The upcoming US Open will qualify the top 7 finishers in each weight for the World Team Trials. Take a look below at some of the most notable wrestlers who are entered at the US Open but aren’t yet qualified for the World Team Trials.

Nico Megaludis, 61kg

A 2016 NCAA Champion, Nico Megaludis has also had success on the freestyle scene. In both 2018 and 2019, Megaludis finished second at the world team trials making the national team both years. After missing the 2020-2021 season with injury, Meglaudis had a successful return to the mat this February when he won a bronze medal at the 2022 Yasar Dogu in Istanbul, Turkey. Expect a strong showing from Megaludis in Vegas as he’ll be one of the favorites at 61kg.

Nico Megaludis' win for bronze at the 2022 Yasar Dogu:

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Yahya Thomas, 65kg

Despite falling just short of All-American honors this year, Yahya Thomas is a threat at 65kg. Thomas is a more natural freestyle wrestler and made the junior world team in 2019 where he defeated Keegan O’Toole in 2 straight matches. 

Thomas’ win over O’Toole in the 2019 Jr WTT finals:

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Alec Pantaleo, 70kg

Before suffering an injury in last year’s world team trials, Pantaleo was one of the favorites to win the 70kg spot. He’s currently ranked #13 in our international rankings and is coming off his second straight win over Jordan Oliver. With James Green retired, Pantaleo has extra incentive to win the US Open and take the #1 seed going into next month’s world team trials. 

Pantaleo’s win over James Green at the 2021 Poland Open:

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Jacori Teemer, 70kg

Most American fans know Teemer as a dynamic folkstyle wrestler for Arizona State but his skills might transfer better to freestyle. Teemer won a cadet world bronze medal in 2017 and made the U23 world team last year. Teemer will be interesting to watch in this 70kg field that contains Alec Pantaleo, Jordan Oliver, Tyler Berger, Anthony Ashnault, Bryce Andonian, Austin Gomez, and more!

Jacori Teemer's win over bronze at the 2017 Cadet World Championships:

Isaiah Martinez, 79kg

How is IMar not qualified for world team trials!? He notably had surgery in 2020 and was unable to compete at the Olympic Trials last year. Then, at the World Team Trials in October, Imar lost to Alex Dieringer in the semi-finals and forfeited out of the tournament. Martinez should have little trouble finishing in the top 7 in Vegas but will face a tough field headlined by Alex Dieringer and Chance Marsteller.

Imar's win over Jordan Burroughs at 2019 Final X:

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Vincenzo Joseph, 79kg

A two-time national champion isn’t qualified for the world team trials! This is mostly due to Joseph transitioning to full-time coaching at Stanford but the competitive itch still must be there for Cenzo. While he might be slightly undersized at 79kg, he’ll still be a threat to the top tier and should be able to finish in the top 7.

Vincenzo Joseph’s win over Mekhi Lewis at the 2019 Bill Farrell:

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Mark Hall, 86kg

Mark Hall was a junior world champion in 2016 and 2017 but has only been competing regularly on the senior level for about a year. Hall should be a favorite to win this bracket as he has defeated both Trent Hidlay and Nate Jackson in the past (the other two main contenders currently registered). Hall's freestyle skills are incredible and he'll be a treat to watch on the mat in Vegas.

Mark Hall’s first junior world title in 2016:

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Nate Jackson, 86kg

In 2020 and 2021, no one competed more than Nate Jackson and because of that frequent competition, Jackson made major improvements in his freestyle game. In fact, Jackson even entered the top 20 in the world in our international rankings for a brief period of time. It’s also interesting to note that Jackson is registered down at 86kg after competing at 92 and 97 in the last year. 

Nate Jackson’s win over world silver medalist Boris Makoev:

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Ty Walz, 125kg

Walz was a U23 world bronze medalist in 2017 and finished second at the world team trials in 2019 (at 97kg). Now up at 125kg, Walz will be a wrestler to watch who could possibly challenge the top tier in the US. While Gwiazdowski isn’t currently registered for the Open, Walz will be challenged by the likes of Dom Bradley, Hayden Zillmer, Derek White, Christian Lance, Lucas Davis, Jordan Wood, and a few more in Vegas!

Ty Walz’s in the finals of the 2019 WTT:

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Lucas Davison, 125kg

Lucas Davison was one of the more impressive heavyweights at the 2022 NCAA Tournament. On top of placing 6th in Detroit, Davison is an accomplished freestyle wrestler and won a silver medal at the junior world championships in 2019. Davison’s size and athleticism make him a dangerous heavyweight and will be a great prospect to watch for the United States.

Lucas Davison’s win to make the 2019 Junior World Finals;

Honorable Mention:

While the above wrestlers are the 10 we chose to spotlight, there are a number of notable other wrestlers still looking to qualify for the world team trials who are also entered at the US Open. Take a look at that list below:

• Sam Latona, 57kg
• Jakob Camacho, 57kg
• Dean Heil, 65kg
• Luke Pletcher, 65kg
• Matthew Kolodzik, 65kg
• Ed Scott, 70kg
• Brock Mauller, 70kg
• Austin Gomez, 70kg
• Tommy Gantt, 74kg
• David McFadden, 79kg
• Taylor Lujan, 79kg
• Isaiah White, 79kg
• Nick Reenan, 86kg
• Derek White, 125kg
• Wyatt Hendrickson, 125kg

If you'd like to see those who are qualified for the 2022 World Team Trials, check out that list here. The above are the most notable entries but there are currently 245 wrestlers entered in men’s freestyle with more coming in every day. Take a look at everyone entered for the US Open here.