InterMat Staff

Becton

Gateway

Princeton

Nutley

The 2025 NCAA Championships are in the books and what a tournament it was! We saw history made on many different fronts. With the ending to the final match, it will certainly be talked about for years to come. Before the tournament, and after the brackets were released, we had a laundry list of random facts, stats, and trends relating to the brackets and conference tournaments. With the NCAA tournament complete, we have even more! Enjoy them and let us know what you liked best or if you have some of your own! Team Related Notes Arizona State’s one All-American (Cohlton Schultz) is the school’s smallest number since 2016 (zero). AJ Ferrari became CSU Bakersfield’s first top-three finisher since Stephen Neal won the second of his two titles in 1999. Ferrari was the first non-California native to All-American for CSU Bakersfield since Paschal Duru (Denver, Colorado) made the national finals in 1996. Lucas Byrd won the first national title by an Illinois wrestler since Isaiah Martinez in 2016. He’s also the first three-time All-American since Martinez made the national finals in 2017. Though he was a two-time NCAA 5th place finisher, before Philly, Lucas Byrd only had three championship-side wins in his three prior appearances. In 2021, he lost in the Round of 16 and took fifth. In 2022, he was upset in the first round and wrestled back to his spot on the podium. In 2023, Byrd advanced to the quarters, but lost in the bloodround. Illinois finished in the top-ten (10th) for the first time since 2016 when they tied for ninth. DJ Washington is Indiana’s first All-American since Nate Jackson in 2017. In addition, he’s the first Hoosier All-American from the state of Indiana since Adam Chalfant got on the podium since 2014. Drake Ayala is the first Iowa wrestler to lose in multiple national finals since Cory Clark in 2015 and 2016. Stephen Buchanan’s win over Josh Barr was the first by an Iowa wrestler over Penn State in the NCAA finals since Matt McDonough defeated Nico Megaludis in 2012. Penn State had won six head-to-head finals matches during that span. Since the inception of the current weights in (1998-99), Iowa had been without a national champion at 197 lbs. Stephen Buchanan is the first. The last Hawkeye in that general range to win was Lee Fullhart (190 lbs) in 1997. After not having an All-American before 2024, Little Rock now has multiple All-Americans in back-to-back seasons. Little Rock has now finished in the top 20 in back-to-back years. Michigan’s two All-Americans was the school’s lowest number since the 2024 tournament. Minnesota tied for a fifth-place finish. It was the first time that the Gophers have finished in the top five since 2014. Gable Steveson joins Steve Mocco, Tony Nelson, and Nick Gwiazdowski as heavyweights within the last 20 years who were beaten as seniors attempting to win their third national title. Navy had multiple All-Americans (Koderhandt/Wask) for the first time since 2009 when Joe Baker and Bryce Saddoris got on the podium. Vince Robinson is NC State’s first NCAA champion since Mike Macchiavello in 2018. Robinson is also NC State’s first lightweight national champion. Before him, Darrion Caldwell (149 lbs) was the smallest champion for the Wolfpack. Nebraska set a whole bunch of school records in Philly. Their second-place finish was a program high - as were their 117 team points and eight All-Americans. Ridge Lovett (and then Antrell Taylor) became Nebraska’s first national champion since Jordan Burroughs in 2011 - which also occurred in Philly’s Wells Fargo Center. Lovett and Taylor became the first Nebraska teammates to win in the same year since the Scherr’s (Jim and Bill) who both won in 1984. Coming into Lovett’s match, Nebraska was 0 for their last 5 in NCAA finals matches. Since Burroughs’ 2011 win, TJ Dudley (2016), Tyler Berger (2019), Lovett (2022), Mikey Labriola (2023), and Brock Hardy (2025) all had lost in the NCAA championship bout. For the first time in their era as a DI program, Northern Colorado put two wrestlers on the podium (Stevo Poulin and Vince Zerban). Northern Iowa’s ninth-place finish was the best for the program since they were fifth in 1962. Jesse Mendez won his second consecutive national title. He’s Ohio State’s first multi-time champion since Kyle Snyder was active in 2017. Ohio State’s two All-Americans are a low that has only bit hit one other time during the Tom Ryan era (2007-2025) With Dean Hamiti and Wyatt Hendrickson winning national titles for Oklahoma State, it marked the first time that the Cowboys have produced multiple champions in the same season since 2016 (Heil/Dieringer). CJ Composto is Penn’s first multiple-time All-American since his coach, Matt Valenti, finished his career as a three-time AA in 2007. Penn’s 16th-place finish was their first in the top-20 since they were 20th in 2016. Not only did Penn State put 10 wrestlers on the podium, but eight of them were in third place or better. Of the other two, Greg Kerkvliet lost in the semifinals and forfeited down to sixth place. Penn State’s team point record jumped from 172.5 last year to 177 this weekend. Matt Ramos became Purdue’s first two-time All-American since Chris Fleeger and Ben Wissel got on the podium in 2006. Purdue’s 13th-place finish was the program’s best since a 12th-place showing in 1992. Rider had an All-American for a third consecutive season (Sammy Alvarez/Quinn Kinner/Ethan Laird). The last time the Broncs hit that mark was 2015-17. They’ve had an AA in each of the last two years at 149 lbs. Alvarez was also the only All-American for the MAC. Caleb Henson became only the second Virginia Tech wrestler to make multiple national finals appearances. Peyton Hall became the second West Virginia wrestler to earn All-American honors on three occasions. Greg Jones (2002-05) is the other. West Virginia (18-tie) finished in the top 20 for a second consecutive year. It was the first time they’ve achieved that feat since 2004-05. State Related Notes Zeth Romney was the only 2025 All-American to hail from California. This is the lowest total in 30+ years….maybe the lowest ever. Christopher Minto is the first freshman from Florida to make the NCAA podium since Scotti Sentes did so for Central Michigan in 2009. The three All-Americans from Georgia (Caleb Henson/Matty Singleton/Jaxon Smith) are the most ever from the state. Georgia has now produced multiple All-Americans in each of the last three years. Ridge Lovett is the first national champion from Idaho since Jake Rosholt won his third NCAA title in 2006. The five All-Americans from the state of Iowa are their most since hitting that same number in 2017. Wyatt Hendrickson is the first three-time All-American from Kansas since Kendric Maple finished his career in 2014. Hendrickson is also the first national champion from Kansas since Maple. Stephen Little is the first two-time All-American from Kentucky since Kyle Ruschell in 2009 and 2010. Tyler Knox is the first NCAA All-American from Massachusetts since Vic Avery made the podium for Edinboro in 2015. Both All-Americans from the state of Missouri are freshmen. Luke Lilledahl and Zan Fugitt. Antrell Taylor is the first national champion from the state of Nebraska since Brad Vering won in 2000. There were a pair of All-Americans from Nebraska (Taylor/Isaac Trumble) for the first time since 2009 when Brandon Browne and Craig Brester got on the podium. Connor McGonagle is the first New Hampshire native to make the NCAA podium since Eric Bradley was eighth for Penn State in 2006. Stevo Poulin was the only All-American from New York. Their one All-American is the smallest total for New York since 2001 when they had zero. The six All-Americans from Pennsylvania is the state’s lowest total in over 30+ years. Owen Trephan is the first All-American to call South Carolina home since TJ Dudley got on the podium in 2017. Brock Hardy is the first NCAA finalist from Utah since Matt Brown won a national title in 2015. This was the first time since 2013 that multiple Utah natives made the podium - this year it was Hardy/Terrell Barraclough. In 2013, it was Jason Chamberlain, Brown, and Ethen Lofthouse. The state of Wisconsin had a pair of national champions (Mesenbrink/Buchanan). The last time multiple Wisconsin natives won titles was in 2007 with Ben Askren and Cole Konrad. Wisconsin matched Pennsylvania with six All-Americans. It’s the most in 30+ years and likely the most in history for the state. Wisconsin also had a finalist in four consecutive weights (165-197). The team title for Penn State is the 12th for head coach Cael Sanderson. That puts him ahead of Ed Gallagher on the all-time list and has him trailing only Dan Gable (15). The following wrestlers earned All-American honors for the fifth time: Keegan O’Toole (Missouri), Parker Keckeisen (Northern Iowa), Carter Starocci (Penn State), Greg Kerkvliet (Penn State), Cohlton Schultz (Arizona State). The following head coaches had their first All-Americans during their head coaching tenure: Angel Escobedo (Indiana), Alex Clemsen (Maryland), Obe Blanc (North Dakota State), David Taylor (Oklahoma State), and Adam Hall (Utah Valley). Bracketing/Seeding notes The only weight class that saw the top-four seeds finish in the top-four - from #1 through #4 - was 184 lbs. The best bracket for the Big 12 was 165 lbs as they had four of the eight All-Americans. The Big Ten accounted for 37 of the 80 All-Americans. The Big Ten had five All-Americans at both 133 and 184 lbs. Some of the weirdest All-American finishes (compared to the conference tournaments) came in the 133 lb bracket. The fourth-place finisher, Zan Fugitt, was ninth in the Big Ten and the #14 seed. The seventh-place finisher, Jacob Van Dee, was eighth in the Big Ten and the #17 seed. The eighth-place finisher, Tyler Knox, did not qualify through ACC and had to get an at-large berth and was the #13 seed. Gavin Drexler and DJ Washington tied for the lowest seeds to make the podium. They were both #22 seeds. Five weight classes featured three or more double-digit seeds to make the podium. 133, 149, 157, 174, and 197. Only four top-four seeds failed to make the podium. Three #4’s and one #3. The #3 was Nasir Bailey, and the #4’s were Paniro Johnson, Rafael Hipolito, and Garrett Thompson. This tournament featured a pair of past national champions who failed to make the podium. Richie Figueroa and Andrew Alirez. 11 freshmen made the NCAA podium in 2025 - down from 15 in 2024. Luke Lilledahl was the only true freshman from the Class of 2024. Camden McDanel is classified as a true freshman, but he took a greyshirt year in 2023-24. Recruiting related Notes Of the NCAA champions, only Stephen Buchanan was not listed on the MatScouts Big Board coming out of high school. Three of the ten NCAA champions were ranked in the top-10 overall coming out of high school. #4 Jesse Mendez (2022), #6 Dean Hamiti (2021), #9 Carter Starocci (2019). Three others were ranked in the top 25. #16 Ridge Lovett (2019), #18 Lucas Byrd (2019), #25 Antrell Taylor (2022). Half of the ten NCAA runner-up’s were ranked in the top-10 overall coming out of high school. #1 Gable Steveson (2018), #4 Drake Ayala (2021), #4 Josh Barr (2023), #5 Keegan O’Toole (2020), #9 Brock Hardy (2018). Seven of the 80 All-Americans were not listed on MatScouts final Big Board in their respective senior years of high school. Caleb Smith, Matt Ramos, CJ Composto, Terrell Barraclough, DJ Washington, Buchanan, and Josh Heindselman.

