2019 NCAA Championships

2019 NCAA Finals: Match Notes

2019 NCAA Finals: Match Notes

Match notes of the finals of the 2019 NCAA Championships.

Mar 23, 2019 by Andrew Spey
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This is it! The final ten matches of the 2018-19 NCAA wrestling season. Follow along with instant updates as we make history and crown ten individual national champions. 

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This is it! The final ten matches of the 2018-19 NCAA wrestling season. Follow along with instant updates as we make history and crown ten individual national champions. 

Penn State has already clinched the team title, which makes it four in a row and eight total for Cael Sanderson. But the Nittany Lion faithful still have plenty to cheer for, as they have five finalists, the most of any team. 

NCAA Brackets, Live Scores & More on FloArena

NCAA Match Notes: Session I - Session II - Session III - Session  IV - Session V

2019 NCAAs By The Numbers

We're starting at heavyweight tonight and ending with Bo Nickal and Kollin Moore. 

The parade of the All-Americans is complete. These 80 dudes are looking sharp!

Using my professional sleuthing skills I picked up in journalism school, I suspect there are going to be a lot of Penn State fans in the PPG Paints Arena today. 

And we're LIVE and on PRIMETIME on ESPf'nN.


285: Derek White (Oklahoma State) vs Anthony Cassar (Penn State)

1st period: White beat Cassar 3-2in the finals of the Southern Scuffle. White lost to Gable Steveson in a dual beat early in the season, but earned the #1 seed when Cassar then beat Steveson in the Big Ten finals. Cassar had to beat Steveson again in the semifinals to make the finals in his first varsity season. White had to go through Lehigh's Jordan Wood to earn a berth on Saturday night.

Both our heavies tonight are seniors. Cassar is from NJ, White is a native Oklahoman. Cassar makes a level change with about 30 seconds to go, but that's all the action in the first. 

2nd period: White chooses down to start the second with donuts on the scoreboard. White escapes in five seconds, and is awarded one point in accordance to the rules of the NCAA. Just when the fans were getting bored, Cassar sweeps a leg and gets White on the mat. Cassar pounces and gets swipes. A full complement of backs before time expires buts Cassar in the drivers seat. It's 6-1 and Cassar has choice in the third.

3rd period: Cassar out in a flash. A go behind for Cassar gives him two more and a 9-1 lead. White's chances evaporating with every tick of the clock. 30 seconds to go, the very large contingent of Penn State fans begin to go wild. White is still broken down flat. That's it, Cassar is a national champion! Penn State doing what Penn State does in match number one!


125: Jack Mueller (Virginia) vs Spencer Lee (Iowa)

1st period: Mueller upset the #1 seed Sebastian Rivera in the semis. Rivera had yet to be defeated at 125-pounds this season up until that point. Lee, who Rivera beat twice, got revenge on Nick Piccininni in the semis. Pich pinned Lee at home in front of a sold-out Gallagher-Iba Arena.

Mueller is one of two native Texans in the finals (Bo Nickal is the other one, at least that's where he went to high school). Lee hails from the Keystone state.

Lee runs out to the Pokeman theme song again. I forgot to pay attention to Mueller's song or to the heavyweight songs. I will try to do better going forward.  

Spencer snags a leg. Mueller turns in and tries to spin behind. Lee follows and hips over to collect two. Lee now approaching one minute of riding time. Mueller gets dinged for stalling as riding time nears two minutes. Lee inching Mueller over with an arm bar. Time runs out though, and Mueller will get a chance on top. It's 2-0 Lee.

2nd period: Mueller has a pretty nasty ride himself, as Rivera found out all too well. Mueller has a leg figure-foured and a cradle locked, but he's staying on Lee's far side and we get a stalemate before Mueller can rock Lee back, or even attempt to. Mueller drops to a leg with about 10 seconds left, trying to ride out the period. Mueller can work up before he's counted out for a second stall call. Lee gets another point but Mueller erased all but 7 seconds of Lee's riding time advantage. 

3rd period: Mueller takes neutral in the third, down three points, but riding time not a factor. Attacks from both wrestlers but no scores as the clock starts ticking down the final 60 seconds of regulation. Mueller trying to get by Lee's defenses, but can't, Lee is too tough, and Lee picks up a final takedown to make it a 5-0 victory. Spencer Lee goes back-to-back, silencing any doubters. 

Let's all bask in the Pokemon theme song as Spencer adds to his Hawkeye lore. 


