125: When it comes to a must-win matchup for the title-hungry Hawkeyes, matchup between No. 3 Joey Dance (Virginia Tech) and No. 6 Thomas Gilman (Iowa) seems like a dream. Though Dance is known to be tough in all positions, he looks like a vulnerable No. 3 seed and one that Gilman will need to best if he wants to help the Hawkeyes win the team race.
Also keep an eye out for No. 1 Alan Waters (Missouri) versus upset specialist David Terao (American). The Teague Moore-trained wrestler has faded late, but in putting together two wins, shows he knows how to get the job done.
133: An underdog in the matchup of high seeds No. 12 George DiCamillo (Virginia) will look to keep his upsets rolling as he faces No. 13 Cody Brewer (OU) for a chance in the semifinals. DiCamillo is brutal on top and tough to score against. A win for Brewer means that he’s back to the form that many believed deserved him the three seed.
In terms of team race and in-state bragging rights it’ll be No. 2 Cory Clark (Iowa) taking on No. 6 Earl Hall (Iowa State).
141: A pair of upset-minded wrestlers No.14 Dean Heil (Oklahoma State) and No. 11 Chris Mecate (Old Dominion) cruise into the second day aimed at making the NCAA semifinals. Look for Mecate to be the favorite, but he’ll need all seven minutes to deal with Heil and an Oklahoma State program wrestling with the best in the country.
149: Defending NCAA champion No. 2 Jason Tsirtsis, (Northwestern) doesn’t make it look easy. After a tight second round win via riding time advantage, the sophomore grappler will face No.7 Sal Mastriani (Virginia Tech) who can find solutions from bottom and score from top.
157: Does Imar keep rolling? No. 1 Isaiah Martinez (Illinois) will face All-American Nick Brascetta (Virginia Tech), who is known for his top work and bruising style. More experiences than Imar and equally as tough makes Brascetta a compelling matchup for the super freshman.
The other side of the bracket is maybe more compelling with lights out No. 2 Brian Realbuto (Cornell) taking on a pin-happy No. 7 Ian Miller (Kent State).
165: Speaking of pins, No. 13 Cooper Moore (Northern Iowa) upset No.4 Nick Sulzer (Virginia) in the second round via fall and will now face No. 5 Bo Jordan (Ohio State). Jordan should walk way, but Moore’s ability to pin should make this a quarterfinal can’t miss.
174: One of the longest rivalries in the sport continues on Friday as No. 6 Logan Storley (Minnesota) takes on No. 3 Mike Evans (Iowa). Throw out the records and be ready for fireworks from both wrestlers … and coaches.
184: If No. 1 Gabe Dean (Cornell) wanted a smooth ride, he is disappointed. After a tight second round match Dean will face No. 9 Sam Brooks (Iowa), who is wrestling as well as anyone in the tournament. Aggressive and as agile as Dean, Brooks will take the match to the Ivy League wrestler with the full support of the Iowa faithful.
197: Look for No. 4 Kyle Snyder (Ohio State) to battle hard with No. 5 Scott Schiller (Minnesota) for the right to face No.1 J’den Cox (Missouri). No points will be easy, but if either wants to take out Cox they’ll need to preserve at least a smidgen of energy. Also keep an eye out for No. 10 Conner Hartmann (Duke), who takes on No. 2 Morgan McIntosh (Penn State) -- guy can scrap.
285: What seemed like a long shot title is now within reach for the Nittany Lions, but they’ll need all the support they can muster. That starts with No. 8 Jimmy Lawson (Penn State), who will take on a very dominating No. 1 Nick Gwiazdowski (North Carolina State) for a chance at the semifinals.
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