The U.S. Open is the most important domestic tournament of the year because the winners of each weight class get a bye to the finals of the World Team Trials. Sitting in the finals is a huge advantage as it allows the wrestler to bypass the grueling trial’s tournament the rest of the competition must face. The PRTC will be sending three resident athletes to compete in the Open this Friday and Saturday in Las Vegas, Nevada.

At 70 kg, Chase Pami will make his return to domestic competition after missing the Bill Farrell International Open in November due to injury. He is looking at a tough weight class with former World Bronze Medalist, James Green, and this years 157-pound National Champion, Jason Nolf, both in the bracket.

Dan Vallimont will be wrestling in arguably the toughest weight class of the tournament at 74 kg. Depending on his seed, he will either have to go through one of the most decorated American wrestlers of all time in Jordan Burroughs, or 4 time NCAA champion Kyle Dake. Also in this bracket, is 3 time NCAA Champion and Hodge Trophy winner, Alex Dieringer, amongst a bevy of other studs.

Richard Perry will be looking to win a title at 86 kg. He might have a chance to get redemption against Timmy McCall who bested him at the Bill Farrell. Also in his bracket is David Taylor, who recently pinned Olympic Gold medalist, Hassan Yazdanicharati in the World Cup. If J’den Cox decides to wrestle at World Team Trials, then he will receive the automatic bye to the finals based on his Bronze Medal performance at the Rio Olympics. However, it is not confirmed if he will be attempting to make a world team this year.

The 4th resident athlete, B.J. Futrell, will not be competing, but is already qualified for the World Team Trials.

The men’s freestyle portion of the tournament will kick off at 12:00 pm eastern Friday, and the first session will end at 5:30 pm. The semifinals wills start at 10:30 pm, and the finals will take place at 9 pm Saturday. You can watch the action on Flowrestling with a subscription.