Dean Heil Leaves No Doubt

Dean Heil Leaves No Doubt

Oklahoma State junior Dean Heil put all of his doubters to bed with controlling wins throughout the entire NCAA tournament. Take a look back at his impressive run to NCAA title No. 2.

Mar 23, 2017 by Michael Malinconico
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Going into the 2017 NCAA tournament, many people had doubts that returning champ Dean Heil could repeat at 141. Heil had a few close calls both in tournament action and in duals that left a window of criticism open. While many speculated over the Oklahoma State junior's ability to close a match convincingly, Heil put all of his doubters to bed with controlling wins throughout the entire tournament. Take a look back at his impressive run to NCAA title No. 2.

Round Of 32

Dean Heil (Oklahoma St.) DEC Brock Zacherl (Clarion), 6-5
Although the final score looks close, Heil steered the action and only gave up points in garbage time.

Round Of 16

Dean Heil (Oklahoma St.) DEC Jared Prince (Navy), 9-5
I circled this one on the bracket not because I truly thought that Heil would lose, but because I thought that if anyone had a chance of putting Heil in a strange enough position to get a non-controlled fall it was Jared Prince. Dean kept it conventional and moved on convincingly.

Quarterfinals

Dean Heil (Oklahoma St.) DEC Jaydin Eierman (Missouri), 6-5
Once again, if you just look at the box score, this match looks close. But Heil managed the tempo of the action and the clock like a true veteran.


Semifinals

141 Dean Heil (Oklahoma St.) DEC Anthony Ashnault (Rutgers), 4-2
A takedown and two escapes was what it took to put the finishing touches on win in the semifinals against Rutgers' Anthony Ashnault.

Finals

Dean Heil (Oklahoma St.) DEC George Dicamillo (Virginia), 6-3
Heil finalized his junior campaign on the big stage in session six against Virginia's George DiCamillo. Dean struck first and never looked back on his way to securing a 6-3 win.