Spartan Combat RTC was well represented at the US Open this weekend in Las Vegas. Here's a recap of those who competed.
U20 FREESTYLE
Vince Cornella is a freestyle national champion.
In Las Vegas this weekend, Cornella dominated his way to the U20 FS crown with six victories, including a 12-0 technical fall over Kaleb Larkin in the title bout. Larkin had given up just two points coming into his contest with Cornella, but the future Big Red wrestler took a 1-0 lead in the first on a stepout and then put things away quickly in the second.
The road for the four-time Colorado state champ was tough from the start, with his initial bout against a Fargo Junior finalist - Ethen Miller. However, the result was never in doubt, as Cornella prevailed with a 10-0 technical fall. Next up was NCAA qualifier Ryan Jack of NC State, and Cornella notched four takedowns in an 8-4 decision. The following match was Cornella's closest one of the tournament, as he and Matt Bianchi went back and forth before Cornella earned exposure late in a 12-11 win.
Cornella then bested Tarrance Daugherty, 13-6, to make the semis, where he squared off with Tagen Jamison, a Fargo Junior national champ last year. He trailed early, but used a four-pointer to take control in a 7-3 victory.
With his title, Cornella received a bye to the finals of the best of three championship series at 65 kg at the Junior World Team Trials in early June. We look forward to watching him compete for a spot on Team USA!
Also in U20 Freestyle action, Ethan Fernandez compiled a 4-2 record at 61 kg. After dropping his opener to Kurtis Phipps, Fernandez got his hand raised four straight times. In those four bouts, he allowed zero points. Both of Fernandez's losses were to competitors who made the podium.
Nate Wade also competed at 65 kg. He captured his first two contests, the first by technical fall. He then was defeated by eventual finalist Kaleb Larkin and placer Ryan Jack.
Evan Canoyer notched three victories at 79 kg, topping Desi Lobos, Domonic Baker, and Mannix Morgan. He prevailed 10-0 in his first match and later added an eight-point win.
SENIOR FREESTYLE
Greg Diakomihalis nabbed fourth place in Senior Freestyle at 57 kg. In the bronze bout, he took the lead against ACC champ and multi-time NCAA qualifier Jakob Camacho of NC State, however Camacho registered a takedown with four seconds left in a 7-5 decision. Diakomihalis dropped his initial bout to the #1 seed, but then reeled off four technical falls in a row, yielding just two total points along the way. All of those victories were in the first period.
Lewis Fernandes picked up a pair of dominant wins at 125 kilograms. He started with an 11-0 technical fall over Lincoln Lyons before veteran Dom Bradley defeated him in the second round. Fernandes responded with a quick pin and then battled with former NCAA finalist Derek White in a 5-3 loss.
Josh Saunders came out on the down side of a high scoring affair in the first round against Tristan Moran. However, he bounced back with three consecutive technical falls, outscoring his opponents by a combined 31-0, before an 8-6 loss to Ian Parker.
At 86 kg, Andrew Morgan made very quick work of Princeton's Nate Dugan with a 10-0 technical fall. He then dropped a pair of close decisions to Caden Steffen of Mustang Wrestling Club and Nick Reenan of Wolfpack Wrestling Club.
SENIOR GRECO ROMAN
Phil Moomey clinched a spot at the World Team Trials with a fifth place finish at 60 kg. He cruised past Jonathan Gurule by a 9-0 tally to begin his day on Saturday. He then clashed with World Team Member Dalton Roberts, eventually coming up just short in a 13-12 decision. Moomey kept putting points on the board in his next contest, taking a 20-11 tech against Devon Jackson. On Sunday, he kept his momentum going in his opener, winning 9-0 over #4 seed Alex Thomsen in the first period. Third seeded Dylan Koontz then topped Moomey, sending him to the fifth place bout.
Jessy Williams collected a victory at 67 kg in Senior Greco Roman. He topped Timothy Nevarez by 9-0 technical fall.
U20 GRECO ROMAN
Mason Lewis grabbed three victories at 63 kg in U20 Greco Roman. That included a pair of 9-0 technical falls as well as a 21-13 triumph over Jaxon Bearden of Team Prestige in round one.