They Call It the "Blood Round"
Willie and CP

If you don’t know, they call this the ‘Blood Round’.

More civilized people refer to it as the Round of 12, but hey, we’re wrestling family.

It’s where you win, you’re in, you lose, you’re out. Get your hand raised this round and your name’s in the history books as an All American.

The wrestlers know what’s on the line. The name ‘Blood Round’ comes from the tooth-and-nail, knock-down drag-out wars we see every year during this session.

And there are some dandies. There’s so much talent, it’s not easy to grasp that some of these guys won’t place.


125 - Blood Round Bouts
Semi's
#1-Alan Waters (MIZZ) vs.#4-Nico Megaludis (Penn St.)
# 6-Nashon Garrett (Cornell) vs. #2-Jesse Delgado (Illinois)

Consi's
Dom Parisi, App St. vs. David Thorn, MINN
Matt Snyder, UVA vs. Jarrod Garnett, VT
Tyler Cox, WYO vs. Nathan Kraisser, UNC
Trent Sprenkle, NDSU vs. Matt McDonough, Iowa

No real surprises here. McDonough losing was a matter of “when” not “if” in my mind at least. Garrett capitalized. Otherwise we saw some more chalk. Waters took care of business against Snyder as did Nico over Parisi. Those two will meet for the first time in their collegiate careers tonight. I’ve had a feeling about Nico knocking off Waters, so I’ll stick with that. There’s really nothing to suggest it other than I think Nico’s aggression and persistence from neutral will pay off. Delgado needed last second heroics to dispel Kraisser in his quarter final. Kraissers cradle with about 30 seconds to go looked be the nail in the coffin but Delgado showed a “never-say-die” attitude getting the reversal AND nearfall to take the lead back and win in the closing seconds. I like Delgado over Garrett. Nahshon is tough on top, but I don’t think he can turn Jesse. Delgado is easily the best neutral wrestler at 125 and while Nahshon has good agility, I don’t see him being able to keep Delgado off his legs. When Delgado’s in he finishes. So I’m predicting a Nico v. Delgado final. Don’t feel as confident in Nico as I do Jesse, but it’s going to be an exciting semi final round.

Thorns on fire in the back side, and I like him to send Parisi packing and become an unseeded All American. Garnett v. Snyder again and Jarrod owns this series. I see him winning again and finally getting over the hump. Kraisser is the better guy, so if his head is right after his devastating quarter finals match, he should beat Cox. McDonough should be able to beat Sprenkle to ensure his 4th All American status.


133 - Blood Round Bouts
Semi's
#1-Logan Stieber (Ohio St.) vs. #4-AJ Schopp (EDIN)
#3-Tyler Graff (WISC) vs. #2-Tony Ramos (Iowa)

Consi's
Nick Dardanes, MINN vs. Scotti Sentes, CMU
Cody Brewer, OU vs. Jordan Conaway, PSU
George DiCamillo, UVA vs. Jon Morrison, OK ST
Levi Wolfensperger, UNI vs. Nathan McCormick, MIZZ

More chalk from this weight. Stieber dominated Brewer, Schopp housed Dardanes(didn’t expect), Graff handled McCormick and Ramos beat Morrison. Logan will have no trouble what-so-ever with Schopp. He has handled him on multiple occasions and will again tonight. As everyone looks ahead to the possible Ramos/Stieber final, I can’t help but remember how close Graff and Tony were at Big 10s. Expect another tight one here, and possible upset-city. Still going with Ramos and Stieber though.

Chris Dardanes better be better from bottom if he wants to beat Sentes. I think Chris is the better guy here, and maybe I’m just continuing to over-value him, but I think he wins. I like Brewer to defeat Conaway who has looked awesome battling back. Morrison should take care of DiCamillo who still just makes a few too many mistakes. He’ll be a scary Sophomore next year. McCormick owns Wolfensperger historically, so I don’t see any changes happening here.


