Folks, I'm here to tell you, we will all be enjoying the celebrated dog bone configuration during this, the fourth session of day 2 of the 2022 NCAA Wrestling Championships. 

We've got semifinals and bloodround matches happening simultaneously, which makes for quite literally the best couple hours of college wrestling all year long. 

Pleased to report confirmation of the celebrated dog bone configuration. pic.twitter.com/amUO4enIzM

— Andrew Spey (@SpeyWrestle) March 18, 2022

My puny brain can only process so much information at once so I'm going to focus on the semifinals but I'll be at least placing results from the consolation round in here. 

More 2022 NCAA Match Notes: 1st Round | 2nd Round | Quarters | Semis | Medal Round | Finals

The stakes don't get any higher than this session. A win in the semifinals and you wrestle primetime on ESPN. A loss and your title dreams die. A win in the consolation and round and you make the podium. A loss and your season ends without All-American honors. 

The amount of raw emotion per square foot is greater here on the arena floor than anyone where on earth, at any other time. It rules. 

Just a minute or two from first whistle. They definitely turned up the arena speakers for this round. The fans who are rapidly filling the seats are eagerly receiving the prematch hype. 

125 Pounds

#1 Nick Suriano, (Michigan) vs #4 Brandon Courtney, (Arizona State) - Nicky Wolverine looking to put on in the finals for Team 100. Head in the hole and Suriano gets a go behind for two early in the first. Escape and it's 2-1. 

2nd period Courtney chooses down and Suriano rides him out in the second, though Nick picks up a stall warning. Suriano escapes in the third to make it 3-1 and that's how it ends. Suriano headed back to the NCAA finals for their third time!

#3 Pat Glory, (Princeton) vs #2 Vito Arujau, (Cornell) - These two split their matches this season, but it was Vito who won EIWAs a couple weeks ago in very convincing fashion. Glory fires off a nice hi-c but its stalemated. Vito responds with a clean takedown. Escape and it's 2-1 Arujau early. Period ends and Vito takes neutral. 

Glory shoots a double and after a scramble converts. Gorly has Vito in some sort of leg cradle. He's getting swipes. Four nearfall for Glory! Vito reverses and its 7-4. But there's a challenge. Ah, locked hands on Glory was called. Didn't see the sequence to make a judgment. Scoreboard says 7-5, Vito in top position. Call is confirmed. Period ends same score.

Glory escapes in the third and it's 8-5, they're in neutral. One minute to go. Shot by Glory. Low double, Glory converts again! He leads 10-5. If you can read lips you can tell Vito is not happy. Glory will gets his revenge. He won when it counted most! Princeton gets an NCAA finalist for the first since I have no idea. Princeton coaches Chris Ayres and Joe Dubuque nearly spill over into a neighboring mat they're so pumped. 

Looks we have an all-Jersey finals at 125!

Results

Semifinals

125 Nick Suriano, (Michigan) DEC Brandon Courtney, (Arizona State), 4-1

125 Pat Glory, (Princeton) MD Vito Arujau, (Cornell), 13-5

Bloodround

125 Patrick Mckee, (Minnesota) F Killian Cardinale, (West Virginia), 3:25

125 Eric Barnett, (Wisconsin) DEC Sam Latona, (Virginia Tech), 7-3

125 Michael Deaugustino, (Northwestern) DEC Joey Prata, (Oklahoma), 2-0

125 Brandon Kaylor, (Oregon State) F Noah Surtin, (Missouri), 5:31

133 Pounds

#1 Roman Bravo-Young, (Penn State) vs #3 Austin DeSanto, (Iowa) - This rivalry has been all RBY as of late. DeSanto trying to reverse that trend in Detroit. Very tactical first period. A couple good attacks from both wrestlers but no scores. 

DeSanto escapes quickly to make it 1-0. Shot by DeSanto, reshot by RBY, wild scramble. Oohs and ahs from the crowd, stalemated. Big applause. No more scores, on to the third. 

RBY takes down. A few really good mat returns from DeSanto but RBY gets out before RT ticks over a minute. RBY down on a shot. DeSanto with a chest wrap. Can he hold on? 15 seconds left. There's the two! RBY holds on to win and the Penn State crowd erupts!

Ragusin and Micic lost their bloodround matches so that all but seals the deal for a Penn State national championship. 