West Deptford

Athens

Rockhurst

Marshalltown

Roland-Story

Louisa County

Owen J. Roberts

Glenbard North

Dominion

Thomas Edison

Two days after wrapping up their 12th NCAA team title under Cael Sanderson, Penn State got some good news on the recruiting front. 2024 World Champion Masanosuke Ono of Japan announced on FloWrestling’s “FRL” that he will wrestle for the Nittany Lions next year. There were some rumblings that this was in the works after Ono’s name appeared on the school’s directory as a registered student last week. In 2024, Ono won 61 kg titles at the U20 and Senior levels. In both events, he notched one-sided victories over American competitors. At U20’s, he downed Marcus Blaze (future Penn State teammate) 7-2 in the semifinals. At the World Championships for non-Olympic weights, Ono teched Vito Arujau 12-0, also in the semifinals. Ono recently competed in America, where he took on Spencer Lee in February’s “Night in America: Lee vs Ono” card in Coralville, Iowa. In that bout, he edged Lee 3-2 in a bout that took place at 59.5 kg. During his announcement interview, Ono did not state a weight class preference. His current 61 kg weight class comes out to about 134.4 lbs. At a few events in 2024, before the World Championships, Ono competed at 65 kg (143 lbs). If I had to guess, I would say probably 141 lbs, but perhaps 133 lbs. We’re not sure if Ono would be able to hold 133 lbs with the frequent weigh-ins that occur during the collegiate season. The Nittany Lions will also have a hole at 141 lbs, as three-time All-American Beau Bartlett is out of eligibility. Ono will have to get accustomed to folkstyle, but we have seen recent success with foreign wrestlers who’ve had to adjust to the American style (Anthony Echemendia, Yonger Bastida are a few recent examples). Oklahoma State brought over Japanese wrestler Rin Sakamoto for the 2024-25 campaign. His only competition was an 11-1 loss to NCAA finalist Drake Ayala in a match that was closer than the scoreboard would indicate. There will likely be an adjustment period for Ono in actual folkstyle competitions, but there’s no reason to think he couldn’t be a huge star for the Nittany Lions.

