133 Pounds – #4 Micky Phillippi (Pittsburgh) vs. #13 Austin Gomez (Iowa State)

Hometown wrestler Micky Phillippi will have his hands full in the Round of 16 with Iowa State’s Austin Gomez. The Cyclone freshman has wins over Roman Bravo-Young (Penn State) and Austin DeSanto this season while Phillippi has beat top seed Daton Fix (Oklahoma State). Gomez likes to mix it up from neutral going for big moves often. Phillippi is a more conservative grappler who keeps things close.

First Round Results

Micky Phillippi (Pittsburgh) dec. Gary Joint (Fresno State); 4-2

Austin Gomez (Iowa State) maj. dec. Brandon Paetzell (Lehigh); 11-0

 

133 Pounds – #6 Ethan Lizak (Minnesota) vs. #11 Tariq Wilson (N.C. State)

Both Lizak and Wilson were All-Americans last season with Lizak taking 4th at 125 pounds and Wilson finishing third at 133 pounds. Wilson has been banged up this season and Lizak is coming off a strong BIG 10 Tournament taking third in a loaded bracket. They have not wrestled this season 

First Round Results

Ethan Lizak (Minnesota) dec. Anthony Cefolo (Rider); 3-1

Tariq Wilson (NC State) dec. Noah Gonser (Campbell); 5-0

 

133 Pounds – #7 Austin DeSanto (Iowa) vs. #10 Roman Bravo-Young (Penn State)

A match most people are excited to see will go down between DeSanto and RBY. Last week in the BIG 10 Tournament DeSanto won in an exciting 12-8 bout. Both guys are aggressive on their feet and DeSanto won in the first round after Guillen was disqualified for stalling. Expect a lot of points to be scored. 

First Round Results

Roman Bravo-Young (Penn State) dec. Mario Guillen (Ohio); 8-2

Austin DeSanto (Iowa) disq. Codi Russell (Appalachian State); DQ

 

141 Pounds – #6 Mikey Carr (Illinois) vs. #22 Max Murin (Iowa)

This is Carr vs. Murin Part III. They have split decisions this season with Murin winning the most recent meeting 3-1 in the BIG 10 Tournament after losing to him 6-4 in a dual meet. The experts said Carr was seeded way too high for a guy who finished sixth in the BIG 10. Murin, on the other hand, has been up and down all season but seems to be trending in the right direction after a first round win over #11 seed Tristan Moran.

First Round Results

Max Murin (Iowa) dec. Tristan Moran (Wisconsin); 3-2

Michael Carr (Illinois) dec. (Binghamton); 8-2

 

174 Pounds – #7 Jacobe Smith (Oklahoma State) vs. #10 Mikey Labriola (Nebraska)

Last year when Labriola was in redshirt he defeated Smith, a 2018 All-American, by a score of 7-6. Neither wrestler looked great in their opening round matches in Pittsburgh with Smith needing overtime to beat Hughes. If Labriola can stay in good position and not let Smith dictate the pace he can pull off the win.

First Round Results

Jacobe Smith (Oklahoma State) dec Drew Hughes (Michigan State); 6-4 (SV)

Mikey Labriola (Nebraska) dec. Daniel Bullard (NC State); 7-5

 

184 Pounds – #4 Emery Parker (Illinois) vs. #13 Nino Bonaccorsi (Pittsburgh)

Nino Bonaccorsi looks great. The redshirt freshman is keeping his high pace going but under control. He will get his first major test of the Tournament with #4 seed Emery Parker from Illinois. They both have loses to Taylor Venz this season and Parker was third in the Nation last year having an incredible tournament. Nino will be looking to spoil that on Thursday night.

First Round Results

Nino Bonaccorsi (Pittsburgh) dec. Will Sumner (Utah Valley); 11-4

Emery Parker (Illinois) dec. Will Schany (Virginia); 5-2

 

Updated Brackets

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