It's freestyle season! The U.S. Open is LIVE on Flo next weekend, with every weight starting at 9am sharp on Friday, April 28th. Pacific time of course since it is in Vegas.

The previews have come to the upper weights, bumping up to 86kg today. We heard from J'Den Cox on the Joe Flo and Bader show that he definitely won't be at the Open, but may end up at the World Team Trials. Additionally, guys like Keith Gavin and Jake Herbert have moved on, opening up some opportunities for new blood.

Remember, FloZone returns on Friday for the entire day of action. Complete entries can be found on FloArena. On to the full preview.

U.S. Open Previews: ​57kg | 61kg | 65kg | 70kg | 74kg | 97kg | 125kg

The Contenders

David Taylor, Nittany Lion W
Austin Trotman, Titan Mercury/NWTC
Richard Perry, NYAC/Penn RTC

Dark Horses

Josh Asper, Navy-Marine Corps RTC
Vic Avery, Titan Mercury/Ohio RTC
Pete Renda, Wolfpack WC
Timmy McCall, Titan Mercury/Wolfpack WC
Gabe Dean, Titan Mercury
Bo Nickal, Nittany Lion WC

You'd be hard pressed to find an American wrestler on a better run than David Taylor. His World Cup performance made everyone realize he can contend on the world level, in particular his pin over Olympic gold medalist Hassan Yazdanicharati, in Iran no less. Taylor was also a crucial part of Titan Mercury's title at the World Clubs Cup.

It took him a year, but Taylor's cardio finally caught up to his frame, which is typically the toughest adjustment when going up in weight. He still wrestles like a 74kg, creating points off scrambles and chain wrestling in ways that other 86kg have a hard time keeping up with. He'll be the number one seed and universal favorite to take the title in Vegas.

Austin Trotman won both the Bill Farrell and Dave Schultz, and could wind up the two seed over Richard Perry. Trotman hasn't had quite the same level of overseas success as Perry, but outplaced him at the Farrell. Being in the Nebraska room has rubbed off on Trotman, who has developed a devastating blast double.

Perry has now had close matches with both Kyle Dake and David Taylor, and is a threat to make his first national team this year. He has continued to develop his counter offense, both in terms of go behinds and crotch locks. After dropping down from 97kg and now having a full stable of teammates training with him in Philly, Penn RTC coach Brandon Slay believes Perry has the tools to be top three on the ladder.

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Timmy McCall beat Perry at the Farrell, but has losses to Vic Avery in Cuba and Pete Renda at the Schultz. The mass exodus of guys like Keith Gavin, Jake Herbert, Deron Winn and Clayton Foster leaves a great deal of uncertainty at this weight, on top of the mish mash of results I just mentioned. Asper's third at the Schultz as well as a few international results should give him a favorable seed this Friday.

The obvious X factor is two-time NCAA champ Gabe Dean. Whence we saw him last, Dean was winning a junior world bronze in 2014, but has not competed in freestyle since then. The Cornell star appears ready to commit himself to a full quad, but has no results and may get thrown in a poor spot in the bracket.

Then we have Bo Nickal, who will likely get hurt badly by the last chance OTT qualifier. He was teched by Kevin Steinhaus and pinned by Nick Heflin, and then lost to Zahid Valencia in the junior trials finals. Nickal is a different wrestler now, but the lack of certainty about where he will be thrown in gives me reservations about putting him in the top four until I see the bracket.

Nomad's Picks

1. David Taylor
2. Austin Trotman
3. Richard Perry
4. Gabe Dean
5. Bo Nickal
6. Josh Asper
7. Pete Renda