141 - Blood Round Bouts
Semi's
#1-Hunter Stieber (Ohio St.) vs. #4-Mitchell Port (EDIN)
#6-Ugi Khishgnyam (CIT) vs. #2-Kendrick Maple (OU)

Consi's
Evan Henderson, UNC vs. Joey Lazor, UNI
Ricky Durso, F&M vs. Zach Neibert, VT
Mike Nevinger, Cornell vs. Mark Ballweg, Iowa
Mike Mangrum, OR ST vs. Nick Dardanes, MINN

Very intriguing semi’s. Stieber needed a few breaks to slip by the dangerous and scrappy Durso. He has handled Port historically, but if Stieber tries to coast against Port, he may find himself in a similar circumstance: In trouble late. Port looked awesome against Henderson, scoring backpoints, and getting takedowns. Neutralizing Henderson’s lethal top-game is an accomplishment itself. I think Stieber’s the better guy, especially on his feet. I think that’s the difference in a 3-2, 5-2 type of match. On the bottom side I’m very excited to see Ugi take on Maple. If you haven’t watched this guy yet, he’s really something. He beat Mangrum(again) in his quarter final match. Maple did what I thought he’d do to Ballweg. I think Ugi presents a very unique set of challenges for Maple. He’s a phenomenal athlete with unreal body awareness in scrambles. For a guy with a freestyle background you’re going to be impressed with his ability on the mat. Ugi also understands the finer points of riding and accumulating riding time, as well as some great bottom movement. Now, Maple is a prolific rider on top, so I still think this is a potentially vulnerable spot for Ugi. I think Maple’s the guy here, but I think Ugi can present some problems here. So I think we’re looking at a Stieber v. Maple final here, but both matches are very much in the balance.

Lazor v. Henderson is a tough one to call! Two monsters on top. I’ll stick with Henderson but with tons of caution and respect for the Lazor beam. Neibert(one of my darkhorses) takes on Durso. I’ve continuously been wrong about Durso. Will I learn? No. I’m going Neibert. Ballweg takes on Nevinger who beat him previously. I like Ballweg to reverse that result and go out an All American. Dardanes v. Mangrum in the blood round! These two had an awesome match in their dual earlier this year with Dardanes just missing out on the win. Mangrum hasn’t looked great so far this tournament, but I’ll ride with him to beat Dardanes and place. Definitely one to watch though.


149 - Blood Round Bouts
Semi's
#1-Jordan Oliver (OK St.) vs. #5-Steve Santos (Columbia)
Drake Houdashelt (MIZZ) vs. #2-Jason Chamberlain (Boise St.)

Consi's
Dylan Ness, MINN vs. Jake Sueflohn, NEB
Cole Von Ohlen, AF vs. Ivan Loupochanski, PU
Donnie Vinson, BING vs. Scott Sakaguchi, OR ST
Nick Brascetta, VT vs. Kevin Tao, AU

Jordan Oliver is that dude. He’s going to beat Santos and beat him badly. Santos took care of Cole Von Ohlen as I expected, and it’s awesome to see a Columbia guy in the semi’s, but there’s not one aspect of wrestling that would suggest Steve could make this interesting. JO by lots here. Houdashelt knocked of Tao in his quarter as an unseeded guy, quite an accomplishment. Chamberlain and Sakaguchi had another tight one, and once again Chamberlain was just a little bit better. Chamberlain will control most aspects of this match. Numerically this could be close, but I don’t see Chamblerlain dropping this one. The clock strikes midnight for Houdashelt here.

Lopouchanski v. CVO and I’ll take CVO with practically zero confidence. Ness v. Sueflohn again! Didn’t think I’d see this one so early in consolations. I like Ness to win this one, minus the gator bacon. Sakaguchi v. Vinson is a brutal round of 12 match. I think Vinson wins this one. I think his top game is a bit too much for Sakaguchi. Brascetta should take care of Tao and give the Hokies another All American.


157 - Blood Round Bouts
Semi's
#1-Jason Welch (NW) vs. David Bonin (UNI)
#6-Alex Dierenger (OK St.) vs. #2-Derek St. John (Iowa)

Consi's
Jedd Moore, UVA vs. Jesse Dong, VT
Dylan Alton, PSU vs. James Green, NEB
James Fleming, Clarion vs. Josh Demas, Ohio St.
RJ Pena, OR ST vs. Georgi Ivanov, BSU

The Alton/Welch quarter, in my mind was the match to make the finals, and it was a thriller. Welch is finding ways to score points that he hasn’t always used. He’s got some throw by’s and other upper body stuff that has really been complimenting his scrambling well. I like Welch to beat Bonin with little trouble and cruise to the finals. Dieringer crashed the semi’s. I did not predict this, but I also didn’t think he’d avoid a seeded wrestler thus far either. Nice draw for him, and credit his ability to capitalize. DSJ took away Demas’s upset bid away with little issue. He looks poised to return to the finals. He beat Dieringer comfortably last time around, and I see him winning a slightly closer match this time. Welch V. DSJ final.

