MADISON, Wis. – Three members of the Wisconsin wrestling program are competing in the U.S. Open Championships on April 27-30 at the South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa in Las Vegas. Current Badger Nicolar Rivera led the contingent with a third-place finish in the Under-20 national tournament at 57 kilograms. Rivera has also qualified for the upcoming World Team Trials on June 2-4 in Geneva, Ohio.

Seeded No. 1 and a 2022 USA World Team member, Wisconsin assistant coach Seth Gross finished 3-1 (sixth place) in the men's senior 61 kilogram freestyle competition before withdrawing from competition. He advanced to the semifinals of the tournament after three victories on the first day, before a gritty 5-4 loss to Austin DeSanto sent Gross into the consolations.

He earned a 10-0 victory in 1:10 against Peter Del Gallo (Maine), 10-0 win over Johnathon Ortegon (Texas) in 0:53 and a 11-0 win against Joshua Rodriguez (Nittany Lion Wrestling Club / TMWC) in 1:52. Gross later forfeited his consolation matches against Nahshon Garrett (Lehigh Valley Wrestling Club / TMWC) and then in the fifth-place match to Joe Colon (Titan Mercury Wrestling Club).

Two current Badgers – Dylan Coy and Rivera – competed in the men's under-20 freestyle tournament starting on Saturday, April 29. Coy wrestled at 61 KG and finished 1-2 overall, including a 10-0 victory in 1:36 against Joseph Galvan (Texas).

Rivera collected a gritty 9-1 overall record at the national tournament after initially advancing to the championship quarterfinals and then fighting all the way back through consolations to the bronze match. Rivera outscored his opposition 110-40 through all 10 bouts, including five shutouts.

Video of the national tournament and full brackets with results can be found on http://flowrestling.com.

Seth Gross - Sr. Men's Freestyle 61 KG - 3-1 - 6th Place

R64: Seth Gross (SKWC) - Bye
R32: Seth Gross (Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club) VSU Peter Del Gallo (Maine), 10-0 1:10
R16: Seth Gross (Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club) VSU Johnathon Ortegon (Texas), 10-0 0:53
R8: Seth Gross (Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club) VSU Joshua Rodriguez (Nittany Lion Wrestling Club / TMWC), 11-0 1:52
Semi-Finals: Austin DeSanto (Hawkeye Wrestling Club / TMWC) VPO1 Seth Gross (Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club), 5-4
Consolation Semi-Finals: Nahshon Garrett (Lehigh Valley Wrestling Club / TMWC) VFO Seth Gross (Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club)
5th-Place Match: Joe Colon (Titan Mercury Wrestling Club) VFO Seth Gross (Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club)

Dylan Coy - U20 Men's Freestyle 61 KG - 1-2

R128: Evan Mougalian (Pennsylvania RTC) VFA Dylan Coy (Wisconsin Regional Training Center), 4-0, 1:31
Consolation R64 #1: Dylan Coy (Wisconsin Regional Training Center), Bye
Consolation R64 #2: Dylan Coy (Wisconsin Regional Training Center) VSU Joseph Galvan (Texas RTC), 10-0, 1:36
Consolation R32 #1: Dylan Coy (Wisconsin Regional Training Center) VPO1 William Dekraker (Virginia), 10-2

Nicolar Rivera - U20 Men's Freestyle 57 KG - 9-1 - 3rd Place

R128: Nicolar Rivera (Wisconsin Regional Training Center) VSU1 Brendan McCrone (Ohio), 12-1, 2:20
R64: Nicolar Rivera (Wisconsin Regional Training Center) VSU Hayden Tyler Ancheta (Sunnyvale Wrestling Club), 10-0, 1:29
R32: Nicolar Rivera (Wisconsin Regional Training Center) VSU Joshua Vazquez (Izzy Style Wrestling) , 10-0 3:40
R16: Dominic Mendez (Righetti High School Wrestling) VPO1 Nicolar Rivera (Wisconsin Regional Training Center) , 13-12
Consolation R16 #2: Nicolar Rivera (Wisconsin Regional Training Center) VSU Ostin Blanchard (Askren Wrestling Academy) , 10-0 4:16
Consolation R8 #1: Nicolar Rivera (Wisconsin Regional Training Center) VPO1 Charlie Farmer (West Point Wrestling Club) , 13-8
Consolation R8 #2: Nicolar Rivera (Wisconsin Regional Training Center) VPO1 Alan Koehler (Pinnacle Wrestling Club) , 6-6
Consolation R4: Nicolar Rivera (Wisconsin Regional Training Center) VSU Troy Hohman (Wolfpack Wrestling Club) , 10-0 2:20
Consolation Semi-Finals: Nicolar Rivera (Wisconsin Regional Training Center) VPO1 Adrian Meza (Arizona) , 17-12
Third-Place Match: Nicolar Rivera (Wisconsin Regional Training Center) VSU Brendan McCrone (Ohio) , 10-0 2:32