These two met two seasons ago in the quarterfinals and again for third place with Robles coming out on top in their first meeting, 9-0, but Precin getting the second meeting. It's difficult to know what these semifinals will produce but given the recent domination of Robles, it might just be the storybook ending many in the wrestling community have been waiting to witness.
133: No. 1 Jordan Oliver (Oklahoma State) over No. 2 Andrew Hochstrasser (Boise State)
With the weight issues resolved there is nothing stopping Oliver from making good on his top seed. These two had an exciting first two matches, with Oliver winning the NWCA All-Star Classic, 8-7, and the February dual meet, 5-2.
141: No. 1 Kellen Russell (Michigan) over No. 2 Mike Thorn (Minnesota)
Russell hasn't lost all season and with a style that both negates opponents funks and creates scoring opportunities for the Wolverine junior. Thorn has been bested, 8-4 and 3-1 this year, with neither match close. The final should will likely fall inside the same 2-3 point spread.
149: No. 4 Kyle Dake (Cornell) over No. 3 Kevin LeValley (Bucknell)
Dake took his second loss of the season to LeValley during the EIWA finals. He'll have two weeks to figure out the riddle, and should he be healthy can earn a season split and win his second NCAA title. Yes, he also has to beat Darrion Caldwell (North Carolina State) in the semifinals.
157: No. 3 David Taylor (Penn State) over No. 1 Adam Hall (Boise State)
The nation's most competitive weight class should mean exciting semifinals with Taylor and Hall emerging from likely matchups with Steve Fittery (American) and Bubba Jenkins (Arizona State). Could there be a significantly different final? Maybe. But when you have a 19-year-old Sanderson prodigy undefeated in March, it's best to consult history.
165: No. 1 Jordan Burroughs (Nebraska) over No. 2 Andrew Howe (Wisconsin)
Howe is looking much better since his mid-season injury sidelined him after the first matchup with Air Burroughs. Howe's Big 10 finals against Colt Sponseller was a reminder that he can still win close, but a healthy Burroughs, who won the first meeting convincingly, will be too much for the defending NCAA champ.
174: No. 5 Chris Henrich (Virginia) over No. 2 Ed Ruth (Penn State)
This selection is well within my rights as an alumnus of Mr. Jefferson's university. Henrich is gifted and should he be prepared for the ups and downs of the tournament. He will be ready for his semifinal matchup versus Jon Reader (Iowa State). Yes, Ruth presents a matchup issue for Henrich and beat him earlier this season at the Southern Scuffle, but I'm a homer and pulling for my fellow Cavalier. Go Hoos!
184: No. 9 Quentin Wright (Penn State) over No. 6 Ryan Loder (Northern Iowa)
Ryan Loder is one of my favorite wrestlers coming into the NCAA tournament. With toughness on the mat and on his feet, Coach Schwab has found the guy to lead his young program for the next few years. However, he'll be hard pressed to defeat a confident Quentin Wright, who has come back from injury to not only beat Travis Rutt (Wisconsin), avenge a loss to Kevin Steinhaus (Minnesota) and win the Big 10 title, but become many fans under-the-radar favorite. Q-Ball it is.
197: No. 2 Clayton Foster (Oklahoma State) over No. 1 Cam Simaz (Cornell)
Foster is undefeated, while Simaz took a one-point loss to Dustin Kilgore (Kent State). The recent Foster win over Jerome Ward by four points in the Big 12 finals showed he's prepared for the postseason, while Simaz had trouble scoring against Gabe Burak (Penn) in the EIWA finals.
285: No. 1 Zach Rey (Lehigh) over No. 3 Ryan Flores (American)
This match is a tossup, but with Rey the more consistent performer. Flores has a very open style of a heavyweight, meaning he can on occasion give up, or score, points in bunches. Rey will play a conservative game that has given him a season full of success. If they meet in the finals it will be the fourth match this season, with Rey holding a 2 to 1 win advantage (5-2, 5-3, 2-6 TB).
Top Five Teams:
1. Cornell
2. Penn State
3. Oklahoma State
4. Iowa
5. Wisconsin
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