Hayden Tuma and Kamal Bey light up Las Vegas in U.S. Greco Senior Nationals finals

Hayden Tuma earns his first U.S. National title with an exciting  win over Ryan Mango. Photo: Robert Wijtman

VIDEO: U.S. Senior Nationals interviews

LAS VEGAS – Two-time Junior World Team member Hayden Tuma wowed the crowd with his 59 kg finals win over Ryan Mango to win his first U.S. Senior Nationals title.


In a match that lasted 48 seconds, Tuma tallied a big four-pointer to put Mango in danger of being pinned, and then lifted the two-time U.S. National Team member for a high-flying five-point throw that sealed him the 2017 U.S. Senior National title.


“I took a nap earlier and I had visualized getting a takedown to the back, and if he bridges hard enough, I’m just going to lift him from his back and throw again. It actually worked out how I dreamt it so it’s kind of weird,” Tuma said. “I keep hearing about [visualization] more and more from older athletes that have been there before, and I thought that was something that I could work into my habits and incorporate into my wrestling and it’s really paying off.”


Tuma wasn’t the only one with big moves.


Newcomer to the Greco-Roman Senior-level scene Kamal Bey overpowered Jesse Porter in the 75 kg finals, which was a rematch of the 74 kg UWW Junior Nationals finals.


The high-energy Bey, who is fresh off a Bill Farrell International championship, wrapped up the bout in 31 seconds with a feet-to-back throw, followed by an impressive five-pointer on the edge of the match to remind the Greco world that he’s here to stay.


“I feel like I’ve come a long way since the little kid who started the Dave Schultz as his first senior tournament last year,” Bey said. “Now, I feel like I’m going to be the man at 75. Everything is a stepping-stone. Making the Junior World Team is great, but I’m ready to win Senior titles and Olympic gold. That’s why I’m here.”


In his fourth trip to the U.S. Open finals, 2016 Olympic Trials tunner-up Patrick Smith finally earned a spot atop the podium with an 8-0 technical fall over Anthonie Linares.


The 2014 University World silver medalist racked up a quick five-point lead in the first period and snagged three step-out points to close the bout.


“It was awesome to finally get the Senior-level stop sign,” Smith said. “It was my first one. I’m pretty excited, and it’s good to come out on top. I’ve been getting a lot of matches in lately. I just got back from Budapest on Monday. It’s just good to get out here, get matches and keep improving.”


At 66 kg, reigning U.S. Open champion Ellis Coleman grinded out a 2-2 win over Alejandro Sancho. All the points in the match were passivity penalties and step-outs. Sancho held a 2-1 lead with 37 seconds left and was hit with passivity, giving 2012 Olympian Coleman the advantage.


When the buzzer sounded, there was confusion on who won. After a quick discussion between the referees, Coleman was named the winner at 66 kg, getting his revenge from the last two meetings.


The win was Coleman’s third U.S. Senior Nationals championship.


“This past quad has been tough with injuries and stuff,” Coleman said. “There was a lot going on in my life and I’m just grateful for every opportunity that God gives to me. I just wrestle. It’s what I do and what I love to do.”


The 2017 U.S. Greco Senior Nationals continue tomorrow at 9 a.m. PT with 80 kg, 85 kg, 98 kg and 130 kg competing tomorrow.


The tournament will be streamed live on Flowrestling with Floareana playing host to the brackets.


Stay up to date on all the action by following themat.com on Twitter at @USAWrestling.

2017 U.S. SENIOR GRECO-ROMAN NATIONALS

Dec. 17-18 at Las Vegas, Nev.


Results

59 kg/130 lbs.

1st - Hayden Tuma (U.S. Army WCAP) tech. fall Ryan Mango (U.S. Army WCAP), 9-0

3rd - Sam Jones (New York AC) dec. Taylor Lamont (Champions WC), 4-2

5th - Max Nowry (U.S. Army WCAP) dec. Xavier Johnson (Marines), 14-9

7th - Zach Sanders (Minnesota Storm) tech. fall Lillashawn Coleman (U.S. Army WCAP), 11-3

66 kg/145 lbs.
1st - Ellis Coleman (U.S. Army WCAP) dec. Alejandro Sancho (New York AC), 2-2

3rd - Jayson Ness (Minnesota Storm) win by fall Jessy Williams (New York AC), 1:13

5th - Jamal Dearmond (New York AC) dec. Raymond Bunker (Marines), 3-2

7th - Christopher Anderson (NMU-OTS) dec. Aaron Kliamovich (NMU-OTS), 8-1

71 kg/156 lbs.
1st - Patrick Smith (Minnesota Storm) tech. fall Anthonie Linares (New York AC), 8-0

3rd - Chase Nelson (Bison WC) tech. fall Marco Lara (U.S. Army WCAP), 13-4

5th - Logan Kass (NMU-OTS) won by injury default Cody Pack (Legends of Gold)

7th - Bradley Dolezal (Minnesota Storm) tech. fall Christopher Rodgers (NMU-OTS), 8-0


75 kg/165 lbs.

1st - Kamal Bey (Sunkist Kids) tech. fall Jesse Porter (New York AC), 9-0

3rd - Kendrick Sanders (New York AC) dec. Alec Ortiz (Minnesota Storm), 8-4

5th - Mason Manville (U.S. Army) tech. fall Corey Fitzgerald (NMU-OTS), 8-0

7th - Michael Donato (NMU-OTS) win by injury default Jayshon Wilson (Marines)