2016 NCAA Division 1 Wrestling Tournament

Top 10 Matches Of 2016 NCAA's!

Top 10 Matches Of 2016 NCAA's!

The Best 10 matches of the 2016 NCAA D1 Wrestling tournament.

Mar 21, 2016 by Christian Pyles
Top 10 Matches Of 2016 NCAA's!
Everybody has their favorites. The matches you left the arena still talking about. The bouts you discussed with your buddies and the moments you'll never forget. Here are my top 10 matches of the NCAA tournament!


10) #2 Cory Clark, Iowa vs #3 Zane Richards, Illinois

Zane struck first with a clean high crotch and takedown.  More often than not these have been one takedown affairs. That said, given how early Zane scored, there was an air of inevitability in regards to Cory Clark.  We’ve seen Zane Richards jump out to leads before and struggle to slam the door.  With under 30 to go, Cory makes his move:


9) #2 Joey McKenna, Stanford vs #14 Bryce Meredith, Wyoming

Meredith’s run was as impressive and unlikely as anyone’s.  It really looked like it struck midnight for Bryce with McKenna scoring the first takedown.  Joey is as fundamentally sound and positionally aware as anyone at this weight.  Meredith made it happen on top and in the 3rd period, the Cowboy slammed the door.


8) #7 Cody Pack, SDSU vw #15 Chad Walsh, Rider

SDSU was ever so close to an All-American with Cody Pack.  Pack nearly pinned Walsh in the first and had a 6-0 lead.  Then it all fell apart as the always dangerous Chad Walsh of Rider completed one of the biggest comebacks of the NCAA tournament in the NCAA quarterfinals.


7) #15 David Terao, American vs Nathan Tomasello, Ohio State

There are talks that “Times Square” may be re-named “Terao Square” that’s how much NYC loved American’s David Terao.  He and Nathan Tomasello put on thrilling show in 125’s 3rd place bout.  Cartwheels, somersaults, throw attempts, there’s nothing Terao wouldn’t try against the returning NCAA Champion.


6) #4 Cody Brewer, Oklahoma vs #1 Nahshon Garrett, Cornell

In Vegas these two had a 7 minute war.  Nahshon was all about brevity in this semi final against the NCAA Champ in a match that finished in a way nobody thought possible.


5) #4 Ian Miller, Kent State vs #1 Isaiah Martinez, Illinois

Martinez once again showed his mettle as a Champion against the only other man who could challenge him upper-body.  MIller struck first and gave IMAR more than a few scares, including a near takedown late in the third that would have likely sealed the win for Miller.


4) #1 Bo Nickal, Penn State vs #11 Myles Martin, Ohio State

Myles comes out swinging firing off a double leg to a body lock for two. Bo would answer, as he has every other time against Myles with a takedown of his own.  But a key mistake late in the second sent this match in a direction nobody outside of Columbus saw coming.


3) Jake Ryan, Ohio State vs #6 Joe Smith, Oklahoma State

We all chuckled a bit when we saw that coach’s kids Jake Ryan (Son of TOSU Coach Tom) and Joe Smith (Son of Ok State Coach John) would be competing first round.  The outcome was widely accepted as being all Joe, all the time.  Jake made this one more than interesting.  A late stall sent this shoot out into overtime!


2) #1 Isaiah Martinez, Illinois vs #3 Jason Nolf, Penn State

With the score knotted late, many assumed overtime.  These two produced three of the most widely discussed NCAA matches of the season.  It wasn’t because of the names either.  These matches stand apart on their own regardless of what was at stake.  Here’s to 100 more IMAR/Nolf battles.  Both guys delivered, but there can only be one IMAR.


1) #1 Nick Gwiazdowski, NC State vs #2 Kyle Snyder, Ohio State

It's not too often a main-event can deliver on this level, but it did.  Gwiazdowski put together a near picture perfect gameplan together.  He challenged Snyder with his amazing leg defense and counters.  He kept the champ on his heels with a few attacks of his own.  Just like we saw Snyder at the 2015 World’s finals, the moment was not too much.  A late takedown sent it into overtime against the 2 time champ.  Snyder  then delivered in OT.