2025 US Open Wrestling U20 Men's Freestyle Preview & Predictions
The U20 freestyle division at the 2025 US Open goes down Saturday, April 26 and Sunday, April 27 in Las Vegas. Before all the action gets underway, check out our preview plus top-eight predictions for all ten weights! Today · 5:00 PM UTC 2025 CLAW US Open Wrestling Championships 57 kg 13 ranked HS wrestlers: […]
The U20 freestyle division at the 2025 US Open goes down Saturday, April 26 and Sunday, April 27 in Las Vegas. Before all the action gets underway, check out our preview plus top-eight predictions for all ten weights!
13 ranked HS wrestlers: #1 Anthony Knox, #2 Christian Castillo, #2 Ronnie Ramirez, #2 Jayden Raney, #3 Henry Aslikyan, #3 Joseph Uhorchuk, #5 Revin Dickman, #6 Domenic Munaretto, #8 Carter Chunko, #9 Dominic Deputy, #10 Gauge Botero, #14 Antonio Mills, #19 Aydan Thomas
High impact college guys: Vinny Kilkeary, Ohio State; Kael Lauridsen, Nebraska; Mack Mauger, Missouri; Davis Motyka, Penn; Gage Singleton, Oregon State; Ayden Smith, Rutgers; Cam Stinson, North Carolina; Nick Treaster, Navy; Mason Ziegler, Lehigh
Vinny Kilkeary and Anthony Knox, the second and third place finishers at this tournament a year ago, are the only returners from the top eight at 57 kg. Kilkeary beat Knox in the quarterfinal last year in a bout without a takedown. Knox went on to finish third while Kilkeary fell in the finals to eventual U20 World champ Luke Lilledahl. It’s worth noting that Lilledahl is still U20 eligible but registered for the Senior division in Vegas with his eyes on a rematch with Spencer Lee at Final X.
Kilkeary & Knox’s 2024 U20 US Open Quarterfinal
Knox and Kilkearly could be on a collision course this year, but this bracket has plenty of talent looking to derail the potential rematch. 57 kg has 13 nationally ranked high schoolers and no shortage of tough young college guys. Christian Castillo, Jayden Raney, Henry Aslikyan, and Dom Munaretto have all won U17 world medals in either freestyle or Greco.
College fans will want to keep an eye on this bracket to get a look at several potential starting 125-pounders for the 2025-26 season. Kael Lauridsen (Nebraska), Mack Mauger (Missouri), Ayden Smith (Rutgers), Cam Stinson (North Carolina), and more will all vie for starting jobs next season. Strong showings in Vegas could signal that they’re ready to make an impact during the upcoming NCAA season.
Prediction: 1) Anthony Knox 2) Vinny Kilkeary 3) Jayden Raney 4) Kael Lauridsen 5) Ronnie Ramirez 6) Mack Mauger 7) Dom Munaretto 8) Davis Motyka
61 kg
15 ranked HS wrestlers: #3 Aaron Seidel, #3 Nathan Desmond, #6 Matthew Botello, #7 Manuel Saldate, #8 Isaiah Cortez, #8 Tyler Dekraker, #9 Layne Kleimann, #10 Antonio Rodriguez, #12 Slater Hicks, #13 Deven Casey, #15 Sam Herring, 61 kg – #16 Elijah Cortez, #18 Khimari Manns, #18 Kellen Wolbert, #18 Dean Anderson
High impact college guys: JJ McComas, Oklahoma State; Adrian Meza, Iowa State; Omar Ayoub, Nebraska; Mason Gibson, Rutgers; Kyler Larkin, Arizona State
Incoming Arizona State freshman Kyler Larkin may be the favorite to with 61 kg this year. He’s a US Open finalist, Fargo champ, and U17 World team member whose best performances have been in freestyle over the years. He could be a big part of Arizona State’s future, so Sun Devil fans will want to keep an eye on this bracket. JJ McComas (Oklahoma State), Adrian Meza (Iowa State), Omar Ayoub (Nebraska), and Mason Gibson (Rutgers) will also look to crack lineups for their respective colleges after time in D1 rooms.
