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 7, 2021.
Buckeyes mash Tar Heels
In the first ranked dual of the year between Top 25 teams in Division I, No. 10 Ohio State cruised past No. 12 North Carolina 23-12 in front of over 2,500 fans at the Covelli Center in Columbus. What’s going on in Columbus you say? Well, winning seven out of 10 bouts and honestly, this one wasn’t super close. When looking at the matchups, the best one pit All-Americans Sammy Sasso and Zach Sherman together at 149. Sasso and Sherman had some masterful scrambles, but the final 4-3 score was a bit deceptive as Sherman scored two of his three points on penalties – one for an illegal mat return and the other for clasping. Sherman’s scrambling is pretty freaking good, but Sasso was just that much better. Buckeye Nation was thinking upset at 157 pounds as Jashon Hubbard didn’t back down at all from returning national champion Austin O’Connor, but O’Connor pounced and pinned Hubbard in the second to close out the dual. Despite losing in sudden victory, 141-pounder Jordan Decatur looked as if the new weight class will be good to him. In case you’re wondering, all the team rankings used for dual meets are by the dual meet poll of record, the NWCA Division I Coaches Poll, the dual meet poll that goes back to the 1950s. Individual rankings will probably go with InterMat, because I’ve known Earl Smith since the freaking 90s, bro.
Northern Colorado Sweep
Northern Colorado started its season off with four wins at home, two over Junior Colleges, one over an NAIA school and then a 19-15 win over fellow Big 12 affiliate Utah Valley.
Doane got two wins against UNC in a 31-13 loss. Baterdene Boldmaa and Odgerel Batkishig both got their hand raised, so maybe it was Northern Colorado 31, Mongolia 13? Anyway, the top matchup with Northern Colorado and Utah Valley was at 133 where Mosha Schwartz of Northern Colorado beat Haiden Drury 7-3. Andrew Alirez looked sharp at 141 pounds, majoring Utah Valley’s Ty Smith 14-4.
In case you were wondering who the hell those guys are – Boldmaa’s a two-time NAIA national champion and one of the slickest dudes in the world of college wrestling on his feet. Batkishig landed at Doane after he started out at Northwest Tech, then went to Campbell. Boldmaa went 2-0 against D1 opponents on Sunday, beating Utah Valley’s Ty Smith, an NCAA qualifier, and Dyson Kunz of Northern Colorado.
Mullets, Jersey Mike’s and Rutgers
No. 19 Rutgers opened up its season with three dual wins in front of over 3,700 fans at the newly-named Jersey Mike’s Arena. If you love Eat Clean Bro, you’ll love Jersey Mike’s. I mean, we’ve got a Jersey Mike’s or 10 here in Minnesota. I liked the Grease Trucks better. The mullet comment is directed at Rutgers heavyweight Boone McDermott, who had some serious flow in his two victories on Sunday. Rutgers beat Binghamton 34-9, Cleveland State 35-3 and Division III New Jersey City University 48-0. The biggest highlight of the day did see Binghamton’s Anthony Sobotker pin 11th-ranked Sammy Alvarez with a vicious head throw at 133 pounds. Cleveland State beat Binghamton 22-18. Tough day for Division III NJCU and coach Harry Turner. The program just got started, so give them time – and of course – they have a cool nickname worth mentioning, the Gothic Knights! I can’t help but think of StrongBad and Homestar Runner from back in the day, their school was Crazy Go Nuts University. I’ll sing this on an upcoming show.
Southeast Open at Roanoke College
Columbia’s Joe Manchio knocked off returning All-American Sam Latona of Virginia Tech 10-8 to win the open division title at 125 pounds. Manchio’s takedown and near fall in the final 30 seconds was the difference maker as the Lions crowned two champions in the division. Matt Kazmir topped Collin Gerardi in the finals at 141 in another Columbia-Va. Tech meet up.
Mekhi Lewis made his return to the mats with two majors and a fall before dispensing with Princeton’s Michael Squires 13-6 in the finals at 174 pounds. The wildest final came at 197 pounds where Princeton’s Luke Stout topped Virginia Tech’s Cody Howard 16-12. There was good news for the Hokies, as three others won the Open Division, Korbin Myers at 133 pounds, Hunter Bolen at 184 pounds and new heavyweight Nathan Traxler at 285 pounds. And yes, Roanoke College and former Hokie assistant and Ferrum head coach Nate Yetzer has his program up and running. Everyone to Mac & Bob’s!
Big Gun (doo do dooo dot doooo)
Let’s take a look at the NCAA Division I heavyweight rankings by InterMat from the preseason and before this week.
Top-ranked Gable Steveson of Minnesota – Cadet and Junior World Champion and Olympic champion.
Second-ranked Mason Parris of Michigan – Junior World Champion
Fourth-ranked Cohlton Schultz of Arizona State – Cadet World Champion in Greco-Roman.
Fifth-ranked Greg Kerkvliet of Penn State – Cadet World Champion.
Now, as of Saturday, you can add Iowa’s third-ranked Tony Cassioppi, U23 World Champion. That’s FIVE age-group world or Olympic champions in one single weight class. Yes, it’s a different style of wrestling, but heavyweight is a different style of wrestling anyway.
But let’s get deeper into this – Jordan Wood of Lehigh is a Cadet World Silver; Zach Elam is a Junior World Silver; Lucas Davison of Northwestern is a Junior World Silver.
