Tim Hands of 5 Point Move breaks down the middleweight senior Greco-Roman divisions of the 2019 U.S. Open.

This is a very interesting era in United States Greco-Roman, for we have entered a space where the upper-weights steal a lot of the headlines. That’s not to say the light and middleweights are lacking, certainly not. When we’re talking speed, crispness, and head-turning throws, the little guys still provide show-stopping entertainment. 

But actual competitive strength and foundational depth are a different story. That’s what is available with the upperweights. 

When you have a heavyweight who is coming off of a World silver, a light-heavy who is ranked third, and an 87-kilogram weight class that features a two-time Olympian and a pair of recent World Teamers, there isn’t much debate. As has been the case occasionally throughout our nation’s history, USA Greco’s biggest strengths right now revolve around its biggest athletes. 

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87 Kilograms

Patrick Martinez (NYAC)

Recent: 2019 Pan Am Championships bronze; 2019 Thor Masters 7th; 2019 Hungarian Grand Prix 18th; 2019 Grand Prix Zagreb Open 12th; 2018 US World Team member

At the highest reaches of the sport, Greco is a “turn and not get turned” game. Martinez’s improvement on the latter this season has been remarkable, and Lord knows he’s had a lot of practice. Now that he’ll be back to battling with domestic opponents, that’s a huge edge to have. But of course, for as deep as 87 is, it’s a pummel-happy weight class with matches often left in the refs’ hands. To really stand out here, it would behoove Martinez to pressure his way to scoring chances on the feet, something he can certainly do - but doesn’t do enough of. 

Ben Provisor (NYAC/NLWC)

Recent: 2019 Hungarian Grand Prix 14th; 2018 World Team Trials runner-up; 2018 US Open Champion

Although Provisor did get himself over to Hungary this past winter, that was more of a training excursion than a relevant competitive sample size to hone in on. He was reportedly slowed by a staph infection leading to last year’s World Team Trials, and he had to deal with a nagging knee later on. By all accounts he’s healthy, and if so, there is some unfinished business here for him to handle and that could start with his fourth Open title. 

Joe Rau (TMWC/Chicago RTC)

Recent: 2019 Dave Schultz Memorial bronze; 2018 Haparanda Cup silver; 2018 US Open runner-up

Rau suffered a broken jaw last June thanks to a practice room incident with another athlete, which forced him out of the Trials. To make up for it, he booked himself all over Europe through the summer (as well as most of the fall) and has appeared at every camp held at the OTC. He’s always motivated, but this time everything seems different. That the Open is only the first step to making the World Team means this weight class is even more of a gauntlet than usual, and Rau has done his part to prepare accordingly. 

Barrett Stanghill (Minnesota Storm/OTS)

Recent: 2019 Dave Schultz Memorial 6th; 2018 US Open runner-up

Assuming that Stanghill is done being a “tweener” and will no longer flirt with 82 kilos, he could find himself really starting to press the perceived top guys here, if not overtake them completely. Most figure that he’s a year away. Stanghill has shown repeatedly that there are not a whole lot of weaknesses in his game, and his return to Marquette under Andy Bisek has turned his confidence up a notch or two. Definitely one of the more intriguing guys to pay attention to this week.

James Souza (Army/WCAP)

Recent: 2019 Armed Forces Championships gold

It’s so hard for casuals to ignore Souza’s physique and that is totally understandable. He looks like he was assembled in a laboratory by men in white coats who just wanted to see what would happen if you crammed muscle tissue in as many areas as possible. But underneath that musculature is an elitely-functioning athlete whose grasp of this style is beginning to match his gifts. Souza wasn’t supposed to make a dent in ‘18; instead, he nearly made the National Team. And he is two steps better this year. Something to think about.   

Khymba Johnson (NYAC/OTS)

Recent: 2019 Dave Schultz Memorial 4th; 2018 US Open 5th

Johnson is becoming the standard example of a wrestler who is good, but even better than his results -- even though it’s becoming tougher to keep sticking with that argument. We’re two-and-a-half years removed from his National final, and consistency, or lack thereof, is now the issue. Johnson is so easy to root for -- and when he’s crushing someone, it all looks very natural. However, it’s time to either step up, step down, or commit to 97 if he feels the space here is too crowded. 

Vaughn Monreal-Berner (Marines)

Recent: 2019 Armed Forces Championships silver; 2019 Dave Schultz Memorial 8th

No one is going to pay much mind to Monreal-Berner, but what most don’t get is that he had some relevant age-group experience prior to joining the Marines and is now gradually making adjustments on the Senior level that matter. As an Armed Forces medalist he’s already locked in for the Trials, so his presence in Vegas means something. It might mean he has a point to prove. 

97 Kilograms

G’Angelo Hancock (Sunkist)

Recent: 2019 Pan Am Championships silver; 2019 Thor Masters bronze; 2019 Hungarian Grand Prix gold; 2019 Grand Prix Zagreb bronze; 2019 Dave Schultz Memorial gold; 2018 World Team member

If a bye to the Final X Series wasn’t hanging in the balance, there would be little reason for Hancock to appear in this event given how insanely busy his schedule has been this year. There will not be a more confident guy to watch on Thursday. Despite a very weird if not poorly-officiated bout in the Pan Am finals and another one in Denmark, Hancock has been able to execute nearly everything he has wanted to this season -- and that’s against foreigners. Take that however you want. 