Jedd Moore will take on Jesse Dong in the round of 12 I believe. Dong has never lost to Moore, but Dong has also disappointed at NCAA’s on a few occasions, so throw any assumptions either way out the door. I think Dong finds a way to win again and get on the podium. Alton will face Green in the round of 12! Big one there, I like Alton to win, as he’s never lost to Green. Green has been on a complete tear through the backside however and will have lots of momentum coming into this match. If Alton has the “drop down blues” it could be curtains for Dylan. Tough break for Demas here, as I don’t think he can beat Fleming. I like Fleming to beat Zilverberg then Demas to get back on the podium. Demas has made bottom adjustments, but Fleming is such a unique guy to deal with. Ivanov should face Pena and I like Ivanov to win that match again for All American status.


165 - Blood Round Bouts
Semi's
#1-Kyle Dake (Cornell) vs. #4-Tyler Caldwell (OK St.)
#3-Peter Yates (VT) vs. #2-David Taylor (Penn St.)

Consi's
Taylor Massa, MICH vs. Mike Moreno, ISU
Nick Sulzer, UVA vs. Bubby Graham, OU
Steven Monk, NDSU vs. Conrad Polz, ILL
John Staudenmayer, UNC vs. Cody Yohn, MINN

Dake, Caldwell, Yates and DT all took care of business here. Taylor has 3 first period falls again at NCAA’s. This guy knows how to turn it up a notch. He’s going to beat Yates, and I wouldn’t be betting against him putting up bonus. He’s pinned Yates before. Yates did not look great against Yohn. Even if he had, it’s David Taylor. It’s his match. Dake will take on Caldwell again. Caldwell I suppose could make it interesting score wise, but this one won’t be in doubt. Dake may not get a takedown, but he’s going to ride Caldwell, and Caldwell can’t ride him. Dake v. Taylor final. Great versus great. Get excited, but appreciate them tonight as well. 

I like Massa to beat Moreno thought Moreno has been solid. That will be an exciting one. I like Graham to get by Toal and then beat Sulzer for All American honors. Polz should see Monk in the round of 12! Very exciting match, and I see Monk winning again. He beat Polz 9-2 earlier this year. Not a good matchup for Conrad. Cody Yohn has just looked fantastic so far, and I think he breaks through and beats Staudenmayer and finally gets on the podium. Good for Cody.


174 - Blood Round Bouts
Semi's
#1-Chris Perry (OK St.) vs. #4-Robert Kokesh (NEB)
#6-Logan Storley (MINN) vs. #2-Matt Brown (Penn St.)

Consi's
Josh Asper, MD vs. Jordan Blanton, ILL
Nick Heflin, Ohio St. vs. Matt Mougin, NIU
Cody Walters, Ohio vs. Tanner Weatherman, ISU
Todd Porter, MIZZ vs. Mike Evans, Iowa

Perry was tested as I thought he would be by Heflin, and he’ll face Kokesh who was able to dominate Asper. Kokesh is a wide open wrestler, and I don’t think that style matches up well to beat Perry. I think Perry is too fundamentally sound and will catch Kokesh’s mistakes. I like Perry to win 3-2, possibly more if Kokesh is particularly wild. Storley beat Evans for the third time this year and will face Brown. Last time these two met it was Storley winning by fall in a pretty close match up until that point. Storley was my pick to win this weight, so I’ve got him winning a close one. Brown has been very impressive to this point, however. He’s clearly made improvements from earlier this season. To what degree, I’m not terribly sure. That will tell the tale tonight. I got Storley tight. Perry v. Storley, the two best guys pretty much all year tangle for the title tomorrow night.

Asper will probably take on Blanton in the round of 12, I see Blanton breaking through there, though this will be the rubber match between those two. Heflin should take care of Korb with little issue. Weatherman looks to be poised to break through and place. I like him to beat Cody Walters in the round of 12. I think Evans gets Todd Porter and I think Evans wins close. Porter is tough and is for sure a giant killer, but I don’t see him beating Mike. Evans beat Porter earlier this year at National Duals.