Plenty of highly ranked college commits will also make this an incredibly deep weight. Aaron Seidel (Virginia Tech), Nate Desmond and Sam Herring (Penn State), Matthew Botello (North Carolina), Isaiah and Elijah Cortez (Cornell), Tyler Dekraker (Ohio State), Layne Kleimann (Utah Valley), Deven Casey (Penn), Khimari Manns (Brown), Antonio Rodriguez (Arizona State), and Kellen Wolbert (Oklahoma State) have all had impressive high school careers and will look to take home hardware from Vegas.
Of the high school group, Aaron Seidel poses the biggest threat to win this bracket. He fell to Nate Desmond at the Open last April, but since then he avenged his loss to Desmond and has notched victories over #6 Botello, #8 (126) Cortez, and #8 Dekraker who are all in this field. He won Fargo and Beast of the East last year but fell at Who’s Number One and in the finals of Super 32 and PIAAs. A US Open title would cap a massively successful year for the Virginia Tech commit and give him an automatic spot in the best of three finals at the U20 trials.
Prediction: 1) Kyler Larkin 2) Aaron Seidel 3) Adrian Meza 4) Mason Gibson 5) Nate Desmond 6) Matthew Botello 7) Manny Saldate 8) Tyler Dekraker
High impact college guys: Luke Stanich, Lehigh; Pierson Manville, Arizona State; Gabriel Bouyssou, Cornell; Alex Braun, Oklahoma; Kolter Burton, Oklahoma State; Joey Butler, Indiana; Jack Consiglio; Stanford; Smokey McClure, Utah Valley
65kg is widely regarded as one of the deepest domestic men’s freestyle weights, and this year’s field at the U20 US Open represents that depth. Six high school wrestlers are ranked in the top five in their respective weight classes. On top of a stacked high school contingent, Lehigh All-American Luke Stanich and a bunch of other accomplished young college guys will create awesome matchups at this weight starting in the early rounds.
Iowa commit Bo Bassett is the returning champ at this weight. He parlayed his success last April into a U20 World team spot and an eventual bronze medal. He won’t see last year’s finalist, Aden Valencia, in Vegas although Valencia could still enter the U20 World Team Trials in May. 2024 placers Pierson Manville, Drew Gorman, and Gabriel Bouyssou will look to improve on their finishes from a year ago.
Bassett is the clear favorite, and while he hasn’t lost to domestic competition since the Last Chance Olympic Team Trials qualifier finals over a year ago when he fell to multiple time Princeton All-American Matt Kolodzik. Despite his consistent succes, Bassett has been tested. The two wrestlers in the field who have given him his closest matches this year are Daniel Zepeda and Sergio Vega. Bassett and Vega had a 14-12 barn burner in last year’s round of 16 that came down to the wire. Daniel Zepeda forced overtime in his rubber match against Bassett in the Super 32 finals. Nobody is safe in this bracket.
Luke Stanich may prove to be Bassett’s toughest competition. The Lehigh All-American has been on an upward trajectory during his first two years of college. When he moved from 125 lbs where he finished 5th at the 2024 NCAA Championships to 141 lbs for his redshirt year, some wrestling fans wondered whether he would be as competitive two weight classes above where he competed the previous season. He answered those questions by defeating Michigan round of 12 finisher Sergio Lemley and All-Americans Kai Orine and CJ Composto in unattached competition this season.
Relive last year’s insane 65kg US Open action
Prediction: 1) Bo Bassett 2) Luke Stanich 3) Daniel Zepeda 4) Sergio Vega 5) Pierson Manville 6) Gabriel Bouyssou 7) Jack Consiglio 8) Alex Braun
High impact college guys: Cross Wasilewski, Penn; Jaxon Joy, Cornell; EJ Parco, Stanford; Laird Root, North Carolina
PJ Duke dominated his way to the U20 World team last year, and he just might do it again this weekend, but he’ll have to navigate a deep bracket in Vegas. Five different wrestlers in this field (Landon Robideau, Kollin Rath, Melvin Miller, Collin Gaj, and Maddox Shaw) have competed in Who’s Number One, 14 are ranked high schoolers, and there are no shortage of college competitors.
Returning place winners from last year at this weight include Duke and #1 ranked 157-pounder Landon Robideau who finished 4th. Few wrestlers have improved more in the last couple years than Robideau. In 2023, he finished 3rd in Fargo and 2nd at Super 32. One year later he won both events in convincing fashion and notched victories at Who’s Number One and the Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic. Duke as proven to be on another level from the rest of the wrestlers in this field, so a strong performance from Robideau in that potential match would be a massive statement for the Oklahoma State commit.