133: Daton Fix (Oklahoma State) vs Nick Suriano (Rutgers)

1st period: Fix earned the number one seed and beat all the lower-seeded opponents in his path. Suriano earned the #3 seed and avenged a dual meet loss to Stevan Micic of Michigan to punch his tickets to the finals. Fix is an Oklahoman and Suriano a New Jerseyan, so both 133-pound finalists stayed home for college, or in Nick's case, returned home after a year-long sojourn to Pennsylvanian. 

These two have had a couple marathon matches. In a dual meet earlier in the year it was Fix in tiebreakers where the go-ahead point was a hands to the face call. Before they got to college they were both at Who's #1, where Suriano prevailed in a 30 minute epic (there was unlimited overtime in affect). 

And I forgot to pay attention to the walk out songs again. Dang. There are about five minutes inbetween bouts and I get distracted easily. Sorry

A shot gets Suriano's hands behind Fix's legs but Fix sags his hips and they're back in neutral. Suriano taking ground but it's just hand fighting for the most part. Fix attacks now and Suriano checks him with a reattack. No scores as time runs out in the first. 

2nd period: Fix picks down and stands off the whistle. Suriano working hard for the mat return. He walks Fix out of bounds and picks up a stall warning but saves the point. Fix stands and escapes cleanly off the restart. Fix leads 1-0. 30 seconds left in the period and fans want a stall call, I'm assuming on Fix but no one is shooting much. Suriano still taking more ground, for what it's worth. Coach Smith throws a challenge brick, asking for the refs to call a hands to the face on Suriano. The arena showers the decision with boos when it is announced over the loud speakers. Call on the mat is confirmed, no hands to the face. Oklahoma State is now out of challenges, though this is their last match of the tournament. 

3rd period: Suriano chooses down and is up in out in short order. The score is tied 1-1. Suriano has the only stall warning of the match, and 25 seconds of riding time. The crowd wants stalling on Fix as Suriano takes ground but doesn't offer much in the way of shots. Final 30 seconds of regulation. No stall calls, no scores, we go to overtime.

Sudden Victory: Suriano continues to take ground. Finally Suriano shoots and the ref dings Fix. No scores though and we go to tiebreakers. 

Tiebreaker 1: Fix starts down. Suriano hanging on the side. Time running out. Suriano down on a leg, FIx is kicking. Fix doesn't break free but the count runs out just as the period does. Fix gets a point but Coach Goodale wants the call review, arguing that time expired before the ref counted to five on the stall warning. Call is confirmed. 

Tiebreaker 2: Suriano's time underneath. Caution on Fix. Fix gets the double boots in on the restart. Stalemate called with 9 seconds left in the period. Caution on Suriano. Suriano is out! Let's wrestle some more!

Sudden Victory 2: Suriano and Fix trade half shots. Suriano reattacks and gets two! The celebration is on! Rutgers first national champ in program history! OR DO THEY? Coach SMith and Esposito are livid. They are in the middle of the mat. But they're out of challenges. Not sure what they want. Now the officials are going to conduct their own review. Rutgers coaches are displeased. They are looking for a handgear pull. 

Wow, this is just nuts. It's never easy with these two, is it? Replay shows Suriano's hand on Fix's headgear but I'm not sure he pulls it, looks like he posts on it. Officials agree, no penalty. Put it in the books, Nick Suriano is a national champ!

AC/DC's Hells Bells plays Suriano out. Excellent choice Nick.


141: Yianni Diakomihalis (Cornell) vs Joe McKenna (Ohio State)

1st period: Yianni is undefeated #1 seed and returning champion. He grew up in Rochester, New York, not far from Ithaca, where Cornell's campus resides. McKenna is now a three-time All-American from North Jersey. He transferred to Ohio State after two years at Stanford. 

Yianni walks out to Nelly's Hot in Here. See? I remembered this time. I don't recognize McKenna's song but it's loud and has a nice guitar riff, so nice one Joe. And nice one Yianni. Okay now let's wrestle.

McKenna in on a leg early, but Yianni is basically impossible to finish cleanly on. McKenna pretty much does though! 2-0 McKenna up early. Diakomihalis is out after 20 seconds of wrestling. Simultaneous shots and McKenna has a leg again. This time Yianni makes it much harder on McKenna and we get a stalemate. No more scores through the rest of the period but both wrestlers stayed active. 

2nd period: McKenna chooses bottom. He stands, is run out of bounds, stands again on the restart and Yianni kicks him loose. It's 3-1 McKenna, riding time not a factor. Russian tie for McKenna, Yianni tries to step in front and hip check McKenna off balance. McKenna in on another single leg, Yianni steps over and has McKenna on his back! But McKenna rolls through before control could be established so we're still in neutral. Or are we??? Coach Koll wants a review to see if Yianni had the takedown and potentially near fall points. It's close, I could see this going either way. And the no takedown call is confirmed. We indeed go back to neutral with 12 seconds left in the period. Nothing changes as we go to the final frame of regulation. 

