April 23, 2010
STANFORD, Calif. - Ryan Mango posted a 2-1 record on the first day of the ASICS U.S. Open Championships in the Greco Roman division at 55 KG (121.25 pounds) in Cleveland, Ohio to secure at least an eighth-place finish in the event.
Mango opened the day by taking the first round from his opponent, Paul Tellgren, 1-0. However, Mango dropped the next two sets, 5-0, 3-0, to drop into the consolation bracket.
Mango then defeated Roger Stewart, 6-0, 6-0, and Nate Engel, 1-2, 2-0, 3-0, to advance to the second day of competition. The St. Louis Mo., native will first face David Armstrong on Saturday for a chance to place as high as third. A loss to Armstrong would drop Mango into the seventh-place match.
However, the top-8 finish qualifies Mango for the World Team Trials taking place this summer.
Mango's older brother, Spenser, is also competing in the 55 KG bracket. He posted a 3-0 record on Friday to remain in the championship bracket.