March 24, 2013
GET YOUR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GEAR!
VIDEO: 2013 NCAA Champions - Sights and Sounds
VIDEO: Ed Ruth & Quentin Wright Interviews, Finals Roundup & More
VIDEO: Cael Sanderson NCAA Championship Press Conference
DES MOINES, Iowa - The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team, under the guidance of head coach Cael Sanderson, won its third straight NCAA Wrestling Championship, continuing a run of dominance that began in Philadelphia in 2011. The Nittany Lions also crowned two NCAA Individual National Champions as Ed Ruth (Harrisburg, Pa.), and Quentin Wright (Wingate, Pa.) each claimed titles.
The team championship is the third in a row for the Nittany Lions and the fourth NCAA title all time. Penn State also won the 2011 in Philadelphia and 2012 in St. Louis. The three straight titles are the first for Penn State since the Nittany Lions won in 1953.
The evening began at 174, where Nittany Lion sophomore Matt Brown (West Valley City, Utah), the No. 2 seed, faced No. 1 seed Chris Perry of Oklahoma State. Brown forced the issue throughout the match, forcing Perry to the edge of the mat consistently. But the Cowboy grappler was able to keep Brown at arm's length and send the match to the second period tied 0-0. Brown chose down to start the second stanza and quickly escaped to a 1-0 lead. The Lion sophomore continued to press Perry to no avail and lead 1-0 after two.
Perry chose down to start the third and quickly escaped to a 1-1 tie. Brown's offensive pressure finally forced a stall call with just over :10 and the bout moved to sudden victory tied 1-1-1. After a scoreless sudden victory period, Brown chose down to start his tie-breaker period and nearly escaped twice. But Perry was able to hang on to Brown's foot and then at the end was able to ride him out. Perry was able to escape during his tie-breaker period and that point proved the difference in a 2-1 (TB) decision. Brown ends his first NCAA tournament as the 2013 National Runner-Up at 174. The Nittany Lion All-American ends his year at 29-5 record after a 4-1 tournament run. Brown was also named the NCAA Elite 89 Award as the nation's top Division I wrestling student-athlete with the top GPA of all 330 championship competitors.
Junior Ed Ruth (Harrisburg, Pa.), the top-seed at 184, met No. 3 seed Robert Hamlin of Lehigh in the title bout at 184. With the Lions trailing by three in the team title race, Ruth put on a display for the Penn State faithful to vault the Lions back into the lead. Ruth notched a first period takedown and made it count on his way to a 2-1 lead after the first three minutes. The Nittany Lion junior took down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 3-1 lead. He then took Hamlin down once more right before the end of the period and led 5-1 after three.
Seeking bonus points, Ruth put on a takedown clinic in the third period, getting three two takedowns and cutting Hamlin loose each time. After the last cut, Ruth used a low double to trip the LU senior to the mat for a final takedown. The points, combined with a massive 3:55 in riding time, gave Ruth the 12-4 major decision and bonus points for Penn State. The win gives Ruth a perfect 33-0 record to end the season and he heads into his senior year riding a 68-match win streak dating back to 2011. The three-time All-American has now won two straight NCAA titles and has a 102-2 career record.
With a chance to clinch Penn State's third-straight NCAA title at hand, senior Quentin Wright (Wingate, Pa.), the No. 2 seed at 197, faced No. 1 Dustin Kilgore of Kent State in the 197-pound final. Kilgore entered the match with an undefeated 43-0 record and Wright snapped his streak in style. The Nittany Lion drew first blood with a quick takedown in the first period. Kilgore was able to escape to a 2-1 Wright lead and then countered with his own takedown. Wright escaped after a brief Kilgore ride and the match moved to the second period tied 3-3. Wright chose down to start the second period and escaped in seconds for a 4-3 lead. The Nittany Lion began to up the tempo and nearly notched another takedown late in the period. But action was ruled out of bounds and Wright led 4-3 after two. Kilgore chose down to start the third and escaped as well.
It was at this point that Wright, with the serendipitous twist of being able to clinch Penn State's third team title in his final collegiate bout at hand, took over. Wright used an underhook to a knee pick twice to take Kilgore down in the final minute and rolled to the 8-6 win. The victory clinched the team title for the Lions and earned the four-time All-American his second national title (he won the 184-pound crown in 2011 and was runner-up last year). Wright finishes an undefeated season with a 32-0 mark, giving him a final career record of 116-23. Wright is tied for 10th on Penn State's all-time wins list with former four-time All-American and national champion Phil Davis. He leaves Penn State as its sixth four-time All-American (1st in '13, 2nd in '12, 1st in '11 and 6th in '09).
