Indiana University Athletics
Wright Headed to U.S. Open Wrestling Championships
4/24/2018 5:25:00 PM | Wrestling
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Freestyle lightweight Brandon Wright is making an emphatic return to the mats at the 2018 Marine Corps U.S. Open, running from April 25-28 at the South Point Hotel Casino & Spa in Las Vegas, Nevada. Indiana's volunteer assistant coach and Hoosier RTC athlete will once again enter the 61kg freestyle tournament, receiving the No. 4 pre-seed at the weight.
A former two-time NAIA champion and IHSAA state champion, Wright aims to improve on his inspiring runner-up finish at the 2017 U.S. Open.
After decision victories in the first two rounds, Wright picked up a statement win, a 10-0 (1:06) tech. against Johnni DiJulius (TMWC) in the quarterfinals. His next match featured a hard-fought battle with Joe Colon (TMWC), this year's top pre-seed at 61kg, that ended in stunning fashion. Wright trailed 6-4 until the last 10 seconds of the match when he grabbed a takedown to seal his shocking appearance in the title bout.
Wright dropped the final match to current national team starter Kendric Maple, 10-7, but accomplished part of what he set out to achieve that week. He earned the No. 3 national ranking at 61 kg, gained some well-earned name recognition, and joined the Hoosiers in their wrestling room shortly after the tournament.
But now Wright is back in the mix and looking for more than underdog support and a podium finish—he wants the title to come back with him to Bloomington. But the field at his weight is loaded. At least five former NCAA Champions, including the last four champs at 133 lbs., will be in the mix.
And at a weight without a returning World Team member, the winner of the U.S. Open will earn a place in the Final X series. The newly minted three-event series will determine the members of the 2018 United States senior world teams in men's and women's freestyle this June.
Hoosiers and Indiana wrestling fans can follow Wright and the U.S. Open live on FloWrestling.org. The pre-seeds for Wright's 61kg bracket are as follows:
1. Joe Colon (Titan Mercury)
2. Jon Morrison (NYAC)
3. Nashon Garrett (Sunkist Kids)
4. Brandon Wright (NYAC /Hoosier RTC)
5. Cody Brewer (Titan Mercury)
6. Tyler Graff (Titan Mercury)
7. Seth Gross (Sunkist Kids)
8. Nico Megaludis (Titan Mercury)
9. Cory Clark (Titan Mercury)
10. Chris Dardanes (Titan Mercury)
11. Alan Waters (Titan Mercury)
12. Darrius Little (NYAC)
A former two-time NAIA champion and IHSAA state champion, Wright aims to improve on his inspiring runner-up finish at the 2017 U.S. Open.
After decision victories in the first two rounds, Wright picked up a statement win, a 10-0 (1:06) tech. against Johnni DiJulius (TMWC) in the quarterfinals. His next match featured a hard-fought battle with Joe Colon (TMWC), this year's top pre-seed at 61kg, that ended in stunning fashion. Wright trailed 6-4 until the last 10 seconds of the match when he grabbed a takedown to seal his shocking appearance in the title bout.
Wright dropped the final match to current national team starter Kendric Maple, 10-7, but accomplished part of what he set out to achieve that week. He earned the No. 3 national ranking at 61 kg, gained some well-earned name recognition, and joined the Hoosiers in their wrestling room shortly after the tournament.
But now Wright is back in the mix and looking for more than underdog support and a podium finish—he wants the title to come back with him to Bloomington. But the field at his weight is loaded. At least five former NCAA Champions, including the last four champs at 133 lbs., will be in the mix.
And at a weight without a returning World Team member, the winner of the U.S. Open will earn a place in the Final X series. The newly minted three-event series will determine the members of the 2018 United States senior world teams in men's and women's freestyle this June.
Hoosiers and Indiana wrestling fans can follow Wright and the U.S. Open live on FloWrestling.org. The pre-seeds for Wright's 61kg bracket are as follows:
1. Joe Colon (Titan Mercury)
2. Jon Morrison (NYAC)
3. Nashon Garrett (Sunkist Kids)
4. Brandon Wright (NYAC /Hoosier RTC)
5. Cody Brewer (Titan Mercury)
6. Tyler Graff (Titan Mercury)
7. Seth Gross (Sunkist Kids)
8. Nico Megaludis (Titan Mercury)
9. Cory Clark (Titan Mercury)
10. Chris Dardanes (Titan Mercury)
11. Alan Waters (Titan Mercury)
12. Darrius Little (NYAC)
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