#5 Michael McGee, (Arizona State) vs #2 Daton Fix, (Oklahoma State) - Fix has some unfinished business to attend to in the NCAA finals. McGee will have something to say about whether or not he gets the change. Fix with a single leg, working hard to finish, and he gets the two. McGee one of the last former Old Dominion refugees still competing. Fix gets the ride out.

Fix takes bottom and escapes quickly to make it 3-0. McGee with a shot that drives Fix from one end of the mat to the other but can't convert. End of the 2nd, McGee starts the third on bottom. McGee escapes, Fix gets a takedown at ice it, and we'll get a rematch of 2021!

Results

Semifinals

133 Roman Bravo-Young, (Penn State) DEC Austin DeSanto, (Iowa), 3-2

133 Daton Fix, (Oklahoma State) DEC Michael McGee, (Arizona State), 5-1

Bloodround

133 Korbin Myers, (Virginia Tech) MD Matt Ramos, (Purdue), 12-2

133 Devan Turner, (Oregon State) DEC Brian Courtney, (Virginia), 8-4

133 Chris Cannon, (Northwestern) F Micky Phillippi, (Pittsburgh), 2:21

133 Lucas Byrd, (Illinois) DEC Dylan Ragusin, (Michigan), 6-5

141 Pounds

#1 Nick Lee, (Penn State) vs #4 Real Woods, (Stanford) - Nick Lee trying to join his teammate RBY in a return trip to the finals. Lee on a shot and he is tenancious. Like a dog on a bone, Lee gets the first takedown here on the dogbone configuration. Escape Woods. 2-1 Lee. Snaps working for Lee but can't get the go behind before time round out. 

Lee chooses down, escapes quickly and it's 3-1. No more scores that period and we go to the third. Woods takes down. Woods escapes with RT stuck at 59 seconds, so that was well-timed for Woods. Final 25 seconds. Woods attacking, Lee staying in the center. Defense too strong, Penn State goes back to back in the semifinals. 

#9 Cole Matthews, (Pittsburgh) vs #14 Kizhan Clarke, (North Carolina) - Few expected either of these guys to be here, so they both have something to prove. Tactical 1st period, no scores. Matthews chooses down. Matthews out quickly, 1-0. But there are no more scores. Not a lot of anything really.

Third period, Clarke on bottom. Matthews had Clarke close to nearfall ina. scramble but Clarke regains his balance and gets the escape to knot it up. 1-1, RT not a factor. There's a brick though, from Pitt, probably want nearfall from that exchange. Challenge lost, or maybe it was a referee's review, not totally sure. Either way, regulation expires and we go to sudden victory. 

Matthews taking ground but Clarke circles. Now Clarke charges forward and Matthews has to circle at the boundary. Another shot by Clarke, stall warning on Matthews. He had one to give so we go to tiebreakers. Clarke goes down first and is out in 5 seconds. That's huge. Matthews doesn't want to try neutral, will try and get out in under 5. He can't. Two mat returns later he does but now he needs to score. He can't. The #15 seed Kizhan Clarke continues his cinderella run!

Results

Semifinals

141 Nick Lee, (Penn State) DEC Real Woods, (Stanford), 3-2

141 Kizhan Clarke, (North Carolina) DEC Cole Matthews, (Pittsburgh), 2-2 UTB

Bloodround

141 CJ Composto, (Penn) DEC Stevan Micic, (Michigan), 10-4 SV

141 Grant Willits, (Oregon State) F Chad Red, (Nebraska), 3:45

141 Jake Bergeland, (Minnesota) F Andrew Alirez, (Northern Colorado), 2:35

141 Sebastian Rivera, (Rutgers) DEC Clay Carlson, (South Dakota State), 6-2

149 Pounds

#1 Yianni Diakomihalis, (Cornell) vs #4 Sammy Sasso, (Ohio State) - The champ from 2019 and the 2021 World Team Member from Cornell taking on last year's finalist from Ohio State. Yianni strikes first with a takedown. Sasso gets the escape. Another takedown from Yianni. And he'll take a 4-1 lead and 1:35 of RT into the second. 

Yianni takes bottom to start the second. He escapes to make it 5-1. In on a shot but it's stalemated. No more scores. Into the third. Sasso on bottom. He escapes and is on the attack. Stalling on Yianni. He gives up a point but he has a few to spare. 5-3, time running out on Sasso. And Yianni Diakomihalis is back in the finals for the third time looking for a third 'chip in three attempts!

