By John Huckaby
For the CDT
Ask just about any so-called college wrestling expert and they would pretty much say Oklahoma State’s Zack Esposito (149) and Steve Mocco (285) would be locks to repeat as NCAA national champions.
After all, both won last year and appeared, that’s a key word, the definite favorites to win again in Oklahoma City in March. Results from Monday’s 40th NWCA All-Star Classic in Stillwater, Okla. might change that thinking.
Both Esposito and Mocco went down as did two other defending NCAA champions, Oklahoma’s Teyon Ware at 141 and Oklahoma State’s Johny Hendricks at 165.
Esposito dropped a 7-3 decision to Michigan sophomore Eric Tannenbaum (fourth last March) while Mocco fell in overtime 4-1 to Minnesota’s Cole Konrad. Tannenbaum will likely be in action Saturday as Penn State entertains the Wolverines in Rec Hall at 1 p.m..
Iowa State’s Nate Gallick, who lost to Ware in last March’s final, beat the Sooner this time 3-1 and Hendricks lost a 5-2 sudden victory decision to Minnesota’s Matt Nagel.
Other winners, before 4,854 fans at Gallagher-Iba Arena, were Oklahoma’s Sam Hazewinkel (125), Cal Poly’s Darren Vasquez (133), Alex Tirapelle (157) of Illinois; Jake Herbert (174) of Northwestern; Pete Friedl (184) of Illinois; and defending champion Jake Rosholt (197) of Oklahoma State.
The loss by Mocco ended (kind of) a winning streak of 71 straight. It won’t count because the event is considered an exhibition match.
The upsets will surely contribute to increased interest on the college scene but fans shouldn’t put too much stock in them.
After all, Esposito lost to Cornell’s Dustin Manotti in last season’s National Duals. In the end Esposito won gold, Manotti took a sixth.
Tournament Roundup
Last weekend saw some interesting tournaments throughout the country and generally the host schools came away with more than their share of champions.
The Kaufman-Brand Open at the University of Nebraska – Omaha was probably the spotlight event and produced some interesting results.
Here are the winners there: 125, Coleman Scott, Oklahoma State; 133, Nathan Morgan, Oklahoma State; 141, David Hoffman, Virginis Tech; 149, Ty Eustice, Iowa (Eustice beat Va. Tech star recruit Brent Metcalf 2-1 in the semis and Metcalf finished third); 157, Trent Paulson, Iowa State; 165, Travis Paulson, Iowa State; 174, Craig Johnson, unattached; 184, Roger Kish, Minnesota; 197, Casey Phelps, Boise State (Phelps won by forfeit when Rosholt defaulted); 285, Les Sigmon, Nebraska- Omaha.
Cornell took home six titles in its Body Bar tournament.The Big Red also won the team title, 138-95.5 over Oregon State. The champs, 125, Troy Nickerson, Cornell; 133, Mike Mormile, Cornell; 141, Jason Cook, Purdue; 149, Patrick Simpson, Army; 157, Manotti, Cornell; 165, Justin Nestor, Pitt; 174, Luke Hogle, Cornell; 184, Joe Mazzurco, Cornell; 197, Jerry Rinaldi, Cornell; and 285, Payam Zarrinpour, Sacred Heart.
Penn also proved to be a rude host, winning the Keystone Classic with 151 points and four (counting co-champs) champions. Virginia was second with 109.5. Winning titles were 125, Andrew Gold, Penn; 133, Matt Valenti, Matt Eveleth, Penn; 141, Caesar Grajales, Penn; 149, TomKniezewski, American; 157, Scott Ervin, Appalachin State; 165, Muzaffar Abdurakhmanov, American; 174, Doug Umbenhauer, Rider; 184, Josh Glenn,
American; 197, T.J, Morrison, Rider; and 285, Adam LoPiccolo, American.
At the Missouri Open, the host school grabbed five gold medals.
Winners: 125, Austin Devoe, Missouri; 133, Shawn Bunch, Edinboro; 141, Chris McCormick, Missouri; 149, Gregor Gilespie, Edinboro; 157, Mike Poeta, Illinois; 165, Matt Pell, Missouri; 174, Ben Askrew, Missouri; 184, Raymond Jordan, Missouri; 197, Brady Richardson, Indiana; 275, Jake Hager, Oklahoma State.
Navy was also strong in its own tournament, grabbing six crowns. The Midshipmen took the team title, 151-83.5 over West Virginia.
Winners: 125, Mike Kohler, Navy; 133, Brad Canterbury, Navy; 141, Bradon Rader, West Virginia; 149, John Cox, Navy; 157, Matt Lebe, West Virginia; 165. Tony Howard, McDaniel (Division III school); 174, Matt Stolpinski, Navy; 184, Rudy Medina, Rutgers; 197, Antonio Miranda, Navy; and 285, Garrett Tanner, Navy.
Duals: Nebraska 29, Boise State; Lehigh 29, Arizona State 7; Oregon State 19, Hofstra 18; and Bloomsburg 17, Pitt 16.
A Break in the Action
With the holiday weekend, college action slows. The Mat-Town Tournament at Lock Haven is the premier event. Iowa at Arizona State (Sunday), Oklahoma State at Michigan State (Sunday); Central Michigan, UT-Cahattanooga at Northeast Duals, Albany, N.Y. (Saturday); and Rutgers at Lehigh (Saturday) highlight the upcoming action.
John Huckaby writes about college wrestling for the Times. He can be reached at [email protected].
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