#WrestleNYC: Day 1 Preview for @PackWrestle
3/16/2016 2:00:00 PM | Wrestling
NC State Championship Notes | ESPN Coverage | NCAA Brackets
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Thursday Matchups (Match numbers in parenthesis):
125 (#20): Sean Fausz (16-9) vs. #14 seed Joshua Rodriguez (North Dakota State - 34-8)
Winner/Loser faces: #3 seed Nico Megaludis (Penn State - 27-3) vs. Brandon Jeske (Old Dominion - 18-11) or Chasen Tolbert (Utah Valley - 16-7)
About Fausz
NCAA Automatic Qualifier after earning 2016 All-ACC honors by finishing second … Ranked in all four Coaches' Panel Rankings, a season-best #17 in the final poll. Ranked in the top-20 in four other major polls, between 15-19 … Went 4-7 vs. ranked foes this season. Best win was 5-4 over #9 Lambert at Nebraska … Last eight opponents have all been ranked, four in the top-10, 3-5 in that span overall … 10-1 in bonus point matches this season, lone loss was a major to #2 Gilman at Iowa.
About Rodriguez
Making his second straight trip to the NCAA Championships … Placed third at 125 pounds at the recent Big 12 Championships to earn an automatic qualifying berth … Went 2-2 at the 2015 NCAA Division I Championships
133 (#34): Jamal Morris (14-8) vs. #4 seed Cody Brewer (Oklahoma - 21-2)
Winner/Loser faces: #13 seed Cameron Kelly (Ohio - 22-7) vs. Bryan Lantry (Buffalo - 18-14)
About Morris
NCAA Automatic Qualifier after finishing in third place at the ACC Championship … Ranked in all four Coaches' Panel Rankings, #30 in the final poll. Also ranked #29 in the final RPI … Started ACC Championship with a pin in 0:26 in the first round … After a narrow 14-13 loss vs. #6 DiCamillo of UVA, won the third place match for the ACC's final NCAA allocation over Gustafson of Va. Tech, 10-4 … • First career win over a ranked opponent came in the final home dual, a 3-0 victory over #14 Synon of Missouri.
About Brewer
2015 NCAA Champion at 133 pounds … Nabbed the Most Outstanding Wrestler award at the Big 12 tournament after securing his second straight conference title.
141 (#51): #3 seed Kevin Jack (23-3) vs. Danny Sabatello (Purdue - 19-15)
Winner/Loser faces: #14 seed Bryce Meredith (Wyoming - 25-4) vs. Robert Mathers (Arizona State - 22-11)
About Jack
Enters NCAAs as No. 3 seed, the first for NC State since Darrion Caldwell in 2009 - who went onto win … A 2015 All-American, he finished fifth at 141 pounds … Started the NCAA Championships unseeded, but went 4-2 all against seeded wrestlers, to become the Pack's first freshman All-American since 1991 … 2016 ACC Champion … Went a perfect 7-0 vs. ACC wrestlers this year, with four wins against wrestlers that were ranked No. 11 or higher … Ranked #3 in all four Coaches' Panel Rankings, also ranked #1 in the final RPI … Won his last 17 matches, dating back to Dec. 29. Six of those last 9 were vs. opponents No. 17 or better.
About Sabatello
Three-time NCAA Qualifier … Qualifies for NCAAs a second time at 141 pounds … An at-large selection in 2014 … In 2015, was an automatic qualifier at 133 pounds … Placed fifth at the Big 12 Championships, earning a NCAA automatic bid.
157 (#90): #2 seed Tommy Gantt (24-0) vs. Andrew Morse (Northern Illinois - 6-5)
Winner/Loser faces: #15 seed Chad Walsh (Rider - 25-7) vs. Gregory Flournoy (George Mason - 30-10)
About Gantt
Enters NCAAs as No. 2 seed, the first for NC State since Nick Gwiazdowski in 2014 - who went onto win … One win away from All-American honors in 2014, going 3-2 with an upset of the No. 10 seed … 1 of nine D1 wrestlers undefeated entering the NCAAs, he is a perfect 24-0 (23-0 at 157 pounds) … Was #1 in the final RPI. Ranked #4 in the first three Coaches' Panel Rankings, and #3 in the final one … 2016 ACC Champion … Went a perfect 7-0 vs. ACC wrestlers this year, with a pair of top-10 wins … Six of last seven wins were all versus ranked opponents - including a pair of decisions over two-time All-American, #7 Brascetta of Virginia Tech … Perfect 10-0 vs. ranked foes this season - three of those wins were for bonus points.
About Morse
Making his first trip to nationals … Missed most of the season with a knee injury before qualifying for nationals with three wins at the MAC conference event to take third in his weight class.
