PSU Wrestling: NCAA Wrestling Championships Friday morning results
By Chris Snyder
Recapping PSU Wrestling’s performance in the Friday morning session of the NCAA Wrestling Championships
How did everyone sleep last night, PSU Wrestling fans?
That was a fun day of wrestling yesterday at the NCAA Wrestling Championships, right?
Well, strap in tight because today’s going to be another wild ride in the cavernous halls of the Enterprise Center for the Nittany Lions and the rest of the top grapplers!
Here’s a recap of PSU Wrestling’s matches on Friday morning at the NCAA Wrestling Championships:
Quarter Final Matches
133
No. 2 Roman Bravo-Young (PSU) vs. No. 10 Louie Hays (UVA)
I was expecting to see the Illini’s No. 7 Lucas Byrd in this match, but Louie Hays of Virginia had a little bit to say about that in a mild upset.
I’m not particularly excited to see RBY’s left knee wrapped to start the match. Hopefully it’s nothing serious.
Both grapplers took several half-hearted shots for the first minute of the period, however Bravo-Young landed a shot and was able to spin around Hays for the lead (2-0).
Holy mat return, Batman! I feel like I got the wind knocked out of me.
Roman proceeded to ride Hays out for the rest of the 1st period while tacking on 1:41 riding time.
RBY started the 2nd period on bottom and was able to quickly wiggle out for the escape (3-0). Both guys were squared up for the remainder of the 2nd, however Hays did land a late single leg as time expired but there was no clear control.
The 3rd period started in neutral as RBY and Hays looked to find openings but neither grappler presented any. RBY got slapped with his 2nd stall warning late in the 3rd period (3-1), but who cares??
Roman took the decision 4-1 and it’s onto the semi finals!!
141
No. 2 Nick Lee (PSU) vs. No. 10 Zachary Sherman (UNC)
As the upsets continue to pile up (No. 7 Ian Parker was upset by No. 26 Colin Valdiviez in the opening round), the Tar Heels’ No. 10 Zachary Sherman finds himself in a quarter finals matchup against Penn State’s Nick Lee.
Will the upsets continue?
Lee took an early shot and turned a double leg into a single leg and then got the takedown (2-0). Working from on top, Lee tried to turn Sherman to the mat several times but unfortunately he couldn’t snag any near fall points.
Lee eventually allowed the escape (2-1) and quickly took Sherman to the mat again for his second takedown of the period (4-1). This time Lee turned Sherman and was awarded 2 near fall points (6-1).
Nick rode Sherman out the remainder of the 1st and built his riding time to 2:08.
The 2nd period started with both grapplers in neutral and Lee wasted little time to earn his third takedown of the match (8-1). Sherman fought out with a minute remaining in the 2nd period (8-2) and he was then able to land a deep shot on Lee’s waste. But Lee bullied his way out of the tough spot.
The 3rd period also started in neutral and Lee also wasted no time to earn yet another takedown (10-2). Lee continued to go to work on Sherman, but he was completely unwilling to give up additional near fall points.
Sherman was then able to free himself of Lee’s grasp for the escape late in the 3rd period (10-3), but the match ended with no further action.
Lee bests Sherman in a major decision, 11-3. Punch another ticket to the semi finals!!
157
No. 12 Brady Berge (PSU) vs. Jesse Dellavecchia (RID)
I said this a couple of days ago when I successfully predicted these two to square off in the quarter finals. Please, please, please Brady, prove me wrong.
Berge and Dellavecchia locked horns most of the beginning of the 1st period with neither guy able to gain any leverage. Dellavecchia landed a low shot and turned it into a front headlock however Berge was able to pull both wrestlers out of bounds for the restart.
Dellavecchia grabbed another single leg and worked around Berge on the perimeter of the mat to earn the first takedown of the match (0-2). But during the takedown, Berge badly injured his left knee and could not continue.
Crap.
Brady Berge just can’t catch a freaking break. This injury forfeit hurts Penn State but it can’t possibly hurt more than it does to Berge.
I really hope he can finally get healthy and show the nation how good he can really be.
Wrestlebacks
125
No. 23 Robbie Howard (PSU) vs. No. 24 Fabian Gutierrez (CHAT)
At this stage of the NCAA’s every match matters, regardless of whether it’s in the championship bracket or the wrestlebacks.
And Howard knew this as he grinded out a back and forth match in a 9-6 decision to advance in the wrestleback bracket.
What’s Next?
The Nittany Lions went 4-0 in the morning matches with 3 of the wrestlers earning spots in the semi final matches later tonight.
The afternoon portion of session 3 begins at 3 p.m.
Here are the team standings after the morning matches of the 3rd session: