InterMat Staff

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- For the second straight dual, NC State headed into the final bout with a chance to win. And for the second straight time that wrestler looking to secure the win was two-time defending NCAA Champion Nick Gwiazdowski. An injury default in the dual's final bout, gave NC State a 21-17 road win at No. 2 Iowa in the NWCA National Duals Championships Series. A close dual that saw five lead changes came down to the final bout once again. The Wolfpack completes its dual season with a 23-1 mark with wins at No. 2 Iowa, at No. 4 Oklahoma State and vs. No. 5 Missouri. No. 3 Kevin Jack of NC State dominated Brady Grothus, earning a technical fall (Photo/Mark Lundy, Lutte-Lens)NC State became the first ACC team ever to defeat Iowa, as the Hawkeyes were 12-0 against the conference. NC State also accomplished the same feat at Oklahoma State, as the 19-15 win in December was the first for the ACC over the Cowboys. Starting at 125 pounds, Iowa scored the first two bouts of the day and jumped out to a 7-0 lead, with both wins coming from wrestlers ranked No. 3 or better. NC State got on the scoreboard at 141 pounds, as No. 3 Kevin Jack netted five team points with his 18-3 technical fall. Jack recorded five takedowns, two near falls (first for two, then one for four), and a reversal in getting the tech fall. The win was Jack's 15th straight on the year and he improves to 21-3. Jack's win pulled the Pack within 7-5 after three bouts. Iowa scored its second bonus win with a major decision at 149 pounds. No. 4 Tommy Gantt of NC State earned his second major decision over Edwin Cooper (Photo/Mark Lundy, Lutte-Lens.com)NC State returned the favor with a major decision at 157 pounds, as No. 4 Tommy Gantt defeated No. 18 Edwin Cooper, Jr., 13-5. Gantt scored all five takedowns of the bout, and his final takedown with 15 seconds left gave him the ride time point and the Pack the bonus point win. At the halfway point, Iowa was up 11-9. The Pack captured its first lead right after the intermission, as No. 6 Max Rohskopf picked up a 6-3 decision. After a scoreless first, Rohskopf scored the lone points in the second period with a takedown at the end of the period. An escape and another takedown pushed his lead to 5-0 early in the third before winning 6-3 and giving the Pack a 12-11 lead after six bouts. The lead was short-lived as an Iowa decision at 174 pounds made the team score 14-12 with three bouts left. NC State faught back once again and retook the lead at 15-14 with two bouts left. No. 16 Pete Renda scored a 7-3 upset over No. 10 Sammy Brooks. Ronda scored two first period takedowns and after an escape was up 5-1 entering the third. Ronda stayed on the attack with another takedown and his 7-3 win gave the Pack the lead. The win was the second straight for Renda over a top-11 foe. Iowa retook the lead once again with a 9-4 decision at 197 pounds. Going into the final bout, Iowa was up 17-15. No. 1 Nick Gwiazdowski completed his NC State dual career a perfect 55-0 in duals, as he earned an injury default in the final match, giving NC State the 21-17 win. Up 10-1 in the second over No. 7 Sam Stoll, the bout was stopped for an injury and NC State completed the comeback win. Results: 125: #2 Thomas Gilman (Iowa) maj. dec. Sean Faust; 15-5 - 0-4 133: #3 Cory Clark (Iowa) dec. Jamal Morris; 9-3 - 0-7 141: #3 Kevin Jack (NCSU) tech. fall Brody Grothus; 18-3 - 5-7 149: #2 Brandon Sorensen (Iowa) maj. dec. Beau Donahue; 13-4 - 5-11 157: #4 Tommy Gantt (NCSU) maj. dec. #18 Edwin Cooper, Jr.; 13-5 - 9-11 165: #6 Max Rohskopf (NCSU) dec. Patrick Rhoads; 6-3 - 12-11 174: #10 Alex Meyer (Iowa) dec. Nicky Hall; 4-2 - 12-14 184: #16 Pete Renda (NCSU) dec. #10 Sammy Brooks; 7-3 - 15-14 197: #4 Nathan Burak (Iowa) dec. #14 Michael Boykin; 9-4 - 15-17 285: #1 Nick Gwiazdowski (NCSU) by injury default over #7 Sam Stoll; 4:46 - 21-17

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The ninth-ranked Ohio State wrestling team wrapped up the dual match portion of its schedule Monday evening with a convincing 26-13 triumph over Edinboro in the NWCA National Championship Dual Series. Now 11-3 on the year, the Buckeyes turn their attention to defending titles at the Big Ten Championships (March 5-6 in Iowa City, Iowa) and NCAA Championships (March 17-19 in New York City). THE SHORT STORY Ohio State won six of 10 matches - including four via bonus points - and also eked out wins at 157 and 197 pounds to secure its fifth straight season of at least 11 wins. Buckeye winners were Nathan Tomasello, Micah Jordan, Jake Ryan, Bo Jordan, Myles Martin and Mark Martin. TOMASELLO STARTS WITH A BANG Reigning national champion Tomasello (18-0), the owner of the longest winning streak in the national amongst 125 pounders, made short work of Sean Russell, who came into the match with 24 wins on the season. Ahead handily early on, Tomasello got Russell on his back and ended the bout with a fall just 59 seconds into the second period. It was Tomasello's 36th straight win and his 13th this year by bonus points. JORDAN, RYAN EXTEND THE LEAD After a 6-0 decision for Edinboro's Anthony Rivera over Mike Manuche at 133 lbs., Micah Jordan became the fourth Buckeye wrestler this year to notch his 20th win when he improved to 20-1 with a 22-9 major decision over Tyler Vath. Jordan scored on four first-period takedowns to distance himself early in the bout. Cody Burcher was narrowly defeated by No. 18 Patricio Lugo at 149 lbs., 2-1, thanks to a takedown in the waning seconds, but Ryan responded in the next bout to get a tight decision of his own, this one a 4-3 decision that was decided on riding time. A takedown that would have won the match for Edinboro's Austin Matthews was overturned by video review, thus securing the Ryan victory. BUCKEYES WIN AT 165, 174, 197 Any drama in the team score was erased when B. Jordan pinned Casey Fuller 3:34 into their bout at 165. Fuller took an early 5-3 lead thanks to a takedown and two-point nearfall, but B. Jordan quickly went to work, scoring two takedowns of his own before the first period was over and then ending the match early in the second period. Next up at 174, Martin continued his impressive rookie season, improving to 24-5 with a workman-like 14-4 major decision over Patrick Jennings that was highlighted by four takedowns, a reversal and two-point near fall. Ohio State's final win of the night came via Mark Martin at 197, as he scored the only takedown of his bout against Vince Pickett midway through the first period and hung on from there, escaping with a 2-1 decision. Martin, who returned to the lineup last weekend against Wisconsin, is 16-5 this season. DID YOU KNOW Now in his 10th season, Tom Ryan-coached teams have produced double digit regular season wins in eight of the last nine years. Since 2011-12, his teams are averaging 12 wins a year. His record at Ohio State now stands at 124-45 (.733). Results: 125: No. 1 Nathan Tomasello (OSU) fall over Sean Russell (EDIN) 4:00 | OSU 6, EDIN 0 133: Anthony Rivera (EDIN) decision over Mike Manuche (OSU) 6-0 | OSU 6, EDIN 3 141: Micah Jordan (OSU) major decision over Tyler Vath (EDIN) 22-9 | OSU 10, EDIN 3 149: No. 18 Patricio Lugo (EDIN) decision over Cody Burcher (OSU) 2-1 | OSU 10, EDIN 6 157: No. 10 Jake Ryan (OSU) decision over No. 16 Austin Matthews (EDIN) 4-3 | OSU 13, EDIN 6 165: No. 3 Bo Jordan (OSU) fall over Casey Fuller (EDIN) 3:34 | OSU 19, EDIN 6 174: No. 14 Myles Martin (OSU) major decision over Patrick Jennings (EDIN) 14-4 | OSU 23, EDIN 6 184: No. 5 Vic Avery (EDIN) major decision over Dominic Prezzia (OSU) 19-7 | OSU 23, EDIN 10 197: Mark Martin (OSU) decision over Vince Pickett (EDIN) 2-1 | OSU 26, EDIN 10 285: Billy Miller (EDIN) decision over Nick Tavanello (OSU) 5-1 | OSU 26, EDIN 13

Two top-of-the-card matchups featuring former college wrestlers have been announced for Bellator 154 at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on May 14. Phil DavisPhil Davis will face Muhammed Lawal in a light-heavyweight bout, while, in the co-main event, former lightweight champion Michael Chandler will take on Josh Thomson. Davis, a four-time All-American and 2008 NCAA 197-pound champ for Penn State, had signed with Bellator in 2015 after competing for Ultimate Fighting Championships. The former Nittany Lion brings a 15-3-1 overall record to Bellator 154. Lawal, a 2002 NCAA Division II champ at University of Central Oklahoma who then earned NCAA Division I All-American honors at Oklahoma State at 197 in 2003, is now 19-4 in MMA competition. Both Davis and Lawal had been participants at Bellator's Dynamite 1 one-night tournament back in September, and, in fact were slated to face each other in the finals, but Lawal was unable to compete because of an injury sustained in an earlier match at that event. Chandler was an NCAA Division I All-American for the University of Missouri, while Thomson wrestled at North Idaho Community College. The former Mizzou matman, who had been a Bellator champ at 155 pounds before losing the title in November 2013, is now 14-3 in MMA. Thomson, a former Strikeforce champion, is 22-8 overall. Bellator 154 will air live on SPIKE TV.

Live Blog NC State at Iowa

There's the phrase "Any body can wrestle" that illustrates the all-inclusive nature of the sport that welcomes individuals of all sizes, body types and physical attributes. However, not every body can win a state wrestling championship. Hasaan Hawthorne Then there's Hasaan Hawthorne. The senior from Pelham High School won the Class 6A 145-pound title -- and Outstanding Wrestler honors -- at the 2016 Alabama State Wrestling Championships in Huntsville despite being a double amputee. Hawthorne scored a come-from-behind victory over Southside-Gadsden senior Landon Thompson to complete a perfect 37-0 season. Thompson led 1-0 early in the first period, but was not able to maintain the lead as Hawthorne took advantage of his long reach and leverage to outpoint Thompson 6-2 in over the final two periods. It was the second time Thompson was a finalist, having placed second at 132 last year. Hawthorne came in third at 160 in 2015. What was Hawthorne's secret to success? "I just worked hard in practice to get ready," said the newly crowned champ. "Landon is pretty tough, he's a good wrestler." Thompson's coach explained the challenges of wrestling Hawthorne. "It's tough because (Hawthorne) wrestles like that all the time and we don't get to see it," Southside coach Kyle Routon told AL.com. "He's so long and would be about 6-foot-3 or 6-4 and we were just trying to protect our lead leg because his arms are so long. His reach was a huge difference, I mean the only way you can attack him is by dragging or with a front leg lock. He's just so tough." "As one of the state's best wrestlers, Hawthorne has yet this season to give up his back," wrote Gary Estwick of AL.com on Feb. 17. "He's undefeated (33-0) heading into this week's AHSAA Wrestling Championships, thanks to a speedy and smooth ankle pick and wrist control likened to an anaconda's squeeze. Hawthorne is Class 6A's No. 1 seed at 145 pounds." All this is even more impressive, given that Hawthorne was born with tibias in his leg. His fibulas formed without muscles and nerves, which led to two different amputations -- the first before he was three months old -- and left Hawthorne with nothing below his knees. When he's on the mat, he wrestles on what's left of his upper legs. Off the mat, he uses prosthetic limbs attached to what he refers to as his "nubs". Hasaan Hawthorne grew up with parents who encouraged him to be active. He was roughhousing with his dad and male babysitters even at early age. He was a huge fan of WWE and ESPN SportsCenter, becoming obsessed about sports, according to his folks. He started playing baseball at age 8, later trying football but not liking to be at the bottom of a pile of tacklers. As a sixth grader, he was introduced to middle-school wrestling ... and found his sport. In a profile of Hawthorne published in USA Today on Friday -- the day before the Alabama state wrestling championship finals -- Cam Smith wrote, "On Thursday he cruised through the quarterfinals, getting him within two victories of his ultimate goal: A state title and spot in the state record books, for good. For his part, Hawthrone is convinced a victorious campaign could help earn attention from college coaches and help him land a spot on a collegiate squad." "I've got to win, got to," Hawthorne told AL.com prior to the state finals. "I don't think I've made a name for myself on the national level yet ... I still feel like I have unfinished business to do." Now that he's achieved a state title -- and coverage in the national media -- Hawthorne told AL.com Saturday, "I plan to go to nationals and then on to college, but I don't know where yet." Want to know more about wrestlers who overcame physical challenges to find success on the mat? Check out InterMat's 2011 feature "Opportunity for All" which profiled, among others, Anthony Robles, 2011 NCAA champ for Arizona State despite being born without his right leg ... and Nick Ackerman, 2001 NCAA Division III champ for Simpson College who, like Hawthorne, is a double-leg amputee.