Sophomore Nico Megaludis (Murrysville, Pa.), the No. 4 seed at 125, faced off against No. 2 seed Jesse Delgado of Illinois in the 125-pound final. Megaludis, like each Lion before him, set the tempo early, pushing the action throughout the opening period. But Delgado's outstanding defense allowed him to fight off Megaludis' offense and the bout was tied 0-0 after one. Delgado notched the second period's only point with an escape.
Megaludis chose down to start the third and quickly escaped to a 1-1 tie. The Lion sophomore took a deep shot on Delgado and worked his way in on a takedown attempt. But Delgado forced a scramble and worked his way into control of the Lion's leg. The Illini then turned Megaludis for three back points and the five point move proved critical. Megaludis would escape and take Delgado down, but the damage was done and Delgado posted the hard-fought 7-4 win. Megaludis is now a two-time All-American and two-time National Finalist as a true sophomore. He posted a 28-4 record this year after a 4-1 tournament and heads into his sophomore year with a 56-12 career record.
In the evening's final match-up, junior David Taylor (St. Paris, Ohio), the defending NCAA champ at 165, met No. 1 seed Kyle Dake of Cornell, who was seeking his fourth individual title. Taylor stormed out of the gates quickly with a takedown in the first :30. After a :29 ride, Dake escaped to a 2-1 Taylor lead but a Cornell challenge halted action for a bit. Taylor held that lead until the final seconds of the period when Deck completed a shot and took the Lion junior down to lead 3-2 after one period. Dake chose down to start the second period and escaped to a 4-2 lead. Taylor spent the rest of the period setting the tempo but Dake's defense was able to keep the Lion from scoring.
Trailing 4-2, Taylor chose down to start the final period but could not escape a strong Dake ride until the Big Red grappler had built up a solid minute-plus riding time edge. Dake was hit for stalling twice and then Taylor escaped with :19 left to tie the bout at 4-4. But Dake was able to back away from Taylor and kill the clock. The 1:13 in riding time gave Dake the 5-4 win. Taylor ended an outstanding junior year with a 30-2 record after a 4-1 tournament run. A three-time All-American and last year's 165-pound champ, Taylor is also a two-time NCAA finalist. He heads into his senior season with a stellar 100-3 career record and is tied for second with Quentin Wright on Penn State's all-time pins list with 37.
Every member of Penn State's 10-man contingent has added points to Penn State's team total. Red-shirt freshman Jordan Conaway (Abbottstown, Pa.) advanced to the `round of 12' at 133 and went 3-2 with a pin, sophomore Dylan Alton (Mill Hall, Pa.) advanced to the `round of 12' at 157 and went 3-2 with two majors, senior Bryan Pearsall (Lititz, Pa.) went 1-2 with a major at 141, sophomore Andrew Alton (Mill Hall, Pa.) went 1-2 with a pin at 149 and sophomore Jimmy Lawson (Tom's River, N.J.) went 1-2 at heavyweight.
Penn State posted a 2-3 record in the finals. Penn State leaves Des Moines with a 31-13 overall record having earned 29.5 bonus points off ten pins, one tech fall and eight majors. Taylor won the NCAA's Most Technical Falls Award with 10 and won the Gorriaran Award for most pins in the least amount of time at the 2013 NCAA Wrestling Championships (4 in 9:22 officially). Head coach Cael Sanderson was named the 2013 NWCA National Coach of the Year, the second time he has won the award (2007).
Twenty-two different individuals have now won a total of 27 NCAA titles. The Nittany Lions' point totals over the last three years under Sanderson are the top three in school history. Penn State set a school record during last year's title run with 143.0 and won the 2011 title with 107.5.
Fans are encouraged to follow Penn State wrestling via twitter at www.twitter.com/pennstateWREST and on Penn State Wrestling's facebook page at www.facebook.com/pennstatewrestling. The 2012-13 Penn State Wrestling season is presented by The Family Clothesline.
