The 2025 U.S. Wrestling Open: Five Key Storylines to Watch

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Wrestling fans are in for a treat this week in Las Vegas as the 2025 U.S. Wrestling Open comes to town. The event, which begins on Wednesday and concludes on Sunday, promises to be an exciting showcase of American wrestling talent, with the coveted U.S. World Team spots up for grabs. One storyline to watch is the potential emergence of David Carr as a top contender. The former Iowa State two-time NCAA champion has been making waves in the freestyle scene, with notable victories over Japanese wrestler Daichi Takatani and Penn State NCAA champion Mitchell Messenbrink. Carr’s recent success can be attributed to his rigorous training regimen, which includes sessions with Olympic champion Jordan Burroughs and Brent Metcalf. He has also been working on his footwork, shot fakes, and head movement, which will serve him well in the 74-kilogram weight class. However, Carr faces stiff competition in the form of Messenbrink, with whom he had a thrilling 9-8 match at the NCAA finals in 2024. If Carr can recapture his form and build on his recent success, he has the potential to represent Team USA in the September World Championships. Another wrestler to keep an eye on is Parker Keckeisen, the University of Northern Iowa NCAA champion and three-time national finalist. Keckeisen’s folkstyle success has translated well to the freestyle scene, with his relentless style and ability to score points from his feet making him a formidable opponent. Keckeisen will face a tough field in the 86-kilogram division, but his head coach, Doug Schwab, a 2008 Olympian, has experience guiding top-level wrestlers. With a chance to gauge his international prowess, Keckeisen is in a great position to make his mark on the international wrestling scene. The Hawkeye Wrestling Club’s Austin DeSanto is also a key player to watch, competing in a deep and balanced 61-kilogram field. DeSanto’s experience and skills will be put to the test against a mix of veteran and junior competitors. DeSanto’s Hawkeye teammate, Endene Massoma, is also making a name for himself, having recently announced his commitment to the University of Iowa. With one year of eligibility left, Endene will compete at 97 kilograms, where he was a member of the 2022 U23 World Team. The Iowa women’s wrestling team is also well-represented, with at least eight current or former Hawkeyes competing at the U.S. Open. Olympic silver medalist Kennedy Blades will be a force to be reckoned with at 68 kilograms, while 2024 U24 World champion Kylie Welker will be a top contender at 76 kilograms. Overall, the 2025 U.S. Wrestling Open promises to be an exciting and competitive event, with many wrestlers vying for a spot on the U.S. World Team. With talented competitors like David Carr, Parker Keckeisen, and Austin DeSanto, this year’s event is shaping up to be one to remember. What is the Significance of the U.S. Open? =====================================
The U.S. Open has a significant impact on the U.S. World Team that competes at the United World Wrestling’s World Championships in September. The U.S. Open champions in Greco-Roman will earn spots for Team USA, while the men’s and women’s freestyle champions will advance to the Final X, a best-of-3 series against the top two wrestlers at each weight. Open also serves as a critical step in the selection process for the U.S. The winners of the U.S. Open will be paired against the winners of the World Team Trials on May 16-18 in Louisville, Ky, with Final X taking place on June 14 at Newark, N.J. Tracking David Carr
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David Carr’s recent victory over Daichi Takatani has generated significant attention in the wrestling community. Carr’s 10-7 win was a notable achievement, with two takedowns and six points from turns. Carr has been working tirelessly to improve his skills, including sessions with Olympic champion Jordan Burroughs and Brent Metcalf. His training regimen has paid off, with Carr now looking to recapture his form and build on his recent success. Parker Keckeisen’s Freestyle Debut
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Parker Keckeisen’s folkstyle success has translated well to the freestyle scene. His relentless style and ability to score points from his feet make him a formidable opponent. Austin DeSanto’s Strong Field
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The Hawkeye Wrestling Club’s Austin DeSanto is competing in a deep and balanced 61-kilogram field. Iowa Women’s Wrestling
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The Iowa women’s wrestling team is also well-represented, with at least eight current or former Hawkeyes competing at the U.S.

Weight Class Competitors
74 kg David Carr, Mitchell Messenbrink
86 kg Parker Keckeisen, Kyle Dake, Zahid Valencia, Chance Marstellar
61 kg Austin DeSanto, Daton Fix, Nahshon Garrett, Seth Gross, Nico Megaludis, Nathan Tomasello
97 kg Endene Massoma, Iowa’s 2022 U23 World Team member
68 kg Kennedy Blades, Olympic silver medalist
76 kg Kylie Welker, Marilynne Deede, former Hawkeye national champion

Conclusion

The 2025 U.S. With talented competitors like David Carr, Parker Keckeisen, and Austin DeSanto, this year’s event is shaping up to be one to remember.

The U.S. World Team, with the winners of the U.S. Open paired against the winners of the World Team Trials. The Final X competition, which will take place on June 14 at Newark, N.J, will determine the World Team members.

As the wrestling world watches and waits, the 2025 U.S.

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