South Williamsport, Pa. — The best wrestlers from around the world — with teams from Canada, France, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan — came to compete in the US Open in Las Vegas, but it was a South Williamsport man who took home the gold.
“It was such a great experience to not only compete with some of the best wrestlers from around the world but also to meet so many nice people,” said US Open Champion Rick Mahonski.
Mahonski, who is also a local goldsmith in his hometown, might be best known as a former art teacher at East Lycoming, where he taught for 35 years. But it was his other passion — wrestling — that brought him to Sin City this year.
Mahonski’s journey to the US Open actually began back in June of 2023.
“When I was younger, I used to think people who were 69-years-old were half dead," Mahonski said. "At a certain age, a lot of people think you can’t do certain things. However, if you put the time in, you’d be surprised what the body can do."
Mahonski said wrestling gave him a solid foundation for succeeding throughout life.
“Wrestling has been a part of my life since the seventh grade at Roosevelt Middle School," Mahonski explained. "Wrestling did a lot for me, not only giving me a college scholarship, but also building my character as a person.”
As a teen, Mahonski wrestled for Williamsport Area High School and then later at Wilkes University, and he was excited about the chance to get on the mat again nearly 50 years later.
“I hadn’t competed since 1977, and I missed it," he said. "I know, what a crazy idea to train for the US Open, but I wanted a chance to compete again."
Before beginning his training for the US Open, Mahonski maintained a consistent fitness regime by lifting weights six days a week. To train competitively though, he knew he needed to add more than weights to his workouts.
“Sure, I was lifting weights but I wasn’t doing anything cardio-wise to the level that I was about to put my body through. The cardio was the toughest part,” said Mahonski.
Mahonski’s hired recent Williamsport state champion Cael Nasdeo to work out with him. “I worked with Cael two to three days a week when I first began training. I would go up to Williamsport High School practice at least three times a week. Training took a lot of discipline and ice, a lot of ice, especially on my back and fingers,” said Mahonski.
Mahonski also hired Williamsport wrestler, Hunter Neuhard, to continue his training. “I met Hunter every day to help me train and practice my techniques. Both Cael and Hunter were a huge part of my success. I cannot begin to thank them enough,” emphasized Mahonski. “I also want to thank Buffalo Valley Wrestling Club in Milton and Ride Out Wrestling Club in South Williamsport for providing opportunities for me to train as well,” continued Mahonski.
He entered the US Open Masters Greco-Roman competition, which took place at the South Point Arena in Las Vegas April 24-28. It's a style of wrestling that differs from a typical high school or college in that competitors aren't allowed to touch their opponent's legs.
“Greco-Roman style consists of upper body throws, arm drags, snap downs, and bear hugs, " explained Mahonski. “I accidentally touched my opponent’s leg one time, giving him a point. The referee reminded me and I had to consistently remind myself that I was wrestling Greco-Roman. In the heat of the moment, with your adrenaline running, it is difficult. You forget and want to reach out to grab your opponent’s leg."
This is not Mahonski’s first US Open Wrestling Championship. Mahonski won first in his weight class (62 kg; 136.8 lbs) beating a former Michigan State Champion in the US OPEN Folkstyle Tournament held in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in March.
Mahonski explained, “America is the only country to compete in Folkstyle wrestling. Folkstyle wrestling is your most common style of wrestling in both high school and college.”
After winning the Greco-Roman championship on Thursday, the following day Mahonski attempted for a first place finish in the Freestyle competition. Mahonski explained, “In Freestyle wrestling, there aren’t points for escapes and reversals. You are trying to prevent your shoulders from touching the mat. If there is no progression in turning your opponent over to their back in about 20 seconds, the referees start you over on your feet.”
“In the first period on Friday of the Freestyle Championship, I was head-butted and had to be checked out by the doctor. It was determined that I had a slight concussion and was not able to continue to wrestle,” continued Mahonski.
He continues to share his love of wrestling with the younger generations. In the past, Mahonski has coached high school wrestling for several years and was a wrestling coach at Bucknell University in the late 1970s. Now he's taken up coaching elementary wrestling at Loyalsock after his grandson started in the program.
"I was not only able to share my love for wrestling with my grandson but this opportunity to coach helped me get back on the mat to go through the stretching routines and wrestling techniques,” Mahonski said.
Besides spending time with his grandson and teaching a new generation of wrestlers, the sport has kept him in shape over the years.
“It’s amazing what the body can do. You have to take care of yourself and do something for yourself every day. You get some longevity out of it too. I am fortunate to have been able to compete and have been overjoyed with the whole experience,” said Mahonski.
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