Mendez, Davino Lead Buckeye Contingent to 2026 US Open

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – Jesse Mendez, the NCAA Champion in 2024 and 2025 and runner up in 2026 at 141 pounds, will lead a contingent of Buckeyes this week competing at the 2026 Senior Level Freestyle US Open in Las Vegas.

The event serves as the world team trials in the Greco-Roman division and the winners of the freestyle divisions will automatically advance to Final X, an annual series of wrestling events that determine the US Senior World/Olympic Team Members at each weight class.

Mendez will be competing at 65kg.

Ohio State 2026 NCAA Tournament qualifiers Nic Bouzakis (61kg.) and Ben Davino (61kg) also are competing.

Senior freestyle events will be held Friday and Saturday.

The Buckeyes also will be represented by current wrestlers Vinny Kilkeary (57kg), E'than Birden (74kg) and Seth Shumate (92kg).

Former Buckeyes Nathan Tomasello (61kg) and Joey McKenna (65kg) also are entered.

In the Greco-Roman event, current wrestler T.J. Schierl (72kg) and his brother and former Buckeye Fritz Schierl (87kg) are entered along with current Buckeye Ryder Rogotzke (97kg). Tate Orndorff (97 kg) and Nick Boykin (97kg), both former Buckeyes, also will compete.

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