Daniel Miller (Marines)

Recent: 2019 Armed Forces Championships gold; 2019 Grand Prix Zagreb Open 10th; 2018 Haparanda Cup bronze; 2018 Lavrikov Memorial bronze; 2018 World Team Trials runner-up; 2018 US Open Champion

Forget for a second that Miller is the returning Open champ, or the fact that he was giving Hancock all he could handle during most of their time together last June. What makes the Marine Captain truly dangerous right now is that he is engineering micro adjustments both during practices and even in-match. He’s seeing holes he didn’t know were there before, correcting them, and then punishing opponents. Most seem to think that there is still some distance between he and the #1 guy, but if there is, it might not be much. 

Lucas Sheridan (Army/WCAP)

Recent: 2019 Armed Forces Championships silver; 2019 Dave Schultz Memorial silver; 2018 US National Team member; 2018 US Open bronze

You won’t come across a more devoted, impassioned wrestler, or one who wields as many weapons for this weight class. Sheridan is practically letter-perfect for 97 due in large part to what has been uncanny power, better footspeed than most, and an increasing ability to pummel into and out of positions without sacrificing good offensive looks. You’d just like to see him make those looks count, and his headlock, which is a whammer, can serve as the great equalizer simply because the threat of it is enough for others to bail. 

Eric Twohey (Minnesota Storm)

Recent: 2019 Dave Schultz Memorial bronze; 2018 Haavisto Cup silver; 2018 US Open 5th

Medical school student Twohey got his start in Senior Greco last year by piecing together his training with the Storm whenever time allowed. Unless something changed, that is still how he’s rolling. What is more important to note is that every tournament Twohey has entered thus far, he has been a serious player, including at the Haavisto Cup in Finland. It’s obvious his degree of natural talent is considerable, and should certainly be more than enough to get himself a ticket to North Carolina. 

Chad Porter (Sunkist)

Recent: 2018 Junior World Team member 

We definitely want to see what Porter has to offer at the Senior level. His pace and movement last year at age-group accentuated his all-style wrestling skills, which was nice for domestic Junior but likely won’t cut it in this tournament. So how has he adapted and evolved? What does his par terre defense look like? There is little doubt that if Porter applies himself to Greco he can be a star. You just hope he recognizes that, too. 

130 Kilograms

Toby Erickson (Army/WCAP)

Recent: 2019 Armed Forces Championships gold; 2019 Dave Schultz Memorial silver

A very strong performance at the Dave Schultz Memorial (even if it ended in less than ideal fashion) escorted Erickson to another Armed Forces title, but it is what has happened since that is just as important. The big guy’s training has really kicked in throughout the spring and he reportedly had himself a great camp with the US team that went to the Pan Ams. With Coon focusing on leg-grabbing this Open, Erickson finds himself in prime position to earn his second Senior stop sign. But we’d still like to see a 2019 version of that match-up.

David Tate Orndorff (UVRTC)

Recent: 2018 US National Team member; 2018 U23 World Team Trials runner-up; 2018 US Open bronze

It’s not enough to know how to wrestle Greco, you have to know how to wrestle “heavyweight Greco”, which is practically its own style. What Orndorff shows is that he can out-hustle plodders and capitalize on small openings normally missed by these behemoths. That gas tank is important, but what you also love about Orndorff is his mentality. He’ll grind and fight, but not just for the sake of doing so. This dude likes to score. It’s why he bronzed in Vegas last year, and it’s why he earned a spot on the National Team ahead of more established competitors. 

Jacob Mitchell (Army/WCAP)

Recent: 2018 World Team Trials 4th

Mitchell hasn’t competed in Greco in nearly a year, but don’t hold that against him. He has the domestic experience to stack up with everyone here, and because he entered into this discipline as a fine folkstyler, can move well, throw well, and scramble better than most heavies.

Haydn Maley (California RTC)

Recent: 2017 UWW Junior World Team Trials runner-up

A terrific age-group competitor, Maley didn’t make an appearance in 2018, so it has been two full years since he fell in the Junior Trials (and subsequently wrecked ship at the Pan Ams). A classical wrestling athlete. Maley -- now this is understanding it has been 24 months or so -- is a thoroughbred who expresses unique instincts and refined body mechanics that you rarely see in today’s larger folk wrestlers who crossover. He’s listed here at 130, and if that holds, size might be an issue. But talent won’t be. 

West Cathcart (Stoopstyle)

Recent: 2019 Dave Schultz Memorial bronze

It was refreshing to see Cathcart suit up for Schultz Greco back in January and he pounded out a bronze, with almost like, no issue, literally. A little breather from competition may have done the former NMU wrestler some good. Maybe it brought him perspective. Whatever it did, Cathcart, who used to compete at 98 kilos, competed with steely aggression that is sorely needed in this field. Assuming he’s coming to Vegas with that approach, his will be a name to watch next month at the Trials.