On Thursday morning, 330 wrestlers entered the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia with the goal of being a national champion. After the final match was wrestled on Saturday night, only ten wrestlers were left standing without a loss and declared champions. They'll get to add their name to the very exclusive list of NCAA champions. Below we've added the 2025 champions into the list of wrestlers who have won national titles since the year 2000. 125 lbs 2025: Vince Robinson (NC State) 2024: Richie Figueroa (Arizona State) 2023: Patrick Glory (Princeton) 2022: Nick Suriano (Michigan) 2021: Spencer Lee (Iowa) 2019: Spencer Lee (Iowa) 2018: Spencer Lee (Iowa) 2017: Darian Cruz (Lehigh) 2016: Nico Megaludis (Penn State) 2015: Nathan Tomasello (Ohio State) 2014: Jesse Delgado (Illinois) 2013: Jesse Delgado (Illinois) 2012: Matt McDonough (Iowa) 2011: Anthony Robles (Arizona State) 2010: Matt McDonough (Iowa) 2009: Troy Nickerson (Cornell) 2008: Angel Escobedo (Indiana) 2007: Paul Donahoe (Nebraska) 2006: Joe Dubuque (Indiana) 2005: Joe Dubuque (Indiana) 2004: Jason Powell (Nebraska) 2003: Travis Lee (Cornell) 2002: Stephan Abas (Fresno State) 2001: Stephan Abas (Fresno State) 2000: Jeremy Hunter (Penn State) 133 lbs 2025: Lucas Byrd (Illinois) 2024: Vito Arujau (Cornell) 2023: Vito Arujau (Cornell) 2022: Roman Bravo-Young (Penn State) 2021: Roman Bravo-Young (Penn State) 2019: Nick Suriano (Rutgers) 2018: Seth Gross (South Dakota State) 2017: Cory Clark (Iowa) 2016: Nahshon Garrett (Cornell) 2015: Cody Brewer (Oklahoma) 2014: Tony Ramos (Iowa) 2013: Logan Stieber (Ohio State) 2012: Logan Stieber (Ohio State) 2011: Jordan Oliver (Oklahoma State) 2010: Jayson Ness (Minnesota) 2009: Franklin Gomez (Michigan State) 2008: Coleman Scott (Oklahoma State) 2007: Matt Valenti (Penn) 2006: Matt Valenti (Penn) 2005: Travis Lee (Cornell) 2004: Zach Roberson (Iowa State) 2003: Johnny Thompson (Oklahoma State) 2002: Johnny Thompson (Oklahoma State) 2001: Eric Juergens (Iowa) 2000: Eric Juergens (Iowa) 141 lbs 2025: Jesse Mendez (Ohio State) 2024: Jesse Mendez (Ohio State) 2023: Andrew Alirez (Northern Colorado) 2022: Nick Lee (Penn State) 2021: Nick Lee (Penn State) 2019: Yianni Diakomihalis (Cornell) 2018: Yianni Diakomihalis (Cornell) 2017: Dean Heil (Oklahoma State) 2016: Dean Heil (Oklahoma State) 2015: Logan Stieber (Ohio State) 2014: Logan Stieber (Ohio State) 2013: Kendric Maple (Oklahoma) 2012: Kellen Russell (Michigan) 2011: Kellen Russell (Michigan) 2010: Kyle Dake (Cornell) 2009: J Jaggers (Ohio State) 2008: J Jaggers (Ohio State) 2007: Derek Moore (UC Davis) 2006: Nate Gallick (Iowa State) 2005: Teyon Ware (Oklahoma) 2004: Cliff Moore (Iowa) 2003: Teyon Ware (Oklahoma) 2002: Aaron Holker (Iowa State) 2001: Michael Ligthner (Oklahoma) 2000: Carl Perry (Illinois) 149 lbs 2025: Ridge Lovett (Nebraska) 2024: Caleb Henson (Virginia Tech) 2023: Yianni Diakomihalis (Cornell) 2022: Yianni Diakomihalis (Cornell) 2021: Austin O’Connor (North Carolina) 2019: Anthony Ashnault (Rutgers) 2018: Zain Retherford (Penn State) 2017: Zain Retherford (Penn State) 2016: Zain Retherford (Penn State) 2015: Drake Houdashelt (Missouri) 2014: Jason Tsirtsis (Northwestern) 2013: Jordan Oliver (Oklahoma State) 2012: Frank Molinaro (Penn State) 2011: Kyle Dake (Cornell) 2010: Brent Metcalf (Iowa) 2009: Darrion Caldwell (NC State) 2008: Brent Metcalf (Iowa) 2007: Gregor Gillespie (Edinboro) 2006: Dustin Schlatter (Minnesota) 2005: Zack Esposito (Oklahoma State) 2004: Jesse Jantzen (Harvard) 2003: Eric Larkin (Arizona State) 2002: Jared Lawrence (Minnesota) 2001: Adam Tirapelle (Illinois) 2000: Tony Davis (Northern Iowa) 157 lbs 2025: Antrell Taylor (Nebraska) 2024: Levi Haines (Penn State) 2023: Austin O’Connor (North Carolina) 2022: Ryan Deakin (Northwestern) 2021: David Carr (Iowa State) 2019: Jason Nolf (Penn State) 2018: Jason Nolf (Penn State) 2017: Jason Nolf (Penn State) 2016: Isaiah Martinez (Illinois) 2015: Isaiah Martinez (Illinois) 2014: Alex Dieringer (Oklahoma State) 2013: Derek St. John (Iowa) 2012: Kyle Dake (Cornell) 2011: Bubba Jenkins (Arizona State) 2010: JP O’Connor (Harvard) 2009: Jordan Burroughs (Nebraska) 2008: Jordan Leen (Cornell) 2007: Trent Paulson (Iowa State) 2006: Ben Cherrington (Boise State) 2005: Ryan Bertin (Michigan) 2004: Matt Gentry (Stanford) 2003: Ryan Bertin (Michigan) 2002: Luke Becker (Minnesota) 2001: TJ Williams (Iowa) 2000: Brett Matter (Penn) 165 lbs 2025: Mitchell Mesenbrink (Penn State) 2024: David Carr (Iowa State) 2023: Keegan O’Toole (Missouri) 2022: Keegan O’Toole (Missouri) 2021: Shane Griffith (Stanford) 2019: Mekhi Lewis (Virginia Tech) 2018: Vincenzo Joseph (Penn State) 2017: Vincenzo Joseph (Penn State) 2016: Alex Dieringer (Oklahoma State) 2015: Alex Dieringer (Oklahoma State) 2014: David Taylor (Penn State) 2013: Kyle Dake (Cornell) 2012: David Taylor (Penn State) 2011: Jordan Burroughs (Nebraska) 2010: Andrew Howe (Wisconsin) 2009: Jarrod King (Edinboro) 2008: Mark Perry (Iowa) 2007: Mark Perry (Iowa) 2006: Johny Hendricks (Oklahoma State) 2005: Johny Hendricks (Oklahoma State) 2004: Troy Letters (Lehigh) 2003: Matt Lackey (Illinois) 2002: Joe Heskett (Iowa State) 2001: Donny Pritzlaff (Wisconsin) 2000: Donny Pritzlaff (Wisconsin) 174 lbs 2025: Dean Hamiti (Oklahoma State) 2024: Carter Starocci (Penn State) 2023: Carter Starocci (Penn State) 2022: Carter Starocci (Penn State) 2021: Carter Starocci (Penn State) 2019: Zahid Valencia (Arizona State) 2018: Zahid Valencia (Arizona State) 2017: Mark Hall (Penn State) 2016: Myles Martin (Ohio State) 2015: Matt Brown (Penn State) 2014: Chris Perry (Oklahoma State) 2013: Chris Perry (Oklahoma State) 2012: Ed Ruth (Penn State) 2011: Jon Reader (Iowa State) 2010: Jay Boschel (Iowa) 2009: Steve Luke (Michigan) 2008: Keith Gavin (Pittsburgh) 2007: Ben Askren (Missouri) 2006: Ben Askren (Missouri) 2005: Chris Pendleton (Oklahoma State) 2004: Chris Pendleton (Oklahoma State) 2003: Robbie Waller (Oklahoma) 2002: Greg Jones (West Virginia) 2001: Josh Koscheck (Edinboro) 2000: Byron Tucker (Oklahoma) 184 lbs 2025: Carter Starocci (Penn State) 2024: Parker Keckeisen (Northern Iowa) 2023: Aaron Brooks (Penn State) 2022: Aaron Brooks (Penn State) 2021: Aaron Brooks (Penn State) 2019: Drew Foster (Northern Iowa) 2018: Bo Nickal (Penn State) 2017: Bo Nickal (Penn State) 2016: Gabe Dean (Cornell) 2015: Gabe Dean (Cornell) 2014: Ed Ruth (Penn State) 2013: Ed Ruth (Penn State) 2012: Steve Bosak (Cornell) 2011: Quentin Wright (Penn State) 2010: Max Askren (Missouri) 2009: Jake Herbert (Northwestern) 2008: Mike Pucillo (Ohio State) 2007: Jake Herbert (Northwestern) 2006: Shane Webster (Oregon) 2005: Greg Jones (West Virginia) 2004: Greg Jones (West Virginia) 2003: Jake Rosholt (Oklahoma State) 2002: Rob Rohn (Lehigh) 2001: Cael Sanderson (Iowa State) 2000: Cael Sanderson (Iowa State) 197 lbs 2025: Stephen Buchanan (Iowa) 2024: Aaron Brooks (Penn State) 2023: Nino Bonaccorsi (Pittsburgh) 2022: Max Dean (Penn State) 2021: AJ Ferrari (Oklahoma State) 2019: Bo Nickal (Penn State) 2018: Michael Macchiavello (NC State) 2017: J’den Cox (Missouri) 2016: J’den Cox (Missouri) 2015: Kyven Gadson (Iowa State) 2014: J’den Cox (Missouri) 2013: Quentin Wright (Penn State) 2012: Cam Simaz (Cornell) 2011: Dustin Kilgore (Kent State) 2010: Jake Varner (Iowa State) 2009: Jake Varner (Iowa State) 2008: Phil Davis (Penn State) 2007: Josh Glenn (American) 2006: Jake Rosholt (Oklahoma State) 2005: Jake Rosholt (Oklahoma State) 2004: Damion Hahn (Minnesota) 2003: Damion Hahn (Minnesota) 2002: Cael Sanderson (Iowa State) 2001: Mark Munoz (Oklahoma State) 2000: Brad Vering (Nebraska) 285 lbs 2025: Wyatt Hendrickson (Oklahoma State) 2024: Greg Kerkvliet (Penn State) 2023: Mason Parris (Michigan) 2022: Gable Steveson (Minnesota) 2021: Gable Steveson (Minnesota) 2019: Anthony Cassar (Penn State) 2018: Kyle Snyder (Ohio State) 2017: Kyle Snyder (Ohio State) 2016: Kyle Snyder (Ohio State) 2015: Nick Gwiazdowski (NC State) 2014: Nick Gwiazdowski (NC State) 2013: Tony Nelson (Minnesota) 2012: Tony Nelson (Minnesota) 2011: Zach Rey (Lehigh) 2010: David Zabriskie (Iowa State) 2009: Mark Ellis (Missouri) 2008: Dustin Fox (Northwestern) 2007: Cole Konard (Minnesota) 2006: Cole Konrad (Minnesota) 2005: Steve Mocco (Oklahoma State) 2004: Tommy Rowlands (Ohio State) 2003: Steve Mocco (Iowa) 2002: Tommy Rowlands (Ohio State) 2001: John Lockhart (Illinois) 2000: Brock Lesnar (Minnesota)

