Ohio State's Kyle Snyder counters NC State's Nick Gwiazdowski (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)In front of a sold-out crowd at Madison Square Garden, 2015 World champion Kyle Snyder of Ohio State snapped the 88-match winning streak of two-time NCAA champion Nick Gwiazdowski of North Carolina State to win the NCAA title at heavyweight in the final match of the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships.
"I've got pretty big goals," said the 20-year-old Snyder, who was named Outstanding Wrestler of the event. "If you want to achieve them you have to do it right now. You can't wait. You've got to improve as fast as you can, try to learn more about the sport and hopefully while you're doing that pick up a couple wins."
Snyder had to rally to win. Gwiazdowski jumped out to a 3-0 lead with a takedown in the first period and an early escape in the second period. Snyder cut the deficit to 3-2 with escapes in the second and third period. But Gwiazdowski answered with another takedown and led 5-3 late. With 11 seconds on the clock, Snyder fired off a shot and converted a takedown to send the match to sudden victory. Snyder then won the match early in sudden victory with another takedown.
"I kind of know where guys are going to float out when I do that setup," Snyder said of the takedown in sudden victory. "I knew where his foot was going to be. I kind of hit it as his foot was hitting the mat, so it was really no funky business, I could go on and knew I would be scoring the points."
Snyder, an NCAA runner-up last season as a true freshman at 197 pounds, started the season taking an Olympic redshirt season. However, midway through the season, on January 1, Snyder announced that he would be competing for the Buckeyes at heavyweight.
"You always learn more when you compete," said Snyder. "You can go into practice and you can wrestle, but it's just a little bit different than when you're going out there and actually competing. You can challenge yourself more to open up and actually wrestle the way you want to wrestle, and not be all tight when you're out there competing, especially in these big matches."
Snyder was one of two NCAA champions for the Buckeyes on Saturday night. True freshman Myles Martin was Ohio State's other NCAA champion, coming through to win a title at 174 pounds as the No. 11 seed. He becomes Ohio State's first-ever true freshman NCAA champion.
Martin's title came over No. 1 Bo Nickal of Penn State, a wrestler who had beaten him in three previous meetings this season, including by pin two weeks ago at the Big Ten Championships. Martin trailed 4-3 in the second period before getting a takedown and four nearfall points to go up 9-4. Nickal was able to mount a rally, but Martin held on for the 11-9 victory.
"Those other three [losses to Nickal] were a learning experience," said Martin. "If I didn't wrestle those other three I wouldn't have been able to compete like I did today."
The two NCAA titles -- along with two third-place finishes -- helped Ohio State finish third in the team standings. Martin's finals win pushed Iowa out of the top four. It's the first time since 2007 that Iowa did not claim a team trophy at the NCAAs.
"I didn't really think much of it," said Martin. "I was more focused on my match and just doing what I need to do to do my part in the whole team race. So was Kyle. So we just competed hard and I won and the points came and we beat Iowa."
The Penn State Nittany Lions won their fifth NCAA title in six seasons (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)"We're happy, but we leave here ready to improve and build and get some freshmen to the next level," said Penn State coach Cael Sanderson. "We're happy we won, but we're excited for the future also."
Megaludis, a three-time NCAA finalist, claimed his first NCAA title in his senior season. He came out and scored the first takedown in the first 40 seconds and led 2-1 after the opening period. He added another takedown with a minute remaining in the second period and took a 4-2 lead to the third period. In the third period Megaludis picked up an escape before giving up a stalling point. He then fended off Gilman's attacks and held on for the victory. He became Penn State's ninth four-time All-American and 31st NCAA champion.
"It's not even celebration, it's just relief," said Megaludis. "I don't know … I'm just relieved. I knew I was going to be the champion. It was a done deal a year ago when I had signs everywhere, my room at Penn State, my room at home, my bathroom at home, my wrestling room at home, my car steering wheel … I am the 2016 national champion."
Retherford capped a dominant tournament -- and undefeated sophomore season -- with a 10-1 major decision victory over Iowa's Brandon Sorensen in a rematch from the Big Ten finals. He scored two takedowns in the first period, and added takedowns in each of the final two periods while accumulating over three minutes of riding time.
"Zain is just Zain," said Cael Sanderson. "He's only a sophomore but the pressure he puts on his opponents and his ability to score points ... We're glad he's only a sophomore. We wish he was a freshman or just coming into school, I guess. Great leader for us. We hope everyone can follow his lead. He made a huge jump from his freshman year."
Oklahoma State's Alex Dieringer concluded his college career as a three-time NCAA champion by topping Wisconsin's Isaac Jordan 6-2 at 165 pounds in a battle of undefeated wrestlers.
Dieringer secured takedowns in each of the first two periods. It's the second straight undefeated season for the Cowboy, and he finishes on an 82-match winning streak.
"It's a pretty amazing feat what I just did, so I'm just going to try to enjoy the moment," said Dieringer.
Dieringer will now focus on freestyle and compete in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Iowa City on April 9-10.