LINCOLN, Neb. -- No. 6 Mizzou Wrestling outlasted No. 9 Nebraska, 19-14, Sunday afternoon in its National Wrestling Coaches Association National Duals Series matchup. With the Tigers up 12-10 in the 184-pound bout, redshirt sophomore 184-pounder Willie Miklus (Altoona, Iowa) scored a takedown right before the third period buzzer to upend TJ Dudley, 5-4, giving Mizzou the lead it needed to down the Huskers. Willie Miklus celebrates after beating T.J. Dudley at 184 pounds (Photo/Mark Lundy, Lutte-Lens.com)"I didn't panic when I fell behind in the match," said Miklus. "I still wrestled until the end. I was just happy to get the win for the team and that we were able to get the win as a team." Junior 197-pouner J'den Cox (Columbia, Mo.) became the 24th member of the 100-win club with a 16-7 major decision over Aaron Studebaker. Cox is the fastest Tiger wrestler to 100 wins in program history, doing so in 105 matches. "J'den is wrestling well," said head coach Brian Smith. "When he is shooting and scoring like that, he is unstoppable." Redshirt sophomore 125-pounder Barlow McGhee (Rock Island, Ill.) began the dual off for the Tigers with a 5-3 win over No. 10-ranked Tim Lambert. McGhee trailed 3-2 in the third period after a stalling call, but utilized an escape and a takedown the capture the victory. In the third match of the night, redshirt junior 141-pounder Matt Manley (Perry, Okla.) scored takedowns in the first and second period, along with a reversal in the second for a 6-2 win over No. 20-ranked Anthony Adidin. With the Tigers trailing 10-6, redshirt freshman 165-pounder Daniel Lewis (Blue Springs, Mo.) brought the Tigers within a point with a 4-0 victory over No. 13-ranked Austin Wilson. Blaise Butler finishes off a takedown on Micah Barnes (Photo/Mark Lundy, Lutte-Lens.com)Following Lewis, redshirt senior 174-pounder Blaise Butler (Belvidere, Ill.) regained the lead for #TigerStyle with a narrow 7-5 win over No. 20-ranked Micah Barnes. With the bout tied, 4-4, heading into the final period, Butler scored a takedown and was awarded a point for riding time to claim the victory. In Miklus' match against Dudley, the Tiger sophomore trailed 4-2 with time winding down in the bout. Miklus scored an escape and a takedown with less than five seconds to steal the victory. At 197 pounds, Cox scored seven takedowns in the first two periods to take a commanding lead over Studebaker. Cox added an escape point and a point for riding time to preserve the major decision, 16-7. The Tigers led 19-10 after the bout and would go on to win the dual 19-14. "I wouldn't have got to where I am today without my team around me pushing me and driving me to become a better wrestler every day," said Cox. "It's hard to do this sport alone, to have a great group of teammates and coaches around me is a blessing." Mizzou will next be in action March 5-6 in Ypsilanti, Mich. for the Mid-American Conference Championships. The Tigers will be looking for their fourth consecutive title and fifth conference title overall in the tournament. Results: 125: #9 Barlow McGhee (MIZ) dec. #10 Tim Lambert (NEB), 5-3 (MIZ 3, NEB 0) 133: #13 Eric Montoya (NEB) dec. #15 Zach Synon (MIZ), 4-0 (NEB 3, MIZ 3) 141: #7 Matt Manley (MIZ) dec. #20 Anthony Abidin (NEB), 6-2 (MIZ 6, NEB 3) 149: #4 Jake Sueflohn (NEB) tiebreaker-1 #3 Lavion Mayes (MIZ), 4-1 (NEB 6, MIZ 6) 157: #19 Tyler Berger (NEB) major dec. Le'Roy Barnes (MIZ), 10-2 (NEB 10, MIZ 6) 165: #4 Daniel Lewis (MIZ) dec. #13 Austin Wilson (NEB), 4-0 (NEB 10, MIZ 9) 174: #7 Blaise Butler (MIZ) dec. #17 Micah Barnes (NEB), 7-5 (MIZ 12, NEB 10) 184: #14 Willie Miklus (MIZ) dec. #9 TJ Dudley (NEB), 5-4 (MIZ 15, NEB 10) 197: #2 J'den Cox (MIZ) major dec. #12 Aaron Studebaker (NEB), 16-7 (MIZ 19, NEB 10) HWT: #19 Collin Jensen (NEB) major dec. Cody Johnston (MIZ), 9-1 (MIZ 19, NEB 14)

