang WC

Luke Ciampa, NJ, LVWRTC

Tyler Cunningham, NE, NYAC

Ryan Epps, MN, Army WCAP

Achilles Evans, CO, Betterman Elite Wrestling

Jack Gillis, WI, Ringers WC

Alex Hamm, FL, Florida

Michael Higgins, MI, NMU

Arian Khosravy, CA, California

Beka Melelashvili, PA, NYAC

Jesse Porter, NY, NYAC

Fritz Schierl, MN, Storm/NYAC

Aidan Squier, CT, Combat W.C. School of Wrestling

Ryan Whittle, PA, Atlas WC

The 87 kg Greco-Roman bracket is shaping up to be one of the most competitive, led by 2024 Paris Olympian Payton Jacobson, a three-time age-group World Team member who placed third at the 2023 U.S. Open. Looking to defend his 2023 title, Zac Braunagel, the 2023 U.S. Open champion and Senior World Team member, also draws experience from the 2019 Junior World Championships. Making the jump up from 82 kg is Spencer Woods, a two-time Senior World Team member and 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials runner-up, who previously earned a U.S. Open title at his former weight. Also in the mix is Tyson Beauperthuy, a 2024 U23 Pan American silver medalist.

Entries (as of 4/15)

Tyson Beauperthuy, CO, Tiger WC

Zachary Braunagel, IL, Illinois Regional Training Center/Illini WC

Mason Buss, OR, Mustang WC

Marcus Curry, CA, Ford Dynasty

Daniel Eubanks, NV, NMU-National Training Center

Jonathon Fagen, ID, JG

Hunter Gonzalez, CA, California

Payton Jacobson, MI, NMU/NYAC

Kyle Knudtson, OR, Crook County HS Wrestling

Jordan Lara, NM, 505 WC

Damen Pape, NE, Wolves WC

Christian Rouleau, MN, Storm/NYAC

Spencer Woods, CO, Army (WCAP)

The 97 kg Greco-Roman field at the US Open is loaded with talent and experience. 2024 Paris Olympian Josef Rau leads the largest group currently registered to compete in Las Vegas. A three-time Senior World Team member, Rau is also a three-time U.S. Open champion (2016, 2019, 2023) and a two-time U.S. Olympic Team Trials champion. Two more athletes registered are currently on the Senior National Team in Nicholas Boykin and David Tate Orndorff. Boykin, ranked third on the Senior World Team, is a two-time age-group World Team member, and the 2023 U.S. Open runner-up. Orndorff, No. 4 on the Senior National Team, is a 2019 U23 World Team member. Michael Altomer, a two-time age-group World Team member with a pair of age-group Pan American Championships medals, continues a strong transition to the Senior level.

Entries (as of 4/15)

Michael Altomer, NY, Curby/NYAC

Braden Baumgartner, CO, Colorado Mesa WC

Nicholas Boykin, OH, Ohio

Austin Craig, WA, All Navy Wrestling

Orry Elor, CA, NYAC

Timothy Eubanks, NV, NMU-National Training Center

Michial Foy, CO, Army (WCAP)

Austin Harris, GA, Club Lucha

Ian Huston, CA, Ford Dynasty WC

Austin Kohlhofer, OH, West Point WC

Cade Lautt, NC, NYAC/THWC

Jayden Loehnig, CA, Golden State WC

Kody Marschner, IL, Mustang WC

Brandon Marshall, IA, Big Game Wrestling Club

David Tate Orndorff, WA, Titan Mercury Wrestling Club (TMWC)

Eli Pannell, IL, Dubuque RTC

Josef Rau, IL, Titan Mercury Wrestling Club (TMWC)

Eric Schwark, OR, Ashland WC

George Sikes, FL, NYAC

Jayden Tadeo-Gosal, CA, NMU-National Training Center

Timothy Young, IL, Army (WCAP)

This is one of the most anticipated brackets in the tournament. Several of the most successful athletes at all levels compete at 130 kg in Greco-Roman, and this is one tournament fans won't want to miss. 2024 Paris Olympian Adam Coon looks to defend his top spot on the Senior National Team, and is a 2018 Senior World silver medalist and two-time Senior World Team member. Cohlton Schultz, a three-time Senior World Team member, six-time age-group World Team member, 2017 Cadet World champion, and three-time age-group World medalist, will look to reclaim his spot at the top. Adding more power to the bracket is Aden Attao, with three age-group World Team appearances, two U20 World bronze medals, and three U20 Pan American Championship golds. Keith Miley, the 2024 U23 World Team member and two-time U23 Pan American Championships gold medalist, rounds out an incredible field of competitors in Las Vegas.

Entries (as of 4/15)

Aden Attao, OR, NYAC

Brandon Ballard, MN, Frontier WC

Max Balow, MN, Viking RTC

Adam Coon, MI, CKWC/NYAC

Donald DeGarmo, AL, All-Air Force

Cameron Dubose, WA, Mustang WC

Tom Foote, MA, NYAC

Courtney Freeman, NC, All-Marine

James Hustoles, MI, NMU-National Training Center

Nathaniel Lennon, NY, Valhalla Training Center

Keith Miley, AR, Ark/NYAC

Tashaud Nelson, MN, Norse RTC

Michael Rogers, PA, West Point WC

Cohlton Schultz, AZ, Atreus WC