It was truly a historic night in Philadelphia! Penn State casually re-established a team scoring record - one that they had set just a year ago. Cael Sanderson’s team totaled 177 points after rolling to 172.5 points in 2024. The Nittany Lions total came from two national champions and ten All-Americans overall. The latter statistic made them the only second team in DI history (Minnesota 2001) to put their whole team on the medal stand. Making individual history for Penn State was 184 lber Carter Starocci who became the first wrestler to earn five DI national titles. Barring a change in eligibility requirements, it should be a mark that stands for eternity. Starocci started the night with a win over the weight class’ returning champion Parker Keckeisen in one of the most anticipated of the finals bouts. Oh yeah, by the way, we might have seen the biggest upset of our lifetime at this event. Wyatt Hendrickson stunned two-time national champion, two-time Hodge Trophy winner, and Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson. Hendrickson stopped Steveson’s 70-match winning streak with a late takedown and rideout to seal a 5-4 victory. It was the third All-American honor for Hendrickson, who was third at this event in each of the last two seasons. Hendrickson earned those placements competing for the Air Force Academy - this title was won as a member of David Taylor’s first Oklahoma State University team. Teammate Dean Hamiti also claimed a title in his final opportunity by downing two-time champion Keegan O'Toole. Both Hamiti and Hendrickson had to defeat two national champions to get their titles. The Hendrickson title was made all the more unique after his entrance carrying the American flag and the fact that the match took place in front of President Donald Trump. In another first, Trump was the first sitting president to attend the NCAA Championships. He was at the event in 2023, in Austin, but was not in the White House at the time. Not to be lost in the shuffle, Nebraska came in a distant second place, with 117 points, but ahead of third place Oklahoma State by 14.5 points. In many years, the Cornhuskers would have been able to win a title with that point total. Nebraska also saw two of their wrestlers earn national titles - Ridge Lovett at 149 lbs and Antrell Taylor at 157. The last time a Nebraska wrestler captured an NCAA championship was in 2011, when Jordan Burroughs wrapped up his storied career, inside the same Wells Fargo Center. Vince Robinson (NC State/125), Lucas Byrd (Illinois/133), Mitchell Mesenbrink (Penn State/165), and Stephen Buchanan (Iowa/197) all became first-time champions. 141 lber Jesse Mendez of Ohio State went back-to-back with a thrilling 12-9 win over top-seeded Brock Hardy.

2025 NCAA Championships Final Results Championship Finals 125 - Vince Robinson (NC State) dec Troy Spratley (Oklahoma State) 2-1TB 133 - Lucas Byrd (Illinois) dec Drake Ayala (Iowa) 3-2TB 141 - Jesse Mendez (Ohio State) dec Brock Hardy (Nebraska) 12-9 149 - Ridge Lovett (Nebraska) dec Caleb Henson (Virginia Tech) 1-0 157 - Antrell Taylor (Nebraska) dec Joey Blaze (Purdue) 4-2 165 - Mitchell Mesenbrink (Penn State) dec Michael Caliendo (Iowa) 8-2 174 - Dean Hamiti (Oklahoma State) dec Keegan O’Toole (Missouri) 4-1SV 184 - Carter Starocci (Penn State) dec Parker Keckeisen (Northern Iowa) 4-3 197 - Stephen Buchanan (Iowa) dec Josh Barr (Penn State) 5-2 285 - Wyatt Hendrickson (Oklahoma State) dec Gable Steveson (Minnesota) 5-4 Third Place Matches 125 - Luke Lilledahl (Penn State) fall Matt Ramos (Purdue) 6:18 133 - Zeth Romney (Cal Poly) dec Zan Fugitt (Wisconsin) 7-3 141 - Beau Bartlett (Penn State) maj CJ Composto (Penn) 11-2 149 - Shayne Van Ness (Penn State) maj Dylan D’Emilio (Ohio State) 15-4 157 - Tyler Kasak (Penn State) maj Trevor Chumbley (Northwestern) 8-0 165 - Peyton Hall (West Virginia) maj Christopher Minto (Nebraska) 13-5 174 - Levi Haines (Penn State) maj Patrick Kennedy (Iowa) 11-3 184 - Max McEnelly (Minnesota) dec Dustin Plott (Oklahoma State) 6-5 197 - AJ Ferrari (CSU Bakersfield) dec Jacob Cardenas (Michigan) 2-0 285 - Cohlton Schultz (Arizona State) dec Isaac Trumble (NC State) 5-3 Fifth Place Matches 125 - Eddie Ventresca (Virginia Tech) dec Sheldon Seymour (Lehigh) 11-4 133 - Braeden Davis (Penn State) fall Connor McGonigle (Virginia Tech) 2:33 141 - Carter Happel (Northern Iowa) dec Josh Koderhandt (Navy) 7-2 149 - Lachlan McNeil (North Carolina) dec Ethan Stiles (Oregon State) 8-4 157 - Meyer Shapiro (Cornell) maj Vinny Zerban (Northern Colorado) 11-0 165 - Terrell Barraclough (Utah Valley) dec Hunter Garvin (Stanford) 1-0 174 - Simon Ruiz (Cornell) dec Cade DeVos (South Dakota State) 2-1 184 - Chris Foca (Cornell) dec Jaxon Smith (Maryland) 7-4 197 - Joey Novak (Wyoming) maj Stephen Little (Little Rock) 8-0 285 - Owen Trephan (Lehigh) MedFFT Greg Kerkvliet (Penn State Seventh Place Matches 125 - Caleb Smith (Nebraska) maj Stevo Poulin (Northern Colorado) 18-5 133 - Jacob Van Dee (Nebraska) dec Tyler Knox (Stanford) 7-2 141 - Evan Frost (Iowa State) maj Vance Vombaur (Minnesota) 17-3 149 - Sammy Alvarez (Rider) dec Gavin Drexler (North Dakota State) 9-6SV 157 - Matty Bianchi (Little Rock) dec Caleb Fish (Oklahoma State) 4-2 165 - Cam Steed (Missouri) fall Cam Amine (Oklahoma State) 2:08 174 - Matthew Singleton (NC State) dec Danny Wask (Navy) 3-1 184 - Silas Allred (Nebraska) dec DJ Washington (Indiana) 4-2 197 - Mac Stout (Pittsburgh) maj Camden McDanel (Nebraska) 12-3 285 - Josh Heindselman (Michigan) dec Ben Kueter (Iowa) 2-1