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- No. 1 Penn State (16-0, 9-0 B1G) took care of No. 2 Oklahoma State (13-3) on Sunday to win the 2016 NWCA National Dual Championship Series title. Head coach Cael Sanderson's squad took down the Cowboys 29-18 in front of yet another sold out Rec Hall crowd. The NWCA dual crown is the third different championship won by Penn State to date this season: the team won its sixth straight Southern Scuffle title on January 1-2 and a share of the 2016 Big Ten Regular Season title (shared with Iowa, Penn State's third such championship). The dual was wrestled in front of 6,575 fans, the 29th straight Rec Hall sell-out and the 32nd of 33 including the Bryce Jordan Center. Three seniors wrestled in their final dual meets in Rec Hall and the dual meet began with two of them. Senior Nico Megaludis (Murrysville, Pa.), ranked No. 4 at 125, brought the standing room only crowd to its feet with a pin in his final match in Rec Hall. Megaludis pinned No. 6 Eddie Klimara at the 3:58 mark to give Penn State an early 6-0 lead. Senior Jordan Conaway (Abbottstown, Pa.), ranked No. 5 at 133, added to the Lion lead with a strong win in his final Rec Hall match. Conaway controlled Gary Wayne Harding, rolling to an 8-4 win with 2:03 in riding time. Junior Jimmy Gulibon (Latrobe, Pa.) lost a spirited and hard-fought 9-5 decision to No. 1 Dean Heil at 141 as Oklahoma State cut Penn State's lead to 9-3. Sophomore Zain Retherford (Benton, Pa.), ranked No. 1 at 149, dominated No. 12 Anthony Collica, rolling up 2:35 in riding time on his way to a strong 4-1 win. Red-shirt freshman Jason Nolf (Yatesboro, Pa.), ranked No. 1 at 157, sent Penn State into the intermission on a high note, hitting a standing cradle to pin Ryan Blees at the 6:32 mark in the third period (Nolf was up 21-8 at the time). Penn State led 18-3 heading into the halftime break. Junior Geno Morelli (DuBois, Pa.) dropped a 17-2 technical fall to No. 1 Alex Dieringer at 165 as the Cowboys cut Penn State's lead to 18-8. Red-shirt freshman Bo Nickal (Allen, Texas), ranked No. 1 at 174, answered immediately however, rolling to an identical 17-2 technical fall, this one at the 4:39 mark to put Penn State up 23-8. Sophomore Matt McCutcheon (Apollo, Pa.), ranked No. 6 at 184, was leading 1 to No. 13 Nolan Boyd when he was injured on an illegal hold (pulling McCutcheon's knee brace). After an extended injury time, McCutcheon tried to continue but was injured once again on the next flurry and lost by injury default at the 3:38 mark. Senior Morgan McIntosh (Santa Ana, Calif.), ranked No. 1 at 197, closed out his Rec Hall career in rousing fashion, getting a quick first period pin (1:59) of Andrew Marsden to put Penn State up 29-14 and clinch the NWCA Dual Meet title. With red-shirt freshman Nick Nevills (Clovis, Calif.), ranked No. 16 at 285, sent to the U.S. Collegiate Championships at Air Force to get more matches under his belt, true freshman Jan Johnson (Mohnton, Pa.) stepped up at 285 and dropped a hard-fought 18-6 major to No. 5 Austin Marsden. Johnson notched a reversal and two takedowns late in the match but his comeback efforts were not enough. The Nittany Lions end the regular season with a perfect 16-0 mark, 9-0 in the Big Ten. Oklahoma State ends its dual season with a 13-3 record. The 16 dual meet victories are the most since Penn State won 17 in 2011 (going 17-1-1). The perfect 16-0 record marks the first time since 1972 that a Penn State team wrestling ten or matches has gone through the season unblemished (no losses or ties). Penn State went 12-0 in 1972. The 2015-16 Penn State squad has already gone 9-0 in conference duals, only the second-ever Penn State team to run through the conference schedule unblemished. Penn State went 6-0 in 1997-98 and 5-0-1 in 1992-93. The nine dual victories is also a school record for Big Ten dual wins in a single season. Penn State posted a 24-14 takedown advantage and rolled up 11 bonus points off three pins (Megaludis, Nolf, McIntosh) and a technical fall (Nickal). Wrapping up their final dual meets as Nittany Lions, Penn State's three starting seniors head to their final post-season with outstanding career records. Conaway is 83-27 after today, Megaludis 111-18 and McIntosh 106-18. McIntosh ends his Penn State career with 53 dual meet victories, 12th all-time. Megaludis ends his with 52, 14th all-time. Conaway collected 42 dual meet wins during his Lion career. Each of the senior trio has already earned All-America honors (Conaway once, McIntosh twice, Megaludis three times). Penn State will head to Iowa City, Iowa, for the 2016 Big Ten Wrestling Championships at the University of Iowa on March 5-6. The event, in Iowa's Carver-Hawkeye Arena, begins on Saturday with an 11 a.m. session and a 7 p.m. session (Eastern). The championship, serving as the NCAA qualifier for the conference, concludes on Sunday with a 1 p.m. session (Eastern). Penn State Fans are encouraged to follow Penn State wrestling via twitter at @pennstateWREST, on Penn State Wrestling's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pennstatewrestling and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/pennstatewrest. The 2015-16 Penn State wrestling season is presented by The Family Clothesline. This is PENN STATE. WRESTLING lives here. Results: 125: #4 Nico Megaludis PSU pinned #6 Eddie Klimara OSU, WBF (3:58) / 6-0 133: #5 Jordan Conaway PSU dec. Gary Wayne Harding OSU, 8-4 / 9-0 141: #1 Dean Heil OSU dec. Jimmy Gulibon PSU, 9-5 / 9-3 149: #1 Zain Retherford PSU dec. #12 Anthony Collica OSU, 4-1 / 12-3 157: #1 Jason Nolf PSU pinned Ryan Blees OSU, WBF (6:32) / 18-3 165: #1 Alex Dieringer OSU tech fall Geno Morelli PSU, 17-2 (TF; 4:36) / 18-8 174: #1 Bo Nickal PSU tech fall Heston Lamons OSU, 17-2 (TF; 4:39) / 23-8 184: #13 Nolan Boyd OSU inj. def. #6 Matt McCutcheon PSU, (3:38) / 23-14 197: #1 Morgan McIntosh PSU pinned Andrew Marsden OSU, WBF (1:59) / 29-14 285: #5 Austin Marsden OSU maj. dec. Jan Johnson PSU, 18-6 / 28-18 Attendance: 6,575 (sold out - 29 straight sell outs in Rec Hall, 32 of 33 including BJC) Records: Penn State 16-0, 9-0 B1G; Oklahoma State 13-3 Up Next for Penn State: at 2016 Big Ten Championships, Iowa City, March 5-6 BOUT-BY-BOUT: 125: Senior Nico Megaludis (Murrysville, Pa.), ranked No. 4 at 125, took on No. 6 Eddie Klimara in one of many marquee match-ups in the dual meet. Klimara came out quick, trying to score off shoulder control early but Megaludis forced a stalemate on the initial move. Megaludis began to control the tempo from that point on, taking numerous low singles and keeping Klimara backing away. Megaludis gained control of Klimara's right ankle and broke the Cowboy down for a 2-0 lead at the :50 mark. Megaludis put together a strong ride, controlling Klimara for the ride out. Leading 2-0 with :50 in riding time, Megaludis chose down to start the second period and quickly worked his way into a reversal and a 4-0 lead. Klimara escaped, only to have Megaludis blow through a low double and gain control of the Cowboy once again. This time, Megaludis used leverage and backed his way into Klimara. With his back to the Cowboy, Megaludis forced Klimara's head to the mat, then worked his shoulders flat for a pin at the 3:58 mark. 133: Senior Jordan Conaway (Abbottstown, Pa.), ranked No. 5 at 133, met Gary Wayne Harding. Conaway wasted no time taking control of the match, breaking Harding down off the whistle with a single leg to a scrambling takedown. Conaway then controlled Harding for over 1:09 before the Cowboy escaped to a 2-1 score. The Lion senior was relentless, however, taking another low single and turning it into a 4-1 lead with a second takedown. Conaway maintained control for the rest of the period and led 4-1 with 1:53 in time after one. Harding chose down to start the second period and Conaway added to his riding time advantage. Harding escaped to a 4-2 score at the 1:25 mark and then quickly countered a slight Harding shot for a third takedown and a 6-2 lead. With over 3:00 in riding time, Conaway worked for a chance to the Cowboy for back points. Another ride out gave Conaway a 6-2 lead with 3:36 in time after two periods. Conaway chose down to start the third period and steadily worked his way to his feet and an escaped with 1:10 on the clock. Leading 7-2, Conaway shot low looking to secure a major but Harding countered the shot for his own takedown. Still, Conaway's dominant performance gave the Lion senior an 8-4 win. 141: Junior Jimmy Gulibon (Latrobe, Pa.) met No. 1 Dean Heil at 141. The duo battled evenly for the bout's opening minute. Heil then scored the bout's first takedown with a fast move at the 2:11 mark to take a 2-0 lead. Gulibon worked his way to an escaped and a 2-1 score with 1:12 on the clock and action resumed in the center of the mat. Gulibon shot quickly off a reset but Heil was able to fight off the efforts and carry the 2-1 lead into the second stanza. Gulibon chose down to start the second period but could not break free of Heil's strong ride. The Cowboy controlled the action for over :30 before Gulibon worked his way free to a 2-2 tie, but Harding had 1:39 in riding time. Gulibon upped the tempo after the escape and forced Heil into defense. Heil was able to fight off a furious Gulibon attack and the match moved to the third period tied 2-2 with Heil owning a riding time edge. Heil chose down to start the third period and quickly escaped to a 3-2 lead. Gulibon pressed in on offense but Heil able to counter the shot for another takedown and a 5-2 lead. With Heil owning a clinched riding time point, Gulibon reversed the Cowboy off a reset, cut his lead to 5-4 and cut him loose to a 6-4 score with 1:00 on the clock. Gulibon shot low and Heil countered once again for another takedown and an 8-4 lead with :30 on the clock. Gulibon escaped to an 8-5 score but Heil's defense was enough down the stretch for the Cowboy to post the 9-5 win. 149: Sophomore Zain Retherford (Benton, Pa.), ranked No. 1 at 149, took on No. 12 Anthony Collica. Retherford set a fast early tempo, forcing Collica on to his heels as he worked for scoring position. With 2:06 on the clock, Retherford shot low and quickly turned the shot into a takedown and a 2-0 lead. The Lion sophomore maintained control for :40 before Collica escaped to a 2-1 score. Collica took a high single that Retherford quickly stepped back from and the Lion pressed in on offense. Collica was able to defend his way through the first period with Retherford leading 2-1. Collica chose down to start the second period and Retherford went to work on top. Collica tried to work his way to his feet but Retherford was too strong, keeping control for the entire period. Leading 2-1 with 2:40 in riding time, Retherford chose down to start the final period. Retherford quickly escaped to a 3-1 lead and then immediately turned in to Collica, looking for an opening to score. Retherford continued to shoot and Collica's defense was able to keep the Lion from breaking through. Retherford's 2:35 in riding time gave the Lion a 4-1 win. 157: Red-shirt freshman Jason Nolf (Yatesboro, Pa.), ranked No. 1 at 157, faced off against Ryan Blees. Nolf connected quickly, turning a low single into a lift and a 2-1 lead off a fast takedown. The Lion freshman worked a fast tempo for the next minute, forcing Blees backwards and then working his way behind the Cowboy for a takedown and cut to lead 4-2 with 1:10 on the clock. Nolf blew through a third takedown to lead 6-3 and went back to work in the center circle. Nolf picked up a fast fourth takedown and then rode Blees out to lead 8-3 with :38 riding time after one period. Nolf chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 9-3 lead. The Lion dove low for another takedown and cut to up his lead to 11-4. He tacked on four more takedowns and a two point cradle as the period ended to lead 21-7 after two periods. Blees chose down to start the third period and Nolf cut him loose to a 21-8 lead. The Lion, knowing that at takedown would end the match, patiently waited for an opportunity to bring the home crowd to its feet. With just over :30 left to wrestle, Nolf saw an opening and quickly hit a standing cradle. Nolf adjusted one time and got the pin at the 6:32 mark. 165: Junior Geno Morelli (DuBois, Pa.) met No. 1 Alex Dieringer at 165. Morelli shot low quickly and Dieringer quickly countered, rolling the Lion to his back for a takedown and four near fall points. Morelli fought off the pin and worked to reset himself but Dieringer tied up an arm bar and controlled the action from the top. He turned Morelli for another four-point near fall and led 10-0 at the 1:23 mark before blood time stopped the action. Morelli worked his way to his feet on the reset and escaped to a 10-1 score with 1:05 on the clock. Dieringer worked a low single into another takedown and a 12-1 lead after one period. Dieringer chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 13-1 lead. Morelli shot low on the Cowboy but Dieringer stepped back, reset himself and then took Morelli down to up his lead to 15-1. He tried to turn Morelli for back points but the Lion rolled through the move and escaped to a 15-2 score. Dieringer ended the match with a final takedown to post the 17-2 technical fall at the 4:36 mark. 174: Red-shirt freshman Bo Nickal (Allen, Texas), ranked No. 1 at 174, battled Heston Lamons. Nickal set a fast tempo from the start, working a scrambling low single into a takedown and a 2-0 lead with 2:29 on the clock. Nickal then worked his way into a near fall, taking a 6-0 with a four point turn at the midway point of the first period. Nickal cut Lamons loose to a 6-1 score and then countered a diving Lamons shot for a takedown and an 8-1 lead. He added four more near fall points before the period ended to lead 12-1 with 1:48 in riding time after one period. Nickal took down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 13-1 lead. Nickal once again turned a scrambling low single into a takedown and a 15-1 lead with 1:20 on the clock. Nickal cut Lamons loose off a reset and then ended the match with a final takedown at the ;21 mark. The 17-2 tech fall came at the 4:39 mark. 184: Sophomore Matt McCutcheon (Apollo, Pa.), ranked No. 6 at 184, met No. 13 Nolan Boyd. McCutcheon fought off a quick Boyd high single, keeping control of the Cowboy's shoulders and forcing an early stalemate. Boyd shot quickly again off the reset and this time McCutcheon countered, working a low single into a takedown and a 2-1 lead after a quick Boyd escape. McCutcheon countered another Boyd shot, nearly picking up a quick takedown. Boyd forced a scramble that lasted to the :57 mark before a stalemate halted the action. Boyd shot in on McCutcheon again and this time grabbed the inside of his knee brace, getting called for an illegal hold and forcing an extended injury time as McCutcheon's previous injury was aggravated. Oklahoma State called for a review of the illegal hold but the ruling was confirmed and McCutcheon led 3-1 at the :36 mark. McCutcheon got hit for stalling at the :08 mark but led 3-1 after one. Boyd chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 3-2 lead. Boyd shot low, forcing a scramble and once again McCutcheon was injured. This time, the Lion was unable to continue and Boyd got the injury default win at the 3:38 mark. 197: Senior Morgan McIntosh (Santa Ana, Calif.), ranked No. 1 at 197, took on Andrew Marsden. McIntosh quickly took the Cowboy down and briefly locked up a cradle, nearly getting the fast pin. The Lion senior reset himself and turned Marsden for four near fall points and a 6-0 lead. McIntosh continued to control the action from the top position until Marsden escaped. McIntosh, however, was undaunted, taking the Cowboy down and then quickly locking up a cradle and getting a pin at the 2:59 mark. 285: With red-shirt freshman Nick Nevills (Clovis, Calif.), ranked No. 16 at 285, sent to the U.S. Collegiate Championships at Air Force to get multiple matches under his belt, true freshman Jan Johnson (Mohnton, Pa.) stepped up at 285 and met No. 5 Austin Marsden. Marsden opened up an early 2-0 lead with a takedown on the edge of the mat. The fifth-ranked Cowboy then controlled the action from the top position, building up 1:30 in time before Johnson escaped to a 2-1 score. The Lion freshman worked in for a shot but Marsden quickly countered and took Johnson down to lead 4-1. He added a four-point near fall to carry an 8-1 lead with 2:20 in riding time into the second period. Marsden chose down to start the second period and escaped to a 9-1 lead. Johnson connected on a low single at the 1:34 mark and nearly took Marsden to the mat but the Cowboy senior was able to work his way out of trouble, notching a counter takedown to lead 11-1. Johnson rolled through a scramble on the edge of the mat to notch a reversal at the :12 mark, cutting Marsden's lead to 11-3. Marsden was able to escape and carried a 12-3 lead into the third period. Johnson chose neutral to start the third period and thrilled the standing room only crowd with a takedown on the edge of the mat to cut Marsden's lead to 12-5. He cut Marsden loose to a 13-5 score and continued looking for another takedown. Johnson shot low once more and Marsden was able to counter the move for a takedown and a 15-5 lead. Johnson escaped to a 15-6 score and Marsden finished with one more takedown to win 18-6 with 3:20 in riding time.

