By John Huckaby
\nFor the CDT<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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..<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The upsets will surely contribute to increased interest on the college scene but fans shouldn’t put too much stock in them.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Tournament Roundup<\/p>\n
Last weekend saw some interesting tournaments throughout the country and generally the host schools came away with more than their share of champions.<\/p>\n
The Kaufman-Brand Open at the University of Nebraska – Omaha was probably the spotlight event and produced some interesting results.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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,<\/p>\n
American; 197, T.J, Morrison, Rider; and 285, Adam LoPiccolo, American.<\/p>\n
At the Missouri Open, the host school grabbed five gold medals.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Navy was also strong in its own tournament, grabbing six crowns. The Midshipmen took the team title, 151-83.5 over West Virginia.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Duals: Nebraska 29, Boise State; Lehigh 29, Arizona State 7; Oregon State 19, Hofstra 18; and Bloomsburg 17, Pitt 16.<\/p>\n
A Break in the Action<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
John Huckaby writes about college wrestling for the Times. He can be reached at jhuck@ptd.net.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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