Doric SamMarch 22, 2024
Evert Nelson/NCAA Photos by means of Getty Images
The NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships formally got underway on Thursday from the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City.
Penn State is wanting to continue its supremacy as it chases its 3rd straight group champion. There are likewise 7 returning private champs aiming to contribute to their mantles.
The preliminary started with the early morning session and the winners advanced to the second-round matches at night session.
Here's a take a look at how things stand after Day 1.
Leading 10 Teams (Through Thursday)
1. Penn State: 34.5
2. Iowa: 24.5
2. Iowa State: 24.5
4. Michigan: 22.0
4. NC State: 22.0
6. Nebraska: 21.0
7. Ohio State: 20.5
8. Cornell: 18.5
10. Missouri: 14.0
10. Oklahoma State: 14.0
Penn State is coming off another unbeaten routine season and its 8th Big Ten title under famous coach Cael Sanderson. The Nittany Lions certified in all 10 weight classes for the very first time in 10 seasons and might set numerous records throughout this year's competition, consisting of the record for many private titles (5).
Penn State's Aaron Brooks (197 pounds) and Carter Starocci (174) are aiming to attain remarkable four-peats, which would include them to a list of just 5 other wrestlers who have actually won 4 nationwide titles in their professions.
Starocci, the No. 9 seed at 174 pounds, tracked early on in his second-round match versus No. 8 Adam Kemp of Cal Poly, however he returned to protect a 5-3 win, establishing a marquee quarterfinal face-off versus No. 1 Mekhi Lewis of Virginia Tech.
Huge Ten Wrestling @B1GWrestling
Carter Starocci is heading to the Quarterfinals in pursuit of his 4 th > @NCAAWrestling> #NCAAWrestling> @pennstateWREST> pic.twitter.com/xWggKY31LF
Brooks had a little less problem as he showed why he's the No. 1 seed at 197 pounds and protected his area in the quarterfinals with a pin and a tech fall:
Penn State WRESTLING @pennstateWREST
Aaron Brooks with the fall to advance to tomorrow's quarterfinals! > #PSUwr> pic.twitter.com/qNq8rY1CIE
When it comes to the lower seeds, No. 25 David Key of Navy made a journey to the quarterfinals at 184 pounds. At 125 pounds, No. 15 Caleb Smith of Nebraska scored the upset over No. 2 Luke Stanich of Lehigh:
NCAA Wrestling @NCAAWrestling
(15) Caleb Smith does it once again … this time getting (2) Luke Stanich! > ESPN > #NCAAWrestling> @HuskerWrestling> pic.twitter.com/w2Vs7j25Te
NCAA Wrestling @NCAAWrestling
(25) David Key is cruising into the quarterfinals! > ESPN> #NCAAWrestling> @NavyWrestling> pic.twitter.com/3rWipsSxYw
It will be difficult for Penn State to be captured in the group champion, however there will be some interesting matches on the docket in the next round.
