Arkansas Wrestle (All images via lrtrojans.com)
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Little Rock will be represented by 11 wrestlers this week at the U.S. Open Championships, competing under Arkansas RTC at The Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas. The annual event is one of the premier tournaments on the domestic wrestling calendar and serves as an important step in the selection process for future Olympic and World Teams.
Little Rock’s group will compete across the Senior, U20 Greco-Roman and U20 Freestyle divisions, giving the program a strong presence throughout the multi-day national event.
“The pinnacle of our sport is to make the Olympic and World Teams. The U.S. Open is the first step in that process,” head coach Neil Erisman said. “I’m excited for our guys to go chase their goals this weekend. Should be a great weekend of wrestling.”
Four Little Rock representatives are entered in the Senior division, where the nation’s top wrestlers will compete for advancement and national standing. Brock Herman, Jaivon Jones, Matty Bianchi and Little Rock alumnus Joey Bianchi are set to compete in the tournament’s top classification.
Little Rock will also have two competitors in the U20 Greco-Roman field. Billy Greenwood and Kaden Darwin are scheduled to take the mat Thursday, with weigh-ins and medical checks beginning in the morning before preliminary rounds start later in the day. Championship rounds and medal matches are slated for the evening session.
The largest Little Rock contingent will compete in U20 Freestyle, where Tyson Roach, Tyler Harper, Marco Dalakishvili, Taye Wilson, Bronson Baxter and Jadyn Johnson will represent Arkansas RTC. U20 Freestyle competition begins Saturday with preliminary and consolation rounds before championship finals conclude Sunday afternoon.
The U.S. Open annually features many of the top wrestlers in the country and provides valuable national-level experience for collegiate athletes and rising prospects. For Little Rock, the trip marks another opportunity to continue building momentum on the national stage while competing against elite opposition.
With 11 entries across multiple divisions, Little Rock enters the weekend looking to make an impact in Las Vegas and continue the program’s growth under Erisman and Arkansas RTC.
For the latest information on Little Rock Wrestling, make sure to check out LRTrojans.com. You can also find the team on social media at @LittleRockWRES on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
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