Medina, Provisor among five champions crowned on first day of U.S. Open

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Craig Sesker (USA Wrestling)
04/18/2013


Jessica Medina gains control during her finals win over Haley Augello. John Sachs photo.

LAS VEGAS – Jessica Medina has been on the big stage before.

That was evident when Medina kept her composure in downing Haley Augello 2-0, 0-1, 2-0 in the U.S. Open finals on Thursday night at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Medina earned her third U.S. women’s freestyle title at 51 kg/112.25 lbs. She previously won the U.S. Open in 2008 and 2010.

Medina took control in the decisive third period, scoring a takedown on a leg attack en route to the win. Medina is a two-time World Team member.

“I took some time off after the Olympic Trials and I’m getting fired up for this Olympic quad,” Medina said. “I want to get the best out of myself because I know the best is yet to come. It starts here.”

Two-time Junior World bronze medalist Alli Ragan looked strong in sweeping 2011 U.S. Open champion Deanna Betterman 3-0, 5-0 in the finals at 59 kg/130 lbs. The 20-year-old Ragan won her first U.S. Open crown.

Veronica Carlson won her first U.S. Open title by defeating Tamyra Mensah 5-0, 6-0 in the finals at 67 kg/147.5 lbs.

2012 Olympian Ben Provisor swept past World Team member Jake Fisher 1-0, 2-0 in the Greco-Roman finals at 74 kg/163 lbs. Provisor won his second U.S. Open title. He previously won in 2011 when he also defeated Fisher in the finals.

Provisor returned to competition after having nerve surgery on his back after the Olympics.

“74 is a tough weight class and is everyone is coming back this year,” Provisor said. “I feel like this is my weight class and my spot. I’m 100 percent again and I feel like I can dominate in any position.”

Jordan Holm earned his second U.S. Open title by defeating Zac Nielsen 3-0, 1-0 in the Greco finals at 84 kg/185 lbs. Holm previously won in 2011.

The top seven finishers in each weight class qualify for June’s U.S. World Team Trials in Stillwater, Okla.

The U.S. Open championship tournament in freestyle will start Friday in Las Vegas, with Greco-Roman and women’s freestyle continuing.

FINALS RESULTS

Women’s freestyle

51 kg/112.25 lbs.
Jessica Medina (Sunkist Kids) dec. Haley Augello (New York AC), 2-0, 0-1, 2-0

59 kg/130 lbs.
Alli Ragan (New York AC) dec. Deanna Betterman (Sunkist Kids), 3-0, 5-0

67 kg/147.5 lbs.
Veronica Carlson (New York AC) dec. Tamyra Mensah (Wayland), 5-0, 6-0

Greco-Roman

74 kg/163 lbs.
Ben Provisor (New York AC) dec. Jake Fisher (Minnesota Storm), 1-0, 2-0

84 kg/185 lbs.
Jordan Holm (Minnesota Storm) dec. Zach Nielsen (Minnesota Storm), 3-0, 1-0