#6 Bryce Andonian, (Virginia Tech) vs #5 Ridge Lovett, (Nebraska) - Fingers crossed these two live up to billing and go sicko crazy goblin mode. Shot by Lovett, extended scramble but the Husker eventually converts. Now they're scrambling like we wanted. No scores though. Lots of exposures but no points. Now we get a reversal for Andonian. Suicide cradle for Andonian. He's got it locked but Lovett rolls him all the way through. Will Lovett get the reversal? Will Andonian rock him back into danger? Neither! Period runs out and no change in position. 

Andonian takes bottom. Reaches back for some crazy nonsense to the delight of the crowd. No scores. Lovett throws in legs and starts cranking a power half. Andonian rolls all the way through. Lovett now with over 2 minutes of riding time. But there's a scramble and it's a reversal for Andonian with just a few ticks left in the period. So it's 4-2 going into the third. 

Lovett takes bottom. Lovett nearly with the reversal. Andonian drops to a leg. Backflip from Lovett, Andonian follows. Lovett gets a reversal! 4-4 but RT is locked. 30 seconds to get out for Andonian. Andonian reaches back, can he get a defensive fall? No! Can get get a reversal, or escape? Also no! Lovett holds on to advance to the finals!

Results

Semifinals

149 Yianni Diakomihalis, (Cornell) DEC Sammy Sasso, (Ohio State), 6-3

149 Ridge Lovett, (Nebraska) DEC Bryce Andonian, (Virginia Tech), 5-4

Bloodround

149 Kyle Parco, (Arizona State) DEC Anthony Artalona, (Penn), 3-2

149 Jonathan Millner, (Appalachian State) DEC Max Murin, (Iowa), 8-1

149 Tariq Wilson, (NC State) DEC Yahya Thomas, (Northwestern), 9-5

149 Austin Gomez, (Wisconsin) DEC Kaden Gfeller, (Oklahoma State), 7-4

157 Pounds

#9 Will Lewan, (Michigan) vs #4 Quincy Monday, (Princeton) - Monday wants to join his teammate Pat in the finals. Lewan needs to win to keep Team 100's hopes alive. The bout is starting off slow, unlike their competitors on the neighboring mat. 0-0 after 2 minutes, going on three. Monday gets a takedown before time expires, and Lewan gets an escape. 

Monday starts down in the second. He escapes to make it 3-1. No more scores, on to the third. Lewan on bottom. He's out quickly. Lewan looking for a go behind. Monday's defense too stout. And Princeton gets two in the finals! The announcers say it's the first time in school history. I believe them!

#3 Jacori Teemer, (Arizona State) vs #2 Ryan Deakin, (Northwestern) - Teemer and Deakin face off in the battle of the higher ranked and seeded 157 pounders in these two semifinals. Teemer kicks things up a notch right away! Shot by Deakin but Teemer locks up a cradle and has Deakin in trouble! Last year it was Dellavecchia who pinned Deakin, will it be Teemer this year? Not in this sequence anyway. And no nearfall? The refs will confer. 2-0 right now after a minute of heart-pounding action. Deakin escapes and its 2-1 Teemer. Deakin shoots a double and takes the lead with 20 seconds left in the period. Deakin gets the rideout. 

2nd period, Deakin chooses down. He escapes, and goes right after Teemer. A takedown makes it 6-2. Deakin in command after that first period scare. Temmer hit with a pair of stall calls to make it 7-2 as Deakin gets a 2nd period ride out. 

Teemer chooses neutral in the third, I don't blame him. Deakin in on a low single. Teemer defends for a long time but that chews up a lot of clock and Deakin still converts. 9-2, riding time locked up and Teemer is on bottom with less than a minute to go. And it's official. A dominant 10-2 victory by Deakin who will make his first ever NCAA finals!