2013 NCAA Wrestling Championships - FINAL Team Standings -- TOP FIVE
Saturday, March 23, 2013 - Wells Fargo Arena - Des Moines, Iowa
1: PENN STATE - 123.5
2: Oklahoma State - 119.5
3: Minnesota - 103.0
4: Iowa - 73.0
5: Cornell - 65.0
2013 NCAA Wrestling Championships - FINALS AGATE
Saturday, March 23, 2013 - Wells Fargo Arena - Des Moines, Iowa
174: #1 Chris Perry, Oklahoma State - 2-1 (TB) dec.
#2 Matt Brown, Penn State
184: #1 Ed Ruth, Penn State - 12-4 maj. dec.
#3 Robert Hamlin, Lehigh
197: #2 Quentin Wright, PENN STATE - 8-6 dec.
#1 Dustin Kilgore, Kent State
285: #2 Tony Nelson, Minnesota - 5-2 dec.
#4 Mike McMullan, Northwestern
125: #2 Tony Delgado, Illinois - 7-4 dec.
#4 Nico Megaludis, Penn State
133: #1 Logan Stieber, Ohio State - 7-4 dec.
#2 Tony Ramos, Iowa
141: #2 Kendric Maple, Oklahoma - 4-3 dec.
#4 Mitchell Port, Edinboro
149: #1 Jordan Oliver, Oklahoma State - 3-2 dec.
#2 Jason Chamberlain, Boise State
157: #2 Derek St. John, Iowa - 3-2 dec.
#1 Jason Welch, Northwestern
165: #1 Kyle Dake, Cornell - 5-4 dec.
#2 David Taylor, PENN STATE
The following is a weight-by-weight breakdown/agate of Penn State's tournament to date (rankings listed are NCAA Championship Seed):
125: #4 Nico Megaludis (Murrysville, Pa.), Sr. - 28-4 overall - ALL-AMERICAN
1st Rd: vs. Kevon Powell, Ohio - W, 17-2 TF (6:25)
2nd Rd: vs. Christian Cullinan, Central Michigan - W, 5-2 dec.
Qtrs: vs. Dominic Parisi, Appalachian State - W, 12-4 maj. dec.
Semis: vs. #1 Alan Waters, Missouri - W, 2-2 (TB2, RT 0:18) dec.
Finals: vs. #2 Jesse Delgado, Illinois - L, 4-7 dec.
All-American Nico Megaludis (Murrysville, Pa.), the tournament's No. 4 seed at 125, began his quest for a national title with a big win. Megaludis, last year's NCAA runner-up as a true freshman, opened the tournament against Ohio's Kevon Powell, and rolled to a 17-2 technical fall at the 6:25 mark. The win, including 1.5 bonus points, moved Megaludis into the second round.
Megaludis then drew Christian Cullinan of Central Michigan in round two. The Lion sophomore cruised to a 5-2 decision over Cullinan, using takedowns in the first two periods to roll to victory. The win moved him into the national quarterfinals.
Nico met Dominic Parisi of Appalachian State in the national quarterfinals. The Nittany Lion clinched his second All-America tag and a trip to the national semifinals with a dominating 12-4 major decision, picking up more bonus points for Penn State. Megaludis notched five takedowns, an escape and 1:25 in riding time to roll to the win.
Megaludis met top-seeded Alan Waters of Missouri in the semifinals. The duo battled evenly throughout the bout. With Waters slowing the pace down, Megaludis' patience kept the bout scoreless through the first period. Waters chose down to start the second and quickly escaped to a 1-0 lead. Trailing by one, Megaludis chose down to start the third and escaped as well. But neither wrestler scored again and the bout went into a first sudden victory period. After a scoreless minute, each wrestler completed a ride-out, keeping the bout tied at 1-1 into a second sudden victory period. Like the first one, this extra :60 was scoreless as well and the match entered a second and final tie-breaker. This time, Megaludis was down first and escaped in just seconds to a 2-1 lead. Waters then took down and did escape but not until the :04 mark. Tied at 2-2, Megaludis got the victory on criteria, a riding time of :18. The win pushed Megaludis into his second NCAA championship bout in as many years.
For finals match recap, see story above the agate.
133: #12 Jordan Conaway (Abbottstown, Pa.) Fr. - 19-10 overall - Season Complete
1st Rd: vs. Vincent Dellafave, Rutgers - L, 1-3 dec. (SV)
Cn 1: vs. Dylan Hyder, Air Force - W, 6-4 dec. (SV2)
Cn 2: vs. Dane Harlow, Boston - W, 6-4 dec.
