The No. 1 American at this weight class for the last three years has been Spenser Mango, who competed in the 2008 Olympic Games and the last two World Championships. Mango is still seeking his first World-level medal. This year, he joined the U.S. Army and missed the early part of the season for basic training. He came on strong when back on the mat, winning the U.S. Open for the third time in his career.

Having his best season to date is U.S. Open runner-up Paul Tellgren, who qualified for the national finals for the first time. Tellgren won the Sunkist International Open, placed second at the New York AC International and captured a few medals overseas.

Just like Mango, Nate Engel also joined the U.S. Army this season, after finishing his career at the U.S. Olympic Education Center. Engel made the national team for the first time last year, placing third in the 2010 World Team Trials. He was third at the U.S. Open this year.

The third U.S. Army wrestler who is a top contender is Jermaine Hodge, the 2009 U.S. Open champion. Hodge competed up at 60 kg this year at the U.S. Open, placing sixth. When he is down to 55 kg, his height and power offer challenges to his rivals. Hodge won a bronze at the Dave Schultz Memorial this year, as well as the highly respected Hungarian Grand Prix.

Tyler Erdman had his highest U.S. Open finish this year, placing fourth. He was also the Northeast Regionals champion. Placing fifth at the Open was Nikko Triggas, a college All-American at Ohio State who has been very successful in age-group Greco-Roman competition. New on the Senior scene this year is Dmitry Ryabchinskiy, the Brooklyn native now competing with the USOEC. Ryabchinsky won the New York AC International and finished sixth at the U.S. Open.

Two-time Junior World Team member Max Nowry won the 2011 University Nationals and placed seventh at the U.S. Open. An emerging young talent is Mike Fuenffinger, who earned his trip to Oklahoma City by winning the Northern Plains Regionals. Fuenffinger also won the FILA Junior Nationals, as well as the FILA Junior World Team Trials. Also qualifying was Tyler Cox, a Univ. of Wyoming standout who has been successful in Greco-Roman through the age-group ranks. He earned the true second spot at University Nationals to make the field.

Spenser Mango is the man at this division until somebody knocks him out of the top spot. His two Army teammates, Jermaine Hodge and Nate Engel, are looking to do just that. Paul Tellgren’s strong season has been impressive, but he was handled by Mango at the U.S. Open. This weight features some exciting young talents seeking to climb in the rankings with victories at the World Team Trials.

2011 U.S. Open Greco-Roman results at 55 KG / 121.25 lbs
1st - Spenser Mango, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Army) tech. fall Paul Tellgren, Anoka, Minn. (Minnesota Storm), 6-0, 6-0
3rd - Nathan Engel, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Army) dec. Tyler Erdman, Herndon, PA (Modern Day Warriors), 2-0, 1-0
5th - Nikko Triggas, Moraga, Calif. (New York Athletic Club) dec. Dmitry Ryabchinskiy, Marquette, Mich. (New York Athletic Club), 0-1, 4-1, 1-0
7th - Max Nowry, Wheeling, Ill. (New York Athletic Club) pin Brandon Escobar, Brentwood, N.Y. (New York Athletic Club), 2-0, 0:57

2011 Greco-Roman World Team Trials qualifiers at 55 kg/121 pounds
U.S. Open Champion – Spenser Mango, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
U.S. Open, second place – Paul Tellgren, Anoka, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
U.S. Open, third place – Nathan Engel, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
U.S. Open, fourth place – Tyler Erdman, Herndon, Pa. (Modern Day Warriors)
U.S. Open, fifth place – Nikko Triggas, Moraga, Calif. (New York AC)
U.S. Open, sixth place – Dmitry Ryabchinskiy, Brooklyn, N.Y. (New York AC)
U.S. Open, seventh place – Max Nowry, Wheeling, Ill. (New York AC)
Northeast Regional Trials Champion – Tyler Erdman, Herndon, Pa. (Modern Day Gladiators)
Northern Plains Trials Champion – Mike Fuenffinger, Hibbing, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
University Nationals True Second – Tyler Cox, Gillette, Wyo. (Gator WC)
Haparanda Cup champion - Jermaine Hodge, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)