Highlights from Day #1 NCAA Div I Championship

Quarterfinals for 149 pounds 

• No. 1 Sammy Sasso vs. No. 25 Yahya Thomas
• No. 12 Max Murin vs. No. 4 Boo Lewallen
• No. 3 Brock Mauller vs. No. 6 Bryce Andonian
• No. 2 Austin O`Connor vs. No. 7 John Millner

157 pounds: Berge prevailed in a battle of powerhouse programs: Any match between Iowa and Penn State is worth watching, but this particular match, the second-round 157-pound contest between No. 12 Brady Berge and No. 5 Kaleb Young was particularly exciting. Berge, who has had his share of injuries and has faced adversity throughout his entire wrestling career, snuck past Big Ten finalist Kaleb Young for the 3-2 win and major team points. He’s the third Nittany Lions to move into the quarters!

157 pounds: Hayden Hidlay is a bonus machine: The N.C. State senior picked up a technical fall in his second-round match, and he looked calm as ever doing it. Hidlay’s title quest continues.

Quarterfinals for 157 pounds

• No. 4 Jesse Dellavecchia vs. No. 12 Brady Berge
• No. 8 Jared Franek vs. No. 1 Ryan Deakin
• No. 2 Hayden Hidlay vs. No. 23 Jacob Wright
• No. 3 David Carr vs. No. 6 Brayton Lee

Shane Griffith stays alive with a clutch third-period takedown: Luke Weber of North Dakota State nearly had the win over his Stanford 165-pound sophomore opponent, but Griffith never gave up. With less than 15 seconds on the clock in the final period, it was Griffith who found Weber’s ankles for a takedown on the edge to secure the victory and stay alive. He moves on!

Smith slows down Wittlake for the win: Ohio State has had an up-and-down day, but Smith gives the Buckeyes something to celebrate as he punches his ticket to the quarterfinals after a hard-fought 4-3 win over Travis Wittlake.

165-pound quarterfinals

• No. 1 Alex Marinelli vs. No. 8 Shane Griffith
• No. 4 Mekhi Lewis vs. No. 5 Zach Hartman
• No. 3 Jake Wentzel vs. No. 6 Keegan O’Toole
• No. 7 Ethan Smith vs. No. 2 Anthony Valencia

174-pound quarterfinals 

• No. 1 Michael Kemerer vs. No. 8 Daniel Bullard
• No. 12 Bernie Truax vs. No. 4 Michael Labriola
• No. 6 Andrew McNally vs. No. 3 Carter Starocci
• No. 7 Kaleb Romero vs. No. 2 Demetrius Romero

184-pound quarterfinals 

• No. 1 Aaron Brooks vs. No. 8 Taylor Venz
• No. 4 Parker Keckeisen vs. No. 5 Hunter Bolen
• No. 3 Lou DePrez vs. No. 6 John Poznanski
• No. 2 Trent Hidlay vs. No. 7 Brit Wilson

Battle-tested Ferrari moves on: The Big 12 Tournament Outstanding Wrestler continues to prove himself against elite level competition, fending off Tanner Sloan of South Dakota State 5-0 in the second round of the tournament, despite shots from Sloan and a fast-paced match. Ferrari is the real deal, and he’ll have his shot in the quarterfinals tomorrow.

Jake Woodley takes down Caffey: No. 26 Jake Woodley of Oklahoma picked up a big upset win against No. 10 Cameron Caffey at 197 pounds to set him up for the quarters.  Don’t forget the upset of the tourney… When #2 Eric Schultz (Neb) goes down to Owen Pentz (NDSU) that opened the door for No. 15 Michael Beard for a shot at the Semi’s.

197-pound quarterfinals 

• No. 26 Jake Woodey vs. No. 15 Michael Beard
• No. 3 Kordell Norfleet vs. No. 6 Nino Bonaccorsi
• No. 5 Jacob Warner vs. No. 4 AJ Ferrari
• No. 1 Myles Amine vs. No. 8 Stephen Buchanan

Thor comes through, Bono jumps around: Wisconsin’s Trent Hillger earned a major upset over No. 3 Matt Stencel to earn his spot in the quarterfinals, and the junior Badger moves on. Hillger’s had an mixed year of results, but this performance shows that he’s back to be in All-American form and is ready to compete for a trophy.

285-pound quarterfinals

• No. 1 Gable Steveson vs. No. 9 Greg Kerkvliet
• No. 14 Trent Hillger vs. No. 6 Gannon Gremmel
• No. 4 Cohlton Schultz vs. No. 3 Tony Cassioppi
• No. 2 Mason Parris vs. No. 7 Ethan Laird

Day 2 will be just as exciting!