Corvallis, Ore. -- Seth Thomas (pictured, with his parents) celebrated his Senior Day with a pin and the Oregon State wrestling team retained the Border War Axe trophy with a 36-9 victory over Boise State on Sunday. The 24th-ranked Beavers (11-6) got pins from Thomas, redshirt sophomore Amarveer Dhesi (hwt) and redshirt freshman Corey Griego (184) in defeating the Broncos (3-9) for the fourth consecutive time, delighting a Gill Coliseum crowd of 1,013. Redshirt sophomore Cody Crawford (197) added a technical fall and redshirt junior Joey Palmer (133) won by major decision as OSU compiled 12 bonus points in the convincing win. OSU is 6-1 in its last seven duals, with the only blemish a loss by criteria at CSU-Bakersfield when it did not field its regular starting lineup. The Beavers honored Thomas, their lone senior, in a ceremony before the dual. He improved to 18-8, and made it a day to remember, by pinning Taylor West in 4:13. His seventh fall of the winter gave OSU an insurmountable 25-3 advantage. "My whole family was here, that was pretty cool," said Thomas, cheered on by his parents, his brother, and numerous other supporters all sporting orange "Team Thomas" tee-shirts created by a family friend. "There were a lot of people here to support me who I didn't know were going to show up, that was pretty awesome. "Getting the pin? It was just another match but obviously it was a pretty cool way to go out and to finish what I started here," in the final home dual of his career and OSU's last dual of the regular season. It was the 50th edition of the interstate rivalry, which dates back to 1975. The Beavers (11-6, 3-2 Pac-12) upped their series lead to 32-17-1. The match started at heavyweight and Dhesi got the Beavers rolling with a pin in 1:16. Sophomore Ronnie Bresser (125), Palmer (133) and redshirt sophomore Jack Hathaway (141) followed with wins for 10 more combined points and a 16-0 advantage. Redshirt sophomore Abraham Rodriguez (157) stretched his winning streak to six straight with a 5-3 decision of Chris Castillo. Bonus-point victories by Thomas, Griego and Crawford closed out the afternoon. "We wrestled well," OSU coach Jim Zalesky said. "There were a few matches we were a little sluggish but we found a way to win. We got some pins, and bonus points are always good going into the Pac-12 meet." OSU completed season-ending, three-dual homestand by going 3-0 and outscoring then-No. 7 Oklahoma (22-12), Air Force (36-0) and Boise State (36-9) by a combined 94-21. "We have been wrestling well and we looked pretty good today," Zalesky added. "There are some things to work on but we just have to keep wrestling the same way we've been doing." The Beavers now head to Arizona State for Saturday's Pacific-12 Conference championships. OSU is the four-time defending champion; tickets for the event are available at the ASU website, thesundevils.com. For more information on the Oregon State wrestling team, follow the club's official Twitter account at Twitter.com/OSU_Wrestling or by Facebook at Facebook.com/OregonStateWrestling. Results: HWT.: Amarveer Dhesi (OSU) pinned Gabriel Gonzalez (BSU), 1:16 125: Ronnie Bresser (OSU) dec. Rami Haddadin (BSU), 5-4 133: Joey Palmer (OSU) maj. dec. Carson Kuhn (BSU), 15-5 141: Jack Hathaway (OSU) dec. Josh Newberg (BSU), 6-2 149: Geordan Martinez (BSU) dec. Joey Delgado (OSU), 7-3 157: Abraham Rodriguez (OSU) dec. Chris Castillo (BSU), 5-3 165: Seth Thomas (OSU) pinned Taylor West (BSU), 4:13 174: Austin Dewey (BSU) pinned Tyler Chay (OSU), 5:00 184: Corey Griego (OSU) pinned Zach Coffman (BSU), 5:29 197: Cody Crawford (OSU) tech. fall Harley DiLulo (BSU), 18-3

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- No. 14 North Carolina closed out its regular season schedule in emphatic fashion Sunday, winning eight of 10 bouts in a 33-12 victory over The Citadel at McAlister Field House. John Michael Staudenmayer and Ethan Ramos both won second-period pins to lead the Tar Heels, who will next be in action at the 2016 ACC Championships on March 6. More to come ... Results: 125: Patrick Kearney (Citadel) pinned Anthony Bosco (UNC), 3:37 - The Citadel leads 6-0 133: James Szymanski (UNC) maj. dec. Caleb Smith (Citadel), 15-4 - The Citadel leads 6-4 141: #9 Joey Ward (UNC) dec. Ty Buckiso (Citadel), 2-1 - UNC leads 7-6 149: #5 Evan Henderson (UNC) dec. Matt Frisch (Citadel), 7-3 - UNC leads 10-6 157: Aaron Walker (Citadel) pinned Robert Henderson (UNC), 4:32 - The Citadel leads 12-10 165: #11 John Staudenmayer (UNC) pinned Daniel Smith (Citadel), 3:58 - UNC leads 16-12 174: #2 Ethan Ramos (UNC) pinned Timothy Knipl (Citadel), 3:26 - UNC leads 22-12 184: #19 Alex Utley (UNC) maj. dec. Sawyer Root (Citadel), 15-7 - UNC leads 26-12 197: Chip Ness (UNC) maj. dec. Marshall Haas (Citadel), 10-2 - UNC leads 30-12 285: Cory Daniel (UNC) dec. Joe Bexley (Citadel), 3-1 (SV-1) - UNC wins 33-12

NORFOLK Va. -- The Central Michigan wrestling team finished the 2015-16 regular season on a high note Sunday, defeating Mid-American Conference rival Old Dominion, 21-15, in the final dual meet of the season. "I thought we responded well in a real tough environment," CMU coach Tom Borrelli said. "They wrestle in a real small arena and their fans are real close to the mat and I thought we handled the noise and the pressure well." CMU, which is ranked 19th, finishes the season 11-5 overall and 6-2 mark the MAC, placing third behind No. 6 Missouri and No. 17 Kent State in the final regular season standings. Old Dominion finishes 6-13, 1-7. The meet began at the 184-pound weight class where CMU's Jordan Ellingwood dropped a close 4-3 decision to No. 11-ranked Jack Dechow. The Chippewas took a 6-3 lead over the Monarchs with wins from Austin Severn and Jackson Lewis at 197 and heavyweight, respectively. Both Severn and Lewis bumped up from their normal weight classes in the win. Severn began the season as CMU's starting 184-pounder and Lewis has wrestled exclusively at 197 this season. "They shuffled their lineup a little bit like we were expecting them to so we did our best to try to match that," Borrelli said. "They really wanted their 197-pounder to wrestle Newt (Newton Smerchek), so by bumping Jackson up and putting Severn in there we were able to avoid that matchup." Sophomore Colin Heffernan also saw action above his normal weight class, spelling Jordan Atienza at 165. Heffernan, a sophomore who has wrestled exclusively at 149 in his career, dropped a 5-3 decision to Seldon Wright. "It was just one of those days for us where we saw an opportunity to give Atienza some rest, but also see what (Heffernan) could do for us," Borrelli said. CMU forfeited six points at 125 pounds where sophomore Brent Fleetwood was held out of the lineup for the fifth time in the last six duals with injury. Heffernan wrestled in Thursday's victory over Wisconsin. "After we went back and watched the way he wrestled in Thursday's match with Wisconsin we didn't feel he was quite ready," Borrelli said. "We want to make sure he's healthy enough to compete in the MAC (Championships in two weeks) and we didn't want to risk anything." Junior Corey Keener gave the Chippewas their only bonus points of the afternoon with a first-period pin of Josh Markham at 133. At 141, CMU's No. 14-ranked Zach Horan fell, 3-1, in overtime to longstanding rival and Chris Mecate, who is ranked 16th. Horan and Mecate have wrestled five times throughout their collegiate careers. Mecate has won three times, Horan has won twice including a 5-3 overtime win in the title match last year at the MAC Championships. Freshman standout Justin Oliver, ranked No. 9 according to intermatwrestle.com, continued his torrid pace claiming a 5-4 decision over Alex Richardson. It was the 13th consecutive win for Oliver, who is unranked by Amateur Wrestling News but ninth by intermatwrestle.com. Richardson, a junior, is ranked sixth by AWN. "(Oliver) just continues to get better and does all the things we ask of him," Borrelli said. "He works hard in practice every day and has real good practice partners and he's wrestling with a lot of confidence right now." Seniors Luke Smith (157) and Mike Ottinger (174) also picked up decisions. The Chippewas will get a week off before competing in the MAC Championships March 5-6 at Eastern Michigan. The NCAA Championships are slated for March 17-19 at Madison Square Garden in New York. "I'm pretty excited for the next few weeks," Borrelli said. "We want to finish the season strong and make sure we are putting the right guys in best situations to do well in the MAC tournament and the (NCAA Championships)." Results: 125: Brandon Jeske (ODU) won by forfeit 133: Corey Keener (CMU) pin Josh Markham (ODU), 0:58 141: Chris Mecate (ODU) dec. Zach Horan (CMU), 3-1 OT 149: Justin Oliver (CMU) dec. Alexander Richardson (ODU), 5-4 157: Luke Smith (CMU) dec. Devin Geoghegan (ODU), 3-0 165: Seldon Wright (ODU) dec. Colin Heffernan (CMU), 5-3 174: Mike Ottinger (CMU) dec. Jared Swan (ODU), 5-4 184: Jack Dechow (ODU) dec. Jordan Ellingwood (CMU), 4-3 197: Austin Severn (CMU) dec. Kaleab Fetahi (ODU), 8-2 285: Jackson Lewis (CMU) dec. Austin Coburn (ODU), 5-3

FARGO, N.D. --The 22nd-ranked South Dakota State University wrestling team closed out the dual season Sunday afternoon with a 23-14 victory over North Dakota State in Big 12 Conference action at Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse. In sweeping the season series from the Bison, the Jackrabbits, who won 13 of their final 14 duals, improved to 14-6 overall and 6-2 against Big 12 opponents. NDSU dropped to 4-6 overall, 2-2 in the Big 12. Sunday's dual followed much the same script as the two teams' December meeting at Frost Arena. After NDSU's 17th-ranked Joshua Rodriguez opened the dual with a pin of Ben Gillette at 125 pounds, the Jackrabbits reeled off wins in the next six weight classes. Brance Simms began the streak with an 8-0 major decision over Nico Colunga at 133 pounds. The next four Jackrabbit victories were all by decision as Seth Gross, Alex Kocer, fifth-ranked Cody Pack and Luke Zilverberg extended the SDSU lead to 17-6. All four SDSU wrestlers have now won 20 or matches this season, with Zilverberg reaching the 20-win mark on Sunday. Pack improved to 25-2 overall. David Kocer recorded the sixth and final win of the streak with a 10-2 major decision of Tyler McNutt at 174 pounds. It was Kocer's team-leading 26th win of the season. Fourth-ranked Hayden Zillmer of NDSU ended the Jackrabbit string with a 21-5 technical fall victory over Brady Ayers in the 184-pound division and Bison heavyweight Ben Tynan notched a 5-3 sudden-victory decision over Alex Macki. Fifteenth-ranked Nate Rotert sealed the Jackrabbit victory with a 10-4 decision over Charley Popp in the 197-pound weight class. A sophomore from Spearfish, Rotert improved to 24-8 on the season. The Jackrabbits return to action at the Big 12 Conference Championship March 5-6 at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Results: 125: #17 Joshua Rodriguez (NDSU) def. Ben Gillette (SDSU), by fall 6:31 133: Brance Simms (SDSU) major dec. Nico Colunga (NDSU), 8-0 141: Seth Gross (SDSU) dec. Mitch Bengston (NDSU), 5-3 149: Alex Kocer (SDSU) dec. Clay Ream (NDSU), 9-6 157: #5 Cody Pack (SDSU) dec. Kyle Gilva (NDSU), 8-2 165: Luke Zilverberg (SDSU) dec. Grant Nehring (NDSU), 14-7 174: David Kocer (SDSU) major dec. Tyler McNutt (NDSU), 10-2 184: #4 Hayden Zillmer (NDSU) tech. fall Brady Ayers (SDSU), 21-5 (6:24) 197: #15 Nate Rotert (SDSU) dec. Charley Popp (NDSU), 10-4 285: Ben Tynan (NDSU) dec. Alex Macki (SDSU), 5-3 [SV-1]