3rd period: Yianno chooses down. Cornell still has a challenge left. They will have to be judicious though as they still have 184-pounder Max Dean in the finals. Yianni is out without too much trouble. McKenna's RT sits at a mere 24 seconds. Yianni controlling the ties for the most part. McKenna tries a sweep single that doesn't land. McKenna gets dinged with a stall warning. Another one would tie it up. 36 seconds left in the period. McKenna drops down on a leg. He's killing lots of clock. Yianni uses some sort of sorcery to scramble himself a takedown. McKenna escapes as time runs out to make it 4-4! I'll take more of this match, absolutely. Coach Ryan and company want the takedown reviewed. I think Yianni had the leg and control for two but we will see. And the call is confirmed. Bonus wrestling!

Sudden Victory: I can't describe what Yianni just did. Just find a replay. Or I'll look for a tweet or something. Yianni is a space alien with super powers. Oh also a two-time national champion!

What a match. Hot in Here plays on the loud speakers. Yes indeed. 

Okay found a tweet. Thanks NCAA Wrestling! Observe the absurdity. 


149: Anthony Ashnault (Rutgers) vs Micah Jordan (Ohio State) 

1st period: Four-time All-American Anthony Ashnault of New Jersey has beaten three-time All-American Micah Jordan of Ohio twice this year, in the finals of the CKLV and the finals of Big Tens. 

Micah runs out to AWOLNATION's Sail. That bass sounds pretty good in the arena with these speakers. Ashanult runs out to a rap song I don't recognize. Sorry guys, I'm not real good with that genre. Any help would be appreciated. The song bangs for what its worth. 

The match is underway, as Ashnault attempts to become the second ever champion for Rutgers. And Jordan scores first with a hands to the face at the 2:24 mark. Fierce collar ties but not a lot in the way of committed shots from either guy. The period ends after more hand fighting but no scores. 

2nd period: Micah chooses neutral after Ashnault deferred. Ashnault with the first takedown to go ahead 2-1 early in the second. Ashnault has a hellacious ride and has turned Jordan multiple times. Ashnault close to a tilt a couple times but no near fall points. A couple of clutch mat returns keeps Jordan from escaping. Ashnault rides out the period to amass 1:43 of riding time. Ashnault did pick up 2 cautions on restarts, though.  

3rd period: Ashnault chooses bottom and Jordan cuts him to make it 3-1 Ashnault. A scramble, Micah gets the takedown to tie it up! Micah cuts Ashnault and it's a one point match, though Ashanult has 1:35 of riding time. Jordan shoots, Ashnautl counters and gets an angle. It's two for Ashnault. Jordan caught in a cradle! Ashnault almost gets the pin but two near fall points are huge at this point in the match. Ashnault rides out the period to win 9-4! Schnaulty mobs his way to a national title! Rutgers goes two-for-two! 

Rutgers fans have waited a long time for a night like this. They are partying On the Banks of the Raritan tonight. 

We have a breif intermission at the midway point of the show. Halftime entertainment brought to you by FloMarching


157: Jason Nolf (Penn State) vs Tyler Berger (Nebraska)

1st period: Jason Nolf has a major scare in the semifinals against Hayden Hidlay of NC State that included a controversial no-takedown call, but he stays unblemished on the season and in contention for the Hodge. Berger was the two seed and took care of business on the bottom side of the bracket. Berger is a three-time All-American in his fourth NCAA tournament and first finals. 

Berger runs out to Jay-Z. I have the Wrestling Nomad next to me and he confirms we are in fact listening to HOVA. Nolf runs out to a rock song that I don't recognize, except I think it's the same one from last year. I didn't recognize it then either I don't think.

Nolf treats us to vintage Nolf early in his last match in a Penn State singlet. A single and back trip for two. Nolf cuts Berger on a restart. Nolf on the attack with a knee pick, has two more and is looking for the fall! He'll settle for two back points. Nolf cuts Berger again and it's 6-2. Another takedown and rideout gives Nolf a commanding 8-2 lead after 3 minutes of wrestling. 

2nd period: Berger puts a tough ride on Nolf for most of the second period, but Nolf eventually escapes to make it 9-2. No more scores and we go to the third. 

