Jason Bryant’s College Wrestling Wrap Sheet is a look at five topics from the world of college wrestling with highlights, things you know and things you don’t. Here’s the five for November 6, 2021.
The Battle at The Citadel
NC State’s Steve Poulin life be like ooooh after he won his first college tournament at 125 pounds. There weren’t any big names in his draw, but the viral sensation nearly a decade ago is still scrapping, wrestling in his first season at a Division I level. Pack heavyweight Owen Trepham knocked off a pair of NCAA qualifiers, first beating The Citadel’s Michael McAleavey in the semifinals 5-2 before beating teammate Deonte Wilson 10-3 in the finals. Air Force splits titles at 133 with Jared Van Vleet and Sidney Flores with a no contest. Flores knocked off #14 Jarrett Trombley 6-4 in the semifinals.
OK, Boomer Sooner
Oklahoma’s Joey Prata, an offseason transfer from Virginia Tech topped Justin Cardani of Illinois in the semis and Brock Bergelin of Central Michigan in the finals to win at 125 pounds. Tony Madrigal had himself a day, beating Dylan Ragusin of Michigan, All-American Lucas Byrd of Illinois and All-American RayVon Foley back-to-back-to-back to claim the gold at 133 pounds. At 197 pounds, All-American Jake Woodley spoiled the Michigan debut of Pat Brucki win an overtime victory in the finals. Woodley beat Cam Caffey in the semifinals 5-2.
Other results of note saw Northwestern’s Lucas Davison move up to heavyweight and win the title, topping Luke Luffman of Illinois and Josh Heindselman of Oklahoma in the semifinals and finals. A matchup between All-Americans at 184 in the finals didn’t materialize as Northern Illinois’ Brit Wilson won by medical forfeit over Cal Poly’s Bernie Truax. Cal Poly’s Evan Wick was dominant en route to a title for his new squad. Wick went tech, tech, major, major, beating Illinois Danny Braunagel and Northern Illinois' Izaak Olejnik in the semis and finals to claim the title at 165. Wick’s younger brother Luka won the freshman/sophomore division at 149 pounds. Fantasy Wrestling Watch Tony DiMarco – Chase Saldate of Michigan State had four falls en route to the title at 157 pounds.
JW-who? JWU wins Bomber Invite
Johnson & Wales – the one in Providence – proved once again it wasn’t just a cooking school by winning the Bomber Invitational at Ithaca College in New York. The Wildcats outdistanced second-place Stevens Institute 154-152 to claim the title and crowned four individual champions – Gabriel Leo-Esparolini at 133, Michael Ross at 174, Robert Garcia at 184 and Liridon Leka at 285. Stevens earned titles from Kyle Slendorn at 141 and three-time All-American Brett Kaliner at 149. Stevens’ Hunter Gutierrez finished third at 157 pounds and earned five falls in his six wins.
Roll humps and taking lumps
Years ago, Campbell was one of the doormats of Division I wrestling. Things have changed over the past 20-something years and if there was a time you’d have told me Campbell would beat Lehigh, I’d have said what were you drinking and could I get some of it. Well, bottoms up as Campbell topped No. 24 Lehigh 22-11 in a trl-meet at Oregon State. The Camels won two key overtime matches at 165 and 184 while picking up three one-point wins by Anthony Molton, Josh Heil and Austin Murphy to pull out the W. Molton and Hanna started their careers at that school in Norfolk that … you know what … enough with the schools that don’t deserve wrestling. Molton and Hanna got dubs for schools that wanted them.
Oregon State didn’t let Campbell celebrate too long. The Beavers won 23-12 in the nightcap with falls coming from Brandon Kaylor at 125 and a technical fall from Gas Tank Gary Traub at 285. You know what then screws things up for the coaches poll? Lehigh beat Oregon State 21-12 in the final match of the tri. Jared Lane beat Brandon Kaylor at 125 but the big win for the Mountain Hawks came at 157 where Josh Humphries pinned Hunter Willits in the first period to end a streak of three straight Beaver wins. Of note, it was the first meeting ever between Campbell and Lehigh and the Campbell win was the first in history for a Southern Conference team over the Mountain Hawks, including current and former SoCon schools.
National Notables
Aurora’s Christian Komitas and Luke Silva won titles at the Adrian Invitational, the first titles in school history for the brand new wrestling program led by former WCAP wrestler Justin Pearch. As the name suggests, the school is in Aurora, Illinois, the home of one Wayne Campbell.
In Purdue’s 29-18 win over Drexel, Dragons’ 157-pounder Parker Kropman picked up another notable victory, beating Purdue’s Kendall Coleman 6-1 at 157. Kropman’s hit list in his career includes Princeton’s Matt Kolodzik, Virginia Tech’s Ryan Blees and Navy’s Jared Prince.
UW-Eau Claire headed east and won the Messiah Invitational, ahead of Washington & Lee and host Messiah. The Blugolds put four in the finals and had one champion – Chase Schmidt at 165 pounds.
