UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team, the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club and the Penn State Regional Training Center crowned three champions at the 2026 U.S. Open this weekend in Las Vegas.
Thirteen Penn Staters competed in the senior freestyle tournament with a trip to Final X on the line. Three advanced to the finals and all three won Gold as the Penn State RTC/NLWC went 3-0 in the finals on Saturday night.
Luke Lilledahl, the No. 2 seed at 57 kg, won the 2026 US Open title with a 5-4 win over Spencer Lee. Lilledahl, down 4-0 at the break, roared back to win with a two-point headlock takedown at the buzzer to complete the comeback. Lilledahl went 4-0 with two tech falls to claim the title and move on to Final X.
Marcus Blaze, the No. 3 seed at 61 kg, won the 2026 US Open title with a dominant 4-1 win over Ben Davino. Blaze trailed 1-0 at the break and the controlled the final three minutes, scoring four unanswered points to claim Gold. Blaze went 4-0 with two tech falls at the tourney and move on to Final X.
Kyle Dake, the No. 1 seed at 86 kg, won the 2026 US Open championship by rolling to an 8-2 win over Parker Keckeisen in the finals. Dake controlled the match from start to finish to win the Penn State RTC’s third championship. Dake went 4-0 with a tech fall to win the title and advance to Final X.
Joe Seeley, the No. 13 seed at 74 kg, rolled to a third place finish and the Bronze Medal with an 8-1 run through the tournament. Sealey downed Cam Amine 5-3 in the consolation semis and then posted a 5-3 win over David Carr in the third place match. William Henckel, the No. 8 seed a 79 kg, placed fifth with a 5-2 run, including three tech falls. Connor Mirasola, the No. 6 seed at 97 kg, went 4-2 with two tech falls to take fifth place.
Tyler Kasak, the No. 3 seed at 70 kg, won three straight bouts and was leading in the semis before taking an injury default loss and then medically forfeiting out of the tournament. He placed sixth. Josh Barr, the No. 1 seed at 92 kg, won his first two bouts before suffering an injury in a loss in the semifinals and then medically forfeiting out of the event. He also placed sixth. Rocco Welsh, the No. 3 seed at 86 kg, won his first three bouts (two by tech) before losing twice and medically forfeiting to sixth place.
Nate Desmond the No. 12 seed at 65 kg, went 3-2 with three techs. Kyison Garcia, unseeded at 65 kg, went 1-2. Connor Pierce, unseeded at 70 kg, went 4-2 with three techs. Cole Mirasola, unseeded at 125 kg, went 3-2 with a tech.
Nate Desmond the No. 12 seed at 65 kg, went 3-2 with three techs. Kyison Garcia, unseeded at 65 kg, went 1-2. Connor Pierce, unseeded at 70 kg, went 4-2 with three techs. Cole Mirasola, unseeded at 125 kg, went 3-2 with a tech.
Three Nittany Lions took part in the U20 bracket with one coming home with a Silver medal.
Asher Cunningham took home the U20 Silver at 79 kg. Cunningham went 6-1 with five tech falls and advanced to the finals before dropping his lone bout. Mason Ellis went 2-2 with two tech falls at 92 kg. Brock Weiss went 3-2 with two techs at 70 kg.
Lilledahl, Blaze and Dake (all senior US Open champs) will advance to Final X to determine the 2026 U.S. Senior World Freestyle Teams on Friday, June 19, 2026. Penn State RTC athletes Levi Haines and Kyle Snyder have already accepted automatic bids to Final X.
Penn State Fans are encouraged to follow Penn State wrestling via X/twitter at @pennstateWREST, on Penn State Wrestling's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pennstatewrestling and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/pennstatewrest. The Family Clothesline is the presenting sponsor for the 2025-26 Nittany Lion wrestling season. This is PENN STATE. WRESTLING lives here.