One Robideau’s two losses at last year’s Open came against Penn round of 12 finisher Cross Wasilewski who is also back in the field. He was 25-5 in his first year for the Quakers and could make a strong push in this bracket.
Prediction: 1) PJ Duke 2) Landon Robideau 3) Cross Wasilewski 4) Jaxon Joy 5) Melvin Miller 6) Laird Root 7) Kollin Rath 8) Collin Gaj
74 kg
7 ranked HS wrestlers: #1 Ladarion Lockett, #2 William Denny, #4 Brogan Tucker, #4 Dominic Bambinelli, #17 Benjamin Weader, #19 Jason Kwaak, #20 Tucker Roybal
High impact college guys: Joel Adams, Oregon State; Cam Catrabone, Michigan; Boeden Greenley, NDSU; Zach Hanson, Stanford; Isaias Jimenez, Penn; Charlie Millard, Minnesota; Paul Ognissanti, Penn; Latrell Schafer; NC State; Joe Sealey, Penn State
Dee Lockett was a U20 World silver medalist last summer after a U17 gold medal performance in 2023. He’s the favorite to make the team again this year in a field that includes 7 ranked high schoolers and a large contingent of seasoned college guys.
In addition to Lockett, placers from last year’s field include Joe Sealey (2nd), Zach Hanson (6th), and Charlie Millard (7th). Two other placers, Bouzakis and Root, have decided to descend to 70 kg for this year’s US Open.
Some of Lockett’s toughest high school competitors include Super 32 champ Will Denny, four-time Ohio state champ Brogan Tucker, and Doc B champ Dominic Bambinelli. The field of college guys obviously includes the three placers from a year ago (Sealey, Hanson, and Millard) but also includes Fargo finalist and Penn Quaker Isaias Jimenez, Fargo champ and NDSU Bison Boeden Greenley, Super 32 finalist and Michigan Wolverine Cam Catrabone, and U17 Greco champ Joel Adams who is now training at Oregon State.
Lockett vs Sealey in the 2024 U20 US Open finals
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Prediction: 1) LaDarion Lockett 2) Will Denny 3) Joe Sealey 4) Brogan Tucker 5) Zach Hanson 6) Joel Adams 7) Dominic Bambinelli 8) Charlie Millard
79 kg
7 ranked HS wrestlers: #2 William Henckel, #8 Eli Leonard, #10 Jordan Chapman, #10 Mario Carini, #12 Peyton Westpfahl, #16 Tyrel Miller, #18 Travis Grace
High impact college guys: Brock Mantanona, Michigan; Omaury Alvarez, North Carolina; Louie Cerchio, Cornell; Collin Guffey, Stanford; Jasiah Queen, Drexel; Jed Wester, Minnesota
This feels like one of the most wide open weights in the U20 division. One of the top college wrestlers in the field, Brock Mantanona, finished his high school career a year ago as a California state champ at 150 lbs while Will Henckel, the top high school prospect in the bracket hasn’t seen 150 lbs since his sophomore year, and he’s the only returning placer at this weight.
While there are plenty of nationally ranked high schoolers at 79 kg, the college guys loom large. Don’t be surprised if the podium in Vegas is filled with guys on the older end of age spectrum. Most of the NCAA wrestlers on the registration list will be competing for starting jobs in the fall. Drexel’s Jasiah Queen seems to have secured his starting spot by qualifying for NCAAs a year ago.
5 ranked HS wrestlers: #2 Adam Waters, #3 Carson Thomas, #4 Lane Foard, #6 Jimmy Mastny, #19 Jonathan Rocha
High impact college guys: Max McEnelly, Minnesota; Aeoden Sinclair, Missouri; Jake Dailey, North Carolina; Nicholas Fox, UNI; Cole Han-Lindemyer, Stanford; Damarion Ross, Northern Illinois; Jared Schoppe, Lehigh; Luke Vanadia, Michigan State
The two heaviest hitters at this weight are Minnesota All-American Max McEnelly and Missouri redshirt Aeoden Sinclair. They finished third and first respectively at this weight a year ago, and both have made U17 World teams (McEnelly earned a bronze medal in 2022). A potential McEnelly vs Sinclair showdown would be a good indicator for who’s in position to make the U20 World team later this spring, but it would also shine light into what NCAA fans can expect at 184 lbs during the 2025-26 college season.
