2016 NCAA Finals Recap

NCAA_Wrestling_2016




125 – Lucas Malmberg, Messiah major decision CJ Pestano, Central 14-6

This one was all Malmberg from the opening whistle, as the Messiah wrestler scored in the open ten seconds and never looked back. He was the wire-to-wire favorite since November and showed it this weekend in getting his first title in his third trip to the finals.

133 – Devin Broukal, Wabash decision Nathan Pike, Wabash 8-5

Broukal came in unseeded since he spent almost the whole year at higher weights. It was a back and forth match that Broukal was able to break open with a few late tilts against a wrestler who is dangerous in the bottom position.

141 – Drew Van Anrooy, Luther decision Jimmy Nehls, Elmhurst 10-2

Van Anrooy wrestled some tight matches to get to the finals but was able to get a quick takedown early and build up a decent amount of riding time. Leading 3-2, Van Anrooy was able to counter a late takedown attempt from Nehls for a takedown and back points of his own with the riding time point providing the final margin.

149 – Kenny Martin, Wartburg decision Trevor Engle, Cornell 7-5

The defending champ Martin got things started with a huge double leg against the unseeded Engle. Engle kept coming the whole time, but Martin’s talent won out, and he was always able to answer with a takedown when he needed it. Martin finished off the repeat to become the only champion out of Wartburg’s five finalists.

157 – Bobby Dierna, Cortland decision Drew Wagenhoffer, Wartburg 7-5

After finishing 3rd and 2nd in his first two trips to the tournament, Dierna came in as the top seed and did not disappoint. Wagenhoffer was a game opponent, but Dierna’s athleticism was impossible to overcome. Dierna countered a final peek out attempt as time expired to give Cortland a champion.

165 – Logan Hermsen, Stevens Point decision Nick Michael, Wartburg 5-3 SV

Michael scored the opening takedown and held a lead for most of the match. Hermsen’s scrambling ability and defense kept the margin small, and as time wound down, Hermsen took his first shot on a low single and scored to force overtime. In the sudden victory period, another low single from Hermsen gave the 5th seed a championship.

174 – Ben Swarr, Messiah decision Eric Devos, Warburg 3-1

In a match more exciting than the score might indicate, both wrestlers took turns fighting off attacks and getting close to scoring. As the clock headed toward zero, Swarr took a left handed shot, switched off to a double, and took Devos to mat. He held him flat for the last ten or so seconds to secure the victory.

184 – Riley Lefever, Wabash major decision Josh Thomson, Messiah

Lefever capped off an impressive tournament with a dominant victory in the finals. He was able to score first and then stuff a few good shots from Thomson. He combined heavy head pressure with attacks below the knee to build a lead, and used big mat returns to stay on top. Lefever finished his junior season as a three time champ and has never lost to a DIII opponent.

197 – David Welch, Roger Williams decision Gerard Roman, Wartburg 5-4

Welch had to come from behind two matches in a row to win his title. In the semis, a very late takedown gave him a 3-2, and the same was true here. The top seed was down early but managed to secure the winning takedown late in the third period to become the first ever champ from Roger Williams.

285 – Zachary Roseberry, Delaware Valley decision Donny Longendyke, Augsburg 5-4

On paper, Roseberry seemed like a big underdog to the defending champion, but his leg attacks proved to be the difference. These were two heavyweights who came to wrestle, and Roseberry took advantage of Longendyke’s upright stance to get in on his legs multiple times and score. Roseberry picked neutral in the third and was never on bottom in the match. A stalling point as time ran out narrowed the gap, but the junior from Delaware Valley became a three time All-American and first time champ.