Let’s get right down to it! It’s the NCAA finals. We don’t need much more of an introduction than that. Here’s what to look for in our ten championship matches. 125 lbs #4 Vince Robinson (NC State) vs. #7 Troy Spratley (Oklahoma State) This matchup is interesting because if you were to just look at seeds it might appear that these are two underdogs who shocked the rest of the bracket. That’s not really the case here. Despite their seeds, both spent most of the 2024-25 campaign around the top of the rankings. The 125 lb clash will be the second of the year between Robinson and Spratley. The two met in an early January dual in Gallagher-Iba Arena and the freshman Robinson controlled the contest to the tune of 7-3. The finals appearance marks the first All-American honor for Spratley who made the tournament for the first time in 2024. That time he was the sixth seed and ended up finishing in the NCAA Round of 12. In both years, Spartley was the Big 12 runner-up. Robinson is a redshirt freshman who was ranked #50 overall in the recruiting Class of 2023. He started his college career with 13 straight wins. Robinson had to medically forfeit out of the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational or else he might have had another meeting with Spratley. The Cowboy ended up taking third place. As is the case with the lightweights, this matchup has the potential for plenty of fireworks. Both have a good offensive arsenal and are lightning-quick. Pick: Vince Robinson by decision 133 lbs #1 Lucas Byrd (Illinois) vs. #2 Drake Ayala (Iowa) This will be the third chapter in the rivalry between two-time All-American Lucas Byrd and 2024 NCAA runner-up Drake Ayala. The pair split the first two matches and they couldn’t have been more different. The first one, in dual competition at Iowa’s Carver-Hawkeye Arena, was a very tactical defensive struggle. Ayala got the only takedown late in the final stanza. The second matchup occurred in the finals of the Big Ten Championships. Byrd promptly ended things as he threw Ayala to his back in a cow-catcher and secured a fall. The loss to Byrd snapped a 16-match winning streak for Ayala. That loss hasn’t impacted the Hawkeye in a negative fashion as he’s looked excellent in Philly. Ayala had a tech fall and two major decisions before a controlling 6-1 decision over Wisconsin’s Zan Fugitt in the semifinals. Byrd has had some close calls along the way - with a one-point win against the #32 seed Hunter Leake of California Baptist. In the semifinals, Byrd blanked #4 Zeth Romney (Cal Poly) 4-0. Since his loss to Ayala, Byrd has reeled off 11 straight wins. Though Byrd has finished fifth at the NCAA Tournament on two occasions, he hasn’t had deep NCAA Championship runs - prior to this year. Before this year, he only made the quarterfinals once (and that was when he missed the podium). Pick: Drake Ayala by decision 141 lbs #1 Brock Hardy (Nebraska) vs. #3 Jesse Mendez (Ohio State) This will be a bit of a recurring theme as we have a rematch at 141 lbs with Big Ten rivals Brock Hardy and Jesse Mendez. Hardy is the top-seed and a two-time All-American. Mendez was the top seed at the 2024 tournament and ended up winning his first national title. Last year, the pair met in the quarterfinals and Mendez got the upper hand with a 6-2 win. Earlier in that season, Mendez majored Hardy at the CKLV. This season, Hardy broke through and posted his first win over Mendez in a 9-8 shootout in the Big Ten semifinals. Hardy is amidst his best streak as a collegiate - winning 14 straight matches and claiming his first conference title. Philly has been more of the same as Hardy’s closest match was an 11-4 win over Cael Happel (Northern Iowa) in the semifinals. Hardy is one of three NCAA finalists for Nebraska. The Cornhuskers have had an amazing tournament and are looking to crown their first individual champion since Jordan Burroughs in 2011…..in this same building. Mendez took a couple of uncharacteristic losses near the end of the season; however, he hasn’t let that impact his 2025 national tournament. He was able to open up his vast offensive arsenal and post major decision wins over Sergio Lemley and Vance Vombaur, before outlasting long-time rival Beau Bartlett in tiebreakers. Bartlett was responsible for two of Mendez’s three losses on the year. Pick: Jesse Mendez by decision 149 lbs #1 Caleb Henson (Virginia Tech) vs. #2 Ridge Lovett (Nebraska) Even though they aren’t conference rivals, this will be the fourth career meeting between Caleb Henson and Ridge Lovett. Most notable for the two occurred at the 2024 national tournament when Henson got by Lovett 1-0 in the semifinals. Earlier that year, the two met in the CKLV finals and Lovett won 4-3. This season the pair also met in the CKLV finals and Henson claimed a second straight victory. Henson is the first wrestler we’ve discussed who is sporting a perfect record. Even with his unblemished record, Henson has been pushed to the limit a few times in Philly. He had to use extra time to down Jordan Williams in the quarterfinals and hasn’t won a match by more than four points. You can either interpret that as potentially vulnerable or battle-tested and unfazed by the big moments. Since he already has an NCAA title, I’ll choose the latter. Lovett bounced back after a loss to Henson with a major decision win over Shayne Van Ness. He would suffer another regular season loss to Kyle Parco who had long-dominated their rivalry. That changed at the Big Ten Championships when Lovett majored Parco in the semifinals. He used a 1-0 decision to claim his second Big Ten crown. At nationals, Lovett survived a rocky start with a 10-8 win over Sam Cartella, but has been lights out since. He majored his Big Ten finals opponent, Kannon Webster, and jumped out to a big lead on Van Ness before winning a 14-8 decision. This match could be as strategic as any with Lovett’s excellent ability from the top position. Pick: Caleb Henson by decision 157 lbs #3 Antrell Taylor (Nebraska) vs. #8 Joey Blaze (Purdue) If you had this matchup in your per-tournament bracket then I salute you, we might need to have a talk. One of the shockers of the quarterfinal round was when Joey Blaze was able to upset top-seeded Tyler Kasak. Blaze was able to keep the dangerous Kasak off the scoreboard and used a late takedown to win. Blaze’s finals appearance makes him a first-time All-American. Last year, as a true freshman, Blaze went 0-2 at the Big Dance. This time, Blaze came into the tournament as the eighth seed after a third-place showing at the Big Ten Championships. Blaze has had to be resourceful throughout his tournament, as he won via riding time criteria over Big Ten opponent Tommy Askey in the Round of 16. Taylor had one of the more surprising wins over the semifinals when he knocked off #2 Meyer Shapiro. Shapiro didn’t have a non-injury-related loss during the 2024-25 campaign. This will be Taylor’s second All-American honor. As a freshman, in 2024, he finished eighth at 165 lbs. Taylor’s introduction to the 157 lb weight class included wins in his first 13 contests - a streak that included the Navy Classic and the CKLV. There will be plenty of familiarity and recent history between these two. They met twice at the Big Ten Championships with Taylor striking first, but Blaze getting revenge in the third-place match. Pick: Antrell Taylor by decision 165 lbs #1 Mitchell Mesenbrink (Penn State) vs. #3 Michael Caliendo (Iowa) For the entirety of the 2024-25 season, Mitchell Mesenbrink and Michael Caliendo were seen as the top two wrestlers in the 165 lb weight class. That has proven to be the case as Mesenbrink has been undefeated and one of the most dominant wrestlers at any weight. Caliendo’s only losses have come to Mesenbrink - in the dual meet and Big Ten finals. Mesenbrink’s quarterfinal win over Cam Amine was only his second regular decision win of the season. The other came to Caliendo in the Big Ten finals. The 4-1 score was much closer than the 19-4 tech fall in their Big Ten dual. Last year, the two met three times and they all went in Mesenbrink’s direction. In the semifinals, Caliendo jumped out to a big lead on Peyton Hall and held on to win 13-10. Pick: Mitchell Mesenbrink by major decision 174 lbs #1 Keegan O’Toole (Missouri) vs. #3 Dean Hamiti (Oklahoma State) One of the most anticipated rematches of the tournament was Keegan O’Toole versus Levi Haines in a battle of national champions. That won’t happen as Dean Hamiti spoiled the rematch and booked one of his own. He and O’Toole met in the Big 12 finals and the Mizzou wrestler got the win in sudden victory. O’Toole is seeking his third NCAA title and this is his fifth All-American honor. O’Toole is now 20-0 on the year and 108-4 on the year. He solidified his #1 billing with a win over Haines in the Collegiate Duals. After that, O’Toole missed two months of competition. He has returned with a knee brace and generally looks close to his normal self. Hamiti is in his first year at Oklahoma State after earning All-American honors twice at Wisconsin. He has thrived in the new atmosphere and made the finals for the first time. After his semifinal win over Haines, Hamiti might be riding a high that’s hard to stop. Pick: Dean Hamiti by decision 184 lbs #1 Carter Starocci (Penn State) vs. #3 Parker Keckeisen The lead-off bout tonight will be one of the most anticipated (perhaps most) of the evening. Carter Starocci is seeking his fifth NCAA title - a feat never accomplished before in college wrestling, and he’ll take on returning champion Parker Keckeisen. Keckeisen won the 184 lb crown in 2024 and Starocci moved up from 174. Keckeisen was an undefeated champion in 2024 and has not lost an official match in 2024-25. He did fall to Starocci in the early-season NWCA All-Star Match; however, both are more in prime condition, as opposed to November. Keckeisen advanced to the finals after a semifinal win over Max McEnelly in which Keckeisen pulled off one of the most memorable scrambles of the tournament. McEnelly also pushed Starocci into sudden victory at the Big Ten finals. By any metric, this should be an excellent matchup. Keckeisen might have the better arsenal of attacks, but Starocci has more of a stout defense and is tough from the top. Pick: Carter Starocci by decision 197 lbs #2 Stephen Buchanan (Iowa) vs. #4 Josh Barr (Penn State) This will be a rematch of the highly-anticipated dual that saw freshman Josh Barr push Stephen Buchanan, who was the top-ranked wrestler in the nation, at the time. Though Buchanan got the 4-1 win, the match proved that Barr could hang with the best in the country and perhaps challenge for a national title in his first year in the Nittany Lion lineup. Buchanan is now a four-time All-American and the first DI wrestler to earn All-American honors for three different programs. He was third and eighth at Wyoming and third at Oklahoma. Buchanan has reached a new level at Iowa could give the Hawkeyes their first champion since Spencer Lee in 2021. Barr suffered an injury at the Big Ten Championships and had to forfeit to sixth place. His status was one of the pre-tournament storylines; however, Barr has been excellent. He has had to go through three multi-time All-Americans just to make the finals. Depending on how other matches go, this bout could determine whether or not Penn State beats the all-time team points record. Pick: Stephen Buchanan by decision 285 lbs #1 Gable Steveson (Minnesota) vs. #2 Wyatt Hendrickson (Oklahoma State) This will be the final match of the evening and the main event! Gable Steveson is looking to cap off his highly decorated collegiate career with a third NCAA title. Wyatt Hendrickson is a two-time NCAA third-place finisher using his final year of eligibility at Oklahoma State. Both are among the most athletic and offensive-minded heavyweights in some time. Hendrickson made the finals after shocking 2024 NCAA champion Greg Kerkvliet in the semifinals. Steveson had the unusual feat of winning via first-period disqualification from stalling followed by a tech fall and a 13-5 major decision over Owen Trephan. Steveson hasn’t been seriously threatened since his return to the college ranks - can Hendrickson provide some sort of opposition to the 2020 Olympic Gold Medalist? Pick: Gable Steveson by decision