Aeoden Sinclair’s 2024 U20 US Open finals victory over NCAA finalist Josh Barr
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While a lot of eyes will be on the current college guys, Ohio State commit and rising high school senior Adam Waters put together an incredible junior season. He helped lead Faith Christian to the top team ranking this year by notching titles at Ironman, Beast of the East, Escape the Rock, and PIAAs. His star has been on the rise all year, but a title, or even a close match with the likes of Sinclair or McEnelly would go a long way in establishing Waters as an NCAA title threat down the line.
Prediction: 1) Max McEnelly 2) Aeoden Sinclair 3) Adam Waters 4) Cole Han-Lindmeyer 5) Luke Vanadia 6) Carson Thomas 7) Lane Foard 8) Jimmy Mastny
92 kg
2 ranked HS wrestlers: #3 Angelo Posada, #19 Jason Singer
High impact college guys: Connor Mirasola, Penn State; Sonny Sasso, Virginia Tech; Cody Merrill, Oklahoma State; Dillon Bechtold, Bucknell; Tucker Hogan, Lock Haven; Nick Nosler, SIUE; Max Shulaw, Virginia
Last year’s U20 World 5th place finisher Connor Mirasola is in the running to make his second straight team. He’s coming off an 8-1 true freshman season at Penn State in which his only loss came against teammate and NCAA finalist Josh Barr. Mirasola is the only returning placer from last year’s Open, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be tested.
Like Mirasola, Oklahoma State’s Cody Merrill also had a solid redshirt campaign. He was 10-2 in his true freshman season with two-point losses to NCAA champion Stephen Buchanan and U20 World medalist Justin Rademacher. Mirasola and Merrill could be on a collision course in Vegas. While they haven’t faced one another in relevant competition,
Potential high place finishers this year include Virginia Tech’s Sonny Sasso, Bucknell’s Dillon Bechtold, Lock Haven’s Nick Nosler, Virginia’s Max Shulaw, and Stanford commit Angelo Posada. Both Hogan and Bechtold from that group have already qualified for NCAAs and have proven that they’re among the nation’s elite.
2 ranked HS wrestlers: #4 Cade Ziola, #7 Austin Johnson
High impact college guys: Justin Rademacher, Oregon State; Camden McDanel, Nebraska; Soren Herzog, Air Force; Quin Morgan, SDSU
Last year’s champion, Nebraska true freshman All-American Camden McDanel, is back in the mix, but he was knocked off at the U20 World Team Trials by eventual medalist Justin Rademacher. Those two are the heavy favorites to make the finals. Rademacher won their best of three finals series in Geneva in two straight matches with very different margins. The first bout was a 4-3 contest in which Rademacher scored three straight after surrendering a three-point lead, but their second was an 11-1 tech.
McDanel is the only returning 97kg placer from 2024 which makes room for some fresh faces to make an impact at this weight. Both Cade Ziola and Austin Johnson are finishing stellar high school careers and could find themselves high up on the podium with college guys like Air Force’s Soren Herzog (a U20 Greco champ last year) and SDSU’s Quin Morgan.
High impact college guys: Cole Mirasola, Penn State; Koy Hopke, Minnesota; Parker Ferrell, Virginia Tech; Jay Henderson, Cornell; Shilo Jones, NDSU; Richard Thomas, Oklahoma; Oscar Williams, Maryland
Heavyweight is one of the most exciting weights of the entire U20 US Open. It has high impact true freshmen like Penn State’s Cole Mirasola and Minnesota’s Koy Hopke along with massive recruits like uncommitted Coby Merrill, future Oklahoma State Cowboy Dreshaun Ross, and future Iowa Hawkeye Michael Mocco. This bracket really could set the state for the next wave of NCAA heavyweights who will be populating the All-American podium for the next four to five years.
Minnesota’s Koy Hopke is the highest (and only) returning 125 kg place winner from a year ago. He and Cole Mirasola, the 97 kg runner up in 2024 are the two on-paper favorites to reach the finals. Both Dreshaun Ross and Michael Mocco were busy making U17 World teams at last year’s open. Mocco would go on to win a 110 kg World title while Ross had to miss the Worlds due to injury.
