College Wrestling Dual Rankings - November 26th

We have a new #1, but it's a familiar one: the Iowa Hawkeyes.   Tom and Terry Brands' Hawks take over the top spot after last week's top team, Ohio State, traveled to Blacksburg, VA, and lost to the VaTech Hokies in front of a packed house.

The Buckeyes wrestled without two starters, 149-Hunter Stieber and 165-Bo Jordan, and Virginia Tech took advantage, winning both weights by decision.  The 10-weight dual split evenly, 5 wins each, with the dual score tied at 18.   So, to determine a winner, the referees went to criteria.

First criteria is match wins (5 vs 5).  Second criteria is Falls.  Logan Stieber had one for Ohio State.  Hokie 174-Zach Epperly got the fall in double overtime against Mark Martin, in a bit of an upset (time of fall, 10:50!!).  That left the refs with 3rd criteria, total match points scored (excluding falls).  VaTech heavyweight Ty Walz scored a takedown in double overtime rideout, and his 6-4 upset win over Nick Tavenello provided Kevin Dresser and the Hokies with a 48-47 signature win.  What a way to start a wrestling season.

Ohio State rebounded the next day in Charlottesville, taking out the #11 Wahoos 30-7.  At 133, #8 Johnni DiJulius took a 6-2 decision over 2013 All-American #10 George DiCamillo.  #1 Logan Stieber pinned #11 Joe Spisak in 1:46.

Top 25 - November 26th

Dropped From The Rankings

#22 Northern Iowa, #23 Chattanooga

New To The Rankings

NC State posted a great 22-13 over a tough American squad.  Then they took #11 Nebraska to the wire, splitting matches 5-to-5 with the Huskers.  James Green's (#2 at 157) major decision provided the one point victory, 16-15.  No one should be surprised that NC State's Pat Popolizio is turning the Wolfpack into a dangerous team quickly.

The biggest shocker, then, belongs to Rider University.  The Broncs upset #18 Wisconsin, 20-19, on 4th criteria (first takedown).  The match started at 141 lbs, where Chuck Zeisloft upset Rylan Lubeck, 4-2.  And in a bit of dual meet coaching strategy, Barry Davis - a BSD favorite - forfeit 125 lbs to give his stud at that weight, Ryan Taylor, a chance to wrestle Rider's Rob Deutsch.  Deutsch rolled up a 6-3 victory, giving the Broncs enough match points to tie Wisconsin (3rd criteria), and ultimately, win the dual (again, on 4th criteria).  Congrats to Rider, and longtime head coach Gary Taylor.

The Rest of the Week In Review

• Iowa State 22, Michigan State 9 - at 133, #16 Gasca dec #12 Earl Hall 5-3; at 141 Garth Yenter dec John Meeks, 11-8
• Purdue 21, Northern Iowa 15 - at 133, Danny Sabatello dec #15 Levi Wolfensperger 5-3.  Big win for new Boilermakers coach Tony Ersland
• Michigan 30, Central Michigan 3
• Nebraska 45, Duke 3 - Connor Hartmann didn't wrestle for the Blue Devils. 
  
• Minnesota 36, Michigan State 3
• Oregon State 16, Arizona State 15 (3rd criteria) - Blake Stauffer dec Taylor Meeks, 6-3
• Missouri 24, Old Dominion 10 - at 141 Mayes dec Mecate 5-4; and at 184, Willie Miklus dec Jake Dechow 9-7 SV1.  Brian Smith has an awfully tough squad, because ODU is pretty good too.
• Cornell 21, Oklahoma 13 - Sooner 285 backup Zach Merrill took a 4-0 decision from Jacob Aiken-Phillips

Other Notes

While you're piling your plate with 10 lbs of Thanksgiving deliciousness this Thursday thru Sunday, take a moment to check out the Asics/Journeyman Northeast Duals.  It will be broadcast by Flo.  It features a ton of great squads, and a ton of outstanding wrestlers, most of whom are probably just a little bit jealous that you're feasting while they're making weight.