U.S. Open Championships Day One Recap

Doane University is currently being represented by seven student-athletes at the USA Wrestling 2025 CLAW U.S Open held in Las Vegas, Nevada. Six Tigers were in action on Thursday afternoon.

In women's freestyle, Cristelle Rodriguez, the U23 National Champion at 55kg, advanced to Friday's finals by going 3-0 following a first round bye. She entered the tournament as the No. 3 seed and posted three tech fall wins. She opened with a 10-0 win in the second round over Caitlin Campbell, the 4th place finisher at 124 for Grand View (Iowa) at the NAIA Championships. She defeated Sydney Stifter, a Missouri state champion at 124 this year, in the quarterfinal round, 10-0.

In the semifinal round, Louisa Schwab was Rodriguez' opponent after she upset the No. 2 seed. Schwab was a two-time NAIA All-American for Menlo College (Calif.). Rodriguez posted a 10-0 victory in two minutes to advance to the finals where she will face Everest Leydecker, the fifth seed, on Friday. Leydecker is a two-time age-group Pan American Championships gold medalist and has represented Team USA at the U17 World Championships.

Karina Vang went 1-2 at 50kg. Her win came over Rebekah Jimenez of Cerritos College (Calif.) by pin in the consolation bracket. Ashlee Palimo'o went 0-2 at 59kg with Bridgette Sotomayor went 0-2 at 65kg.

In men's Greco-Roman wrestling, Anthony Harris went 2-2 in the U20 division in the 60kg division. He picked up two tech fall wins. He defeated Marcus Gonzalez of Pomona Wrestling Club, 8-0, and Maddox Martinez of 505 Wrestling Club, 9-0. Rey Rey Harris went 0-2 at 55kg after nearly two years away from competitive action.

Tyson Beauperthuy will compete on Friday in the 82kg bracket.