Ann Arbor, Mich. -- The Virginia Tech wrestling team closed out its dual meet season dismantling eighth-ranked Michigan, 24-11, as part of the 2016 National Duals Championship Series. The dual started with a dramatic double overtime win at the 125-weight class. No. 3 Joey Dance came out on top with an 11-9 decision over No. 20 Conor Youtsey after his second round sudden victory takedown. Decisions from Solomon Chishko, Nick Brascetta, Jared Haught, and Ty Walz kept the momentum going throughout the dual. David McFadden and Zach Epperly both came up big with back-to-back bonus points for the Hokies. An 11-3 major decision at 165 and a 20-5 technical fall at 174 put nine team points up on the board for the Hokies moving into the final bouts of the day. No. 7 Jared Haught locked in the dual for the Hokies yet again after an exciting 5-1 decision over No. 6. Tied at one throughout the entire matchup, Haught got a late takedown followed by two near fall points to take a 5-1 lead in the last ten seconds of the match. No. 3 Ty Walz and No. 4 Adam Coon met for the third time in two seasons, with Walz picking up a 3-2 decision to end the dual. The Hokies will return to action on Sunday, March 3, when the team heads to Charlottesville for the 2016 ACC Championships. Tickets are available for sale here and fans can watch all the action live on ESPN3. Dresser sounds off "We came out flat today until Nick Brascetta hit the mat at 157. He ignited the team and we rolled from there! I'm so proud of this staff and this team. We have been on the road for the past four weekends in front of a lot of crowds cheering against us and we ran the table. I love this team and their fight! We are excited for the postseason!" Hokie highlights · The Hokies finish the regular season with five consecutive undefeated weekends dating back to mid January · Tech closes the season on a nine-dual win streak, with five victories over ranked opponents: then-No. 15 UNC, then-No. 18 UVA, then-No. 17 Pitt, then-No. 3 NC State and No. 7 Michigan · No. 3 Joey Dance avenged a 2015 season-ending loss to No. 20 Conor Youtsey today with a dramatic 11-9 sudden victory overtime decision · No. 3 Ty Walz moves to 3-0 against No. 4 Adam Coon with today's decision, his second this season after opening the year with a 9-3 win at the NWCA All-Star Classic Results: 125: No. 3 Joey Dance dec. No. 20 Conor Youtsey, 11-9 (SVOT) 133: No. 18 Rossi Bruno dec, Dennis Gustafson, 5-1 141: No. 8 Solomon Chishko dec. George Fisher, 6-5 149: No. 6 Alec Pantaleo tech. fall Sal Mastriani , 19-4 157: No. 5 Nick Brascetta dec. No. 13 Brian Murphy, 4-3 165: No. 14 David McFadden maj. dec. Jordan Amine 11-3 174: No. 3 Zach Epperly tech. fall Aaron Calderon, 20-5 184: No. 2 Domenic Abounader dec. No. 7 Zack Zavatsky, 5-3 (TB1) 197: No. 7 Jared Haught dec. No. 6 Max Huntley 5-1 HWT: No. 3 Ty Walz dec. No. 4 Adam Coon, 3-2

BLOOMSBURG, Pa. -- Cleveland State used three major decisions and a pair of tech falls to claim a 35-6 victory at Bloomsburg in the regular season finale on Sunday afternoon. The win moves the Vikings to 8-8 overall and 4-2 in the EWL. John Martin received a forfeit at 125 pounds to open the dual and give the Vikings a 6-0 lead. After a 7-4 win at 133 pounds by Bloomsburg, Jayce Carr posted a 12-2 major decision at 141 pounds. Leading 5-1 after two periods, Carr scored a takedown and posted a four-point near fall to push the advantage to 11-1. Nick Montgomery followed with a 14-2 major decision at 149 pounds, scoring with a takedown just 20 seconds into the contest. He continued using that momentum, tallying a two-point near fall at the end of the first period to extend the lead to 5-0 en route to the major decision. Bloomsburg followed with a tight 7-6 win at 157 pounds, but it was all CSU from there as the Vikings won the final five matches of the day. Nathan Wykoop started the run with an 8-1 decision at 165 pounds and Gabe Stark followed with an 8-0 victory at 174 pounds. Xavier Dye followed with a 15-0 tech fall at the 4:23 mark for a win at 184 pounds and Sam Wheeler picked up a 22-7 tech fall in 6:17 at 197 pounds. Riley Shaw, ranked 15th in the nation at heavyweight, finished the dual with a 19-6 major decision. The Vikings will now be out of action until March 5 when CSU competes at the EWL Championships in Lock Haven, Pa. Results: 125: John Martin (Cleveland State) won by forfeit 133: Andy Schutz (Exeter, Pa./Wyoming Area) (Bloomsburg) over Alfredo Gray (Cleveland State), Dec 7-4 141: Jayce Carr (Cleveland State) over Sam Holandez (Carson, Ca./Carson) (Bloomsburg), MD 12-2 149: Nick Montgomery (Cleveland State) over Ryan Snow (Dexter, NY/General Brown) (Bloomsburg), MD 14-2 157: Brendon Colbert (Hagerstown, Md./North Hagerstown) (Bloomsburg) over Chas Busz (Cleveland State, Dec 7-6 165: Nathan Wynkoop (Cleveland State) over Mathew Carr (Dalton, Pa./Abington Heights) (Bloomsburg), Dec 8-1 174: Gabe Stark (Cleveland State) over Casey Glunt (Mercersburg, Pa./James Buchanan) (Bloomsburg), MD 8-0 184: Xavier Dye (Cleveland State) over Kyle Wojtaszek (Brick, NJ/Brick Township) (Bloomsburg), TF 15-0 4:23 197: Sam Wheeler (Cleveland State) over Dominic Carfagno (West Paterson, NJ/St. Joseph Regional) (Bloomsburg), TF 22-7 6:17 285: Riley Shaw (Cleveland State) over Saul Wilkins (Wilkes-Barre, Pa./GAR) (Bloomsburg), MD 19-6

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Competing in the NWCA National Duals Championship Duals for the first time, Appalachian State University wrestling topped Indiana, 21-13, on Sunday in University Gymnasium in its final dual match of the season. The Mountaineers (12-4, 6-1 SoCon) won the final three matches of the afternoon to complete their come-from-behind victory of the Hoosiers (6-7, 3-6 Big Ten). "I'm so proud of this team and how they fought when our backs were against the wall," said head coach JohnMark Bentley. "This is a very big statement for our program, athletics department, and university." The match started with the 157-pound match. David Peters-Logue got the Apps off to a great start with a 6-4 decision win in overtime. Indiana then won the next three matches to open up a 10-3 lead. Forrest Przybysz dropped a close 5-4 decision to Bryce Martin in the 165-pound match. Nick Kee faced No. 11 Nate Jackson, the highest ranked wrestler for Indiana. Jackson defeated Kee by major decision, 12-4. Taylor Jackson fell to Matt Irick in another close decision at 184 pounds. Randall Diabe got the Mountaineers back on the winning track when he topped Jake Masengale, 6-3. Diabe's win brought the team score to, 10-6. Denzel Dejournette capped his dual season with a 5-1 win over Garret Goldman to bring the Apps back within one point of Indiana. Vito Pasone led the 125-pound match for the majority of the match over No. 19 Elijah Oliver. Oliver rallied late and used a takedown in the final seconds of the third period to edge Pasone, 10-9. With Indiana up 13-9, the Apps won the final three matches to close out the dual. First, Irvin Enriquez earned a 6-2 decision over Alonzo Shepard to close the gap to a single point. Michael Longo came up huge for the Mountaineers in the 141-pound match versus Tommy Cash. Longo pinned Cash late in the third period to give the Apps their first lead since the opening match. Matt Zovistoski sealed the win with a 6-5 decision win over Luke Blanton. The win wrapped up the regular season for the Mountaineers. App State will be back in action on Mar. 5 for the Southern Conference Championship held in Asheville, N.C. Results: 157: David Peters-Logue (App) dec. Jake Danishek (IU), SV-1 6-4 // App, 3-0 165: Bryce Martin (IU) dec. Forrest Przybysz (App), 5-4 // Tied, 3-3 174: No. 11 Nate Jackson (IU) maj. dec. Nick Kee (App), 12-4 // IU, 7-3 184: Matt Irick (IU) dec. Taylor Jackson (App), 7-5 // IU, 10-3 197: Randall Diabe (App) dec. Jake Masengale (IU), 6-3 // IU, 10-6 285: No. 6 Denzel Dejournette (App) dec. Garret Goldman (IU), 5-1 // IU, 10-9 125: No. 19 Elijah Oliver (IU) dec. Vito Pasone (App), 10-9 // IU, 13-9 133: Irvin Enriquez (App) dec. Alonzo Shepherd (IU), 6-2 // IU, 13-12 141: Mike Longo (App) pinned Tommy Cash (IU), Fall 6:53 // App, 18-13 149: Matt Zovistoski (App) dec. Luke Blanton (IU), 6-5 // App, 21-13