165 (#95): #5 seed Max Rohskopf (15-2) vs. Austin Reese (Ohio - 21-12)
Winner/Loser faces: #12 seed Connor Brennan (Rider - 27-3) vs. Jake Faust (Duke - 17-8)
About Rohskopf
A two-time NCAA Qualifier, earned an NCAA at-large bid last season at 165 pounds … Went 1-2, defeated the No. 16 seed in the first round, before falling to the #1 and then the #2 overall seeds … 2016 ACC Champion … Perfect 6-0 vs. ACC competition this year, recorded a pin and in other 5 matches outscored opponents 25-0 … Ranked in the top-10 in all four Coaches' Panel Rankings, a season-best #6 in the final one … 15-1 at 165 pounds this year - only loss was to #4 Lewis of Missouri … Other loss on the season was at 174 pounds vs. #2 Crutchmer of Oklahoma State … In his 16 matches at 165 this year, has three pins and in other 13 bouts outscored opponents 69-14 with nine shutouts … Seven of last eight wins of the season all against ranked foes, including three top-10 wins. In those wins over ranked foes, outscored them 35-7, with six shutouts.
About Reese
Making his first trip to nationals … Placed fourth at the MAC Championships to eanr an at-large bid.
184 (#129): #13 seed Pete Renda (21-7) vs. Samson Imonode (Army - 15-17)
Winner/Loser faces: #4 seed Domenic Abounader (Michigan - 23-2) vs. Jeffrey Koepke (Illinois - 20-8)
First Round Rematch
In his first match of the season, Renda defeated Imonode of Army by a 15-3 major decision at the Northeast Duals.
About Renda
NCAA Automatic Qualifier after earning 2016 All-ACC honors by finishing second, his highest finish … A three-time NCAA Qualifier in each of his first three seasons at NC State … Was the Pack's starter at 174 pounds first two seasons before moving up to 184 … Ranked in all four NCAA Coaches' Panel Rankings, a season-high #13 in the final poll. Also #15 in the RPI … Last three wins have all been over ranked foes, including a pair over top-11 foes to end the regular season - an 11-0 major over returning All-American #11 Miklus of Missouri, then a 7-3 win over #9 Brooks at Iowa … 7-7 on the season against ranked foes. Was a combined 2-19 in his first two seasons. 6 of his 7 losses this year have been to top-10 foes.
About Imonode
Making his first trip to nationals … Placed fifth at the EIWA Championships to earn an NCAA bid.
197 (#144): #12 seed Michael Boykin (17-9) vs. Chip Ness (North Carolina - 18-12)
Winner/Loser faces: #5 seed Conner Hartmann (Duke - 26-1) vs. Nick Bonaccoris (Pittsburgh - 15-13)
First Round Rematch
Boykin is 2-0 vs. Ness of North Carolina this season. In the regular season dual, Boykin beat #23 Ness 11-6 and then beat Ness 3-1 (SV-1) at the ACC Championship. For his career, Boykin is 4-0 all-time against Ness, also winning both matchups last season.
About Boykin
NCAA Automatic Qualifier after finishing in third place at the ACC Championship … Went 3-1 on the day, with a pair of top-25 wins … Ranked in all four Coaches' Panel Rankings, including a season-best #12 in the final … Holds an RPI of #9, and is ranked between #10-16 in all the major polls … 10 of last 11 opponents, and 14 of last 17 have all been ranked. Has gone 7-9 vs. ranked foes on the season overall.
About Ness
Making his first trip to nationals … Earned an NCAA at-large bid.
285 (#155): #1 seed Nick Gwiazdowski (29-0) vs. Gage Hutchison (Eastern Michigan - 21-13)
WInner/Loser faces: #16 seed Nathan Butler (Stanford - 25-7) vs. Ray O'Donnell (Princeton - 27-11)
About Gwiazdowski
Two-time defending NCAA Champion at 285 pounds … Enters as the No. 1 seed for the second straight year … Aiming to become the 2nd ACC wrestler with three straight titles, the 4th heavyweight with three straight, and 5th heavyweight overall with three in a career … Currently holds an NCAA-best 84 match winning streak dating back to Jan. 2014 … 58 of the 84 wins were for bonus points, and 31 vs. ranked foes … In his three-year NC State career, is 28-0 against all ACC competition, with 23 bonus point wins … 12 of his last 14 matches all for bonus points … 12-0 vs. ranked foes this season, 6-0 vs. top-10 … First place at both Midlands Championships and Wolfpack Open.
About Hutchison
Making his first trip to nationals … Earned an NCAA at-large bid.
