North Carolina State University Athletics
NC State's Caldwell Ousted, Wolfpack Finished In NCAA Wrestling
3/16/2007 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Ohio State's J Jaggers pinned NC State's Darrion Caldwell at the 5:49 mark in the fourth round of the wrestlebacks at 141 pounds, eliminating Caldwell from the NCAA Wrestling Championships. Caldwell was the last Wolfpack wrestler alive in the tournament. Caldwell led for parts of the first and second periods, but a late takedown resulted in Jaggers getting Caldwell on his back. Caldwell finished the season with a 20-6 record.
Earlier in the day, in the quarterfinals of the 141-pound bracket, Caldwell and Ryan Lang of Northwestern electrified the crowd with a first period packed with unbelievable wrestling. The bad news for NC State was that Lang, undefeated and the top seed in the tournament, pinned Caldwell at the 2:29 mark, but not before Caldwell gave Lang the scare of a lifetime.
Caldwell began the match with a takedown and put Lang on his back right away, although not long enough to earn a near fall. Lang escaped, and Caldwell took him down again right away. Lang escaped and Caldwell got another quick takedown with a throw, this time putting Lang on his back for a near fall and an 8-2 lead. On his third escape of the period, Lang caught Caldwell on his back and ended the match with the pin. Had Caldwell managed to escape from the near fall, he would have held a 9-7 lead with 30 seconds still remaining in the first period. That's 16 points in less than one period. After the bout, Caldwell and Lang hugged one another in a display of sportsmanship, and the crowd gave the two wrestlers a standing ovation as they left the mat.
In other action involving NC State wrestlers, Central Michigan's Wynn Wichelak eliminated Ryan Goodman 5-3 in the 197 wrestlebacks, and Bakersfield's Colton Nichols eliminated Jainor Palma with a major decision, 10-1. Wichelak scored a takedown at the final buzzer to break a 3-3 tie and end Goodman's season at 22-4. In the heavyweight bout, the smaller Nichols took Palma down four times and earned a point for riding time. Palma's only point was for an escape in the second period. Palma ends his season with a 27-7 record.