"I'll still be in good shape," said Dieringer of competing in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials. "So two weeks to train freestyle. That's my favorite style. That's my best style. It's all on your feet pretty much, and that's what I'm good at. That's my best thing."
Also winning a title for Oklahoma State was top-seeded Dean Heil, who lived up to his No. 1 seed, winning the NCAA title with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over surprise finalist Bryce Meredith of Wyoming in an action-packed match filled with scrambling. Heil scored the only takedown in the match -- in the final 10 seconds of the first period -- which proved to be the difference in the match.
Heil edged Meredith earlier in the season and had a feeling he would see him again in the NCAA championship match.
"I had a feeling he was going to make it through," said Heil. "Next thing you know he does. Tough match. One takedown was enough to seal the deal."
Three wrestlers claimed their second NCAA titles, with two of those wrestlers being repeat champions from 2015.
Isaiah Martinez repeated as NCAA champion at 157 pounds (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)"I'm extremely pleased just with the win," said Martinez. "Wrestling a competitor like that, he's definitely special. He gave me a hell of a fight. I just knew if it came down to the end that I was going to get it done."
Martinez, though pleased with winning a title, knows there is a lot of room for improvement.
"I don't want to win by one or two points," said Martinez. "I'm happy I won. It's just now we've got to think of ways to widen the gap. I know he's going to be great at whatever weight he goes, but I'm always trying to look to get better."
Gabe Dean of Cornell became a repeat champion at 184 pounds, and was one of two NCAA champions for Cornell. Top-seeded Nahshon Garrett at 133 pounds was Cornell's other NCAA champion.
Dean's second NCAA title came over seventh-seeded T.J. Dudley of Nebraska, who entered as the No. 7 seed. Dean was the aggressor from the start, but was unable to score in the first period, which ended scoreless. Dudley escaped in the second period to go up 1-0 before Dean scored a takedown to take a 2-1 lead. Dudley would even the score with an escape. In the third period Dean was able to get an escape and another takedown to win 5-3.
Dean leaped into the arms of his assistant coach Damion Hahn after the victory.
"I can't say enough about the man," Dean said of Hahn. "I don't even have words to describe our relationship. I just love him to death. I would give my own life for that guy."
Garrett capped off an undefeated (37-0) season with an NCAA title at 133 pounds. His victory in the finals came over Iowa's Cory Clark, who finished as an NCAA runner-up for the second straight season. Garrett struck first, picking up a takedown in the first minute. Garrett would add another takedown in the second period and take a 4-3 lead to the third period. In the third period Garrett escaped to make it 5-3. Clark inched closer to 5-4 after Garrett was called for a second stalling call. Garrett then scored a takedown off a double leg to go up 7-4. Clark would make it interesting late, picking up another stalling point and escape before running out of time.
"Those [Iowa] guys are always really good at grinding people out, and that's how they win most of their matches," said Garrett. "I think I needed to do what I needed to do in order to be where I am now."
Missouri's J'den Cox captured his second NCAA title in three years at 197 pounds. His first title came when he was a true freshman in 2014. His finals victory on Saturday night came over No. 1 and previously unbeaten Morgan McIntosh of Penn State 4-2. After a scoreless first period, the two wrestlers traded escapes in the second and third periods. Then with 10 seconds left Cox took a shot and scored a takedown. McIntosh quickly escaped, but Cox held on for the victory, gaining an additional point for riding time.
"I believe I had a great outing here at the NCAAs this year, definitely improved from the last two years," said Cox.
Virginia Tech coach Kevin Dresser was named NWCA Coach of the Year after guiding the Hokies to a fourth-place finish and team trophy at the NCAAs. Virginia Tech had six All-Americans but no NCAA finalists. The Hokies' fourth-place finish is the highest NCAA finish ever for an ACC wrestling program.
The total attendance of this year's event over six sessions at Madison Square Garden was 110,194.