3rd period: Berge chooses down. He's erased Nolf's riding time but still has a ton of ground to make up to get back in this match, and not a lot of time to do it. Nolf won't even let Berger get back to neutral. He smothers Berger for 2 full minutes. Well, a restart with 6 seconds left means he gets to savor a little more time on the mat before it becomes official. And there it is. The Penn State fans haven't been able to cheer for a national champ since heavyweight. They are releasing that pent up energy now.

Penn State goes two-for-two!


165: Vincenzo Joseph (Penn State) vs Mekhi Lewis (Virginia Tech)

1st period: Lewis is having perhaps the most shocking run to the finals. The freshman New Jersey native upset the #1 seed Alex Marinelli (previously undefeated on the year) and the #4 seed Evan Wick in the semis. Lewis is hoping to become the first Virginia Tech national champ in program history. Local Pittsburgh Central Catholic product Vincenzo Joseph earned the #2 seed after falling to Marinelli in the Big Ten finals. He had a couple close matches but returns to his third straight NCAA finals as a junior. 

Lewis runs out to another rap song I can't place. Sorry Jersey dudes. Oh wait, Nomad saysit  J-Rock's Win. Cenzo runs out to Renegade by Styx. Yeah, I got that one! No help from Nomad needed there.

There's a sizable Hokie crowd but Cenzo will basically have home mat advantage. Lewis has a leg on a counter attack, but Cenzo's hips are made of lead, and he fends off danger and they're back in neutral. No scores after three minutes of wrestling. No stall calls either. 

2nd period: Cenzo goes underneath to start the second frame. Lwis has Cenzo in a nearside cradle. he flips him over! He's getting at least four near fall. No fall though, Cenzo has his shoulder popped. Cenzo breaks the lock and escapes out of bounds. We restart in neutral, Lewis with a 4-1 lead and 42 seconds of riding time. Cenzo has a single leg, but Lewis does not allow anyone to finish with just one leg, and Cenzo is no exception. The period ends still in neutral. 

3rd period: Lewis starts on bottom. Cenzo cuts him after Mekhi gets to his feet. Cenzo going on the attack. Lewis dinged for stalling. A double for Joseph but Lewis feeds him hips and avoids danger. Another single leg up in the air for Joseph. But Lewis lives for that position. He counters for two more points. That'll ice it! Mekhi Lewis knocks off two-time defending champion Vincenzo Joseph to become the first national champion in Virginia Tech program history!

Amazing run by Lewis. Simply incredible. He took losses to Connor Flynn of Missouri and Isaiah White in the regular season, but they only award championships in March, and Mekhi got it done when it matters most. Lewis is now a junior world champion and NCAA champion. And he is just a freshman. 

New Jersey having quite a day, with four champs out of five finalists. 


174: Mark Hall (Penn State) vs Zahid Valencia (Arizona State)

1st period: Minnesota native Mark Hall (or is it Michigan?), earned the #1 seed by going undefeated and holding a win over Zahid Valencia from a dual meet. Hall needed tiebreakers in the semis against Myles Amine, but he makes his third straight finals appearance, looking for his second title overall. Zahid is from southern California and is the defending champ, having taken third as a freshman. Both finalists are juniors. 

Nomad says this is Baby Boy the Prince that Zahid is running out to. Again, I'm out of my depth, but the song slaps. Hall's song stumps Nomad. But again, pretty rad beats. Nomad guesses T.I. If he is wrong please mock him on social media. 

Here we go, a rematch of Cleveland. We're in a scramble after a minute of wrestling. And Hall works his way on top and scores the first two. Zahid escapes quickly to make it 2-1. Valencia looking for an ankle but Hall is too nimble for him this time. Zahid is a volume shooter though, so Hall will have to stay on his toes. Valencia has a tricep and gets underneath Hall. Doesn't pull the trigger ona . fireman's carry finish and the period ends without any more scores. 

2nd period: Hall begins on bottom. Hall stands and Valencia kicks him loose by the boundary. Zahid in on a leg, Hall grabs one of Zahid's. Valencia behind Hall though and they award two, though Hall is still locked around that leg. Cael challenges. I honestly don't know how this is going to go. Haven't had a lot of overturned calls, and that was a real fifty/fifty position. Ref had a clear look at it though so I could see them sticking with it. And it is confirmed, Valencia ties it up and goes back on top. 42 seconds left in the second period. Big mat returns for Valencia and he'll ride out the period. Riding time at 55 seconds. 

3rd period: Not sure what Valencia will choose yet as we pause for blood time, looks like it's for Hall. Valencia stands and is out rather quickly. RT not a factor at 44 seconds for Zahid. FInal 90 seconds of regulation, slim one point lead for Valencia. Final 45 seconds. Both coaches are out of challenges. Stall warning on Zahid with about 20 seconds left. Hall can't get through Valencia's head and hands defense. Valencia goes back-to-back! 