Cn 3: vs. Rosario Bruno, Michigan - WBF (4:17)
Rd. 12: vs. #8 Cody Brewer, Oklahoma - L, 4-14 maj. dec.
Red-shirt freshman Jordan Conaway (Abbottstown, Pa.), the No. 12 seed at 133 as a red-shirt freshman, made his NCAA Championship debut against Rutgers' Vincent Dellafave. Conaway battled the Knight into sudden victory and nearly one on a single leg, but Dellafave countered and got the takedown himself for a 3-1 (sv) win. The loss dropped Conaway into consolation action.
Conaway then met Air Force's Dylan Hyder in the consolation bracket. In a thrilling bout, Hyder led throughout the bout but Conaway notched a takedown with under 1:00 left to take a 4-3 lead. Hyder escaped late to send the bout into extra time and the duo battled through a scoreless sudden victory period and a scoreless tiebreaker. Conaway then grabbed the win with a takedown midway through the second sudden victory period, posting the 6-4 (sv2) win and staying alive in consolation action.
Jordan faced off against Boston's Dane Harlow in the second round of consolations on Friday morning. The Nittany Lion came back from a first period takedown and rolled to a 6-4 decision to keep his All-America dreams alive. Conaway used a first period takedown of his own and then a reversal after a mad scramble late in the third to secure the win. In his second consolation bout, the Lion freshman met Michigan's Rosario Bruno and joined Penn State's pin parade. Conaway led 3-2 into the second period and then forced a scramble that he turned into a pin at the 4:17 mark. The win moved Conaway just one win away from earning All-America status as a freshman in the `round of 12'.
Conaway faced No. 8 Cody Brewer of Oklahoma in the round of 12. Jordan fell behind early to the Sooner, giving up two takedowns and three back points to trail 7-1 after the opening period. Brewer would end Conaway's tournament, one win shy of All-American status, with Conaway fell behind early to the Sooner, giving up two takedowns and three back points to trail 7-1 after the opening period. Brewer would end Conaway's tournament, one win shy of All-American status, with a 14-4 decision. Conaway ended his tournament with a 3-2 record and a pin and ends his freshman campaign in the round of 12 with a 19-10 record.
141: Bryan Pearsall (Lititz, Pa.), Sr. - 24-11 - Season Complete
1st Rd: vs. Joey Lazor, Northern Iowa - L, 4-12 maj. dec.
Cn 1: vs. Frank Goodwin, Maryland - W, 10-2 maj. dec.
Cn 2: vs. Steven Keith, Harvard - L, 3-8 dec.
Senior Bryan Pearsall (Lititz, Pa.) made his NCAA Championship debut at 141 against Northern Iowa's Joey Lazor, who won a pigtail match earlier in the day. Lazor won a battle of scrambles and worked his way to a 12-4 win, dropping the Nittany Lion into consolation action.
Pearsall met Frank Goodwin of Maryland in his first consolation bout. Pearsall rolled through Goodwin, turning him once in the first period and picking up two reversals while amassing 2:52 in riding time. The 10-2 major moved Pearsall into the second round of consolation action and added to Penn State's bonus point total.
Bryan battled Harvard's Steven Keith in the second round of consolation and dropped an 8-3 decision. Keith used three early takedowns to grab the lead while Pearsall picked up three third period stall points. The loss ended Pearsall's tournament with a 1-2 mark and his season at 24-11. The Nittany Lion senior closes out his career with a 55-52 record as an NCAA qualifier.
149: #11 Andrew Alton (Mill Hall, Pa.), So. - 27-6 overall - Season Complete
1st Rd: vs. Drake Houdashelt, Missouri - L, 1-4
Cn 1: Daniel Young, Army - WBF (2:05)
Cn 2: vs. #12 Eric Grajales, Michigan - L, 1-8 dec.
Sophomore Andrew Alton (Mill Hall, Pa.) entered the NCAA tournament as the No. 11 seed at 149 and opened the tournament against Drake Houdashelt of Missouri. Houdashelt used near fall points in the second period to escape with a tough 4-1 win, sending Alton into the consolation bracket.
Alton took on Army's Daniel Young in the first consolation round. Alton notched Penn State's fourth pin of the evening session. He took Young down early and the Black Knight escaped. But Alton then added another takedown and, gaining control of Young's shoulders, turned him to his back for a first period fall at the 2:05 mark. The win moved Alton along in the consolation bracket.