Results

Semifinals

157 Quincy Monday, (Princeton) DEC Will Lewan, (Michigan), 3-2

157 Ryan Deakin, (Northwestern) MD Jacori Teemer, (Arizona State), 10-2

Bloodround

157 Peyton Robb, (Nebraska) F Ed Scott, (NC State), 4:36

157 Hunter Willits, (Oregon State) DEC Dazjon Casto, (The Citadel), 7-6

157 Austin O'Connor, (North Carolina) DEC Josh Humphreys, (Lehigh), 4-3

157 David Carr, (Iowa State) DEC Jared Franek, (North Dakota State), 4-3

165 Pounds

#1 Evan Wick, (California Poly) vs #3 Shane Griffith (Stanford) - I predict a lot of limbs in this bout. Griffith comes out of the gate firing and gets a quick takedown on Wick, who has swept the season series 3-0 so far. Wick escapes, and its a slideby for Grifith to make it 4-1. Now 4-2. Shot by Griffith, defending, and Wick responds with a takedown shortly after, 4-4. Wick smothering on top. Cross body ride won't let Griffith build off his base. No escape, still 4-4 after 3 minutes. 

Griffith back down to start period two. Wick nearly rides him out but Griffith escapes to take the lead, 5-4. Wick underneath in the third. He escapes and preserved riding time at 1:32. Score tied 5-5 otherwise. Griffith in on a shot. Scramble. 30 seconds to go. Griffith stays on the legs. 10 seconds. 5, and he gets it! On the boundary Griffith gets the go ahead takedown! 7-6 is the final after the RT point. Wick's corner challenged. Coach Sioredas says they were out of bounds before the TD. We shall see. Two is confirmed! Shane Griffith is going back to the NCAA finals!

#7 Cameron Amine, (Michigan) vs #2 Keegan O'Toole, (Missouri) - O'Toole is favored but Amine has been defying expectations all tournament long. O'Toole with the first takedown. Amine can't escape, O'Toole using his legs too proficiently. 90 seconds of riding time for Keegan. He rides out the period to make it 1:53 of RT. 

O'Toole is down to start the second. Out quickly enough to preserve riding time. No more scores. Amine chooses neutral in the third still trailing by 3. Amine giving it is all but O'Toole defense is too stingy. True sophomore Keegan O'Toole is going to his first NCAA finals!

Results

Semifinals

165 Shane Griffith, (Stanford) DEC Evan Wick, (California Poly), 7-6

165 Keegan O'Toole, (Missouri) DEC Cameron Amine, (Michigan), 4-0

Bloodround

165 Dean Hamiti, (Wisconsin) MD Jake Wentzel, (Pittsburgh), 8-0

165 Peyton Hall, (West Virginia) MD Justin Mccoy, (Virginia), 11-3

165 Carson Kharchla, (Ohio State) DEC Julian Ramirez, (Cornell), 4-3

165 Alex Marinelli, (Iowa) DEC Philip Conigliaro, (Harvard), 6-2

174 Pounds

#1 Carter Starocci, (Penn State) vs #5 Hayden Hidlay, (NC State) - Hidlay looking to get back to the finals at his new weight as a super senior. Starocci trying to repeat as champ. Starocci strikes first with a takedown. Hidlay's out, 2-1. Another takedown for Carter in short time and takes a 4-1 lead into the second. Starocci's strength is nullifying Hidlay's strength, which is usually one of Hidlay's, um, strengths. 

Starocci takes bottom in the second and escapes to make it 5-1. Another takedown for Starocic and he can now start thinking about bonus, leading 7-1 still in the second. Hidlay escapes, and the period ends. He'll take bottom in the third. Hidlay's out and it's 7-3. One minute to go, still 7-3, Starocci probably wisely just thinking about winning and not bonus. A final takedown in the final seconds makes it 10-3 and official decision. Starocci is going back to the finals!

#2 Logan Massa, (Michigan) vs #3 Mekhi Lewis, (Virginia Tech) - Massa trying to make his first finals as a super senior. Lewis trying to make is back to the finals for the first time since his freshman season in 2019. Tactical first period, no scores. 

Lewis takes bottom and is out quickly to take the first lead of the bout. No more scores so we go to the third. Massa's turn underneath. Massa eventually escapes, RT not a factor, 1-1, one minute to go. Massa in on a shot, a scramble at the boundary. Mekhi rolls through, ahs Massa in trouble. Mekhi Lewis with the fall!

From out of nowhere! Lewis is going back to the finals. He leaps into his coach's arms. Coach Jared the Horseman Haught is pumped. 

We're getting a battle of two NCAA champs in the finals. 

