LAS VEGAS – Former University of Iowa All-American Austin DeSanto finished as the runner-up at 61 kg at the U.S. Open Championships at the South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa.
DeSanto knocked out a pair of seeded wrestlers en route to the finals, tech falling fifth-seeded Joe Colon, 12-0 in 1:58, in the quarterfinals before edging top-seeded Seth Gross, 5-4, in the semifinals.
The Pennsylvania native squared off against second-seeded Vito Arujau in the championship bout, falling by a 10-0 technical fall in 54 seconds. DeSanto went 4-1 on the week, outscoring his opponents, 30-14.
Former Hawkeye Alex Marinelli placed fourth at 79 kg, posting a 5-2 record in the tournament. Marinelli advanced to the quarterfinals with a pair of decisions before falling 10-6 to fifth-seeded David McFadden in the quarterfinals.
The Ohio native battled back to win three matches – a 10-0 tech fall in 3:59 over Carson Kharchla, a 6-0 decision over No. 9 Devin Skatzka and a forfeit win over No. 2 Carter Starocci – before falling a second time to McFadden – 10-0 in 2:22 – in the third-place match.
Spencer Lee was the third Hawkeye to place, finishing sixth at 57 kg. Lee made quick work of his first two opponents, tech falling Darrion Harris, 10-0 in 26 seconds, and Sheldon Seymour, 10-0 in 53 seconds – to advance to the quarterfinals. He then followed it up with a 9-4 win over No. 7 seed Caleb Smith to advance to the semis.
Lee withdrew from the tournament following the quarterfinal bout after being physically unable to continue.
Hawkeye sophom*ore Cullan Schriever and Pat Lugo went 2-2 at 61 kg and 65 kg, respectively. Jayden Eierman won his first three matches to advance to the quarterfinals at 70 kg, before finishing the week 4-2, and Nelson Brands won three matches in the tournament.
The U20 division begins Saturday at noon (CT) with eight Hawkeyes competing. FLO will stream the tournament live.
Spencer Lee – 57 kg
No. 2 Spencer Lee tech fall Darrion Harris (California), 10-0 (0:26)
No. 2 Spencer Lee tech fall Sheldon Seymour (Lehigh Valley WC), 10-0 (0:53)
No. 2 Spencer Lee decision No. 7 Caleb Smith (North Carolina), 9-4
No. 3 Nick Suriano (SKWC) wins by forfeit over No. 2 Spencer Lee
Austin Assad (Ohio) wins by forfeit over No. 2 Spencer Lee
No. 6 Cooper Flynn (SERT) wins by forfeit over No. 2 Spencer Lee
Cullan Schriever – 61 kg
Cullan Schriever dec. Michael Colaiocco (Pennsylvania RTC), 11-5
Daneil DeShazer (Gopher WC-RTC) tech fall Cullan Schriever, 13-3 (5:31)
Cullan Schriever dec. Julian Farber (Panther WC-RTC), 8-3
Joe Colon (TMWC) tech fall Cullan Schriever, 10-0 (4:11)
Austin DeSanto – 61 kg
No. 5 Austin DeSanto dec. Aden Valencia (California RTC/TMWC), 3-0
No. 5 Austin DeSanto tech fall John Babineau (Viking RTC), 10-0 (0:24)
No. 5 Austin DeSanto tech fall No. 4 Joe Colon (TMWC), 12-0 (1:58)
No. 5 Austin DeSanto dec. No. 1 Seth Gross (SKWC), 5-4
No. 2 Vito Arujau (Spartan Combat RTC) tech fall No. 5 Austin DeSanto, 10-0 (0:54)
Pat Lugo – 65 kg
No. 4 Pat Lugo dec. Kyle Rowan (Ohio), 6-5
No. 4 Pat Lugo tech fall Connor Thorpe (Panther WC-RTC), 10-0 (1:34)
No. 5 Ridge Lovett (SKWC) dec. Pat Lugo, 7-5
Jason Miranda (California) wins by forfeit over No. 4 Pat Lugo
Jayden Eierman – 70 kg
Jayden Eierman tech fall Kaleb Burgess (New York), 10-0 (0:41)
Jayden Eierman dec. Napolean Aniciete (Aniciete TC), 5-0
Jayden Eierman dec. No. 6 Caleb Henson (Southeast RTC/TMWC), 11-5
No. 3 Hayden Hidlay (Wolfpack WC/TMWC) tech fall Jayden Eierman, 10-0 (5:06)
Jayden Eierman tech fall Christian Monserrat (New England RTC), 12-2 (5:32)
No. 7 Jarod Verkleeren (Cavalier WC) wins by injury over Jayden Eierman
Nelson Brands – 79 kg
No. 10 Nelson Brands tech falls Kevin Dufresne (New Jersey), 10-0 (1:32)
No. 7 Michael Kemerer (Spartan Combat RTC) dec. No. 10 Nelson Brands, 9-4
No. 10 Nelson Brands tech falls Bilal Bailey (Harvey Twisters WC), 17-6 (2:55)
No. 10 Nelson Brands tech falls Mitch Willett (Oregon), 10-0 (0:29)
No. 9 Devin Skatzka (Spartan Combat RTC) dec. No. 10 Nelson Brands, 13-4
Alex Marinelli – 79 kg
No. 4 Alex Marinelli dec. Bilal Bailey (Harvey Twisters WC), 6-1
No. 4 Alex Marinelli dec. No. 13 DJ Washington (Indiana RTC), 6-2
No. 5 David McFadden (Pennsylvania RTC) dec. No. 4 Alex Marinelli, 10-6
No. 4 Alex Marinelli tech falls Carson Kharchla (Ohio RTC), 10-0 (3:59)
No. 4 Alex Marinelli dec. No. 9 Devin Skatzka (Spartan Combat RTC), 6-0
No. 4 Alex Marinelli wins by forfeit over No. 2 Carter Starocci (NLWC)
No. 5 David McFadden (Pennsylvania RTC) tech falls No. 4 Alex Marinelli, 10-0 (2:22)
Kyle Summers – 86 kg
Victor Marcelli (Cavalier WC) tech fall Kyle Summers, 10-0 (4:09)
Kyle Summers pinned Brett Perkins (Hawaii), 3:30
Kyle Summers tech falls Jaykob Mills (Texas RTC), 10-0 (1:50)
Nathan Haas (California) dec. Kyle Summers, 8-0
Ben Kueter – 97 kg
No. 5 Ben Kueter dec. Malik McDonald (Golden Pride WC), 12-8
No. 4 Samuel Mitchell (Bulls WC) wins by injury over No. 5 Ben Kueter
Marco Retano (La Grande Mat Club) wins by injury over No. 5 Ben Kueter