Penn State has all but locked up another NCAA title going into the medal round but an incredible performance by Nebraska on day two has them in second place and setting multiple team records--highest points, most All-Americans and highest finish as a team. Oklahoma State is theoretically still in contention for second but it would take a flawless performance from them and a complete meltdown from Nebraska. Iowa has likely locked up the final trophy with a 15.5 point lead over fifth place Minnesota. The battle that many bettors are watching is the fifth place team race with Minnesota, Cornell, UNI, Ohio State, Illinois, Virginia Tech and NC State all within 9 points of each other. 1) Penn State 135.5 2) Nebraska 101.5 3) Oklahoma State 91.0 4) Iowa 73.5 5) Minnesota 47.0 6) Cornell 46.0 7) Northern Iowa 44.5 8. Ohio State 44.0 9) Illinois 40.5 10) Virginia Tech 40.0 11) NC State 38.0 After the consolation semifinals we have some movement in the team race. Penn State pulls away even further after going undefeated in the consolation semifinals. They will be hunting for the point record in the medal matches. 1) Penn State 155.0 2) Nebraska 105.0 3) Oklahoma State 94.5 4) Iowa 77.0 5) Minnesota 50.5 6) Ohio State 47.5 7) Cornell 46.0 8. Northern Iowa 44.5 9) NC State 41.5 10) Illinois 40.5 11) Virginia Tech 40.0 It turns out, Penn State is pretty good at hunting after bonus points and had an absolutely incredible performance in the medal matches, ending every medal match in an odd number except for Kerkvliet who medically defaulted out of the tournament and finished in sixth. The Nittany Lions will be chasing history again tonight after already becoming only the second team to crown 10 All-Americans. The team race for 5th place is still very tight and will be determined tonight. The teams in 5th through 11th after this round each have one finalist in the evening session. 1) Penn State 169.0 2) Nebraska 109.0 3) Oklahoma State 94.5 4) Iowa 77.0 5) Minnesota 51.5 6) Cornell 50.0 7) Ohio State 47.5 8. Northern Iowa 45.5 9) NC State 42.5 10) Virginia Tech 41.0 11) Illinois 40.5

The biggest story for the ACC is the two NCAA finalists with Vince Robinson winning in dominant fashion at 125 to make his first NCAA title match. This was side-by-side with Eddie Ventresca dropping a heartbreaker in a match where he was the clear aggressor, though there were no stall calls until TB1. Caleb Henson makes his second straight NCAA final to defend his crown where will see familiar foe Ridge Lovett in what is guaranteed to be one of the most entertaining matches of the night. Chaos is always the theme on Friday at the NCAA tournament and yesterday didn’t disappoint--though it wasn’t a friendly day for the ACC and is a reminder how brutal this tournament truly is. Seven ACC wrestlers pushed through to the podium in the bloodround with five others ending up one win short of the podium; an additional two falling in the consolation round of 16. Eddie Ventresca and Connor McGonagle will both start in the consolation semifinals today with a shot at the third place match for the Hokies. Joining them in that round is Hunter Garvin for the Fightin’ Trees who has been on an absolute tear after a tough top side loss and has been smiling all the way through. The final ACC wrestler in the consolation semis is Isaac Trumble for the Wolfpack. I could go on for hours about the performance from Trumble this weekend. After reaggravating a serious knee injury he fought through a brutal Blood Round match with Nick Feldman and will face his former teammate--and roommate--Owen Trephan for a spot in the third place match. The ACC will end the tournament with 10 All-Americans, which, though short of what we hoped for, is still pretty damn impressive. NCAA Finalists 125 Vince Robinson (North Carolina State) v Troy Spratley (Oklahoma State) 149 Caleb Henson (Virginia Tech) v Ridge Lovett (Nebraska) Consolation Semifinals--winners go to 3rd/4th losers to 5th/6th place match 125 Eddie Ventresca (Virginia Tech) v Luke Lilledahl (Penn State) 133 Connor McGonagle (Virginia Tech) v Zeth Romney (Cal Poly) 149 Lachlan McNeil (North Carolina) v Dylan D’Emilio (Ohio State) 165 Hunter Garvin (Stanford) v Christopher Minto (Nebraska) 285 Isaac Trumble (NC State) v Owen Trephan (Lehigh) 7th/8th Place 133 Tyler Knox (Stanford) v Jacob VanDee (Nebraska) 174 Matty Singleton (NC State) v Danny Wask (Navy) 197 Mac Stout (Pittsburgh) v Camden McDanel (Nebraska)

