From: Andrew Cervantes-Kerwin <acervanteskerwin@athletics.wisc.edu>
Date: Thu, Mar 15, 2018 at 8:56 PM
Subject: WRES: NCAA Championships: Day One
To: Andrew Cervantes-Kerwin <acervanteskerwin@athletics.wisc.edu>
Standings after session two
1. Ohio State 36
2. Penn State 28.5
3. Iowa 27
4. Michigan 23
5. NC State 20
6. Missouri 19
7. Cornell 15
8. Oklahoma State 15
9. Lehigh 14.5
10. Virginia Tech 14.5
12. Wisconsin 12
Evan Wick-165 pounds-Alive in quarterfinals
In his first NCAA tournament appearance, No. 10 seed Evan Wick showed no nerves in his first bout at 165 pounds. In his first action, the freshman faced Drew Daniels of Navy. Daniels opened the match with a takedown, but Wick turned the momentum in his favor, going on an 11-2 run with three takedowns and three escapes en route to an 11-4 decision victory.
In the round of 16, Wick met a familiar face in Michigan’s Logan Massa. This was the pairs’ fourth meeting this season, with the most recent being a Wick 4-3 victory at the Big Ten Championships.
In this matchup, Massa came out aggressive, scoring a takedown within the first 30 seconds. Wick was able to countered and recorded an escape and takedown to end the first. Wick scored another three points after an escape and takedown in the second period to go up 6-2, but Massa retaliated, tying the match at 6-6 early in the third after two escapes and a takedown. But Wick scored a takedown with a minute left that secured his spot in the quarterfinals against Virginia Tech’s David McFadden.
Competing in his fourth NCAA Championships, No. 11 seed and senior Ricky Robertsonbegan his final tournament on a good note, handling opponent Alexander DeCiantis of Drexel in the first round. Robertson opened the match with a quick takedown, part of a 9-0 scoring run that lasted through the beginning of the third period. In total, the Badger recorded four takedowns, a two-point near fall and an escape en route to a 13-2 major decision victory.
In the round of 16, Robertson fell to Zack Zavatsky of Virginia Tech. Neither wrestler gave much momentum until it opened up in the third with Zavatsky leading 2-0. Robertson stole the momentum from his opponent with a takedown and two near fall points, but Zavatsky took it right back, scoring a reversal and a four-point near fall to defeat Robertson 9-6. Robertson will face the No. 12 seed Bryce Carr of Chattanooga in the consolation bracket tomorrow.
Andrew Crone-157 pounds-Alive in consolation #2
In another matchup of two opponents who met earlier in the season, senior Andrew Croneopened his second
NCAA Championships against Old Dominion’s Larry Early after Early defeated Gardner Webb’s Tyler Marinelli in a pigtail match. The match this time around between Crone and Early was filled with more scoring than when Crone defeated Early at the Midlands Championships by a 7-1 decision. The Badger began his second NCAA Championships with a takedown, but Early changed the tide with two escapes, a takedown and a two point near fall to go up 6-2. A Crone reversal in the second and escape early in the third to close the gap 6-5, but Early came back yet again with a takedown with 45 seconds remaining to go back up 8-5. The senior from Delafield strung together a stellar reversal and was able to pin his Old Dominion opponent with just a few ticks left on the clock.
Eli Stickley-141- Alive in consolation #2
Seeing one another for the fourth time this season, this meeting at 141 pounds of Eli Stickley and Purdue’s Nate Limmex now squared off on the biggest stage. Stickley took the first meeting at the MSU Open in November, but the Boilermaker had taken the last two in the dual between the two programs and the Big Ten Championship.
The first three meetings being decided by three points or less, and the fourth was just as close. With no scoring in the first, Limmex began the second with a takedown. There was no scoring until with 23 seconds left, when Stickley was able to get Limmex for two near fall points and ride him out for the winning riding time point, 3-2.
In the round of 16, Stickley faced the No. 2 seed, Jaydin Eierman of Missouri. Stickley came out aggressive, but Eierman used his length to catch Stickley in a cradle and get the pin. Stickley will now face Cole Weaver of Indiana for the third time this season in the consolation rounds tomorrow.
Ryan Christensen-174 pounds-Alive in consolation #2
Journeying to his third consecutive NCAA tournament, Ryan Christensen began with a matchup against the No. 12 seed, Forrest Przybysz of Appalachian State. Christensen was unable to find an opening on his opponent and fell to the mountaineer by a 7-2 decision. Christensen bounced back and defeated Columbia’s Tyrel White by an 8-1 decision. He will face the No. 11 seed, David Kocer of South Dakota State in tomorrow’s action.
Hunter Ritter-197 pounds-Alive in consolation #2
After finishing his season with a mark of 26-9 and finishing third in the 197-pound weight class at the Big Ten Championships, Hunter Ritter found himself facing a tough opponent in his second NCAAs in No. 8 seed Nate Rotert of South Dakota State. Ritter fell by a 6-2 decision, but is still alive after receiving a medical forfeit from Oklahoma State’s No. 9 seed Preston Weigel. Ritter will face the No. 7 seed in Frank Mattiace of Penn in a consolation #2 matchup.
Cole Martin-149 pounds-Eliminated from the tournament
In his second tournament appearance, Cole Martin had a rough day, suffering two losses to be eliminated. He fell to NC State’s No. 14 seed Beau Donahue by a close 4-2 decision in the championship round and then to Minnesota’s Steve Bleise in the consolation bracket by a 6-2 decision.
Action is slated to pick back up with session three beginning at 11 a.m. ET and session four later on at 8 p.m. All mats will be viewable through ESPN, with stats available through Trackwrestling and live updates from Wisconsin wrestling’s official Twitter @Badgerwrestling.
wrestlerdave 