The past week of NCAA D1 wrestling saw a number of surprising upsets. Take a look at a breakdown of the most notable ones and a full list of upsets below.

125 MADNESS

Two big upsets over the weekend create a conundrum for the rankings. First, on Friday night, #11 Drake Ayala secured a come from behind victory over Northwestern’s #7 Michael DeAugustino. DeAugustino got out to a 3-1 lead before Ayala got a takedown and transitioned immediately to a near-side cradle for 2 near-fall points. Ayala ultimately held on to win 6-5. Notably, DeAugustino defeated #8 Patrick McKee (who is 3-0 against Ayala this season) last week to vault up the rankings.

To muddy the waters even further, Patrick McKee was upset by #15 Eric Barnett (whose only loss is to DeAugustino this year). in their match on Sunday. Barnett used a reversal and tough ride in the second to build a 4-2 lead going into the third. Because of the tough ride, McKee chose neutral in the final period only to give up a takedown with just over a minute left in the match. Ultimately, Barnett accumulated almost two minutes of riding time and came away with an 8-5 victory. 

To summarize the madness...Patrick McKee is 3-0 against Ayalao but has losses to Barnett and DeAugustino. Barnett lost to DeAugustino but beat McKee. And Ayala is winless against McKee but just defeated DeAgustino. How in the world do you sort out these four in the rankings?! 

Ayala’s takedown to back points over DeAugustino:

Highlight 🎥:
125| Drake Ayala with the cradle for near fall to go up 5-3.#Hawkeyes #FightForIowa pic.twitter.com/IUG8EFQc7k

— Iowa Hawkeye Wrestling (@Hawks_Wrestling) January 15, 2022

Garrett Model Propels Wisconsin Over Minnesota

Going into the match with All-American #5 Brayton Lee, Wisconsin’s Garrett Model was 9-6 on the season with a career collegiate record of 47-54. None of that mattered as Model put together a controlling, 10-5 win over Lee. After a scoreless first period, Model went to work in the second and third with a reversal and 4 total takedowns - 1 in the second period and 3 in the third. With the Big 10 schedule, Model will continue to be tested with upcoming potential matches against #7 Peyton Robb (Jan. 21), #10 Kendall Coleman (Jan. 23), and #11 Kaleb Young (Feb. 5). Those matches will truly tell us if Model's win over Lee was a fluke or if Model is ready to challenge for All-American honors this season.

HUGE UPSET at 157‼️@gmodel15 takes down No. 4 ranked Brayton Lee.@BadgerWrestling // @NCAAWrestling pic.twitter.com/ODscY0H89Q

— Wisconsin On BTN (@WisconsinOnBTN) January 16, 2022

Pentz Pins Buchanan

A few days after getting a big win in overtime over #12 Yonger Bastida, All-American #4 Stephen Buchanan took the mat against HM Owen Pentz. No problem for Buchanan, right? Pentz had other plans and got out to a 3-1 lead in the second period before locking up a cradle and securing a pin over Buchanan. While Pentz has been solid, the win over Buchanan is the best of his collegiate career and puts him on the map for other 197-pounders to watch out for this season. Pentz will continue to be tested the rest of the year with upcoming matches against #12 Yonger Bastida (Jan. 23), HM Alan Clothier (Feb. 13), and #24 Tanner Sloan (Feb. 20).

Pentz's win over Stephen Buchanan:

Unlock this video, live events, and more with a subscription!

Sign Up

Already a subscriber? Log In

Aiello Makes A Statement Over Woodley

Jay Aiello is a three-time national qualifier but has yet to bring home All-American honors. This season Aiello is 7-0 on the year and took out returning All-American #7 Jake Woodley in a controlling, 6-1 decision at the Virginia Duals. In that match, Aiello secured two takedowns and accumulated almost four minutes of riding time. Aiello will be a challenge for everyone in the country at 197-pounds this year and has remaining ranked matches against #9 Nino Bonaccorsi (Jan. 21) and #17 Isaac Trumble (Feb. 4). 

Aiello's win over Woodley:

Unlock this video, live events, and more with a subscription!

Sign Up

Already a subscriber? Log In

All Upsets

125

Patrick McCormick, Virginia D;2-1 #22 Joey Prata, Oklahoma

Jake Ferri, Kent State D;6-5 #23 Fabian Gutierrez, Chattanooga

#15 Eric Barnett, Wisconsin D;8-5 #8 Patrick McKee, Minnesota

#11 Drake Ayala, Iowa D;6-5 #7 Michael DeAugustino, Northwestern

HM Anthony Noto, Lock Haven D;8-3 #22 Joey Prata, Oklahoma

#20 Joe Manchio, Columbia D;4-3 #18 Jaret Lane, Lehigh

HM Dylan Shawver, Rutgers D;3-1 #24 Justin Cardani, Illinois

133

Kyle Burwick, Wisconsin D;6-4 #20 Jake Gliva, Minnesota

King Sandoval, Maryland F;1:25 #23 Brayden Palmer, Chattanooga

141

HM Matt Kazimir, Columbia M;11-1 #14 Connor McGonagle, Lehigh

HM Matt Kazimir, Columbia D;6-1 #24 Carter Young, Oklahoma State

149

Patrick Ryan, American D;9-4 #11 Joshua Heil, Campbell

HM Mike Van Brill, Rutgers D;4-3 #14 Beau Bartlett, Penn State

HM Jarod Verkleeren, Virginia D;3-2 #16 Dom Demas, Oklahoma

#13 Max Murin, Iowa D;4-3 #5 Yahya Thomas, Northwestern

157

Garrett Model, Wisconsin D;10-5 #5 Brayton Lee, Minnesota

165

Joshua Ogunsanya, Columbia D;7-2 #21 Brian Meyer, Lehigh

Isaac Judge, Iowa State F;1:35 #24 Cole Moody, Wyoming

174

Nick Fine, Columbia D;4-3 #24 Jake Logan, Lehigh

184

HM Layne Malczewski, Michigan State D;4-2 #21 Max Lyon, Purdue

HM Michael Battista, Virginia D;3-1 #22 Darrien Roberts, Oklahoma

197

HM Owen Pentz, North Dakota State  F;4:49 #4 Stephen Buchanan, Wyoming

#23 Cameron Caffey, Michigan State D;8-1 #13 Thomas Penola, Purdue

#15 Jay Aiello, Virginia D;6-1 #7 Jake Woodley, Oklahoma

If you saw an upset we missed, email jonathan.kozak@flosports.tv so we can be sure to include it.