Results:
125: No. 3. Nico Megaludis (Penn State) dec. No. 4 Thomas Gillman (Iowa), 6-3
133: No. 1 Nahshon Garrett (Cornell) dec. No. 2 Cory Clark (Iowa), 7-6
141: No. 1 Dean Heil (Oklahoma State) dec. No. 14 Bryce Meredith (Wyoming), 3-2
149: No. 1 Zain Retherford (Penn State) maj. dec. No. 2 Brandon Sorensen (Iowa), 10-1
157: No. 1 Isaiah Martinez (Illinois) dec. No. 3 Jason Nolf (Penn State), 6-5
165: No. 1 Alex Dieringer (Oklahoma State) dec. No. 2 Isaac Jordan (Wisconsin), 6-2
174: No. 11 Myles Martin (Ohio State) dec. No. 1 Bo Nickal (Penn State), 11-9
184: No. 1 Gabe Dean (Cornell) dec. No. 7 Timothy Dudley (Nebraska), 5-3
197: No. 2 J'den Cox (Missouri) dec. No. 1 Morgan McIntosh (Penn State), 4-2
285: No. 2 Kyle Snyder (Ohio State) dec. No. 1 Nick Gwiazdowski (NC State), 7-5 SV1
All-Americans
125:
1st: Nico Megaludis (Penn State) dec. Thomas Gilman (Iowa), 6-3
3rd: Nathan Tomasello (Ohio State) dec. David Terao (American), 5-3
5th: Conor Youtsey (Michigan) by medical forfeit over Dylan Peters (Northern Iowa)
7th: Ryan Millhof (Oklahoma) dec. Connor Schram (Stanford), 1-0
133:
1st: Nahshon Garrett (Cornell) dec. Cory Clark (Iowa), 7-6
3rd: Cody Brewer (Oklahoma) dec. Zane Richards (Illinois), 9-4
5th: Eric Montoya (Nebraska) dec. Jordan Conaway (Penn State), 7-4
7th: Earl Hall (Iowa State) tech. fall Jade Rauser (Utah Valley), 17-1
141:
1st: Dean Heil (Oklahoma State) dec. Bryce Meredith (Wyoming), 3-2
3rd: Joey McKenna (Stanford) dec. Anthony Ashnault (Rutgers), 7-6
5th: Chris Mecate (Old Dominion) dec. Solomon Chishko (Virginia Tech), 5-3
Joey Ward (North Carolina) dec. Randy Cruz (Lehigh), 3-1 SV
149:
1st: Zain Retherford (Penn State) maj. dec. Brandon Sorensen (Iowa), 10-1
3rd: Lavion Mayes (Missouri) dec. Anthony Collica (Oklahoma State), 3-2
5th: Mike DePalma (Kent State) pinned Alec Pantaleo (Michigan), 3:30
7th: Justin Oliver (Central Michigan) dec. Geo Martinez (Boise State), 5-1
157:
1st: Isaiah Martinez (Illinois) dec. Jason Nolf (Penn State), 6-5
3rd: Nick Brascetta (Virginia Tech) dec. Dylan Palacio (Cornell), 4-1
5th: Chad Walsh (Rider) by medical forfeit over Ian Miller (Kent State)
7th: Joe Smith (Oklahoma State) dec. Tommy Gantt (NC State), 6-3
165:
1st: Alex Dieringer (Oklahoma State) dec. Isaac Jordan (Wisconsin), 6-2
3rd: Bo Jordan (Ohio State) dec. Daniel Lewis (Missouri), 9-7
5th: Steven Rodrigues (Illinois) dec. David McFadden (Virginia Tech), 8-5
7th: Austin Wilson (Nebraska) dec. Anthony Perrotti (Rutgers), 4-2
174:
1st: No. 11 Myles Martin (Ohio State) dec. Bo Nickal (Penn State), 11-9
3rd: Zach Epperly (Virginia Tech) dec. Casey Kent (Pennsylvania), 8-4
5th: Nathan Jackson (Indiana) dec. Lelund Weatherspoon (Iowa State), 5-2
7th: Cody Walters (Ohio) dec. Alex Meyer (Iowa), 4-3
184:
1st: Gabe Dean (Cornell) dec. T.J. Dudley (Nebraska), 5-3
3rd: Pete Renda (NC State) tech. fall Nolan Boyd (Oklahoma State), 18-3
5th: Mathew Miller (Navy) dec. Willie Miklus (Missouri), 4-2
7th: Nate Brown (Lehigh) dec. Sammy Brooks (Iowa), 9-3
197:
1st: J'den Cox (Missouri) dec. Morgan McIntosh (Penn State), 4-2
3rd: Brett Pfarr (Minnesota) dec. Nathan Burak (Iowa), 2-1
5th: Pat Downey (Iowa State) pinned Jared Haught (Virginia Tech), 3:48
7th: Conner Hartmann (Duke) maj. dec. Brett Harner (Princeton), 11-2
285:
1st: Kyle Snyder (Ohio State) dec. Nick Gwiazdowski (NC State), 7-5 SV
3rd: Adam Coon (Michigan) pinned Ty Walz (Virginia Tech), 7:57
5th: Amarveer Dhesi (Oregon State) pinned Austin Marsden (Oklahoma State), 1:29
7th: Michael Kroells (Minnesota) dec. Max Wessell (Lehigh), 5-2
Team Standings
1. Penn State 123
2. Oklahoma St. 97.5
3. Ohio St. 86
4. Virginia Tech 82
5. Iowa 81
6. Missouri 74.5
7. Cornell 67
8. Nebraska 58
9. Illinois 50.5
9. Michigan 50.5
11. NC State 49
12. Iowa St. 35
13. Oklahoma 33.5
14. Lehigh 31
15. Rutgers 30
16. Kent St. 28.5
17. Minnesota 26
18. Wyoming 24.5
19. Stanford 24
20. Pennsylvania 23.5
21. Oregon St. 22
22. Navy 21
23. Wisconsin 20
24. Rider 19
25. Northern Iowa 17.5
25. Old Dominion 17.5
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