Another contender at this weight is top-ranked high school heavyweight Coby Merrill. He beat last year’s runner up, Nicholas Sahakian during the high school season to secure the #1 spot in the country, and he’s a force at 125 kg. Between Merrill and formidable guys like Dellagatta, Kuhn, Whitehead, Ferrell, Henderson, Jones, Thomas, Williams, and more, this bracket is extremely hard to predict.
Prediction: 1) Cole Mirasola 2) Koy Hopke 3) Coby Merrill 3) Dreshaun Ross 4) Michael Mocco 5) Rocco Dellagatta 6) Rylan Kuhn 7) Parker Ferrell 8) Shilo Jones
Eight years in the making, former Ferris State hockey player Lucas Finner earns Doctor of Pharmacy
May 21, 2025 Former Ferris State hockey player let what started as a curiosity about pharmacy lead him ultimately to a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Ferris State. BIG RAPIDS, Mich. — It was an eight-year journey for Lucas Finner, who initially arrived at Ferris State University laser-focused on his college hockey career. […]
Former Ferris State hockey player let what started as a curiosity about pharmacy lead
him ultimately to a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Ferris State.
BIG RAPIDS, Mich. —
It was an eight-year journey for Lucas Finner, who initially arrived at Ferris State
University laser-focused on his college hockey career.
Skating for the Bulldogs, Finner balanced his efforts on the ice and his work in the
classroom.
Lucas Finner, pictured here as a freshman for the Ferris State hockey team, is pictured
with Cam and Cooper Miller.
After earning his Bachelor of Science in Biology (Pre-Pharmacy) in spring 2021 from
the College of Arts, Sciences and Education, Finner reflected fondly on his complete
Ferris State journey as a hockey student-athlete turned graduate student in the College
of Pharmacy’s doctoral program.
Through the years and his life experiences, Finner has gained perspective on a long
college journey marked by successes.
“Four years to get my degree in Biology, while balancing life as a student-athlete,
followed by four more years working my way to earning my Doctor of Pharmacy,” said
Finner, a native of Elmhurst, Illinois. “It’s definitely a lot to balance.”
The Ferris State Doctor of Pharmacy requires at least six academic years of full-time
college study – two years Pre-Pharmacy plus four professional years. Accordingly,
Finner’s Ferris State choice was about more than playing college hockey as time passed.
Coming to Big Rapids, developing short-term and long-term goals, Finner lived the
best of all worlds as a student-athlete.
“I went to Ferris State to play hockey,” he said. “At the same time, I learned about
its pharmacy program. I knew Ferris State had a really good program. I was blessed
with the opportunity to do both at Ferris State.”
Finner felt a nudge down a career path. “I’ve always had a curiosity about pharmacy.
I like to help people too. I thought it was a great route to go.”
Before joining the Ferris State program, Finner played junior hockey for the Nanaimo
Clippers of the British Columbia Hockey League. There, he earned accolades, including
being named the Clippers’ “Most Exciting Player” during the 2016-17 season. He totaled
25 points in 31 games and played in 55 more the prior season with Nanaimo.
On the ice, Finner was a solid player for the Bulldogs with 17 career goals – including
seven on the power play. The 17 goals with 23 assists added up to 40 points for longtime,
legendary head coach Bob Daniels. His first career goal came in Yost Ice Arena in
Ann Arbor against the University of Michigan on Nov. 2, 2017.
Being a student-athlete is challenging. That is especially true for a student-athlete
like Finner, who focused on earning his Doctor of Pharmacy degree.
“It definitely got tough at times,” he said. “But the good thing about it is that
you get a lot of support here from coaches, teammates and the university. What I love
about being here is that everyone wants you to succeed. That lets you know that your
success is possible if you put in the work.”
Beyond the coaching staff, however, Finner had a network of people in the Big Rapids
community cheering him on throughout his Bulldog journey, including Mecosta County
Sheriff Brian Miller, his wife, Heather, and their family.
Heather was among the well-wishers inside a packed Jim Wink Arena on Friday, May 9,
as one of the many people cheering on Finner, including some of his family.