Results

Semifinals

174 Carter Starocci, (Penn State) DEC Hayden Hidlay, (NC State), 10-3

174 Mekhi Lewis, (Virginia Tech) F Logan Massa, (Michigan), 6:19

Bloodround

174 Michael Kemerer, (Iowa) DEC Michael O'Malley, NJ (Drexel), 5-2

174 Mikey Labriola, (Nebraska) DEC Hayden Hastings, (Wyoming), 5-3

174 Clay Lautt, (North Carolina) DEC Peyton Mocco, (Missouri), 6-3

174 Dustin Plott, (Oklahoma State) DEC Ethan Smith, (Ohio State), 9-7 SV

184 Pounds

#1 Myles Amine, (Michigan) vs #6 Bernie Truax, (California Poly) - Myles Amine, an Olympic bronze medalist, has never been to the NCAA finals. Truax will try to punch through after his teammate Wick came so close. Ankle pick right off the bat but Truax defends. Amine right back on the leg after the restart. Stalemated. Amine in again, stall warning, but still can't finish. 

Second period, Amine starts on bottom, he's out in 3 seconds, 1-0. Brooks winning the hand fight and controlling center. 14 seconds left int he period, still 1-0. Truax needs blood time. Needed a lot of blood time in his last match as well. 

Blood time and third period over. Truax underneath. He's out to tie it up. Riding time not a factor. Truax keeps defending, has a stall warning but doesn't pick up any others and we go to sudden victory. 

Amine again in on a shot. He's working hard to finish, this time he will not be denied. Myles Amine finally breaks through and makes his first NCAA finals on his fifth attempt!

#3 Trent Hidlay, (NC State) vs #2 Aaron Brooks, (Penn State) - Trent will seek revenge for his brother Hayden while Brooks will try to once again beat Trent, after defeating him in last year's finals. Brooks with the first takedown, Hidlay out shortly thereafter, 2-1. No other scores we go to the second. 

Brooks take down and is out in a hurry. He's in deep on a swing single, locks up a side cradle. Can't convert though, back to neutral, 3-1 Brooks. Third period. Hidlay takes down. he's out in 10 seconds so he's still very much in this. 3-2, RT not a factor. Single leg from Hidlay, he sucks Brooks back in and collects two and the lead! Brooks right out, tied 4-4 with a minute to go. Brooks in deep, Hidlay defending. Chest wramp, now a crotch lock. A whizzer, Hidlay throwing everything at Brooks. Time runs out and we go to sudden victory. Hidlay looks spent. Brooks right in on a shot off the whistle. Hidlay can't stop him. Brooks gets two and the Penn State crowd goes wild. Brooks is going back to the finals!

Brooks vs Amine, hell of a finals imo. Run it back from Big Tens. 

Results

Semifinals

184 Myles Amine, (Michigan) DEC Bernie Truax, (California Poly), 3-1 SV

184 Aaron Brooks, (Penn State) DEC Trent Hidlay, (NC State), 6-4 SV

Bloodround

184 Parker Keckeisen, (Northern Iowa) DEC Taylor Venz, (Nebraska), 7-5

184 Jonathan Loew, (Cornell) DEC Zach Braunagel, (Illinois), 3-1 SV

184 Kaleb Romero, (Ohio State) MD Max Lyon, (Purdue), 15-6

184 Marcus Coleman, (Iowa State) MD Trey Munoz, (Oregon State), 13-2

197 Pounds

#1 Max Dean, (Penn State) vs #20 Gavin Hoffman, (Ohio State) - WIll Dean end Hoffman's cinderella run? Hoffman would be a lowest seed to make the finals if he wins. Dean scoops up the first two. Dean gets the rideout, with 2:08 of RT. 

Dean takes down in the second. He's out, followed by a nice shot and and reshot and Dean collects two more, 5-0. We go to the third, same score. 

Hoffman underneath again, he starts rolling around. Funky reversal and Hoffman gets on the board. Dean escapes, 6-2 lead, plus RT is locked up. One more takedown and an escape makes it 7-3. Tack on a riding time point and Max Dean advances to his second finals with a 9-3 victory!

Five in the finals for Penn State!

#5 Jacob Warner, (Iowa) vs #2 Stephen Buchanan, (Wyoming) - Buchanan broke through last year to place 8th and is still jumping levels. Warner trying to salvage part of this tournament for the Hawkeyes. Lots of pushing and shoving but no scores in the first. 

Warner is underneath to start the second. He's out quickly, 1-0. Short time in the second And Buchanan gets a low double with 9 seconds left in the period. Warner escapes with just 2 seconds left though, so it's tied 2-2 going into the third. 

