David Taylor and Ed Ruth excelled at the ASICS/U.S. Open this past weekend, placing 2nd and 3rd respectively. They were joined by 13 other members of the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club, including Zain Retherford, who placed 2nd in the FILA Junior Nationals.

Taylor lost in the finals to three-time world champion and Olympic gold medalist Jordan Burroughs in the 74 kg weight class in a 7-6 decision, although Taylor had led 6-3 with less than a minute in the bout. Taylor also had a pin and a tech fall in the tournament.

Ruth had two tech falls and five total wins, but he fell in the semifinals to second-ranked Clayton Foster in a 13-12 decision at 86 kg.

At the FILA Junior Nationals, Retherford placed second after losing 7-0 in the 66 kg finals to Aaron Pico, a high school sophomore. Before his loss, Retherford had four tech falls.

Other former Nittany Lions and members of the NLWC did well at the tournament. Olympic gold medalist Jake Varner won the 97 kg weight class. Former Nittany Lion Frank Molinaro, who recently returned to train with the club, placed fourth in the 65 kg weight class. Former Nittany Lions Quentin Wright and Mark McKnight both placed 7th in their respective weight classes.

Matt Brown, James Vollrath, Zach Beitz, Kade Moss, and Jordan Conaway all competed at the ASICS/U.S. Open as well. They each had at least one win, but they did not place in the tournament.

Freshmen Garett Hammond and Cody Law both placed eighth in their respective weight classes at FILA Junior Nationals.

May 22-25 is the ASICS FILA Cadet & University National Championships in Akron, OH. The U.S. World Team Trials for Junior Freestyle/Greco-Roman and Senior Freestyle take place from May 30 – June 1.