Alex Thomsen after winning the 2020 Senior Greco Nationals at 60kg. Photo Credit: Alex Thomsen @Alex_Thomsen1

A large group of wrestlers with Nebraska ties will be competing this weekend (March 26-27 in Fort Worth) at the Last Chance Qualifier for the Olympic Trials. The top two at each weight will advance to the Olympic Trials, which are held April 2nd and 3rd in Fort Worth, TX.

USA Wrestling just released the seeds for the event and Alex Thomsen and Tanner Farmer both have top seeds.

Tanner Farmer made a splash at the US Senior Nationals in his first senior level Greco competition, finishing in 4th. He’s already given some of the top 130kg guys good battles and his Greco career is still in it’s infancy. Husker Alex Thomsen won Senior Nationals, beating U23 World Team member Lamont along the way.

Former Husker NCAA runner-up Tyler Berger has been active during COVID days.  He has competed in several RTC events and has knocked off several high level guys. DeShazer and Francisco both picked up seeds as well. Former Husker Collin Purinton is also competing.

Millard South senior Conor Knopick and Kearney High grad Philip Moomey have both been World Team members at the Cadet Level. Knopick finished 8th at Senior Nationals in October. Another Bearcat, Lee Herrington, has a Junior Pan-Am gold medal on his resume. MWC’s Corbin Nirschl should be a big factor at the 67kg weight as well. 

Competing at Last Chance Qualifier March 26-27:

Freestyle
57kg: #5 Daniel DeShazer (former UNK)
74kg: #4 Tyler Berger (former Nebraska)
74kg: Collin Purinton (former Nebraska)
125kg: #6 Ceron Francisco (former Concordia)

Greco
60kg: Conor Knopick (MWC-Millard South)
60kg: Philip Moomey (Cornell-Kearney)
60kg: #1 Alex Thomsen (Nebraska)
67kg: Corbin Nirschl (MWC)
130kg: #1 Tanner Farmer (former Concordia)
130kg: Lee Herrington (UNK-Golden Eagles-Kearney)

Already through to Olympic Trials:

There are six wrestlers with Nebraska ties that have qualified for the Olympic Trials. Most recently Waipuilani Estrella-Beauchamp from Midland after winning Women’s NAIA Championship.

Omaha North grad RaVaughn Perkins was the US Olympic Trials Champ in 2016 at 66kg. He has been competing at 77kg recently, but could also enter at 67kg. Former UNK Loper Patrick Martinez was the 2018 US World Team member at 87kg.

Omaha Skutt 4x State Champion Thomas Gilman has made two World Teams and won a bronze at the 2017 World Championships. Former Husker James Green has two world medals and has been a mainstay at 70kg for the US World Teams. He’ll be down at 65kg for the Olympic Trials.

Jordan Burroughs has made nine straight Olympic or World Teams. He will get be sitting the finals awaiting the winner of the challenge tournament portion – which is likely to be 2x 79kg world gold Kyle Dake.

Freestyle
57kg: Thomas Gilman (Omaha Skutt, World Silver)
65kg: James Green (Nebraska 4x AA, World Silver, World Bronze)
74kg: Jordan Burroughs (Nebraska 2x NCAA Champ, Olympic Champ, 4x World Gold, 2x World Bronze)

Greco
67/77kg: RaVaughn Perkins (Omaha North)
87kg: Patrick Martinez (former UNK)

Women’s Freestyle
68/76kg: Waipuilani Estrella-Beauchamp (Midland)