And the celebration for Valencia! A guitar strum and a hammer drop double party! We've seen those moves before, both from Mark Hall. The air guitar was Hall's move after he beat Zahid in the dual meet. Now, some folks may poo-poo this kind of behavior, but to me it's fun. I say party on. But that's just me, your mileage may vary. 


184: Max Dean (Cornell) vs Drew Foster (Northern Iowa)

1st period: Dean runs out to Bohemian Rhapdosy. Classic. Drew Foster runs out to a rap song. Bomb beats but Nomad is nowhere to be found to assist. 

#5 seed Dean had the upset of the tournament by knocking off the massive favorite #1 seed Myles Martin in a semifinal stunner. He was an All-American last year in his true freshman season. The #6 seed Drew Foster took out #3 seed Zack Zavatsky of Virginia Tech and the #15 seed Chip Ness, who took out the #2 seed Shakur Rasheed in a huge round of 16 upset. Foster is a senior who took seventh as a sophomore, his only previous All-American honor.

Foster strikes first, but Dean is out in 20 seconds, making it 2-1 in favor of Foster. Dean on a single leg, trying to take the lead. They're at the boundary. Dean drags Foster back towar the center to give himself a little more real estate to work with. And Dean converts after a lengthy struggle. he takes the 3-2 lead and now has RT ticking up in his favor. Dean rides out the period. 

2nd period: Foster goes back on top after Dean chooses down. Foster giving Dean the business on top. He's a nasty rider. RT now over a minute for Foster. Although a granby roll allows Dean to scramble free, and only after Foster gets dinged for stalling. Riding time at 1:18 for Foster as Dean takes a 4-2 lead into the third.

3rd period: Foster chooses down. He's out after 8 seconds to preserve riding time. It's 4-3 Dean, but 1:10 for Foster. Someone needs to score to avoid overtime. Foster dives for an ankle. Dean dives and grabs a far ankle for himself. We stalemate, 50 seconds left in regulation. Foster backing up, now strikes. Foster converts! Foster locks up riding time. Foster rides out Dean for the 6-4 victory! Northern Iowa has a national champion! Their first in 19 years! Tremendous accomplishment for Foster, head coach Doug Schwab and the UNI program!


197: Bo Nickal (Penn State) vs Kollin Moore (Ohio State)

1st period: Bo Nickal hasn't lost since the Big Ten semifinals his sophomore year. If he wins here, as he is favored, he should win the Hodge (imo), although I am still open to the idea of a Co-Hodge. Kollin Moore is a three-time All-American making his first finals appearance. Moore is a junior, and has wrestled Nickal twice this year. Nickal won them both, by pin and major decision. 

Don't recognize Moore's rock song or Nickal's hip hop track, but both guys have good musical taste. 

The last match of the 2018-19 NCAA season is underway. Also the last match we'll see Nickal don the blue and white singlet. 

Insanely powerful snap down has Moore stepping in directions he wasn't intending, but Nickal does not convert. Nickal in short offense, but Moore keeps his balance. Nickal goes flying in with an elbow pass high-crotch and has Moore in rear-standing. It takes a little bit, but Nickal eventually drags Moore down for two just before the period expires. 

2nd period: Moore starts underneath trailing 2-0. He escapes quickly to chop his deficit in half. Both guys being patient, looking for an opening. Nickal doing more with his snaps but neither guy has picked up a stall warning and I don't think they're in danger of it either. No scores and we go to the final period of regulation of the season.

3rd period: Nickal starts underneath. He holds referee's position for a spell, then explodes up and out in a flash. Nickal leads 3-1. Riding time is not a factor. Moore hits a duck and is behind Nickal, but Nickal teleports out of danger. Nickal cuts the corner on Moore and slaps on a near side cradle. Moore is in danger but Nickal just hangs out there. Time expires and Nickal is a four-time finalist and three-time national champion!

Maybe a tad anti-climatic, but Nickal and the Nittany Lion fans in the arena will take it. Penn State goes three for five in the finals and run away with the team title!

Not a bad haul for the Lions. 

In other news, Mekhi Lewis of Virginia Tech wins Outstanding Wrestler. Scott Goodale of Rutgers wins Coach of the Tournament. 

They still have some awards to hand out, but otherwise the season is in the books. Great job everyone. I mean that. We crushed that season. I look forward to crushing many more with you in the years to come. 

Sorry for the typos (really, I hate them too). See you in freestyle season, which starts right now!