Six Guys With The Most To Prove At The 2017 US Open

Here are the six wrestlers with the most to prove at the 2017 U.S. Open on April 27-29 in Las Vegas.

Apr 27, 2017 by Christian Pyles

Six Guys With The Most To Prove At The 2017 US Open

When the 2017 U.S. Open begins Thursday in Las Vegas, there will be a few guys that I believe have the most to prove. This is not to suggest their previous accomplishments and skills are not well known and acknowledged. I just believe these six individuals have the opportunity to alter how they're viewed on the senior level. Tony Ramos can establish himself as the guy at 57, regardless of training situation. The perceived obstacles facing Kyle Dake, Nick Gwiazdowski, and Jordan Oliver all seem to be out of their way. Nahshon Garrett and Jesse Delgado have unquestioned talent but little in the way of senior-level accolades.

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To the six.

Nahshon Garrett, 57kg

Garrett has now been at Arizona State for the better part of a year under Zeke Jones and company. The Cornell dynamo has neutral attacks that are unparalleled in this field. If he's requisite in his par terre defense, he's got the goods to win. If he's the same guy we saw at the Olympic trials last year, he'll probably find similar results.

Jordan Oliver, 65kg

Since 2013, the thorn in Jordan Oliver's side has been Brent Metcalf. Since his 2013 narrow victory over Metcalf, he has been unable to regain that same success, losing to Metcalf in the '13, '14, and '15 trials. Metcalf has since retired, and the man who downed Oliver at the 2016 Olympic trials, Aaron Pico, has transitioned to MMA. Things are set up for Oliver. His health seems to be on point, and he looked great at the 70kg world team trials before falling close to James Green. The toughest competition for Oliver will likely come from Frank Molinaro and Zain Retherford. Oliver is undefeated against both. An under-the-radar threat to JO could come from Kellen Russell, who has two wins of his own over Jordan. At some point in the next few years, it's hard to see a scenario in which this isn't Zain's weight. Jordan's time to run this weight is now. I think he takes the Open this year.

Tony Ramos, 57kg

The two-time world team member is coming off of some lackluster performances, but I think many are discounting that many of these results were up at 61kg. Like Oliver, the one man who has stood in Ramos' way domestically (Dan Dennis) is now out of the picture. Ramos hadn't lost domestically at 57kg outside of him. He's notched wins over Nico Megadulis, Sam Hazewinkel, Nahshon Garrett, and Coleman Scott. Tony has a lot to prove at this point, as many have discounted him and are ready to see the next era of 57kg wrestlers. It would also mean a lot for what Scott is doing at UNC if he could get Ramos back on the team at 57kg.

Nick Gwiazdowski, 125kg

After graduating from college, Gwiazdowski has finally had a season to focus solely on freestyle. For a few years now, he's been dubbed the heir apparent at 125 after Tervel Dlagnev. He still remains O-fer against Zach Rey in his career. Gwiazdowski's win over Komeil Ghasemi at the World Club Cup suggests he could be ready to take this weight. There's a big guy from Lehigh that Gwiazdowski will almost assuredly have to go through to make the team. Add in longtime nemesis Dom Bradley and you've got a tough road for Gwiaz. If he's the heir apparent, now is the time to seize that.

Kyle Dake, 74kg

If it's happening, it will be this year, right? A combination of health and Jordan Burroughs being the best wrestler on Earth have kept Dake off the team. Dake has accomplished many rare feats and shown uncanny adaptability to succeed at different weights. Between winning four titles at four weights at the NCAA level and making trials finals at two different weights at the senior level (An astounding 26 pounds apart), we know Dake can wrestle and compete with the best at any weight. Burroughs looks mortal for the first time since bursting onto the scene in 2011 and will not have a bye to the finals without winning the Open. This weekend is Dake's time to tilt the scales in his favor after years of vying for a spot when the playing field was (by design and for good reason) not level. Dake has looked absolutely incredible so far, winning titles overseas and dominating a very skilled Alex Dieringer.

Jesse Delgado, 57kg

I'm curious to see how leg passer extraordinaire Delgado competes at freestyle. He's long been discounted as someone who could be a threat on the senior level because of his funky style. I believe that his ability to get to legs is amazing and will put him in matches. Combine that with his athleticism and an amazing competitive spirit, I think he could show he's more than just a folkstyle wrestler.