Tony Ramos, Kyven Gadson reach men's freestyle wrestling finals of U.S. Open

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Former NCAA champions from the University of Iowa and Iowa State University will have a shot at another national title.

Former Hawkeye Tony Ramos and Cyclone and Waterloo native Kyven Gadson advanced to the men's freestyle finals of the U.S. Open on Friday at South Point Hotel. They will wrestle for titles Saturday with a chance to earn a spot in the U.S. World Team Trials final in June at Lincoln, Neb.

Ramos trailed former Ohio State NCAA champion Nathan Tomasello, 2-0, at the break, but battled back to tie it, 2-2, and win on criteria at 125.5 pounds. Ramos will face former Cornell University NCAA champion Nahshon Garrett in Saturday's final. The pair wrestled at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City. Ramos won with a late penalty point.

Gadson defeated Hawkeye Wrestling Club's Nathan Burak, 11-1, in the 213 semifinal. Gadson led throughout and moved into the final against Burak's brother, Micah, who is the top seed. Micah Burak defeated New York Athletic Club's Kallen Kleinschmidt, 4-1, in the semifinals.

Nathan Burak advanced to the semifinals with a 6-2 victory over former Independence prep and University of Northern Iowa heavyweight Blaize Cabell in the quarterfinals.

Former UNI All-American and Clear Lake prep Joe Colon (134) also reached the semifinals. Colon, a coach at Grand View, faced former Grand View NAIA champion Brandon Wright. The duo tied, 6-6, but Wright won on criteria. Wright will take on former Oklahoma wrestler Kendric Maple in the final.

The top seven finishers at each weight class advance to the U.S. World Team Trials in June at Lincoln, Neb.

The tournament was held at the same time as the Western Regional Junior Freestyle Championships on Friday.

Iowa City West's Nelson Brands and West Des Moines Dowling's Kaden Sauer were among five double champions.

Brands, who won a Greco-Roman regional crown Wednesday, blanked California's Joel Romero for a 10-0 technical fall in the 160-pound freestyle championship match.

Brands, who has committed to the University of Iowa to wrestle for his uncle, Tom Brands, and father, Terry, who is the associate head coach, will have a shot at a third state title for West next season.

Sauer, who will wrestle for Dave Malecek at Wisconsin-La Crosse, won the freestyle title with an 8-1 decision over Washington's Jared Walker at 195.

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