Alton, the No. 11 seed, met No. 12 seed Eric Grajales of Michigan in the second round of consolations. Alton and Grajales embarked on a battle of throws midway through the second period with each man looking to take the other to his back. But it was Grajales who finished off the five point move and walked away with an 8-1 decision. The loss ends Alton's season at 27-6 after a 1-2 tournament with a pin.
157: #8 Dylan Alton (Mill Hall, Pa.), So. - 28-8 overall - Season Complete
Pigtail: vs. Jake O'Hara, Columbia - W, 10-2 maj. dec.
1st Rd: vs. Donnie Tasser, Pittsburgh - W, 8-4 dec.
2nd Rd: vs. Zac Cibula, Rider - W, 13-5 maj. dec.
Qtrs: vs. #1 Jason Welch, Northwestern - L, 3-8 dec.
Rd. 12: vs. #4 James Green, Nebraska - L, 4-14 maj. dec.
Sophomore All-American Dylan Alton (Mill Hall, Pa.), the No. 8 seed at 157, had Penn State's only pigtail and made it count with a 10-2 major over Columbia's Jake O'Hara, picking up bonus points and moving into a first round match-up with Pitt's Donnie Tasser. Alton then rolled up the takedowns in a thorough 8-4 win over the Panther, moving into the second round after a 2-0 morning.
Alton then faced off against Zac Cibula in round two, his third bout of the day. Like in his first two bouts, Alton was methodical with takedowns, getting one in the first, two in the second and two in the third to roll to a 13-5 major decision with 2:23 in riding time. Picking up his second bonus point of the day, Alton moved into the national quarterfinals with the win.
In the national quarterfinals, Alton took on No. 1 seed Jason Welch of Northwestern. Alton took an early lead off a first period takedown that he carried into the third period, leading 3-1. But Welch escaped and then caught the Lion sophomore on a throw for a late five point move that gave the Wildcat an 8-3 decision. Alton's loss moved him into the `round of 12' conso quarters, still one win away from All-America status and still alive for third.
Alton took on No. 4 James Green of Nebraska in the round of 12. Green proved too much this time round, avenging an early season loss to Alton. Alton fell behind early and dropped a 14-4 bout. Alton ended his tournament with a 3-2 mark in the round of 12 and ended his sophomore campaign with a 28-8 record.
165: #2 David Taylor (St. Paris, Ohio), Jr. - 30-2 overall - ALL-AMERICAN
1st Rd: vs. John Staudenmayer, North Carolina - WBF (2:51)
2nd Rd: vs. Zach Strickland, Appalachian State - WBF (2:41)
Qtrs: vs. #7 Conrad Polz, Illinois - WBF (0:24)
Semis: vs. #3 Peter Yates, Virginia Tech - WBF (3:41)
Finals: vs. #1 Kyle Dake, Cornell - L, 4-5 dec.
Defending NCAA Champion David (St. Paris, Ohio), the No. 2 seed at 165, opened up defense of his 165-pound NCAA crown against North Carolina's John Staudenmayer. Taylor dominated from the start, turning the Tar Heel twice before picking up the first period pin at the 2:51 mark, grabbing key bonus points and moving into the second round.
Taylor then faced Appalachian State's Zach Strickland in the second round. In a near mirror image of his first bout, Taylor dominated from the start. He quickly picked up two takedowns and then after the second, turned Strickland once for two near fall, a second time for three and then finished off his foe with another first period pin, this one at the 2:41 mark. Picking up more bonus points for Penn State, Taylor moved into the national quarterfinals with the win.
David then faced off against No. 7 seed Conrad Polz of Illinois in the national quarterfinals, a rematch of the Big Ten Championship two weeks ago. Taylor became a three-time All-American in swift fashion, ending the match in just :24. The Lion junior locked up a cradle and pinned Polz to clinch All-American status and move him into the national semifinals. It was Taylor's third pin in as many matches at this year's event (all in the first period).
Taylor met No. 3 Peter Yates of Virginia Tech in the national semifinals. Taylor advanced to the national finals for the third straight year in blazing fashion, picking up his fourth pin in as many bouts. After fighting off a Yates shot, Taylor got his own takedown and led 2-1 after a Yates escape. During the scramble, Taylor called for a brief injury timeout, giving Yates the choice on the reset. Taylor forced Yates into two stalls to pick up a point and then reversed him and took him to his back to lead 7-1 after one period.