“Lucas was the first to come into our lives in August of 2018 as a Ferris State University
freshman hockey player,” Heather said. “From the very beginning, he brought not only
his passion for the game but a quiet determination, kindness and humility that made
him an instant role model for our two young boys (Cameron and Cooper). Two years later,
when Max joined the team and came to Big Rapids, it felt like our family was simply
growing in the most natural way. Max had his own unique spark—driven, thoughtful,
and always one to step up when needed.”
Max played two seasons for Ferris State and had four points on one goal with three
assists in 38 games. Their growth, according to Miller, is a big part of the college experience.
“Watching them both grow from teenagers into mature, driven young men has been one
of the greatest honors of our lives,” she said. “They were more than just college
hockey players — they were family. Our boys idolized them, cheered for them at every
game, and learned from their discipline, sportsmanship and heart both on and off the
ice.”
There was a special twist to a great day for the Finner family. While Lucas graduated
with his Doctor of Pharmacy from Ferris State in Big Rapids, Max graduated in Chicago.
“Now, fast forward eight years, and here we are—full of pride and emotion—watching
Lucas graduate as Dr. Lucas Finner with his Doctor of Pharmacy from Ferris State University.
On the very same day, Max is graduating from Roosevelt University with a degree in
Cybersecurity and preparing to ship off next week for basic training in the U.S. Army,
where he will go on to serve in the Cyber Operations division,” Miller said. “To say
we are proud is an understatement. These two young men are on their way to making
a real difference in the world.”
Lucas Finner is excited about this next chapter of life.
“After eight years of school, I am looking forward to getting out there and working
to see where life takes me from here,” he said.
Nick Saban responds to claim of him being anti-NIL
Sep 10, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban makes his way off the team bus through a crowd of fans gathered before a game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports At the Nick’s Kids golf tournament on Tuesday, Nick Saban was asked how […]
Sep 10, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban makes his way off the team bus through a crowd of fans gathered before a game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
At the Nick’s Kids golf tournament on Tuesday, Nick Saban was asked how he feels about the public’s perception of him being against name, image and likeness in college sports.
“I’m all for the players making money,” Saban said. “I don’t think we have a sustainable system right now. I think a lot of people would agree with that in terms of the future of college athletics. Period. Not just football. How do we sustain 20 other non-revenue sports that create lots of opportunities for people in the future.”
These comments are similar to what Saban said on Capitol Hill two months after his retirement.
He said he liked coaching college football more than the NFL because he had the opportunity to develop young people with the goal of making their quality of life better.
Saban’s stance is geared more toward the idea of an athlete making money as they find their footing in college, not paying athletes before they step on the field.
“Well, all the things that I believed in for all these years, 50 years of coaching, no longer exist in college athletics,” Saban said. “So, it always was about developing players. It was always about helping people when you’re successful in life. My wife even said to me, we have all the recruits over on Sunday with their parents for breakfast. And she would always meet with the mothers to talk about how she was going to help and impact their sons and how they would be well taken care of. And she came to me, like right before our retirement and said, ‘Why are we doing this?’ And I said, ‘What do you mean?’ She said, ‘All they care about is how much you’re going to pay them.’”
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Reunited: Travis Shoudy joins twin brother Tiernan on MSU hockey
One Shoudy wasn’t enough for the Michigan State University hockey team. Travis Shoudy — the twin brother of MSU junior forward Tiernan Shoudy — spent his first three collegiate seasons at Ferris State, just an hour and some change away from where Tiernan has played with the Spartans in his career. With one year of […]
One Shoudy wasn’t enough for the Michigan State University hockey team.
Travis Shoudy — the twin brother of MSU junior forward Tiernan Shoudy — spent his first three collegiate seasons at Ferris State, just an hour and some change away from where Tiernan has played with the Spartans in his career.
With one year of eligibility remaining, Travis flipped his transfer commitment from Colorado College to Michigan State, joining the Spartans’ blue line after former MSU commit Tyson Jugnauth signed a professional contract with the Seattle Kraken.
Before college, Travis played in the United States Hockey League with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, tallying 33 points in 62 games and finishing as the team’s top-scoring defenseman.
As a freshman at Ferris State, the Marysville, Michigan, native notched 11 points and led the Bulldogs in plus/minus with a +7. As a sophomore, he posted a career-high 21 points (four goals, 17 assists). In 2024-25, he added 18 points while serving as team captain in his junior season.
