2x NCAA All-American Austin DeSanto (Photo/Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com; Graphic/Anna-Lee Marie)
Welcome to a new recurring feature from InterMat as we lead into the 2021-22 collegiate season. We are about 50 days away from the start of the new season, so what better way to ring in the new year than to use that time to count down the top-50 current collegiate wrestlers. Each day a new wrestler will be released.
These rankings have been compiled by members of the InterMat staff and used a combination of collegiate achievements, with 2021 accomplishments carrying more weight than past years, along with win-loss records and notable wins. While we are counting down the top-50 wrestlers based primarily on collegiate accomplishments, it is impossible to totally ignore achievements in the international settings, so they did factor in slightly, too.
Before getting to the next wrestler on the list, look at the wrestlers previously profiled:
#50 - Greg Kerkvliet (Penn State)
#49 - Ben Darmstadt (Cornell)
#48 - Dakota Geer (Oklahoma State)
#47 - Kaleb Young (Iowa)
#46 - Rocky Elam (Missouri)
#45 - Chad Red Jr. (Nebraska)
#44 - Brandon Courtney (Arizona State)
#43 - Brock Mauller (Missouri)
#42 - Cohlton Schultz (Arizona State)
#41 - John Poznanski (Rutgers)
#40 - Brayton Lee (Minnesota)
#39 - Travis Wittlake (Oklahoma State)
#38 - Parker Keckeisen (Northern Iowa)
#37 - Tariq Wilson (NC State)
#36 - Jacob Warner (Iowa)
#35 - Jacori Teemer (Arizona State)
#34 - Tony Cassioppi (Iowa)
#33 - Vito Arujau (Cornell)
#32 - Patrick Glory (Princeton)
#31 - Max Dean (Penn State)
#30 - Keegan O'Toole (Missouri)
#29 - Mike Labriola (Nebraska)
#28 - Nino Bonaccorsi (Pittsburgh)
Next is…
#27 Austin DeSanto (Iowa)
Weight: 133 lbs
Year: Senior
Career Record: 82-19
Hometown: Exeter, Pennsylvania
College Accomplishments: 2021 NCAA 3rd, 2021 Big Ten 2nd, 2020 NWCA 1st Team All-American, 2019 NCAA 5th
2021-22 Preseason Ranking: #4 at 133 lbs
Though Austin DeSanto has strong credentials in-state as a Pennsylvania high schooler during his sophomore and junior years (state 5th and 2nd), he really made his presence felt nationally in his final high school bout. That was the end of DeSanto's "VisionQuest" of sorts as he prevented Spencer Lee from winning his fourth PA state title. At that point, DeSanto had already signed with Drexel, which is only about two hours away from his hometown, Exeter.
DeSanto got the call right away to start at 133 lbs for the Dragons and he responded with two techs and a fall in his first three duals. Next up, Drexel traveled to Iowa State and DeSanto battled highly-touted Ian Parker, before falling 7-5.
Though DeSanto picked up some solid wins on his way to a Keystone Classic title, it was at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational where he really announced himself to the collegiate wrestling world. DeSanto ultimately finished fourth with a pair of losses to returning All-American Jack Mueller (Virginia). Around those losses, DeSanto reeled off wins over Dennis Gustafson (Virginia Tech), Dom Forys (Pittsburgh), and Montorie Bridges (Wyoming). Biggest of all, though, was a 22-10 major decision over returning NCAA fourth-place finisher Stevan Micic (Michigan). The victory over Micic proved the Drexel freshman would likely contend for a spot on the NCAA podium in year one.
During the remainder of the regular season, the only loss on DeSanto's resume was an injury default to Mueller at the Southern Scuffle. He would medically forfeit out of the tournament and took sixth.
In his first postseason, DeSanto lost in the EIWA semifinals to the eventual runner-up, Chaz Tucker (Cornell), then proceeded to take third. It was a reversal, of sorts, from their dual meeting where DeSanto triumphed, 2-1.
The third-place showing at the EIWA tournament, plus a sparkling 28-5 record, was good enough for the seventh seed at nationals. DeSanto's got off to a late start as he received a medical forfeit in the opening round. After that, it was a handful of familiar faces. DeSanto finally got Mueller in their next bout. He dominated with a 16-8 major decision.
A win over Mueller put DeSanto in the NCAA quarters in a match that has lived in infamy since. Micic had a revenge match of his own and crushed DeSanto, to the tune of 13-1. Near the end of the bout, DeSanto applied an illegal kimura to the Wolverine's arm.
For a spot on the podium, DeSanto had to go through Scott Delvecchio (Rutgers). The freshman jumped out to an early lead, but Delvecchio stormed back late and sent the match into sudden victory where he'd eventually prevail.
Though DeSanto had an impressive season, he was rumored to be looking elsewhere after the NCAA Tournament. A little more than a month after the national tournament, word spread that DeSanto was seeking to head west and transfer to the University of Iowa. Hawkeye fans salivated a the thought of a wrestler with DeSanto's pace and arsenal under the tutelage of the Brands brothers. Additionally, DeSanto's in-match antics had made some scoff at the sophomore. Iowa fans embraced the talented wrestler that got under the skin of opponents and other fan bases.
DeSanto started off hot in a Hawkeye singlet, winning his first four matches and earning bonus points in half of those contests. His next dual was one of the most memorable of the year, against hated rival Iowa State. DeSanto and Austin Gomez met in the duals final bout and fireworks ensued. Had DeSanto lost via fall, and he was on his back, the Cyclones would have won. He fought off and helped Iowa escape with a win.
