LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Linfield senior
Jonathon Fagen, who was injured and missed participating in the NCAA regional tournament last month, came back to win three out of four matches and place sixth at the U.S. Open and World Team Trials on Saturday.
Greco-Roman wrestling is an Olympic sport that requires athletes to attempt to take each other down without ever touching the legs. Thus, it's all leverage and upper-body technique, with an emphasis on throwing your opponent.
The only matches Fagen lost this season were medical forfeits when he was injured. Otherwise, he was a perfect 12-0 – including eight bonus-point wins.
"Jonathon has the talent to be a national champion, and certainly an All-American," said coach
Frank Johnson, who attended the U.S. Open in Las Vegas. "It just didn't come together for him this year in terms of his health, but he was the consummate teammate and student-athlete for us throughout the year. I couldn't be more proud of this young man."
In the opening round, Fagen faced Eastern Oregon's NAIA All-American Kyle Knudtson – and won by an 8-0 tech fall in 53 seconds. It was Fagen's first Greco-Roman wrestling match since he competed at the Junior World Championships in Russia in August 2021.
"Competing in Greco again felt really good," he said.
In his second match, Fagen lost 8-1 to Zac Braunagel of the University of Illinois. But he bounced back in the consolation side of the bracket with another 8-0 technical fall win – this time in 26 seconds over Marcus Curry from the Ford Dynasty Wrestling Club.
Fagen then prevailed again, 7-3 over Lukas Storm of Augustana University, to clinch a medal. He would have faced Cuesta College's Christian Rouleau in the fifth-place match, but Fagen injured an ankle in the win over Storm. Still, he said he was happy to be back on the mat.
"I'm excited about my performance this weekend," he said. "It will take some time to decide my future in Greco. Right now, I'm focused on letting my body recover and finishing my senior year on a high note."