MADISON, Wis. -- The Badgers saved their best for last. The Wisconsin wrestling team celebrated Senior Day on Sunday at the Field House before dominating Northwestern, 38-3, behind a major decision, two technical falls and a pin. Other than their 43-0 walloping of Division II UW-Whitewater on Nov. 12, the win was easily the Badgers' most lopsided. Previously, Wisconsin's biggest point differential in a victory was 13 points against Maryland on Feb. 14. Seniors Brett Hochstaetter, Nic Veling and Brock Horwath were honored prior to the dual. UW maintained control from start to finish, with Isaac Jordan piling on the points against Luke Norland. The second-ranked 165-pounder used two takedowns, a two-point near fall and a four-point near fall to get out to a comfortable 10-1 lead after one period. Choosing to start the second on the bottom, Jordan quickly escaped and added two takedowns to earn the technical fall victory, 17-2. The result marked Jordan's 21st-consecutive triumph to start the season and extended his winning streak to 22-straight, dating back to last year. It was also his highest point total and first technical fall win of 2015-16. Jordan last won by 15 points (19-4) on Feb. 6, 2015 against Nick Visicaro of Rutgers. At 174 pounds, Ricky Robertson's win proved to be much more challenging, as he recorded a takedown with just 15 seconds remaining to beat Mitch Sliga in a 5-2 decision. Ryan Christensen added to Wisconsin's lead with a major decision in the 184-pound grapple. The Wisconsin wrestler did not allow his competitor, Regis Durbin, to reach the scoreboard until there were only 27 seconds remaining in the match. He went for three takedowns and his first four-point near fall of the season in the 14-1 win. While the 197-pound and heavyweight matches are often slow-moving, less thrilling affairs, Eric Peissig and Horwath brought plenty of excitement to the mat on Sunday. Peissig kept pace with Jacob Berkowitz early on but trailed, 4-2, after the first period. Berkowitz, starting the second on the bottom, escaped to extend his lead. Peissig responded soon after, though, with a takedown and then proceeded to pin the NU wrestler 4:02 into the match. The fall was the Menomonie, Wisconsin, native's second of his career. He last pinned an opponent on Dec. 13, 2013, when he defeated Northern Iowa's Kyle Beal. Horwath followed up Pessig's impressive win with one of his own. The heavyweight match was a stalemate through the first period and much of the second. Wisconsin's 285-pounder carried a one-point lead into the third but with Conan Jennings amassing over a minute of riding time, the match was a virtual tie. Just as it looked like time would expire and the wrestlers would reset for the first sudden victory period, Horwath lunged at Jennings' legs to register a takedown with a mere split second to spare before the buzzer sounded. The point was reviewed and confirmed, giving Horwath a victory in his last match at the Field House. In the 125-pound match, Johnny Jimenez sweetened his birthday by earning a 7-3 win over Garrison White. He is now 14-11 on the season. No. 11 Ryan Taylor met No. 19 Dominick Malone at 133 pounds which was the only bout of the dual to feature two ranked wrestlers. Following a scoreless first period, Malone picked up an escape to Taylor's takedown in the second. A neutral start in the third allowed Taylor to earn another takedown, helping him to a 5-1 win. Despite having just eight matches under his belt this year, Taylor has matched up with six ranked opponents. Sunday's win gave him his second over a ranked wrestler, improving his record to 5-4 in 2015-16. A Wildcats forfeit at 141 pounds gave Luke Rowh his ninth win of the campaign. Andrew Crone challenged his fifth ranked opponent in the last eight matches, as he met No. 6 Jason Tsirtis in the 149-pound battle. After no scoring through two periods, Tsirtis picked up an escape, takedown and riding time point in the third compared to Crone's escape to win, 4-1. Crone now posts a 2-6 record against rated wrestlers, with three of the losses coming by three points or less. TJ Ruschell wrapped up the dual with a bang, as he gathered six takedowns and two four-point near falls to defeat Anthony Petrone, 20-5. The win was his most dominant of the year and snapped an 11-match slide that dated back to Dec. 5. Wisconsin will next compete at the Big Ten Championships, March 5-6, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa. Results: 125: Jimenez (WIS) wins by Dec. over White (NU), 7-3 133: Taylor (WIS) wins by Dec. over Malone (NU), 5-1 141: Rowh (WIS) wins by Forfeit over Oster (NU) 149: Tsirtis (NU) wins by Dec. over Crone (WIS), 4-1 157: Ruschell (WIS) wins by TF over Petrone (NU), 20-5 165: Jordan (WIS) wins by TF over Norland (NU), 17-2 174: Robertson (WIS) wins by Dec. over Sliga (NU), 5-2 184: Christensen (WIS) wins by MD over Durbin (NU), 14-1 197: Pessig (WIS) wins by Fall over Berkowitz (NU) at 4:02 Hwt.: Horwath (WIS) wins by Dec. over Jennings (NU), 3-1

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Four different Blue Devils scored bonus points to lead the Duke wrestling team to a convincing 28-18 victory over No. 23 Purdue Sunday afternoon. The Blue Devils split their Big Ten road swing after losing a heartbreaker to Northwestern, 20-19, based on criteria Friday night. The win over the Boilermakers is the third victory overall for the Blue Devils over a current Big Ten program and is the second ranked win for the Blue Devils this season. Duke's previous Big Ten wins came last season versus Maryland and Michigan State. Sophomore Thayer Atkins got Duke (6-9) off to a fast start, pinning Luke Schroder with 57 seconds left in the first period. The fall was his first of his career and launched the Blue Devils in front 6-0 right off the bat. Duke and Purdue had off-setting forfeits at 133 and 157 pounds, respectively, leaving the Blue Devils with a 12-6 lead with seven matches remaining. The Boilermakers scored a big four-point major decision at 141 as Danny Sabatello took down Zach Finesilver 13-5. Sabatello struck early on the Duke redshirt freshman en route to his 41st career dual victory. At 149 pounds, twin brother Mitch Finesilver responded with a 9-1 major decision of his own. Ranked 10th nationally, the sophomore scored an early takedown but was unable to get Jeremy Golding to his back to add to his lead. After building his lead to 7-1 with short time remaining, Mitch left no doubt that he was going to get the major decision as he got the necessary takedown for the 9-1 major decision. Redshirt junior and 18th-ranked Jake Faust added to Duke's lead with a commanding performance at 165 pounds. In full control from the opening whistle, Faust dominated Andy Hoselton and used four nearfall points as the timer buzzed in the third period to get his 17th win of the year and second technical fall. Sporting a 21-10 lead through six matches, Alec Schenk seemingly put the Blue Devils out of reach with a 24-10 lead with an 8-4 decision over Kirk Johnson. Schenk, after missing a month due to injury, scored first and never trailed as he picked up his first dual victory of the year. Duke, leading 24-14 with two matches remain, looked to fifth-ranked Conner Hartmann to seal the win for the Blue Devils. Up against Drake Stein, Hartmann left no doubt that Duke would be going home with the win. He scored an early takedown and tacked on six more back points for an 8-0 lead after three minutes of wrestling. The All-American added five more points en route to his 92nd career victory and a 28-14 Duke lead. Hartmann is ranked sixth in program history in wins and one shy of tying for the fifth spot. His .767 win percentage is eighth in Duke history. Purdue registered a major decision at heavyweight from Tyler Kral to bring the final score to 28-18. Duke will take the next week to get fully healthy and prepare for ACC Championships March 6 in Charlottesville, Va. Results: 125: Thayer Atkins (Duke) pins Luke Schroeder, 2:03 – Duke 6, Purdue 0 133: Luke Welch (Purdue) wins by forfeit – Duke 6, Purdue 6 141: Danny Sabatello (Purdue) major dec. Zach Finesilver (Duke), 13-5 – Purdue Duke 6, Purdue 10 149: No. 10 Mitch Finesilver (Duke) major dec. Jeremy Golding (Purdue), 9-1 – Duke 10, Purdue 10 157: Connor Bass (Duke) wins by forfeit – Duke 16, Purdue 10 165: Jake Faust (Duke) tech fall Andy Hoselton (Purdue), 15-0 – Duke 21, Purdue 10 174: Alec Schenk (Duke) dec. Kirk Johnson (Purdue), 8-4 – Duke 24, Purdue 10 184: Taylor Lynde (Purdue) major dec. Trey Adamson (Duke), 13-1 – Duke 24, Purdue 14 197: No. 5 Conner Hartmann (Duke) major dec. Drake Stein (Purdue), 13-0 – Duke 28, Purdue 14 285: Tyler Kral (Purdue) major dec. Brendan Walsh (Duke), 10-1 – Duke 28, Purdue 18

CLARION, Pa. -- Dominic Rigous won by fall with just :01 remaining in the first period, and that result ended up being the difference as the Clarion wrestling team defeated 24th-ranked Pittsburgh 18-18 with the criteria tiebreaker at Tippin Gymnasium on Sunday. With the victory, Clarion finishes the dual match season with a 7-12 record, and will next compete at the Eastern Wrestling League championships. The Golden Eagles and Panthers split the 10 matches on the card but Clarion earned the win thanks to Rigous's win by fall in the 184-pound match. In general, the match was a close one, with the Golden Eagles claiming two wins by sudden victory and losing one match by riding time. Clarion trailed 12-3 after the first four matches of the day but won four of the last six. With Clarion trailing 15-9 entering the 184-pound match, Rigous pulled off the win by fall over Zach Bruce to tie the team match and fire up the capacity crowd. The two spent much of the first period feeling each other out until Rigous managed to finally bring Bruce down late. He wrangled for position with him until finally getting Bruce on his back with just a second remaining in the period, bringing the crowd to its feet as the official indicated the pin. Dustin Conti was equal to the task in the 197-pound match, putting Clarion ahead for the first time on Sunday with an exciting victory over Nick Bonaccorsi in sudden victory. He went ahead 4-3 early in the third period with a takedown, but Bonaccorsi reversed it to go up by a 5-4 score. Conti notched the escape to tie the score and to send the match into sudden victory, with the junior toppling Bonaccorsi with a double-leg takedown to record the 7-5 decision. Clarion led the match 18-15 heading into the heavyweight bout and Evan Daley delivered, wrestling Ryan Solomon to a near-standstill throughout the entire match. Solomon won by decision 7-5 but Daley won the war, fighting off numerous aggressive shots from Solomon to prevent any bonus points for the Panthers. Michael Pavasko provided the other sudden victory decision for the Golden Eagles, winning the last home match of his career in dramatic fashion. Pavasko and Te'Shan Campbell went back and forth in the 174-pound match, with Campbell going up 4-1 after a reversal to open the second period. Pavasko got the escape point and took Campbell down before the end of the period to tie the score at 4, and the two grapplers finished the third period tied at 5. Just 35 seconds into the sudden victory period, Pavasko took down Campbell for two points to win the decision 7-5 and cut Pittsburgh's lead to 15-9, giving Rigous the opportunity to tie the team match in the next bout. Brock Zacherl recorded the first win of the day for the Golden Eagles, cutting Pittsburgh's lead to 9-3 with a decision over Nick Zannetta at 141 pounds. He took down Zannetta early in the first period and held on for the remainder, picking up 1:30 of riding time while keeping a solid grip on his opponent. Zannetta chose the down position to open the second period but still could not escape Zacherl, who led by a 2-0 score after five minutes of action. Zacherl started down in the third period and got his own escape to go up 3-0, and the addition of the riding time at the end of the match afforded Zacherl the 4-0 decision. Jake Keller recorded an important win further down the line, utilizing a big second period to defeat Ronnie Garbinsky in the 157-pound match. Neither wrestler scored in the first period and it looked like things might remain scoreless through two before Keller turned the tables on Garbinsky, scoring the reversal and tilting him on his back for four points to take a 6-0 advantage. The two traded points the rest of the match, with Keller getting the best of Garbinsky by way of an 8-5 decision. Results: 125: LJ Bentley (Pitt) over Patrick DeWitt (Clarion) MD 12-3 133: Dom Forys (Pitt) over Roshaun Cooley (Clarion) TF 17-2 4:23 141: Brock Zacherl (Clarion) over Nick Zannetta (Pitt) Dec. 4-0 149: Robert Lee (Pitt) over Brodie Zacherl (Clarion) Dec. 5-2 157: Jake Keller (Clarion) over Ronnie Garbinsky (Pitt) Dec. 8-5 165: Cody Wiercioch (Pitt) over Evan DeLong (Clarion) Dec. 13-12 174: Michael Pavasko (Clarion) over Te'Shan Campbell (Pitt) Dec. 7-5 SV-1 184: Dominic Rigous (Clarion) over Zach Bruce (Pitt) Fall 2:59 197: Dustin Conti (Clarion) over Nick Bonaccorsi (Pitt) Dec. 7-5 SV-1 285: Ryan Solomon (Pitt) over Evan Daley (Clarion) Dec. 7-5