From there, DeSanto only lost once more during the regular season. He assimilated well to the Iowa lineup and Iowa style and was victorious at the Midlands, earning bonus points in every bout. After the Midlands, DeSanto's subsequent two wins came at the expense of returning national runner-up Ethan Lizak (Minnesota) and the eventual champion, Nick Suriano (Rutgers). In the final meet of the year, DeSanto was shut down by stud freshman Daton Fix (Oklahoma State), 2-0.
At the Big Ten Championships, Suriano was able to get the best of DeSanto with a 6-3 win. The Hawkeye rebounded to take third with a 12-8 win over Roman Bravo-Young (Penn State). That third-place finish helped DeSanto land the seventh seed in Pittsburgh.
Once again, the national tournament provided DeSanto the opportunity to compete against plenty of familiar faces. In the Round of 16, he tallied a second win against Bravo-Young, 7-2. For the second consecutive year, DeSanto and Micic were opposite one another in the quarters. This time was much more tactical, but still a 3-2 win for Micic.
For the second straight year, DeSanto fell in the quarters and was dropped into the bloodround. Waiting was in-state rival, Gomez. This bout was nothing like their previous meeting and DeSanto walked all over the Cyclone for a 16-5 major decision. DeSanto settled into fifth place after wins over Lizak and John Erneste (Missouri) and a shutout loss to Luke Pletcher (Ohio State).
In his first year at Iowa, DeSanto amassed a 23-6 record and got onto the NCAA podium for the first time in a weight class that many historians deemed was the toughest of the last decade or so.
In the early going of the 2019-20 season, DeSanto got an early test with a dual meeting against 2018 NCAA champion Seth Gross (Wisconsin). DeSanto pulled the slight upset as he posted a 6-2 win over the Badger transfer. A couple weeks later, Gross returned the favor at the Midlands.
After the Midlands, the most significant bout for DeSanto occurred when he took on Bravo-Young and top-ranked Penn State. Bravo-Young looked to be in an advantageous position with a cradle, but DeSanto suffered an injury and defaulted out of the match.
DeSanto showed no ill effects as he returned and posted bonus points in his final two duals. The 2020 Big Ten Championships, saw many of the critical components that made the previous year's weight so tough, return. That led to a fourth-place finish at the event, but his losses were to top-five ranked opponents, Gross and Bravo-Young.
Once again, DeSanto was slated to receive the sixth seed at the 2020 NCAA Championships; however, Covid wiped out the tournament. He was paired with #27 Jarrett Trombley (NC State) in the opening round. Some key contenders on his half of the bracket included #2 Gross, #3 Tucker, #7 Travis Piotrowski (Illinois), #10 Sammy Alvarez (Rutgers), and #11 Cam Sykora (North Dakota State). Based on his seed, DeSanto was named an NWCA First-Team All-American.
The delayed 2021 season saw DeSanto and the Hawkeyes hit the mat for the first time in mid-January with a tech fall victory over Alex Thomsen (Nebraska). During the regular season, DeSanto did not have a match closer than 12 points. That came over eventual freshman All-American Lucas Byrd (Illinois). Aside from that, DeSanto did not meet any key contenders.
At the Big Ten Championships, Byrd pushed DeSanto to the brink in the semifinals, before the Hawkeye emerged the winner, 5-4. For the title, DeSanto was a 5-2 loser to Bravo-Young. After making his first Big Ten final, DeSanto was given the fourth seed at the 2021 NCAA Championships.
In St. Louis, DeSanto got off to a blazing start with a tech fall over #29 Paul Bianchi (Little Rock), before pinning #20 Ryan Sullivan (West Virginia). That sent DeSanto to the NCAA quarterfinals, a place he had lost in each of his previous two trips. He left nothing to question this time with a 13-5 major decision over the defensively-minded Micky Phillipi (Pittsburgh).
DeSanto's first NCAA semifinal came against the top-seed Fix, who had gotten to that point after a major decision and two falls. Both were able to slow down the other, but Fix ultimately came out on top, 3-2.
While DeSanto's title hopes were dashed, he was able to get "the next best thing" and bounced back to place third. In the consolation semifinals, he turned in a 19-4 tech fall over Michael McGee (Arizona State). The third-place bout saw him defeat Korbin Myers (Virginia Tech), 10-6.
Heading into his final year, DeSanto is a two-time Midlands finalist (one-time champ) who has only lost to Roman Bravo-Young, Daton Fix, and Seth Gross over his last two seasons.
Strengths: DeSanto has a pace and intensity that few in the country can match. He's a high-volume shooter and is always looking for his next score. As seen during his matches with RBY, DeSanto is known for his left-handed dump. It's an attack opponents know is coming, but rarely can stop. RBY has resorted to wrestling with his hand behind his back, rather than giving DeSanto his tricep. DeSanto will also try sweep and snatch singles. If he can't initially finish, he may resort back to a dump. On top, DeSanto rides with a lot of pressure. Typically his riding time comes as he amasses small chunks at a time, before cutting his opponent.
2021-22 Outlook: 133 looks like a very top-heavy weight class again. It probably won't be extremely deep with All-American possibilities. Still, there is a strong upper-tier capable of winning a title. Returning national finalists Bravo-Young and Fix, along with Micic and possibly Sebastian Rivera (Rutgers), make up that group of challengers, along with DeSanto.
2x NCAA All-American Austin DeSanto (Photo/Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com)
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