Six NMU Greco-Roman Wrestlers Reach Podium
Northern Michigan University National Training Site Greco-Roman wrestler Benji Peak topped the podium at the Senior Open this weekend in Las Vegas. The NMU squad had five other athletes make podium finishes as well.
Peak dominated throughout his opening rounds outscoring his opponents 31-0 before facing Peter Ogansanya (West Point) in the championship bout. Ogansanya had an early 2-1 lead but Peak took a 4-2 lead with a takedown and a passivity point. Peak hit a body lock for four points to open up an 8-2 lead. Ogansanya scored a four-point throw with a few seconds left, but Peak held on to earn a 9-6 victory.
NMU's Max Black, who was crowned U20 Champion earlier in the week, placed second in the 60 kg weight class. He met two-time Olympian and tournament Outstand Wrestler Ildar Hafizov (Army WCAP) in the gold-medal match. Hafizov stopped Black's bid to be a junior and senior champion winning the match 9-0.
Siblings Aiden and Alston Nutter also earned podium finishes for NMU.
Earning a silver-medal was Aiden Nutter who faced 2016 Olympian Jesse Thielke (Army WCAP) in his 63 kg final. The veteran was able to control the bout defeating Nutter 9-0. Nutter finished the weekend with three wins and one loss.
Alston Nutter took home a bronze at 67 kg. Nutter dropped into the consolation rounds after losing a 5-6 match in the semi-finals against 2020 Olympian Alex Sancho. He earned a 13-4 win over Nathan Moore (Northern Colorado) in the consolation semi-final round to advance to the consolation finals. He went on to meet Peyton Omania (NYAC) in the bronze-medal match, winning 8-0.
Payton Jacobson repeated his U20 performance with a bronze-medal finish at 77 kg. Jacobson defeated Jack Ervien (Viking WC) by pin in the first period.
Earning a silver-medal at 87 kg was George Sikes. Sikes defeated Christian DuLaney of the Minnesota Storm 5-2 in his semi-final match. He would face Alan Vera (NYAC) in the gold-medal bout, losing 0-9.
U.S. SENIOR OPEN RESULTS
55 kg Fourth Place Jacob Cochran
60 kg Second Place Max Black
63 kg Second Place Aidan Nutter
63 kg Sixth Place Nicholas Leonetti
67 kg Third Place Alston Nutter
72 kg First Benjamin Peak
72 kg Fourth Place Brody Olson
82 kg Seventh Place Aaron Dobbs
77 kg Third Place Payton Jacobson
87 kg Second Place George Sikes
87 kg Eighth Place Jovan Mercado