FAIRFAX, Va. -- Winning seven of 10 bouts, the American University wrestling team closed out its 2015-16 dual slate with a 27-11 victory at George Mason on Sunday afternoon. The Eagles end the season with a 6-9 dual record, while the Patriots fall to 7-14 on the season. The match started at 125 pounds, where AU senior captain David Terao, ranked 14th in the nation, controlled the tempo throughout his bout. Leading 13-6 in the third period, Terao put his opponent on his back with 22 seconds on the clock, giving American the early 6-0 lead. George Mason closed the gap in the team scoring with a tech fall at 133 pounds, but American extended its lead with a win at 141 pounds by redshirt senior Tyler Scotton. Scotton's takedown at the buzzer at the end of the first period proved to be the difference, as he held on for a 3-1 decision. At 149 pounds, junior Tom Page dropped a hard-fought match to Blake Roulo. After heading into the final period with a 7-2 deficit, Page battled back to cut the margin to one point. However, Roulo scored a last-second takedown to earn the 10-7 win for the Patriots. Senior captain John Boyle, ranked 14th at 157 pounds, faced a tough opponent in Greg Flournoy, GMU's top wrestler. After going scoreless in the first period, Boyle earned the first point of the match with a second-period escape, but Flournoy tied it up with an escape in the third period. Tied 1-1 at the end of regulation, Boyle came up with the only takedown of the match in sudden victory, winning the bout with 26 seconds on the clock. The Eagles increased their lead as redshirt senior Mitchell Wightman scored a 4-0 decision, riding out his opponent in the third period. Meanwhile, the Patriots escaped with an 8-6 decision at 174 pounds, despite a strong third period by AU sophomore Michael Eckhart. Junior Jason Grimes added another win for the Eagles, earning a 6-1 decision at 184 pounds with a late takedown in the third period. Meanwhile, sophomore Jeric Kasunic recorded his team-leading eighth fall of the season at 197 pounds, pinning his opponent in 58 seconds to clinch the team victory for the Eagles. In the final bout of the afternoon, freshman heavyweight Jake Scanlan posted the Eagles' final victory, using a first period takedown to stake an early lead before holding on for a 3-2 decision. “The last three dual meets, we've been wrestling really well,” said American head coach Teague Moore. “Things that we've been working on all season are finally happening for us. “With this dual especially, in a lot of those close battles, we did the little things that we've been working on. I'm really excited for these guys because the hard work they've been putting in is now paying off.” With the regular season under wraps, the Eagles will now prepare for the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association Championships, which will be held March 5-6 at Princeton University. “I don't want to see us change much from what we're doing now,” said Moore. “I feel like we're firing on all cylinders. We manage our weight well, we live the right lifestyle—this is when all of those things really start coming into play for us. “We're going to go home and focus on individual things that need to be done, but the EIWA's are essentially just another tournament. We can't make it any bigger than it is and I think these guys are ready for it.” Results: 125: No. 14 David Terao (AU) fall Ibrahim Banduka, 6:38 133: Vince Rodriguez (GMU) tech fall James Giaccia, 16-1 (2:23) 141: Tyler Scotton (AU) dec. Tejon Anthony, 3-1 149: Blake Roulo (GMU) dec. Tom Page, 10-7 157: No. 14 John Boyle (AU) dec. Greg Flournoy, 3-1 (SV1) 165: Mitchell Wightman (AU) dec. Patrick Davis, 4-0 174: Ryan Forrest (GMU) dec. Michael Eckhart, 8-6 184: Jason Grimes (AU) dec. Luke Ludke, 6-1 197: Jeric Kasunic (AU) fall Cameron Houston, 0:58 HWT: Jake Scanlan (AU) dec. Matt Voss, 3-2

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Two weeks before his third professional mixed martial arts fight, former University of Minnesota All-American wrestler Logan Storley has been signed to a fourth MMA event in his native South Dakota, according to multiple media sources. Logan StorleyStorley will be again competing for Resurrection Fighting Alliance at its RFA 37 event on April 10 at the Sanford Pentagon in South Dakota. While some matchups have already been announced, Storley's opponent at RFA 37 has yet to be named. Meanwhile, the former Golden Gopher is concentrating on his upcoming match on Friday, March 4 when he will be facing Rode "Chunk" Vocu at RFA 36: Barcelos vs. Vannata at Mystic Lake Casino in Prior Lake, Minn. just outside Minneapolis-St. Paul. Vocu is a former high school wrestler and Golden Gloves boxer from North Dakota who won his pro MMA debut last October. "It doesn't really matter how good a guy's striking is if I take him down," Storley told the Sioux Falls Argus-Leader Friday. "And same for how good a guy's ground game is if he can't take me down." In addition to Storley, at the top of the card at April's RFA 37 is the inaugural light-heavyweight title bout featuring two 205-pounders with perfect records, Devin Clark (5-0) and Rafael Viana (6-0). Also slated for the event is South Dakota MMA veteran Jordon Larson, and former Augustana College (S.D.) wrestler Sid Bice. Storley announced his plans for a pro MMA career last spring, after winning three amateur bouts. The six-time South Dakota high school state champion wrestler and four-time NCAA All-American at Minnesota won his first two pro matches in short order, scoring a first-round TKO via punches over Bill Mees at RFA 29 in Sioux Falls, S.D. in August. In January, Storley earned another TKO victory in the opening round, this time vs. Marc "the Pummel" Hummel at RFA 32 at Prior Lake.

Tucker Russo, a two-time Tennessee state champion wrestler who had been considered to be a favorite for a third consecutive title, was denied the opportunity because of a controversial decision made by the head coach of one of his opponents at the state championships in Franklin, Tenn. Friday. Russo, a 160-pound senior for Soddy-Daisy High School who had yet to give up an offensive point this season and was making a strong bid for the tournament's outstanding wrestler award, was sent into the consolation bracket on a questionable illegal-slam call in his second match of the tournament, ending up in third place Saturday. In his second match at the 2016 Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association's Wrestling Championships, Russo was up 5-0 in the second period vs. Smyrna's Tyrone Johnson. When his opponent stood up, Russo took him back to the mat. The referee determined that Russo used too much force, and he awarded a penalty point to Johnson. Both the trainer and Johnson himself said that he was okay and ready to continue minutes later, but the Smyrna coach wouldn't let him continue and took the match by disqualification. (The rule is that if a wrestler is injured by a slam -- or any illegal move or hold -- and cannot continue, then the injured wrestler is declared the winner.) Russo's coaches were outraged. "I'm gut-sick," longtime Soddy-Daisy coach Steve Henry, who is filling in with Brad Laxton for head coach Jim Higgins, told the Chattanooga Times-Free Press. "I went to the table -- I knew I had to fight for him -- but I went knowing there was nothing I could do. I just hate the principle behind the call." "In all the years I coached, the two most emotional matches for me were when Tucker lost in the semis his freshman year and tonight," Henry said. "All I could tell him was people that know the sport know what happened." "We go from the possibility of being the Outstanding Wrestler to battling for third," Henry said to The Chattanoogan . "I had a long talk with him when it ended and he's deflated and devastated, but we just have to fight through adversity and see what we're made of." Soddy-Daisy assistant coach Brad Laxton had even harsher words. "That Smyrna coach is nothing more than a coward. His kid was getting totally dominated at the time. The trainer said he was okay and the kid said he was ready to continue, but that wasn't the choice the coach made," said Laxton. Meanwhile, the Smyrna wrestler and coach at the heart of the controversy shared their perspective at the MoPattonSports.com website . "I wanted to go, but my coach said I was unable to wrestle," Tyrone Johnson said, referring to first-year Smyrna coach Matt Proctor. "I wanted to go back out there and wrestle. I was upset with the result because -- I know it's a win over Tucker Russo, but if I don't get to wrestle, what's the point?" While Johnson was evaluated by one of the certified athletic trainers on site and was cleared to resume competition, coach Proctor -- a 2002 state champion himself at Dickson County, where he coached the past two years -- wasn't convinced. "As a coach, it's the toughest decision to make," he said. "You never want to win like that. There were several factors. Being in a match, you're basically under the gun (to make a decision in) a minute and a half. "The trainer did come over. It was his ribs that were injured. It was a slam. She checked him out, she made him twist (his torso). But what she didn't do, she didn't check to see if he could raise his arms, lift his arms above his head. He could not. "I sat there as long as I could, seeing if he could go. I put pressure on his shoulder, he couldn't raise his shoulder up. At that point, it's ‘can he go?' No, he couldn't go. I, 100 percent, made that decision. The trainer did clear him, but again, she didn't check to see if he could raise his arms, defend himself." "I told one of (the Soddy Daisy wrestlers) to tell Russo I was sorry," Johnson said. "That's not the way I wanted the match to go. "I guess (Proctor) was looking out for me. In the end, my ribs were bruised. I have them taped up now." Proctor added, "As a coach, I feel confident that what I did was right, the right call. It was a tough call. It's in the rules. The rule is about safety for my wrestler, not about advancing my guy in the tournament." Tyrone Johnson of Smyrna was eliminated from the Class AAA 160-pound bracket Friday with a 9-7 loss to Bradley Central's Henley Headrick ... while Tucker Russo placed third in that bracket, earning his fourth medal in the Tennessee state championships.

Wrestlers from Hurricane High School may not have brought home any trophies from the Utah state wrestling championships last weekend, but they achieved something greater: they saved a man's life. Hurricane wrestlers Allan Madsen and Devin English helped head wrestling coach Ryan Christiansen perform CPR on a man experiencing a heart attack at the Comfort Inn in Orem where he and the Tiger wrestlers were staying in advance of the Class 3A wrestling tournament at Utah Valley University. "We were in our rooms when we heard a lady yelling for help," Christiansen told St. George News . "We ran out the door, but didn't know what to expect. The boys were brave. They ran in ready to do what was needed." "My first initial thought was the woman was in need of something, like she was getting hurt or someone was attacking her, so my initial thought was I was about to get in a fight with somebody," senior wrestler Allan Madsen told KSL-TV, the NBC affiliate in Salt Lake City. "We came running in to see a man dead, sitting on a chair. It was a really shocking, traumatic experience," said senior wrestler Devin English. "He was discolored, his mouth was open, he was leaning back, no movement, not even breathing," said Madsen. The man was Kent Moser of Idaho who had been in Utah for back surgery. His wife Kathy was the woman screaming for help. "We put the man on the floor and did CPR on him for seven or eight minutes," coach Christiansen said. Madsen called 911 and eventually medical personnel came and took over. "It gives me chills every time I think about it," said Madsen. "I took a CPR class just a few weeks ago at school and it was great to have that knowledge when I was there." After seeing a TV interview with the Hurricane coach and wrestlers, Kathy Moser called and spoke to the wrestlers-turned-first responders for the first time. "I can't even talk. They mean the world to me. I don't know them personally. I don't even know all their names but we love them dearly," Kathy told ABC4Utah . Kent Moser was treated for blood clots and released from the hospital. The Mosers have returned to Utah. As for the Hurricane wrestler-rescuers ... Madsen wrestled three matches, winning one and losing two. English went 2-1. "Having that experience is something that will impact my life more than a placement at state will," Madsen said. "It was a really good experience for putting everything in perspective," said English. "We all did what we were supposed to."