125 lbs Stevo Poulin (Northern Colorado) dec Dean Peterson (Rutgers) 6-4 Luke Lilledahl (Penn State) dec Nicolar Rivera (Wisconsin) 7-3 Matt Ramos (Purdue) dec Trever Anderson (Northern Iowa) 8-2 Caleb Smith (Nebraska) dec Jett Strickenberger (West Virginia) 12-9 133 lbs Jacob Van Dee (Nebraska) maj Angelo Rini (Indiana) 8-0 Braeden Davis (Penn State) dec Evan Frost (Iowa State) 4-2 Tyler Knox (Stanford) dec Nic Bouzakis (Ohio State) 5-0 Connor McGonagle (Virginia Tech) dec Dylan Shawver (Rutgers) 5-1 141 lbs Josh Koderhandt (Navy) dec Tagen Jamison (Oklahoma State) 4-1SV Jacob Frost (Iowa State) dec Sergio Lemley (Michigan) 9-8 CJ Composto (Penn) dec Dylan Chappell (Bucknell) 4-0 Vance Vombaur (Minnesota) dec Joey Olivieri (Rutgers) 5-3 149 lbs Ethan Stiles (Oregon State) fall Malyke Hines (Lehigh) 2:12 Sammy Alvarez (Rider) dec Jordan Williams (Little Rock) 5-0 Gavin Drexler (North Dakota State) dec Kannon Webster (Illinois) 4-0 Lachlan McNeil (North Carolina) dec Kross Wasilewski (Penn) 4-2 157 lbs Caleb Fish (Oklahoma State) dec Chase Saldate (Michigan) 7-4SV Tyler Kasak (Penn State) dec Jude Swisher (Penn) 5-4 Vince Zerban (Northern Colorado) dec Brandon Cannon (Ohio State) 11-6 Matt Bianchi (Little Rock) dec Tommy Askey (Minnesota) 2-1TB 165 lbs Terrell Barraclough (Utah Valley) dec Nick Hamilton (Virginia) 5-0 Cam Amine (Oklahoma State) dec Braeden Scoles (Illinois) 8-1SV Hunter Garvin (Stanford) dec Julian Ramirez (Cornell) 16-12 Cam Steed (Missouri) dec Beau Mantanona (Michigan) 4-1SV 174 lbs Simon Ruiz (Cornell) dec Lenny Pinto (Nebraska) 2-1 Matty Singleton (NC State) Lennox Wolak (Columbia) 13-8 Danny Wask (Navy) dec Nick Incontrera (Penn) 5-3 Patrick Kennedy (Iowa) dec Luca Augustine (Pittsburgh) 7-6 184 lbs Silas Allred (Nebraska) dec Dylan Fishback (NC State) 4-0 Jaxon Smith (Maryland) dec DJ Parker (Oklahoma) 4-2 DJ Washington (Indiana) dec Edmond Ruth (Illinois) 8-4 Chris Foca (Cornell) dec Aidan Brenot (North Dakota State) 2-0 197 lbs Joey Novak (Wyoming) maj Michael Beard (Lehigh) 13-4 Camden McDanel (Nebraska) dec Gabe Sollars (Indiana) 7-3 Stephen Little (Little Rock) tech Seth Shumate (Ohio State) 15-0 Mac Stout (Pittsburgh) dec Wyatt Voelker (Northern Iowa) 4-2 285 lbs Ben Kueter (Iowa) dec Dayton Pitzer (Pittsburgh) 5-1 Cohlton Schultz (Arizona State) maj Gavin Hoffman (Lock Haven) 15-5 Isaac Trumble (NC State) dec Nick Feldman (Ohio State) 5-3 Josh Heindselman (Michigan) dec Luke Luffman (Illinois) 2-1TB

125 lbs #4 Vince Robinson (NC State) dec #8 Sheldon Seymour (Lehigh) 4-2 #7 Troy Spratley (Oklahoma State) dec #3 Eddie Ventresca (Virginia Tech) 6-4TB 133 lbs #1 Lucas Byrd (Illinois) dec #4 Zeth Romney (Cal Poly) 2-0 #2 Drake Ayala (Iowa) dec #14 Zan Fugitt (Wisconsin) 6-1 141 lbs #1 Brock Hardy (Nebraska) dec #5 Cael Happel (Northern Iowa) 11-4 #3 Jesse Mendez (Ohio State) #2 Beau Bartlett (Penn State) 2-1TB 149 lbs #1 Caleb Henson (Virginia Tech) dec #13 Dylan D’Emilio (Ohio State) 6-2 #2 Ridge Lovett (Nebraska) dec #3 Shayne Van Ness (Penn State) 14-8 157 lbs #8 Joey Blaze (Purdue) dec #20 Trevor Chumbley (Northwestern) 4-2 #3 Antrell Taylor (Nebraska) dec #2 Meyer Shapiro (Cornell) 7-2 165 lbs #1 Mitchell Mesenbrink (Penn State) maj #12 Christopher Minto (Nebraska) 13-2 #3 Michael Caliendo (Iowa) dec #2 Peyton Hall (West Virginia) 14-10 174 lbs #1 Keegan O’Toole (Missouri) dec #13 Cade DeVos (South Dakota State) 7-6 #3 Dean Hamiti (Oklahoma State) dec #2 Levi Haines (Penn State) 4-2 184 lbs #1 Carter Starocci (Penn State) dec #4 Dustin Plott (Oklahoma State) 9-3 #2 Parker Keckeisen (Northern Iowa) dec #3 Max McEnelly (Minnesota) 4-1SV 197 lbs #4 Josh Barr (Penn State) dec#1 Jacob Cardenas (Michigan) 5-3 #2 Stephen Buchanan (Iowa) dec #3 AJ Ferrari (CSU Bakersfield) 3-0 285 lbs #1 Gable Steveson (Minnesota) maj #4 Owen Trephan (Lehigh) 13-5 #2 Wyatt Hendrickson (Oklahoma State) dec #3 Greg Kerkvliet (Penn State) 8-2