184 - Blood Round Bouts
Semi's
#1-Ed Ruth (Penn St.) vs. #4-Steve Bosak (Cornell)
#3-Robert Hamlin (LEH) vs. #2-Ben Bennett (CMU)

Consi's
Ethan Lofthouse, Iowa vs. Jake Swartz, BSU
Max Thomousseit, PITT vs. Mike Larson, MIZZ
Kevin Steinhaus, MINN vs. Jimmy Sheptock, MD
Josh Ihnen, NEB vs. Ryan Loder, UNI

Ruth and Bosak took care of business in their quarter, so we will see a rematch between the 174 lb champion and the 184 lb champion from last year. Ruth dominated Bosak in the Scuffle finals this year. I seem to remember Bosak being dominated by a Nittany Lion last year in the Scuffle, and then reversing the result at NCAA’s. Not suggesting an upset, but that Bosak and the Cornell crew can make adjustments. Ruth may just be “adjustment proof.” Time will tell. I got Ruth by 4 or so. On the bottom side we saw some more chalk. Bennett edged out Sheptock 1-0 and Hamlin beat Loder 2-1. I’m tempted to recant my pick of Bennett from earlier as I’m a big Hamlin fan. I see Bennett being a little too strong, but if he starts giving up his legs(as he can do from time to time) on his feet, that’s the key to victory for Hamlin. I’ve got a Ruth v. Bennett final.

Lofthouse should beat Swartz and place for the 2nd year in a row. Thomusseit will have Larson. I’ll stick with the hot hand in Thomusseit and say he gets on the podium. I think he will be able to neutralize Larson’s top game. Sheptock v. Steinhaus in the round of 12! That’s a nice one. Give me Steinhaus all day. He’s clutch. Don’t see him being kept off the podium. Loder will take on Ihnen. Ihnen is just not himself and I like Loder to break through for the UNI Panthers.


197 - Blood Round Bouts
Semi's
#1-Dustin Kilgore (Kent St.) vs. #5-Taylor Meeks (OR St.)
#3-Matt Wilps (Pitt) vs. #2-Quentin Wright (Penn St.)

Consi's
Alfonso Hernandez, WYO vs. Nathan Burak, Iowa
Micah Burak, Penn vs. Kyven Gadson, ISU
Mario Gonzalez, ILL vs. Scott Schiller, MINN
Christian Boley, MD vs. Blake Rosholt, OK ST

Dustin took care of the other Burak with little issue and Meeks pulled off a decent upset, pinning Hernandez who he had lost to previously. A very nice crab ride by Meeks was the deciding points before the fall. I’ve got Dustin by a lot over Meeks. We’ll see the rubber match between Q and Wilps for a trip to the NCAA finals. Both matches have been full of excitement, but I expect things to settle down a bit here. Q sent a message with his fall over Schiller and Wilps is looking very tough every step of the way. This is going to be tight, but I like Q’s array of scores and NCAA experience to be the deciding factors in a fine semi-final. Kilgore v. Quentin final and it should be a dandy.

Consolation wise I like Gadson to keep it rolling and get on the podium. As a son and a father, that’s what I hope. Total heart pick there. Go Kyven! I like Schiller to beat Gonzalez and Rosholt to beat Boley for All American honors.


285 - Blood Round Bouts
Semi's
#1-Dom Bradley (MIZZ) vs. #5-Mike McMullan (NW)
#3-Alan Gelogaev (OK St.) vs. #2-Tony Nelson (MINN)

Consi's:
Odie Delaney, CIT vs. Chad Hanke, OR ST
Jeremy Johnson, Ohio vs. Zac Thomousseit, PITT
Joe Stolfi, Bucknell vs. Jarrod Trice, CMU
Matt Gibson, ISU vs. JT Felix, BSU

Bradley did have some difficulty with Thommusseit, but he’s very comfortable in those close matches. He’ll take on McMullan again, who he had little trouble with at the All Star match. McMullan took care of Hanke as I expected, and I see him looking to push the pace and try to make this a match about hustle and endurance. The problem with that is that Dom keeps great position, and is very quick for his size. One mistake could mean a takedown and that’s typically all Dom needs to beat you. I like Dom again here. Z continues to dominate, though he hasn’t faced much elite competition. Nelson beat Trice 1-0. I’m sticking with Nelson(#SWTN) here, though I love Gelogaev’s style. Gelogaev has been able to get away from Nelson before, if he can’t get the takedown he will have to get out on bottom. It’ll be interesting to see what gameplan Gelogaev employs for this one. This is one of the semi’s I’m most looking forward to. I think we see another Nelson v. Bradley match ultimately Saturday Night.

Consolation wise I see Hanke beating Delaney, Thomusseit beating Johnson, Trice beating Stolfi and Felix beating Gibson for All American honors tonight. It was sad to see Bobby Telfords season end that way. I think he would have made some real noise in the back side.