2010 World Team member J.D. Bergman is back in the No. 1 spot in men’s freestyle after winning the U.S. Open at 96 kg/211.5 lbs.

That victory has enabled Bergman to clinch a spot in the best-of-3 finals at the U.S. World Team Trials, set for June 21-22 in Stillwater, Oka. He will face the Challenge Tournament winner in the final-round series.

2012 Olympic gold medalist and 2011 World bronze medalist Jake Varner did not compete at April’s U.S. Open in Las Vegas. Varner is eligible to compete at the Trials.

Bergman defeated past National Team member Chris Pendleton in the finals of the Open. Bergman looks strong again after being hampered by injuries in the past two seasons.

Pendleton may benefit from returning to compete in the Trials at Oklahoma State, where he won a pair of NCAA titles for the Cowboys. Pendleton moves very well for this weight class and the longer matches could weigh in his favor.

Wynn Michalak, who earned a win over Varner earlier this season in the finals of the Dan Kolov International in Bulgaria, placed third in Vegas with a win over Brandon Halsey. Michalak has made significant gains during a superb season.

2010 World Team member Les Sigman, who has dropped down a weight class this season, was fifth at the Open with Trevor Brandvold finishing sixth. 

Sigman was second at the 2012 Olympic Trials at heavyweight. Sigman is known for being in superb condition and that could benefit him with the longer matches.

David Zabriskie defeated Dustin Kilgore in a battle of past NCAA champions for seventh place at the Open. Kilgore made the U.S. University World Team in 2012. Zabriskie also has dropped down after wrestling at heavyweight in college.

Micah Burak defeated Kilgore last month to make the 2012 University World Team.

The new FILA rules, implemented after the U.S. Open, also will be in place at the World Team Trials. There are now two three-minute periods with cumulative scoring. Takedowns are now worth two points instead of one.

2013 U.S. OPEN RESULTS AT 96 KG/211.5 LBS.
1st – J.D. Bergman, Columbus, Ohio (New York AC/Ohio RTC) dec. Chris Pendleton, Laramie, Wyo. (Titan Mercury WC), 1-0, 2-1
3rd – Wynn Michalak, Champaign, Ill. (Titan Mercury WC) dec. Brandon Halsey, Oceanside, Calif. (Sunkist Kids), 7-0, 5-0
5th – Les Sigman, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC) inj. dft. over Trevor Brandvold, Madison, Wis. (New York AC)
7th – David Zabriskie, Bethlehem, Pa. (Lehigh Valley AC) dec. Dustin Kilgore, Berea, Ohio (Sunkist Kids), 1-0, 0-3, 2-1

U.S. WORLD TEAM TRIALS QUALIFIERS AT 96 KG/211.5 LBS.
’12 Olympic Team Trials Champion – Jake Varner, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC)
’12 Olympic Team Trials second place – Tommy Rowlands, Hilliard, Ohio (Sunkist Kids)
’12 Olympic Team Trials, true third place – J.D. Bergman, Columbus, Ohio (NYAC)
’13 MFS U.S. Open Champion – J.D. Bergman, Columbus, Ohio (New York AC/Ohio RTC)
’13 MFS U.S. Open second place – Chris Pendleton, Laramie, Wyo. (Titan Mercury WC)
’13 MFS U.S. Open third place – Wynn Michalak, Champaign, Ill. (Titan Mercury WC)
’13 MFS U.S. Open fourth place – Brandon Halsey, Oceanside, Calif. (Sunkist Kids)
’13 MFS U.S. Open fifth place – Les Sigman, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC)
’13 MFS U.S. Open sixth place – Trevor Brandvold, Madison, Wis. (New York AC)
’13 MFS U.S. Open seventh place – Dave Zabriskie, Bethlehem, Pa. (Lehigh Valley AC)
’13 MFS University National Champion – Micah Burak, Colorado Springs, Colo. (HWC)
’13 MFS University National second place – Dustin Kilgore, Berea, Ohio (Suples WC)
’13 Northeast Regional Champion – Kyle Cerminara, Lewiston, N.Y. (NYSS)
’13 Northern Plains Regional Champion – Scott Schiller, West Fargo, N.D. (Minnesota Storm)
’12 Heydar Aliyev FILA Golden Grand Prix third place – Les Sigman, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC)
’12 Dmitry Korkin International second place – Les Sigman, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC)
’13 Cerro Pelado International third place – Deron Winn, Ames, Iowa (Cyclone WC)
’13 Dan Kolov International Champion – Wynn Michalak, Champaign, Ill. (Titan Mercury WC)
’13 Dan Kolov International second place – Jake Varner, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC)
’13 Alexander Medved International second place – David Zabriskie, Bethlehem, Pa. (Lehigh Valley AC)
’13 Alexander Medved International third place – Wynn Michalak, Champaign, Ill. (Titan Mercury WC)
Wild Card Selection – Jack Jensen, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)