Known for his defensive poise, ability to get pucks to the net and strong leadership, Travis’ addition brings experience and stability to MSU’s young blue line.
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DENVER – The University of Denver hockey program mourns the loss of former Pioneers defenseman Randy Ward, who passed away on May 9 at the age of 78. Ward played three years at Denver from 1966 and 1969, helping the Pioneers win back-to-back National Championships in his final two […]
DENVER – The University of Denver hockey program mourns the loss of former Pioneers defenseman Randy Ward, who passed away on May 9 at the age of 78.
Ward played three years at Denver from 1966 and 1969, helping the Pioneers win back-to-back National Championships in his final two seasons. Denver dispatched North Dakota 4-0 in 1968 in Duluth, Minnesota, before holding off Cornell in a 4-3 victory in 1969 in Colorado Springs.
The Calgary, Alberta, native suited up in 84 games in crimson and gold and registered 46 points on 12 goals and 34 assists in his career.
Following his time on the DU hilltop, Ward continued his other passions of the outdoors and farming. A gifted cattleman, he hunted and fished across North America and was also an avid golfer, who held course records and holes-in-one too numerous to count.
Born on Jan. 25, 1947, Randy is survived by his wife Marilyn, sons Jeff & Andrew (Allison) and his four grandchildren, Kalen & Keira (Jeff), Declan & Liam (Andrew), brother and sister in-law Peter & Nita Burdon, Judith Paquet along with numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.
A memorial service is being held on Monday, May 26 at 2 p.m. MT at Eden Brook Funeral Home, 24223 Township Road 242, Calgary, AB T3Z 3K2. To join the service remotely, go to https://youtube.com/live/ZwzeIT7ELV8?feature=share.
In lieu of flowers and if so desired, please consider a donation in Randy’s honor to The Summit: Marian & Jim Sinneave Centre for Youth Resilience, Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation (https://www.childrenshospital.ab.ca/).
WILSON, N.C. — May 21, 2025 — Barton College is pleased to welcome its newest members to the Board of Trustees. These distinguished individuals bring a wealth of experience and leadership across various fields, from marketing and healthcare to sports management and business operations, and will play a key role in advancing the College’s mission. […]
WILSON, N.C. — May 21, 2025 — Barton College is pleased to welcome its newest members to the Board of Trustees. These distinguished individuals bring a wealth of experience and leadership across various fields, from marketing and healthcare to sports management and business operations, and will play a key role in advancing the College’s mission.
“This group of accomplished leaders join an already strong and dedicated board, and their collective expertise and insight further expand the intellectual capital and experience guiding Barton’s future,” shared Dr. Douglas N. Searcy, president. “Our new trustees not only enhance the profile of the College across the region and the nation, but—most importantly—they share a deep commitment to our students, our mission, and the continued growth of both Barton and the Wilson community. Their leadership and investment will help advance the forward momentum of our institution and our hometown.”
About the Newly Installed Members of the Board of Trustees —
Mark Hillard received his business degree from Atlantic Christian College (now Barton College) in 1981. He began his healthcare career in California in 1984, relocating to Arizona in 1990, and continuing in healthcare administration until retiring in May 2022. Mr. Hillard held various positions in healthcare administration early in his career in California and Arizona. Most notable is his Chief Executive Officer position at Maricopa Integrated Health System (the Maricopa County health system now Valleywise Health), and Chief Operations Officer of University Physicians Health Plans in Tucson, Arizona. He served as Chief Financial Officer with the parent companies of St. Luke’s Health System and Maricopa Integrated Health System. Mr. Hillard has served on several boards, including Children’s Museum of Phoenix, Mercy Care Health Plan, Phoenix Area Medical Education Consortium, and Arizona Care Network. He and his wife Julie live in Scottsdale, Arizona and have two sons.
Rebecca Howard is an alumna of Barton College, where she completed her Bachelor of Science degree in English with a Drama minor in 1993. She currently serves as Vice President of Marketing for FCI Brands in Nashville, Tennessee, and is responsible for directing the company’s national marketing and sales initiatives. Prior to this appointment in 2008, Ms. Howard served as the Assistant Director for Marketing, Statistical Analysis, and Training for the American Red Cross Regional Blood Services in Norfolk, Virginia and was the recipient of the National Tiffany Award for Outstanding Leadership. Ms. Howard lives in Huntersville, North Carolina with her wife, Chrisy.