The second period began with Taylor on bottom. The Lion escaped quickly then moved in for a cradle. The Lion junior quickly locked the cradle up and finished off the bout with a pin at the 3:24 mark. Taylor is 4-0 with four falls in less than 10:00 minutes total time (three in the first period and one in the second). The win was also the 100th of Taylor's career.
For final bout recap, please see the story above the agate.
174: #2 Matt Brown (West Valley City, Utah) -- 29-5 overall - ALL-AMERICAN
1st Rd: vs. Todd Porter, Missouri - W, 10-1 maj. dec.
2nd Rd: vs. Nick Bonaccorsi, Pittsburgh - WBF (1:30)
Qtrs: vs. Tanner Weatherman, Iowa State - W, 13-5 maj. dec.
Semis: vs. #6 Logan Storley, Minnesota - W, 3-2 dec.
Finals: vs. #1 Chris Perry, Oklahoma State - L, 1-2 (TB) dec.
Sophomore Matt Brown (West Valley City, Utah) entered his first NCAA Championship as the No. 2 seed at 174 and began his title quest against Missouri's Todd Porter. Brown was in charge from the start, using a takedown in each period and forced Porter to three stalls on his way to an impressive 10-1 major decision. The win, tacking on another team bonus point, moved Brown into the second round.
Brown then went up against Pitt's nick Bonaccorsi in round two. After fighting through a scoreless minute, Brown used a fast double to bull through Bonaccorsi and put the Panther to his back. Brown needed just seconds to pick up the fall, getting the first period pin at the 1:30 mark to continue Penn State's bonus point rally and advance to the national quarterfinals.
Matt then met Iowa State's Tanner Weatherman in the national quarterfinals. Brown earned his first All-America honor and a trip to the national semifinals with a dominating 13-5 major The Nittany Lion sophomore opened up a 6-1 lead off two takedowns and two near falls and never looked back. The 3:08 riding time point gave Brown the major and added to Penn State's lofty bonus point total. Brown moved into the national semifinals with the win.
Brown battled No. 6 Logan Storley of Minnesota in the national semifinals. Brown opened up an early lead with a takedown in the first period. Storley notched an escape to cut the lead to 2-1 heading into the second stanza. Brown took down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 3-1 lead. The duo battled evenly for the rest of the period and Brown led 3-1 after two. Storley took down to start the third and steadily worked his way to an escape, cutting Brown's lead to 3-2. Brown then battled Storley for the rest of the bout and advanced to the national finals with a 3-2 win. Brown has won ten straight bouts dating back to Feb. 17.
For finals bout recap, see story above the agate.
184: #1 Ed Ruth (Harrisburg, Pa.), Jr. - 33-0 overall - ALL-AMERICAN
1st Rd: vs. Fred Garcia, Lock Haven - WBF (0:28)
2nd Rd: vs. Kevin Radford, Arizona State - WBF (3:41)
Qtrs: vs. Max Thomusseit, Pittsburgh - W, 11-1 maj. dec. (5:00 in riding time)
Semis: vs. #4 Steve Bosak, Cornell - W, 4-1 dec.
Finals: vs. #3 Robert Hamlin, Lehigh - W, 12-4 maj. dec.
Defending NCAA 174-pound champion Ed Ruth (Harrisburg, Pa.), the No. 1 seed at 184 with a 28-0 mark, opened up his third NCAA tournament against Lock Haven's Fred Garcia. After fighting off an early Garcia shot, Ruth put his patented cradle to work, taking Garcia down and quickly locking him up for a first period pin at the 0:28 mark. The win, which added more bonus points to Penn State's team score, moved Ruth into the second round.
Ruth met Arizona State's Kevin Radford in round two. Ruth worked a 2-1 lead into the second period, chose down and escaped. He then continued a flurry of Penn State pins (as Taylor and Brown had just picked up falls) by locking up a cradle and getting the fall at the 3:41 mark. The pin, Ruth's second of the day, moved him into the national quarterfinals.
In the national quarterfinals, Ruth took on Pittsburgh's Max Thomusseit. Ruth dominated Thomusseit in his quarterfinal bout. The Lion junior picked up four takedowns, an escape, a stall point and rolled up an amazing 5:00 in riding time to post the 11-1 major decision and moved into the national semifinals. The win made Ruth a three-time All-American and was his 100th career victory.