Come back often to read David's analysis from the 2025 NCAA Semifinals SEMIFINALS 125 lbs: It’s time for the dogbone!! Semis on the inside, blood rounds on the outside, dreams are made and crushed tonight. My guy Ethan Carl had the crowd buzzing with a stirring rendition of the national anthem. Reminder, semifinal winners get 6 + 1 + bonus, while blood round winners get 3 + 0.5 + bonus. Friday is moving day!!! #8 Seymour vs #4 VRob and a rematch #3 Eddie V vs #7 Spratley who won the match in December in GIA. Eddie V in right away, Spratley trying to stalemate and does. Spratley big riding advantage so Eddie V needs to get to work on his feet. VRob likes to start slow and figure it out so the match is his pace right now. Not much happening tbh. This round is so important that sometimes it slows down. Spark plug and Eddie V go scoreless. VRbo won 10-6 in November vs SS. Spratley down and looking R2, Eddie V grabbing his own leg and working on RT. Spratley gets the reversal which is BIG. Caution Eddie V. Escape VRob and TD VRob. Eddie V E1. 2-1 Spratley. 4-0 VRob. Eddie chooses down. E1 would tie it. Blood time VRob. Ventresca beautiful short sit and we are tied 2-2. Eddie has :50 RT and a caution. 1:00 to go Eddie V vs Spratley. TD will win it Eddie great post swing single. Spratley shin whizzer. :20 to go on the restart. Blood time. 4-2 VRob they are neutral. Seymour needs a TD. 1:00 to go. VRob so hard to find. Lateral movement is SO nice. LOOOONGGG stoppage in the other semi. Both on blood time now. OT Spratley match. VRob wins to make the finals!!! The finals will be rematch either way. Ventresca good shot. Stalemate. :26 to go. Eddie V has taken all the shots. Heading to the rideouts. Eddie down 1st. Eddie E1, Spratley TD3 and will ride out. Spratley down. Eddie will cut. Needs a fast TD. Spratley will make the finals!!! OSU jumps into 2nd place. Finals will be a rematch of Robinson and Spratley that Robinson won in GIA. 133 lbs: Byrd vs Romney and Ayala vs Fugitt. Fugitt is the FR from Nixa MO, shout out Dustin Martin. Ayala best slide by in the weight class, so smooth. Good attack by Fugitt. Slow close to scoring but no points. Romney and Byrd getting to know each other. No threats yet. Ayala good attack and kick out by Fugitt. 30 to go in both matches. Ayala down 1st. Byrd down 1st. Both guys out quick 1-0 on serve. Van Dee AA for NEB and they are back in 2nd place. IA challenge. Romney picks down. Byrd will try for RT. Good lift by Byrd. RT at 40 and climbing for Byrd. At 1:00 now and 58 in the match. Byrd really tough ride. Winners win and Byrd to the finals. Ayala gets the TD on the challenge and 2NF at the buzzer and just like that it’s 6-0. Fugitt E1. 45 to go. Ayala will be back in the finals. B10 rematch Byrd vs Ayala part 3. Fugitt will be back in the morning. 141 lbs #1 Hardy vs #5 Happel, #3 Mendez vs #2 Bartlett. Jordan Williams LR vs Sammy Alvarez Rider were teammates a year ago at OSU. Jameson loses in OT which keeps OSU in 3rd. IA now 4th, IL up to 5th. 3 B10 entries in the semis just like 133. Bartlett doesn’t mind low scoring affairs. Happel with a nice slide by attempt. Hardy in and we are in the waterfall. Quick stalemate. Hardy strikes 1st TD3. Both of these are rematches. Happel won 7-5 and BB won both matches with Mendez this year. E1 Happel and another TD3 for Hardy. E1 Happel. Hardy must know how dangerous Happel is on bottom. Fish wins for OSU and NEB and OSU are tied for 2nd team score. Happel chooses down to start the 2nd. BB down, up and out quickly for 1-0 lead. They were holding a stall on top which prevented a sweet Winn Dixie by Hardy. Happel great knee pull single and Hardy getting scrambly. Mendez up and out and RT is exactly 0:00. TD or OT will decide it. Hardy quick E1 and is up 7-3. Happel good shot but Hardy sits the corner again and we have a stalemate. Mendez in on a leg. :15 to go. Almost a finish. They waive it off and we have brick for J Jaggers and Ohio State. Hardy will get a 11-4 Win and into the finals. Feel good story!!! Review on mat 4. NEB alone in 2nd. Lost brick. OT for Mendez and BB. Literally nothing going on in the OT. Blood stoppage and 34 to go til rideouts. Rideouts here we come. Mendez down 1st. Bartlett has rode for :14. Now for 22. Kasak gives PSU 10 ALL AMERICANS. Mendez gets out 27 seconds of RT. He has to ride him out to win. Mendez is SO CLUTCH! He rides like the returning champ he is and will face Hardy Saturday night!!! Ohio State jumps to 5th. 149 lbs The defending champ Caleb Henson vs surprise semifinalist D’Emilio and old friends Ridge Lovett and Shane Van Ness. Lovett with a quick TD and leg in. Not best scenario for SVN. 3 NF Lovett up 6-0. Good mat return by Lovett. Rocking the pink combat speed prototypes. DD and Henson scoreless 1st 2 minutes. Absolutely dominant period for Lovett. Cradle and 10-0 lead. Monster period. If I was Lovett I’d pick top. DD picks down 1st. Lovett up and out. DD with a reversal. Big upset possible. Henson E1 and they are back on serve. High crotch SVN and it’s 12-6. E1. SVN trying to go to work on his feet. Henson takes the lead 5-2 1:00 to go. SVN going to run out of time he needs feet to back. Henson has RT and unless something crazy happens it will be Lovett vs Henson tomorrow night and big points for NEB and VT. Should be a dandy tomorrow night. 157 lbs Chaos in the top half as #8 Blaze will take on #20 Chumbley. Chalk at the bottom #3 Taylor vs #2 Shapiro. Trelly and Slicedawg should be very entertaining. Slicedawg wants space and Trelly wants to be in the pocket. Shapiro good attack, Taylor great defensive hips. No score Blaze/Chumbley and not much offense at this point. Blaze waterfall and steps over for TD3. Taylor gets to the body and good D by Shapiro. Great match for no score. 1st period scoreless. E1 Chumbley and 3-1 at the break. Shapiro will go down and Chumbley will do the same. Shapiro out quick. E1 Chumbley. Shapiro in on a leg, kickout Trelly. Both guys wrestling on a knee. Taylor will choose down. Hard mat return Shapiro. Blaze picks down for the 3rd. Taylor out. Coin flip match there. Blaze out quick. TD Taylor. Patrick Kennedy AA for IA. Shapiro out and Taylor ices him 7-2. Nebraska has 7 AAs and at least 3 in the finals. Unbelievable tournament. He will take on Joey Blaze. 165 lbs Mesenbrink vs Minto, Caliendo vs Hall. Mesenbrink a massive favorite. Caliendo and MM both with quick TDs and it feels like these guys are destined for the finals. Caliendo low key has been so good vs everyone not named Mesenbrink. MM 4-0. Caliendo 6-1. Hall E1. 6-2 Mikey. Hall in now deep single and scores. 9-5 at the break. Caliendo down and up and out. MM 8-0 and RT big #. Caliendo 10-5. NEB is going to take 2nd folks unbelievable tournament for them. AAs at 125, 133, 141, 149, 157, 165, 174 and maybe 197. OSU pretty much locked in for 3rd. 4th up for grabs still. MM exhausting the scoreboard and Mikey C up 13-6. MM into the finals 13-2. Caliendo will meet him there. Really helps IA with those points. 174 lbs Marquee matchups: O’Toole vs Devos and Levi vs DJ. DJ with the quick TD and D1 Levi. Keegan with a TD. DJ Hamiti came to wrestle the DT connection between these 2 is real. 3-1 DJ and Levi picks down and is out quick. 3-1 Keegan and Devos up and out quick. Now Levi in on a shot. Great baseline D by Hamiti. Devos in deep and scores it to take the lead. Gets hit for stalling on top stuck on the leg. 3-2 Hamiti going into the 3rd and he has choice. Will go down and he is out. Hamiti quick shot short offense Levi. We are scrambling now. Keegan out. 5-4 Devos but Keegan choice next period. Levi 45 seconds to go get it. In on a single. Stalemate with 28 to go. Keegan R2 and Hamiti is going to upset Levi Haines. Keegan up 6-5 on top and RT at 56. Devos E1 would not be enough. Devos needs a R2. E1. Devos in, Keegan is Houdini. We will have a B12 final rematch tomorrow night. 184 lbs Starocci vs Plott, McEnelly vs Keckeisen. HERE WE GO. McEnelly vs Keck is super intriguing. Starocci in on a leg. And he converts. Starocci 2nd TD up 6-1. Max and Keck will go scoreless 1st period. Max down 1st. Starocci chooses down. Max is out 22 RT for Keck, Starocci R2. He is special people. 8-1 CS. 1-0 Max. Max and Keck feel like they are headed to OT already. Nice E1 by Plott. Keck picks down. Taking his time getting set lol. Out quick. 1-1. Plott chooses down. Starocci 8-3. Both matches 40 to go. Starocci going for the major. OT Keck and Max. Starocci is now a 5x finalist. Great shot reshot re re shot and no points Max and Keck. Max in deep. Leg in the air and Keckheisen with an AMAZING counter to get the win. We get a rematch of the All Star Meet that went to OT 197 lbs Cardenas vs Barr rematch and the matchup I think we are all interested in, Buchanan vs Ferrari. Cardenas in right away and great hips by Barr to get the TD. He has a turk and has Cardenas in trouble Ferrari being Ferrari. Controlling the space and pace. Barr 3-0 and 1:20 of RT. E1 Cardenas. Buchanan has been a beast as the match goes on so very interested in how the match develops. Ferrari trusts his ability to ride and get away so he is not high risk on his feet. 0-0 scoreless. AJ down 1st. Blood time. Barr 3-1 and he chooses down. Barr E1. Buchanan doing a good job riding. Buchanan up oer 1:00 of RT and now it gets interesting. Buchanan is doing a great job. Barr and Cardenas not doing much this period. Buchanan got 1 swipe but a 2:00 rideout is huge. Big decision here. Pick Neutral and keep the RT or pick down and maybe get rode out. IA brick for 2 swipes. Cardenas up and out. 4-2 and RT for Barr. Lost brick for IA. Buchanan will choose down. Cardenas has to go get it. Locked hands against AJ. CSUB brick. Barr has RT locked so Cardenas needs a TD to tie. Now Stall point. TD would give Cardenas the W. Barr too tough. Makes the 1st period TD stand up and PSU has ANOTHER finalist. Still waiting on CSUB brick decision. Brick lost. AJ should cut him. E1 Buchanan and he has 1:20 RT. Blood stoppage. AJ gotta let it rip. Needs a TD and rideout. Instead Buchanan is in on a single. Ferrari gets OOB. has 17 seconds to get a TD. And Buchanan gets it down. Great ride was the difference. Buchanan vs Barr tomorrow night. 285 lbs Gable vs Trephan, Wyatt vs Kerk. Gable is a freaking unicorn. So special. Gable TD3. No score other semi. Hendrickson with the 1st TD. Now it gets interesting. Gable with a 2nd TD. Steveson up 7-2 with bonus Minnesota would jump from 10th to 5th. Kerk is up and out. 3-2 Wyatt and he has 1:27 RT. Wyatt picks down and out quick. And a quick TD and he is going to win unless something crazy happens. Trephan E1 and it’s 7-3. Minnesota could use bonus but Gable only has 1 minute left. Wyatt has dominated which is surprising. Gable TD cuts him and gets to the major. Wyatt wins and has a meeting with Gable tomorrow night.