Elmer Polite is the President of Lifepoint Health’s Eastern Division and Duke-Lifepoint Joint Venture. In this role, Mr. Polite provides operational oversight for Lifepoint’s acute care hospitals in Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Prior to his interim president role, he served as chief financial officer of the Eastern Division, overseeing financial operations for 26 hospital campuses located in Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. Mr. Polite earned his Bachelor of Science Degrees in Accounting and also in Agribusiness and Economics from South Carolina State University. He also completed a Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration in finance from DeVry University. Mr. Polite has three children and lives in Brentwood, Tennessee with his wife, Tonya.
Rick Schlesinger is President of Business Operations for the Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Team. He is in his 22nd season with the Brewers and sixth in his current position after being promoted in 2019. He has previously held roles with the organization as executive vice president of business operations (2003-10) and chief operating officer (2011-18). Prior to joining the organization, Schlesinger spent five seasons (1998-2002) as vice president of business and legal affairs/assistant general manager for the Anaheim Angels. He previously worked for Walt Disney Pictures and Television in motion picture development and production (1993-1998) and at the Los Angeles law firm of Latham and Watkins (1986-1993). Mr. Schlesinger is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1983, and received his Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School (cum laude) in 1986. A native of Bayside, Wisconsin, he currently resides in Hartland, Wisconsin, with his wife, Kate. They have five children, Bradley, Sam, Caitlin, Molly, and Mathieu.
Corey Taylor is a graduate of Barton College, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business/Psychology with a concentration in Management in 1994. A member of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, he was also a four-year starter on the Barton Soccer Team and was inducted into the Barton College Soccer Hall of Fame in 2011. Mr. Taylor currently serves as the Director of Client Relations for Corporate Payroll Services and is responsible for the Charlotte, Atlanta, Chicago, Washington, and Philadelphia offices. He lives in Monroe, North Carolina with his wife, Sherri, and they have two sons, Cameron and Nicholas.
Sheila Wiggins earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education at Atlantic Christian College (now Barton College) and a Master of Arts in Education with a focus on Learning Disabilities at East Carolina University. Now a retired educator, Mrs. Wiggins’ professional career included teaching appointments in the Vance County and Nash County School Systems, as well as Nash Community College and Barton College. She has served on a number of Boards of Directors, including the Arts Council of Wilson, the Barton College Alumni Board and Board of Advisors, as well as the Auxiliary Board of the Wilson Medical Center, the Parents Council at Meredith College, and the Weekday School Board for the First Presbyterian Church in Wilson. The Wiggins are members of the First Presbyterian Church in Wilson, where she has served as chair of the Christian Education Ministries, deacon, elder, and Clerk of Session. Mrs. Wiggins is married to Jack and they have two children, Farrell and Barker.
Ohio State women’s ice hockey 2025-2026 season schedule revealed
The Ohio State women’s ice hockey team is arguably the best program around right now. Only Wisconsin can match what the Buckeyes have done with two national titles in four years and several Frozen Four appearances. OSU came within a whisker of winning another national championship last season and will look to build on that […]
The Ohio State women’s ice hockey team is arguably the best program around right now. Only Wisconsin can match what the Buckeyes have done with two national titles in four years and several Frozen Four appearances. OSU came within a whisker of winning another national championship last season and will look to build on that and continue the positive momentum this coming year.
To do it, Ohio State will have to navigate a difficult 2025-2026 schedule, one that was just announced by the program on Wednesday. There are games against traditional powers like Minnesota, Wisconsin, Minnesota-Duluth and others that the Buckeyes will have to contend with.
Head coach Nadine Muzerall has never shied away from competition and you can bet she’ll have the team ready to gear up for another run at a potential WCHA conference title, NCAA Tournament, and Frozen Four appearance that could lead to another national championship.
Here’s a look at the complete schedule that was released on Wednesday:
We’ve still got some time before we can cheer the Lady Bucks on, but once October rolls around, it’ll be go time again. There are nine home games for you to get involved in the action as well.
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Mark Hillard
Rebecca Howard
Elmer Polite
Rick Schlesinger
Corey Taylor
Sheila Wiggins