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- (National Qualifier Schedule and Results) A trio of defending national champions highlight the 180 wrestlers that secured a spot in the 2016 NAIA Wrestling National Championships, presented by USA Wrestling-Kansas. Automatic qualification was given to the top three finishers in each of the area's 10 weight classes at today's 2016 NAIA Wrestling National Qualifying Tournaments. The remainder of the expanded 240-man field will be filled with at-large individuals. Each of the six qualifying groups receives five wildcards, which were chosen by the coaches at their respective post-event meetings. The remaining 30 wrestlers are determined by a national selection committee. Up to 15 nominations from each area will be considered by the national committee. The full field will be officially announced on Monday. The 59th annual national championships will take place for the third-straight year at the Kansas Expocentre in Topeka, Kan. The four-session event begins Friday, March 4 and concludes with the 10 championship bouts on Saturday, March 5. Four-time defending national champion Grand View won a sixth-straight Central team title with 223 points, followed by Missouri Valley with 156 points. For the third-consecutive year, the Vikings qualified all 12 wrestlers with at least a third-place finish. Seven of Grand View's 12 individuals won titles - Tristan Bundy (125 pounds), Jacob Colon (133 pounds), Andrew Long (149 pounds), Tanner Werner (157 pounds), Dallas Houchins (165 pounds), Michael Pixley (184 pounds) and Grant Harrill (197 pounds). The three other individual titles went to runner-up Missouri Valley - Jake Ekster (141 pounds), Riley Boomer (174 pounds) and Gabi Musallam (285 pounds). Musallam, who is now 16-2 on the season, is the defending national champion at 285 pounds. With the win, Ekster has now won back-to-back group titles - claimed the 2015 individual crown at 149 pounds en route to a runner-up finish at the national championship. Overall, Missouri Valley had six grapplers automatically qualify. Oklahoma City claimed the first-ever South Qualifying Group team title with 152 points, edging second-place York (Neb.) (144.5) by 7.5 points. The Stars had 10 individuals punch a ticket to the national championships, including defending national champion Ricky McCarty at 165 pounds. McCarty (37-2) cruised to the title, including a 10-2 major decision win over Joseph McAleavey of Bacone (Okla.) in the title bout. Other Oklahoma City grapplers to claim individual crowns were Adrian Gaines at 125 pounds and Zach Skates at 157 pounds. Both wrestlers are returning All-Americans. York's day was highlighted by tremendous performances by Willie Fox at 149 pounds and Nicholas Meck at 174 pounds. Fox, who entered the event ranked No. 2 nationally, followed an opening bout pin with back-to-back tech falls to win the title. Meck pinned his first two opponents, before claiming a hard-fought 10-8 upset win over Derek Sivertsen of Oklahoma City in the third tie breaker. Fueled by six individual champions and eight qualifiers, Indiana Tech won the Midwest team title. The Warriors' strongest performance came from two-time All-American Travis Barroquillo. The Wolcottville, Ind., native pinned all four opponents to contribute a team-best 23 points to Indiana Tech's final score of 195.0. Williams Baptist (Ark.) with 169 points and Missouri Baptist with 113.5 points finished second and third in the Midwest Group. The Eagles boast eight national qualifiers, including group champions Tyler Fraley at 141 pounds, Josh Chiles at 197 pounds and Conor Karwath at 285 pounds. Fraley, who pinned his first three opponents before downing Matthew Miller of Indiana Tech, 4-0, in the finals, improved to 16-0 on the year. Missouri Baptist's team performance was highlighted by 149-pounder William Upson, who scored 20 points for the club with tech falls in the quarterfinals and semifinals before pinning Jacob Gross of Indiana Tech in 1:24 in the title bout. For the second-straight year, Concordia won the North Group team title with eight national qualifiers and 169 points. Top-ranked Andrew Schulte improved to 19-0 on the season at 141 pounds en route to his second-straight individual title at the qualifier. His title defense was completed with an 11-3 major decision win over Sonny Gulesian of Briar Cliff (Iowa). Other notable performances by the Bulldogs came from Jr Lule at 157 pounds, Matthew Atwood at 184 pounds and Ceron Francisco at 185 pounds, as all three grapplers won individual titles. Lule claimed the most points for Concordia - 21.5 - on the day after going 4-0, including one pin and three technical falls. Morningside (Iowa), which finished fifth at last year's North Qualifier, took second-place with 115.5 points, while Northwestern (Iowa) claimed third-place with 110 points. In the East Qualifier, Campbellsville (Ky.) and Cumberland (Tenn.) tied for the team championship with 142.5 points each. Defending national champion Davion Caston kept his title defense hopes alive with an impressive showing at the event. He won via major decision through the first two rounds, and downed Sammy Rosario of Cumberland, 3-2, in a tough title contest. Two other Tigers claimed individual titles at the event - Jaedin Sklapsky (149 pounds) and Sean Black (165 pounds). Cumberland had seven qualifiers, including five runner-up finishers. Life (Ga.), which entered the East Qualifier as the highest ranked team in the area, finished fourth with 106.5 points. The latest finishing of the six qualifiers went to Montana State-Northern, claiming the West Group team title with 152.5 points. Southern Oregon, which had won six of the previous seven events entering Saturday, finished in second-place with 140.5 points. The heavier weight classes were the key to the Lights' success, as Willie Miller (174 pounds) and Garrett DeMers (197 pounds) won their respective weight classes, while Toby Cheff and Taylor Kornoely claimed first and second at 285 pounds. DeMers is a two-time All-American and with the victory today has now won two-straight West Group titles at 197 pounds. Cheff, Montana State-Northern's other returning All-American, gains some positive momentum entering the championships as he looks to improve upon his third-place finish a season ago. Southern Oregon had three individual medalists - Tyler Cowger (149 pounds), Aaron Demay (157 pounds) and Ryan McWatters (184 pounds). Similar to Montana State-Northern, the Raiders swept the top two spots at 157 pounds when Demay won by forfeit over teammate Hunter Hodges. For more information on the national championships, click here.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- It once again came down to the final match between No. 13 Rutgers wrestling and No. 7 Lehigh Saturday night at the RAC. The dual score was tied, and so too was No. 13 heavyweight Billy Smith (Wantage, N.J.) and No. 14 Max Wessell entering tiebreakers. But Smith had been there before. The redshirt senior (23-6) reversed Wessell to begin tiebreakers, held the Mountain Hawk off in the next 30 second stanza, and sent Rutgers wrestling home with an 18-15 dual win over the Mountain Hawks (13-3, 7-0). "That's as big a spot as you're going to get, against a really good kid who's having a great year," said head coach Scott Goodale. "For both of these guys [Smith and Anthony Perrotti] there's just a bunch of confidence we're going to win those matches. Looking at the dual meet on paper, there's eight toss-ups in that match. So every single point was contested all the way through." "He's been in these spots before and he's been solid there, and Anthony's [Perrotti] been in those spots before and been solid there." RU (16-5, 5-4) closed the 2015-16 dual season with its seventh ranked win of the year and third against a top-10 opponent. To boot, the Scarlet Knights clinched their second consecutive RAC win over their former EIWA rival, doing it again courtesy of a winner-take-all decision from Smith at heavyweight. "In the grand scheme of things, what does this win mean? It's huge for our program," Goodale said. "It's Lehigh, tremendous tradition, a ton of respect for those guys. There's chippness, [but] I have all the respect in the world for [head coach] Pat Santoro and that staff. We're just fighting really, really hard for those guys just like they're doing. Every point mattered, we knew that. It means a lot to beat Lehigh, there's no question about it. Now let's move onto the Big Ten Championships." No. 7-ranked redshirt senior Anthony Perrotti (Roseland, N.J.), who secured an 8-5 decision against No. 16 Ryan Preisch (Lehigh) at 165 pounds, was overwhelmed after taking down Lehigh in the final dual of his college career. "It's indescribable," Perrotti said. "It was crazy. Unlike Billy, I do the math. I'm a big student of the sport. I like our odds in some matches here and there. I thought [Nicholas] Gravina could have pulled that one out. [Hayden] Hrymack had beaten that guy before. So I didn't think it was coming down the Billy … [but] I've got nothing but confidence in him. He's been doing this for five years. He's really been the backbone of this program at the upper weight. "I remember my sophomore year he might have won seven matches in a row for us coming down the heavyweight. He's just got a knack for it. I guess that comes with being a heavyweight and comes with being on a good team. I couldn't be more proud of him. I couldn't be more proud of the way we wrestled." Overall, Rutgers won six of 10 bouts against the Mountain Hawks, beginning with No. 5 Anthony Ashnault (South Plainfield, N.J.) at 141 pounds. Ashnault (24-2) defeated No. 17 Randy Cruz for the second consecutive meeting, this time by a 9-2 score to make the dual score 8-3. Prior to the RU win, Lehigh's No. 13 Darian Cruz (125 Pounds) and Mason Beckman (133 Pounds) each scored major decisions over Sean McCabe (Ronkonkoma, N.Y.) and Josh Patrick (Rector, Pa.), respectively. But Rutgers rode the momentum of Ashnault's win over the next four matches, earning victories from 149-174 pounds. Tyson Dippery (Harrisburg, Pa.) kept it rolling with a 6-0 decision at 149 pounds, and No. 12 Richie Lewis (Toms River, N.J.) gutted out a 12-7 decision against Drew Longo to give Rutgers a 9-8 lead at intermission. That lead ballooned to 15-8 following an 8-5 decision by Perrotti and 9-2 decision from Phillip Bakuckas (Hammonton, N.J.) at 174 pounds. But Lehigh punched back, with No. 3 Nate Brown fighting off No. 20 Nicholas Gravina (Allednale, N.J.), 3-2, at 184 pounds. The Mountain Hawks took another swing at 197 with a major decision from No. 17 John Bolich over Hayden Hrymack (Point Pleasant, N.J.), setting up a heavyweight showdown with a 15-15 score. But Smith knew what to expect. He had been there before. "Whenever you beat a team like Lehigh, it's more than them being ranked No. 6. Honestly that doesn't really mean much. But it's more to the fact that they're a winning tradition," said Smith, whose 6-0 decision against Lehigh at the RAC in 2013 sealed Rutgers' first win over the Mountain Hawks since 1950. "You have teams like that, and they almost look down upon Rutgers … I'm proud to be the foundation and see this program grow in a bigger direction. There's so much more that needs to be done. This is just the beginning and you'll see that in two weeks or so." The Scarlet Knights now turn their focus to postseason wrestling, beginning with the 2016 Big Ten Conference Championships from March 5-6 in Iowa City, Iowa. Ten RU grapplers will compete for automatic qualifying bids to the 2016 NCAA Championships from March 17-19 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Results: 125: No. 13/14/12 Darian Cruz (Lehigh) over Sean McCabe (Rutgers) (MD 15-7) ; Lehigh leads, 4-0 133: Mason Beckman (Lehigh) over Josh Patrick (Rutgers) (MD 19-7); Lehigh leads, 8--0 141: No. 5/4/5 Anthony Ashnault (Rutgers) over No. 17/20/17 Randy Cruz (Lehigh) (Dec 9-2); Lehigh leads, 8-3 149: Tyson Dippery (Rutgers) over Ian Brown (Lehigh) (Dec 6-0); Lehigh leads, 8-6 157: No. 12/9/9 Richie Lewis (Rutgers) over Drew Longo (Lehigh) (Dec 12-7); Rutgers leads, 9-8 165: No. 7/5/4 Anthony Perrotti (Rutgers) over No. 16/16/20 Ryan Preisch (Lehigh) (Dec 8-5); Rutgers leads, 12-8 174: Phillip Bakuckas (Rutgers) over Gordon Wolf (Lehigh) (Dec 9-2); Rutgers leads, 15-8 184: No. 3/2/4 Nate Brown (Lehigh) over No. 20/19/20 Nicholas Gravina (Rutgers) (Dec 3-2); Rutgers leads, 15-11 197: No. 17/17/15 John Bolich (Lehigh) over Hayden Hrymack (Rutgers) (MD 11-0); Match tied, 15-15 285: No. 13/15/12 Billy Smith (Rutgers) over No. 14/11/13 Max Wessell (Lehigh) (TB-1 3-2); Rutgers wins, 18-15 Rankings (-/-/-): InterMat / FloWrestling/The Open Mat NR denotes not ranked