By Markos Tsegaye
The 2023 US Open wrestling tournament is set to begin at the South Point Hotel Casino and Spa in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 26.
The tournament will feature wrestlers of multiple levels and styles. Members of the Minnesota Storm will be
participating in the tournament and say they’re excited for the tournament would be an
understatement.
Among the Storm’s representatives in Las Vegas are Fritz Schierl, Christian DuLaney and
Christian Rouleau. After practice on April 21, they spoke about their expectations for the
tournament.
“I’m excited to see how I wrestle against the competition with a few months of only greco
training,” Schierl said. “Pressure makes diamonds, I’m excited to feel the pressure and just use it to the best of my ability.”
Courtesy of Markos Tsegaye
Schierl and DuLaney in particular are fresh off of a valuable experience competing at the Thor
Masters tournament in March.
DuLaney said he is as prepared as he can be coming into the US Open as he looks to qualify for Final X by winning the tournament.
“Not much else I can do at this point, I’m feeling pretty good,” DuLaney said.
While DuLaney’s focus is on the US Open, he said he is also looking forward to the Pan-
American Championships in May.
Rouleau is competing in his first tournament since his appearance in the Bill Farrell Memorial
International Open in New York. He said he was in his head going into that tournament, but has a better state of mind as he embarks upon the US Open.
“I feel like I’m peaking better now than I have at any point in my career,” Rouleau said. “Just
really looking to have fun, prove myself wrong and show myself that I belong there.”
Courtesy of Markos Tsegaye
The Storm are also sending William “Bill” Carr to the US Open. Carr is one of the Veteran age group wrestler’s on the team.
Carr said he hopes his efforts work to encourage wrestlers ages 35-70 that there is still competition available for them. Carr also said he’s trying to maintain his conditioning and competitive spirit by participating in tournaments like this.
The tournament will end April 30. To watch the US Open, a livestream will be made available
on FloWrestling.
Minnesota Storm competitors and pre-seeds:
Michael Orange 67kg
(1) Pat Smith 72kg
Brody Olson 72kg
Alec Ortiz 77kg
Rudy James 77kg
(7) Fritz Schierl 82kg
(4) Richard Carlson 87kg
(7) Barrett Stanghill 87kg
Mac Kukowski 87kg
(3) Christian DuLaney 97kg
Christian Rouleau 97kg
(5) Donny Longendyke 130kg