Khymba Johnson downs two-time Olympian Ben Provisor in Senior Nationals semifinals

Khymba Johnson defeats Ben Provisor to advance to the finals. Photo: Robert Wijtman

LAS VEGAS – Fourth-seeded Khymba Johnson shook up the 85-kg bracket, knocking off No. 1 seed and two-time Olympian Ben Provisor in an exciting semifinals match on Sunday afternoon at the Westgate Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.


The 2016 University Nationals runner-up Johnson earned a point on passivity in the first period and followed that up with a takedown to go up 3-0 early. Provisor notched a step-out toward the end of period, and Johnson led 3-1 at the break.


Provisor earned a step-out point in the second period, but it was not enough as Johnson held off the nation’s top 85-kg wrestler for a 3-2 win.


“It was tough,” Johnson said following the match. “He has strong underhooks and he’s a solid wrestler. From the beginning of the match, I was just dragging with my drags and underhooks and staying active. In the second period, I felt him getting a little tired. So that gave me a little bit more of a boost. I just can’t believe it.”


Johnson will face Kevin Radford in the finals, who edged out Lucas Sheridan in a heated semis bout.


Sheridan led 5-3 in the second period but was later hit for caution and two when Radford chased him out of the circle, giving Radford a 5-5 lead on criteria.


At 98 kg, G’Angelo Hancock and Hayden Zillmer will face off in a rematch of the Bill Farrell International finals just a month ago, where Hancock took the match, 2-0, with all points in the form of passivity.


So far today, Hancock, a 2016 Junior World bronze medalist and Senior National Team member, has only wrestled only 1:33, collecting two quick technical fall wins to earn his spot in the finals. He defeated Trent Osnes, 9-0, before taking out James Souza, 8-0, in the semis.


On the bottom side of the bracket, Zillmer, who placed third at the 2016 Olympic Team Trials at 85 kg, went to work, opening his tournament with a fall over Endyr Meza, followed by a tech fall Anthony Riopelle. In the semis, he grinded out a 3-2 win over Enock Francois.


Similar to the Johnson-Provisor match, No. 4 Jon Jay Chavez overpowered five-time U.S. National Team member and Non-Olympic Weight World Team Trials runner-up John Anderson in the semifinals, 11-5, to earn a spot in the finals.


Chavez, a two-time Junior World Team member, advanced to the semis after a close 2-1 win over Barrett Stanghill in the quarterfinals.


He is set to battle Cheney Haight for the title tonight.


Haight, who finished second at last year’s Senior Nationals at 75 kg, moved up a weight to 80 kg for this event.


The 2011 World Team member has dominated the competition today, winning solid matches against John Stefanowicz and Tommy Brackett.


The heavyweight finals will pit three-time World Team Trials runner-up Toby Erickson and Jacob Mitchell against each other.


Mitchell finished third at the 2016 U.S. Open and looks to improve on that finish with a spot on top of the podium.


Mitchell needed only one win to go to the finals. He sealed a 6-4 win over Eric Fader for a spot in the finals.


2016 Pan-American Championships bronze medalist Erickson tallied two wins by technical fall, collectively outscoring his opponents 22-4.


The 2017 U.S. Greco Senior Nationals finals start at 4 p.m. PT.


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.


Finals matchups

80 kg/176 lbs.

Jon Jay Chavez (NYAC) vs. Cheney Haight (NYAC)

85 kg/187 lbs.
Khymba Johnson (NYAC) vs. Kevin Radford (Sunkist Kids)

98 kg/215.5 lbs.
G'Angelo Hancock (NYAC) vs. Hayden Zillmer (Minnesota Storm)

130 kg/286 lbs.
Toby Erickson (Army WCAP) vs. Jacob Mitchell (Army WCAP)

Semifinals results

80 kg/176 lbs.

Jon Jay Chavez (NYAC) dec. Jon Anderson Fort (Army WCAP), 11-5

Cheney Haight (NYAC) tech fall Tommy Brackett (West Tennessee Takedown Club), 8-0

85 kg/187 lbs.
Khymba Johnson (NYAC) dec. Ben Provisor (NYAC), 3-2

Kevin Radford (Sunkist Kids) dec. Lucas Sheridan (Army WCAP), 5-5

98 kg/215.5 lbs.
G'Angelo Hancock (NYAC) tech fall James Souza (Army WCAP), 8-0

Hayden Zillmer (Minnesota Storm) dec. Enock Francois (NYAC), 3-2

130 kg/286 lbs.
Toby Erickson (Army WCAP) tech fall Malcolm Allen (Minnesota Storm), 12-4

Jacob Mitchell (Army WCAP) win by fall Eric Fader (Marines)