Ruth faced No. 4 Steve Bosak of Cornell in the semifinals. Ruth scored quickly on Bosak, opening up a fast 2-1 lead after the Big Red grappler escaped. The duo then battled through an even first period with Bosak picking up a stall warning in the process.
The second period featured only a Ruth escape, giving the Lion a 3-1 lead after two periods. Bosak chose down to start the third period and Ruth put together a crushing ride, controlling the Big Red grappler for the entire period and rolling up 1:51 in riding time. The ride-out and point gave Ruth a 4-1 win and moved him into his second straight national final.
For finals bout recap, see story above the agate.
197: #2 Quentin Wright (Wingate, Pa.), Sr. - 32-0 overall - ALL-AMERICAN
1st Rd: vs. Donald McNeil, Rider - W, 7-3 dec.
2nd Rd: vs. Branden Palik, Drexel - W, 3-2 dec.
Qtrs: vs. #10 Scott Schiller, Minnesota - WBF (2:48)
Semis: vs. #3 Matt Wilps, Pittsburgh - W, 2-2 (TB2, RT :03) dec.
Finals: vs. #1 Dustin Kilgore, Kent State - W, 8-6 dec.
Three-time All-American Quentin Wright (Wingate, Pa.), the undefeated No. 2 seed at 197, opened up the 2013 NCAA Championship against Rider's Donald McNeil. Wright controlled the action from start to finish three takedowns to roll to a 7-3 win and move into the second round.
Wright met Drexel's Branden Palik in the second round. The senior battled his way to a 1-1 tie through two periods and then, in the third, notched the bout's first takedown late and walked away with a hard-fought 3-2 win. The victory moved Wright into the national quarterfinals.
Quentin then met 10th seed Scott Schiller in the quarterfinals in a rematch of the Big Ten Championship match. Wright joined the bonus point parade with a first period pin. After two-plus minutes of even action, Wright locked up a shoulder throw and planted Schiller's back to the mat at the 2:48 mark. The pin pushed Wright into the national semifinals and made him Penn State's sixth four-time All-American.
Wright battled No. 3 seed Matt Wilps of Pittsburgh in his semifinal bout. In a wild rematch of a bout Wright won earlier in the year in Pittsburgh, the high-powered duo wrestled through a scoreless first period. Wilps chose down to start the second and quickly escaped and, after no takedowns in that period, Wright chose down to start the third and quickly escaped to a 1-1 tie. Wright initiated a scramble late that Wilps nearly turned into a pin. But Wright moved out of trouble and the clock hit zeroes, sending the bout to sudden victory. After a scoreless sudden victory period, Wilps chose down and escaped in just :05. Wright then matched that in his tie-breaker period, escaping in :05. The match went to a second sudden victory tied 2-2. Another scoreless minute passed, setting up a final second tie-breaker. Wright chose down to start the bout and escaped in just :05 again. Wilps then took down for his session and Wright held the Panther for :08 and, by virtue of :03 in riding time, claimed the 2-2 (TB2, RT :03) decision. The win sent Wright to his third straight NCAA title bout. He won at 184 two years ago and lost in the finals last year.
For a recap of the finals bout, please see the story above the agate.
285: Jimmy Lawson (Tom's River, N.J.) - 23-9 overall - Season Complete
1st Rd: vs. Jeremy Johnson, Ohio - L, 3-4 dec.
Cn. PT: vs. Adam Fager, Utah Valley - W, 5-4 dec.
Cn. 1: vs. Ben Apland, Michigan - L, 3-7 dec.
Sophomore Jimmy Lawson (Tom's River N.J.) made his NCAA Championship debut at 285 against Ohio's Jeremy Johnson. Lawson tried to complete a comeback from a 4-0 deficit late with an escape and a late takedown but dropped a 4-3 decision. The loss pushed Lawson into the consolation bracket.
Lawson took on Utah Valley's Adam Fager in a pigtail consolation bout and notched his first-ever NCAA tournament win with a late comeback. After trailing early, Lawson used a second period takedown and a third period reversal to post a 5-4 win.
The victory moved him into the consolation first round where he met Michigan's Ben Apland. Lawson dominated action early, notching two takedowns to lead 4-3 into the third period. The Nittany Lion sophomore then chose down and Apland turned him for three back points and rode him out for a 7-3 decision. Lawson ended his NCAA tournament with a 1-2 mark and his season with a 23-9 record.