We always say it - the US Open has so much going on, it's difficult to keep up with it all. There are fantastic matches in Round 1. For Pete's sake, Jaydin Eierman and Bryce Meredith wrestled in the Round of 16. In Juniors the #1 ranked kid in the country (JoJo Aragona) had to face the Cali State Champ and the PA State Champ in his first and second bouts.

There are so many good matches, and so many angles. One thing that struck me this year is how many 'bounce back' performances there were. 

Several guys that had rough goings recently did well. And then the feel-good stories.

Here are ten athletes that fit that bill from the Open.

#10 - Victor Voinovich, 65KG Juniors

A highly regarded prospect about a year ago at this time, Voinovich's ranking fell after not placing at Ironman and taking 4th in his state tournament. Talk to college coaches and they'll tell you they love him as a prospect. In Vegas he showed why as he got back on track with wins over over two NJ state champions - Lucas Revano and consensus #1 JoJo Aragona.

#9 - Chris Cannon, 57KG Juniors

We talked a great deal this year about Shayne Van Ness and his prowess after not being able to crack the starting line-up at Blair. The same happened to Cannon this year. 

The National Prep Champ couldn't find his way into a line-up that included Top 5 guys nationally at 120, 126, 132, and 138.

Last month Cannon won NHSCA's. In Vegas he placed 4th by beating returning 5th placer Sidney Flores, PSU's Brody Teske, and Wyatt Henson. His only losses were to Heinselman and Foley, who placed 1st and 3rd, respectively.

#7 - Anthony Valencia, 74KG Seniors

Four years ago Valencia - then just a youngster - turned heads when he teched 2x NCAA finalist Tyler Caldwell en route to a 3rd place finish in his first appearance at the SR Open. His only loss was to Andrew Howe.

He hasn't quit been the same since. 

But pre-tournament there were murmurs that Anthony was looked very sharp in the room. The murmurs were true. Valencia teched Chase Pami and beat Evan Wick, Logan Massa, and Dan Vallimont in another 3rd place Open. His only loss was to finalist Tommy Gantt.

I’m back! ? https://t.co/oe469WHcc2

— Anthony G. Valencia (@AnthonadorGold) April 27, 2019

#7 - Joey Palmer, 61KG Seniors

What in the ever-loving heck got in to Joey Palmer? He hasn't even been that active; his last tournament was a year ago at the Open where he had some really good wins (AJ Schopp, Alan Waters) but went just 3-2 and failed to place.

This year - in both his results and the eyeball test - he was very impressive. He placed 3rd beating Tony Ramos and Tyler Graff twice. It was easily the most unexpected result of the tournament.

This is a guy that never AA'd at Oregon State and entered the tournament Unattached. Someone Attach the man!

#6 - Yianni, 65KG Seniors

You might wonder why I have Yianni here. I mean, redemption? Redemption from what? He's a superstar. And if we found out he walked on water, would you really be surprised?

Alright, let the Greatest Mind in Wrestling give you a little context and tell you why it's a redemption moment.

Y'all are getting lost on his 2-title, 66-1 NCAA record. But on the freestyle scene, Yianni's been a tad snakebit. He won a Cadet title in 2015. Then he backed it up in 2016 with another. But that year, he intended to wrestle Juniors as well. In fact, he was on site (Dallas, TX) for the Trials. But he came down with an illness.

Injuries hindered him in the interim. He hasn't made a JR World Team yet, and if i posed the question - who's the best wrestler in America that hasn't made a team (Cadet/JR/U23/SR) in three years, Yianni would be at the top of the list, right?

Redemption. Yianni's in Final X and close to representing the U.S. again.

#5 - Daton Fix, 57KG Seniors

You have to think after being so close so often recently, Daton was not just happy, but relieved to get his hand raised at the end. 2nd at the Open, 2nd at Final X. 2nd at NCAA's. 

This time, Fix gutted one out with a takedown while trailing inside 1:00 to go by the man he lost to at Final X 2018.

#4 - Cody Brewer, 61KG Seniors

A year ago, Cody Brewer DNP'd in Vegas. He lost to Darrius Little and then Graff eliminated him. This year he overcame a deficit to Megaludis with a 2nd period fall. 

From not qualifying for the Trials to two wins away from a Final X berth.

#3 - Ryan Deakin, 70KG Seniors

At one point during this NCAA season, Ryan Deakin was talked about as a potential finalist. The second half of the season didn't go as well as the first half. Deakin took 5th at Big 10's and 6th at NCAA's. It didn't exactly spell "US Open title threat".

But he won the whole thing, qualifying himself for Final X by virtue of beating NCAA Runner-Up Lavion Mayes, NCAA and Final X Runner-Up Jason Chamberlain, Alec Pantaleo who beat him at Big Tens, and James Green who has been the gatekeeper at 70kgs for four years. 

#2 - Ray Bunker, 72KG Seniors

Talk about climbing the ladder. In his first SR level Greco tournament, Bunker went 0-2. In 2017 at the U23 Trials he went 1-2. In 2018 he won U23's. And last weekend he was crowned US Open Champion by beating the highest ranked wrestler at the weight and 2016 Olympic Trials Champ, RaVaughn Perkins.

#1 - Pat Downey, 86KG Seniors

You know his story. He is talented and hardworking. No one has ever disputed that. But he's had demons, bad breaks, and by his own admissions, squandered opportunities.

As such, and in conjunction with his once over-the-top social media posts and overzealous predictions, he turned off some wrestling fans. But he's transformed.

Last year he had a poor US Open, losing his first match and taking just 7th. In his post match interview Saturday, he himself said that this was a redemption from last year. 

He now won one of the crown jewels of USA Wrestling, and he did it with stamina and heart. He's starting to win some fans back.

Pat, you were often critical of not getting enough 'love'. Well, you're getting it now, my man.

To the victors go...the headlines on Flo.