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| 2016 NCAA Championships | |
| Day 1 | Thursday, March 17 |
| Time | Session 1: 12 p.m. Session 2: 7 p.m. |
| Location | New York, N.C. |
| TV | ESPNU |
| Live Stream | ESPN3 (8 different mat streams) |
| Live Scoring | NCAA Results |
| Social Media | @PackWrestle |
Thursday Matchups (Match numbers in parenthesis):
125 (#20): Sean Fausz (16-9) vs. #14 seed Joshua Rodriguez (North Dakota State - 34-8)
Winner/Loser faces: #3 seed Nico Megaludis (Penn State - 27-3) vs. Brandon Jeske (Old Dominion - 18-11) or Chasen Tolbert (Utah Valley - 16-7)
About Fausz
NCAA Automatic Qualifier after earning 2016 All-ACC honors by finishing second … Ranked in all four Coaches' Panel Rankings, a season-best #17 in the final poll. Ranked in the top-20 in four other major polls, between 15-19 … Went 4-7 vs. ranked foes this season. Best win was 5-4 over #9 Lambert at Nebraska … Last eight opponents have all been ranked, four in the top-10, 3-5 in that span overall … 10-1 in bonus point matches this season, lone loss was a major to #2 Gilman at Iowa.
About Rodriguez
Making his second straight trip to the NCAA Championships … Placed third at 125 pounds at the recent Big 12 Championships to earn an automatic qualifying berth … Went 2-2 at the 2015 NCAA Division I Championships
133 (#34): Jamal Morris (14-8) vs. #4 seed Cody Brewer (Oklahoma - 21-2)
Winner/Loser faces: #13 seed Cameron Kelly (Ohio - 22-7) vs. Bryan Lantry (Buffalo - 18-14)
About Morris
NCAA Automatic Qualifier after finishing in third place at the ACC Championship … Ranked in all four Coaches' Panel Rankings, #30 in the final poll. Also ranked #29 in the final RPI … Started ACC Championship with a pin in 0:26 in the first round … After a narrow 14-13 loss vs. #6 DiCamillo of UVA, won the third place match for the ACC's final NCAA allocation over Gustafson of Va. Tech, 10-4 … • First career win over a ranked opponent came in the final home dual, a 3-0 victory over #14 Synon of Missouri.
About Brewer
2015 NCAA Champion at 133 pounds … Nabbed the Most Outstanding Wrestler award at the Big 12 tournament after securing his second straight conference title.
141 (#51): #3 seed Kevin Jack (23-3) vs. Danny Sabatello (Purdue - 19-15)
Winner/Loser faces: #14 seed Bryce Meredith (Wyoming - 25-4) vs. Robert Mathers (Arizona State - 22-11)
About Jack
Enters NCAAs as No. 3 seed, the first for NC State since Darrion Caldwell in 2009 - who went onto win … A 2015 All-American, he finished fifth at 141 pounds … Started the NCAA Championships unseeded, but went 4-2 all against seeded wrestlers, to become the Pack's first freshman All-American since 1991 … 2016 ACC Champion … Went a perfect 7-0 vs. ACC wrestlers this year, with four wins against wrestlers that were ranked No. 11 or higher … Ranked #3 in all four Coaches' Panel Rankings, also ranked #1 in the final RPI … Won his last 17 matches, dating back to Dec. 29. Six of those last 9 were vs. opponents No. 17 or better.
About Sabatello
Three-time NCAA Qualifier … Qualifies for NCAAs a second time at 141 pounds … An at-large selection in 2014 … In 2015, was an automatic qualifier at 133 pounds … Placed fifth at the Big 12 Championships, earning a NCAA automatic bid.
157 (#90): #2 seed Tommy Gantt (24-0) vs. Andrew Morse (Northern Illinois - 6-5)
Winner/Loser faces: #15 seed Chad Walsh (Rider - 25-7) vs. Gregory Flournoy (George Mason - 30-10)
About Gantt
Enters NCAAs as No. 2 seed, the first for NC State since Nick Gwiazdowski in 2014 - who went onto win … One win away from All-American honors in 2014, going 3-2 with an upset of the No. 10 seed … 1 of nine D1 wrestlers undefeated entering the NCAAs, he is a perfect 24-0 (23-0 at 157 pounds) … Was #1 in the final RPI. Ranked #4 in the first three Coaches' Panel Rankings, and #3 in the final one … 2016 ACC Champion … Went a perfect 7-0 vs. ACC wrestlers this year, with a pair of top-10 wins … Six of last seven wins were all versus ranked opponents - including a pair of decisions over two-time All-American, #7 Brascetta of Virginia Tech … Perfect 10-0 vs. ranked foes this season - three of those wins were for bonus points.
