Three WVU Wrestlers Unable to Reach Podium at U.S. Open Tournament

Three members of the WVU wrestling program were unable to capitalize off of fast starts at this week’s U.S. Open Wrestling Championships in Las Vegas.

Brody Conley, Michael Dolan and Muhamed McBryde, all representing the West Virginia Regional Training Center, fell short of qualifying for the World Team Trials Challenge after finishing outside the cutoff mark in their respective weight classes.

Conley, who completed his first season with the Mountaineers this spring, had the most impressive run out of the trio, posting a 4-2 record in the 79 kilogram-174 pound bracket of the U20 division.

Evan Canoyer (Spartan Combat RTC) dec Brody Conley, 5-0.

Conley finished the U20 US Open 4-2.

— WVU Wrestling (@WVUWrestling) April 30, 2023

Conley opened his tournament with a pinfall victory over New York City RTC’s Aaron Ayzerov in 5:36 before falling to Caden Ernd of Illinois RTC on match criteria in the second round.

He then reeled off back-to-back tech fall victories over Derek Matthews (Northern Colorado Wrestling Club) and Dany Asongkeng Tanefu (MATPAC Wrestling Club) to stay alive, and earned another 5-3 decision over Gunner Filipowicz with a takedown at the buzzer.

Brody Conley stays alive with a takedown at the buzzer to beat Gunner Filipowicz, 5-3! #HailWV

— WVU Wrestling (@WVUWrestling) April 30, 2023

Conley’s run came to a close after he was defeated by Spartan Combat RTC’s Evan Canoyer 5-0.

Dolan posted a 29-second tech fall victory over Gil Mossburg (Ascend Wrestling Academy) in his first match of the 65 kilogram-143 pound bracket.

The West Virginia sophomore was then handed two consecutive defeats to end his tournament, dropping a 7-0 bout to Tiger Style Wrestling Club’s Kade Moore and falling to Tar Heel Wrestling Club’s Jayden Scott 9-0.

McBryde, a volunteer assistant coach for the Mountaineers, was able to post two victories in the senior level 79 kilogram-174 pound bracket before being eliminated.

McBryde cruised by Brandon Lalla in his opener, earning a tech fall victory in less than a minute before being edged by No. 6 seed Taylor Lujan by a slim 6-5 decision.

He was able to quickly answer with another tech fall victory, this time an 11-0 tally over Paul Pierce, but then bowed out after falling to Carson Kharchla on match criteria.