Buchanan underneath in the third. Warner with a two-on-one tilt. He's getting swipes. That's four nearfall for Warner! Buchanan escapes. Warner runs Buchanan out of bounds and the Cowboy his hit with stalling. Coach Branch did not like that call. But they do get a penalty call on Warner so its 6-4. Buchanan chasing Warner. Warner fends Buchanan and makes his first finals! Big lift for the Hawkeyes!

Results

Semifinals

197 Max Dean, (Penn State) DEC Gavin Hoffman, (Ohio State), 9-3

197 Jacob Warner, (Iowa) DEC Stephen Buchanan, (Wyoming), 6-4

Bloodround

197 Yonger Bastida, (Iowa State) DEC Jake Woodley, (Oklahoma), 5-4

197 Greg Bulsak, (Rutgers) DEC Lou Deprez, (Binghamton), 3-2

197 Rocky Elam, (Missouri) DEC Nino Bonaccorsi, (Pittsburgh), 6-1

197 Eric Schultz, (Nebraska) DEC Jay Aiello, (Virginia), 4-2

285 Pounds

#1 Gable Steveson, (Minnesota) vs #3 Greg Kerkvliet, (Penn State) - We've seen this matchup before, going back to high school. It's also been Steveson, but Steveson showed he was mortal last round. Steveson's penultimate collegiate wrestling match begins. Kerkvliet not backing down from the challenge. They go out of bounds around the halfway mark. Steveson goes in for a shot and fights through a whizzer for the first two. Kerk escapes 2-1. 

Second period underway, Kerk underneath again. Gable putting on a ride. 1:22 of riding time before Kerkvliet escapes, though the score is tied, 2-2. Steveson takes bottom and is out quickly, preserving riding time at 1:14. Kerkvliet in on shot, he's got an ankle. Steveson dives for a far ankle of his own and it's stalemated. Another shot by Kerk and Steveson hits a go behind for a 5-2 lead. Escape makes it 5-3. Repeat that the first half of that sequence and it's 7-3. And that's how it ends. Penn State finalist streak is finally broken and Steveson advances to the finals for his last collegiate match!

#6 Jordan Wood, (Lehigh) vs #5 Cohlton Schultz, (Arizona State) - Two mountainous men. I'm expecting a very tactical bout. First period was extremely tactical. A couple of times I think they each pretended that they were going to fake taking a half shot. 

Schultz takes bottom to start the second period. Good ride by Wood. One nice mat return. Schultz finds a way out with riding time stuck at 0:58. 1-0 Schultz lead. Period ends. Wood takes down in the third. He's out in less than 10 seconds. No more points and it's on to sudden victory. 

This officially wins the 'Doug Vollaro last match of the round' award. One minute down. A half a shot by Schultz. No stall warnings on either guy. And we go to tiebreakers. Wood is down first. He's out in 8 seconds. That's how long he needs to hold Schultz down as riding time is the criteria for breaking ties after this period. One mat return for Wood. Schultz' next move is a reversal! Crafty! Wood escapes, it's tied but who has riding time? Doesn't matter, Wood takes a single leg and picks Schultz up off the ground and slams him to the mat. But Schultz keeps his composure and with a front headlock rolls Wood over and gets the takedown. Unbelievable finish! It was truly scarcely believable! 

And we have our last finals matchup. 

Results

Semifinals

285 Gable Steveson, (Minnesota) DEC Greg Kerkvliet, (Penn State), 8-3

285 Cohlton Schultz, (Arizona State) DEC Jordan Wood, (Lehigh), 5-3 SV

Bloodround

285 Christian Lance, (Nebraska) DEC Lewis Fernandes, (Cornell), 4-2 SV

285 Lucas Davison, (Northwestern) DEC Gary Traub, (Oregon State), 8-2

285 Mason Parris, (Michigan) MD Tate Orndorff, (Ohio State), 12-1

285 Tony Cassioppi, (Iowa) DEC Zach Elam, (Missouri), 4-0

And now, as is usually the case after this round, I'm exhausted. The emotional toll it takes on the athletes and coaches is immeasurable, and you can't help but feel that drain on you just by being in the arena. A spectacle if there ever was one. 

Sorry for the typos, way too tired to go back and correct them all. See you tomorrow for the meal matches and the finals!