About Morse
Making his first trip to nationals … Missed most of the season with a knee injury before qualifying for nationals with three wins at the MAC conference event to take third in his weight class.
165 (#95): #5 seed Max Rohskopf (15-2) vs. Austin Reese (Ohio - 21-12)
Winner/Loser faces: #12 seed Connor Brennan (Rider - 27-3) vs. Jake Faust (Duke - 17-8)
About Rohskopf
A two-time NCAA Qualifier, earned an NCAA at-large bid last season at 165 pounds … Went 1-2, defeated the No. 16 seed in the first round, before falling to the #1 and then the #2 overall seeds … 2016 ACC Champion … Perfect 6-0 vs. ACC competition this year, recorded a pin and in other 5 matches outscored opponents 25-0 … Ranked in the top-10 in all four Coaches' Panel Rankings, a season-best #6 in the final one … 15-1 at 165 pounds this year - only loss was to #4 Lewis of Missouri … Other loss on the season was at 174 pounds vs. #2 Crutchmer of Oklahoma State … In his 16 matches at 165 this year, has three pins and in other 13 bouts outscored opponents 69-14 with nine shutouts … Seven of last eight wins of the season all against ranked foes, including three top-10 wins. In those wins over ranked foes, outscored them 35-7, with six shutouts.
About Reese
Making his first trip to nationals … Placed fourth at the MAC Championships to eanr an at-large bid.
184 (#129): #13 seed Pete Renda (21-7) vs. Samson Imonode (Army - 15-17)
Winner/Loser faces: #4 seed Domenic Abounader (Michigan - 23-2) vs. Jeffrey Koepke (Illinois - 20-8)
First Round Rematch
In his first match of the season, Renda defeated Imonode of Army by a 15-3 major decision at the Northeast Duals.
About Renda
NCAA Automatic Qualifier after earning 2016 All-ACC honors by finishing second, his highest finish … A three-time NCAA Qualifier in each of his first three seasons at NC State … Was the Pack's starter at 174 pounds first two seasons before moving up to 184 … Ranked in all four NCAA Coaches' Panel Rankings, a season-high #13 in the final poll. Also #15 in the RPI … Last three wins have all been over ranked foes, including a pair over top-11 foes to end the regular season - an 11-0 major over returning All-American #11 Miklus of Missouri, then a 7-3 win over #9 Brooks at Iowa … 7-7 on the season against ranked foes. Was a combined 2-19 in his first two seasons. 6 of his 7 losses this year have been to top-10 foes.
About Imonode
Making his first trip to nationals … Placed fifth at the EIWA Championships to earn an NCAA bid.
197 (#144): #12 seed Michael Boykin (17-9) vs. Chip Ness (North Carolina - 18-12)
Winner/Loser faces: #5 seed Conner Hartmann (Duke - 26-1) vs. Nick Bonaccoris (Pittsburgh - 15-13)
First Round Rematch
Boykin is 2-0 vs. Ness of North Carolina this season. In the regular season dual, Boykin beat #23 Ness 11-6 and then beat Ness 3-1 (SV-1) at the ACC Championship. For his career, Boykin is 4-0 all-time against Ness, also winning both matchups last season.
About Boykin
NCAA Automatic Qualifier after finishing in third place at the ACC Championship … Went 3-1 on the day, with a pair of top-25 wins … Ranked in all four Coaches' Panel Rankings, including a season-best #12 in the final … Holds an RPI of #9, and is ranked between #10-16 in all the major polls … 10 of last 11 opponents, and 14 of last 17 have all been ranked. Has gone 7-9 vs. ranked foes on the season overall.
About Ness
Making his first trip to nationals … Earned an NCAA at-large bid.
285 (#155): #1 seed Nick Gwiazdowski (29-0) vs. Gage Hutchison (Eastern Michigan - 21-13)
WInner/Loser faces: #16 seed Nathan Butler (Stanford - 25-7) vs. Ray O'Donnell (Princeton - 27-11)
About Gwiazdowski
Two-time defending NCAA Champion at 285 pounds … Enters as the No. 1 seed for the second straight year … Aiming to become the 2nd ACC wrestler with three straight titles, the 4th heavyweight with three straight, and 5th heavyweight overall with three in a career … Currently holds an NCAA-best 84 match winning streak dating back to Jan. 2014 … 58 of the 84 wins were for bonus points, and 31 vs. ranked foes … In his three-year NC State career, is 28-0 against all ACC competition, with 23 bonus point wins … 12 of his last 14 matches all for bonus points … 12-0 vs. ranked foes this season, 6-0 vs. top-10 … First place at both Midlands Championships and Wolfpack Open.
About Hutchison
Making his first trip to nationals … Earned an NCAA at-large bid.
Players Mentioned
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