University of Minnesota Athletics
Championships Underway
3/20/2010 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
-Updates as matches are complete-
Session V
Session V takes place this morning, with Zach Sanders, Mike Thorn and Sonny Yohn. Jayson Ness will wrestle tonight in the National Championship match. Follow this mornings action on ESPNU.
(8) Sonny Yohn vs. Alan Gelogaev (Oklahoma State)
Sonny Yohn lost a heartbreaker in the seventh place match, falling 12-7 to Alan Gelogaev of Oklahoma State. After Gelogaev controlled the match early, Yohn began to chip away at his 6-2 lead. Down 6-3 to start the third, and with Gelogaev holding the riding time advantage, Yohn scores his first take down to draw within one at 6-5, while also erasing the riding time Gelogaev had racked up. Yohn let Gelogaev go but immediately took him down again to tie it at 7-7. But then, with just seconds left in the match, Gelogaev escaped, took down Yohn, and got a near fall for the 12-7 decision. Yohn finishes his first trip to the NCAA Tournament as an All-American in eighth place.
(3) Mike Thorn vs. (11) Christopher Diaz (Virginia Tech)
In a whirlwind 56 second match, Mike Thorn went from down five and on his back to a win by fall over 11th seeded Christopher Diaz of Virginia Tech. Diaz came out firing and took Thorn down early, but thord was able to escape the back points and escape. Once neutral, Thorn was quickly taken down again with Diaz adding a near fall to his total. Thorn escaped again however, and quickly turned the tables with a takedown, putting Diaz on his back for the pin, ending the match just 56 seconds after it started. Thorn closes out his junior year with his first All-America honor and a seventh place finish.
(6) Zach Sanders vs. Cashe Quiroga (Purdue)
Zach Sanders put the cap on his second All-American season with a fifth place finish today. Sanders scored first and led the entire way en route to a 6-2 win over Cashe Quiroga of Purdue. Sanders led 4-2 to start the third and added an escape and riding time point for the final decision. Sanders was in control throughout the match, notching the best finished of his young career.
(6) Zach Sanders vs. (1) Angel Escobedo (Indiana)
A stiff test faced Zach Sanders this morning, facing the tournament's top seed in Angel Escobedo. Escobedo lost in the semifinals yesterday to enter the consolation bracket. He scored quickly with a takedown in the first, and right before the end of the period added another to lead 4-0 to start the second. By the start of the third, Sanders trailed 7-0 and he was down 9-1 before he got his first takedown to make it 9-3. It was too little too late for Sanders though, as Escobedo closed out a 10-3 victory. In the fifth place match, later this morning, Sanders will face familiar foe Cashe Quiroga of Purdue. Sanders is 2-0 against Quiroga, including a 9-7 win in the Big Ten Tournament. Sanders will end his season in the fifth place match for the second straight season, finishing sixth last year.
Session IV
Sonny Yohn vs. Trevor Brandvold (Wisconsin)
In the Gophers' final match of the day, Sonny Yohn fell 13-7 to Trevor Brandvold of Wisconsin. Yohn was up 3-2 after a takedown in the first, but by the start of the second he trailed 6-4 and could not regain the lead. He earned an escape to start the third, getting within four at 9-5, but could get no closer as Brandvold tallied two more takedowns on his way to the 13-7 final. Yohn will conclude is season tomorrow in the seventh place match, where he'll meet Alan Gelogaev for the second time in the tournament. Yohn already beat Gelogaev 4-3 in the second round.
Mike Thorn vs. (5) Zack Bailey (Oklahoma)
Going for his fourth win of the day, Mike Thorn came up just short, falling 3-2 to fifth seeded Zack Bailey of Oklahoma. Bailey got the only takedown of the match, near the edge of the mat in the first period and took a 2-1 lead into the second. Starting down, he escaped to go up 3-1. Thorn got an escape in the third, could not get the winning takedown, and will now head to the seventh place match tomorrow morning against Christopher Diaz of Virginia Tech.
Zach Sanders vs. Nikko Triggas (Ohio State)
Zach Sanders secured at least fourth place this evening with an 8-3 win over Nikko Triggas of Ohio State. After Triggas tied it at 2-2 with a takedown in the second. Sanders scored a reversal for a 4-2 lead. After an escape to start the third, Sanders notched another takedown and was fully in control leading 7-2. He will wrestle tomorrow morning for a spot in the third place match, but must do so against the No. 1 seed Angel Escobedo of Indiana.
Ben Berhow vs. (7) Jarod Trice (Central Michigan)
At heavyweight, Ben Berhow lost a heartbreaker, 6-5 in the tiebreaker to Jarod Trice of Central Michigan. Berhow wrestled all four of his NCAA Tournament matches past regulation, and came back to tie it today at 5-5. He trailed 3-1 entering the third with Trice also in control with riding time. Trice was called for a clasp to make it 3-2 and then Berhow escaped to make it 3-3. With just seconds left in the period, Berhow notched his first takedown to make it 5-3. After an escape, and the riding time point for Trice, the match went to sudden victory tied 5-5. Neither could score in the first session and Trice earned an escape in the Tiebreaker. Berhow could not match the escape and suffered the loss.
Sonny Yohn vs. Brent Jones (Virginia)
Sonny Yohn also stamped his All-America ticket, with a 4-2 win over Brent Jones of Virginia. There was no score for the first two periods, as neither wrester was able get to their offense. Yohn started the scoring in the third with an escape, but a takedown from Jones put Yohn down 2-1. Yohn escaped again and late in the period was able to get the winning takedown for the 4-2 decision. Yohn's next match will be a rematch of the Big Ten Championship match as he squares off against Trevor Brandvold of Wisconsin.
Mike Thorn vs. Seth Ciasulli (Leihigh)
Mike Thorn continued his season with 7-1 win over Seth Ciasulli, and in doing so, became an All-American, the Gophers third on the day. Thorn scored late in the first on a takedown and led 2-1 entering the third. Ciasulli was close to a near fall in the third, but with 16 seconds left, Thorn scored a reversal to go up 4-1 and closed out with his own near fall for the 7-1 final. Thorn wins for the third time today, adding All-America honors to his season, along with his first Big Ten Championship. Later tonight Thorn will face Zack Bailey of Oklahoma.
Jayson Ness vs. (4) Jordan Oliver (Oklahoma State)
Jason Ness has earned a berth in the National Championship match with a grueling 1-0 overtime victory over fourth seeded Jordan Oliver of Oklahoma State. Neither could score in regulation, with each spending an entire period riding out the other. In the sudden victory period, again neither could score, and in the first tie breaker, each held tight to avoid the escape. The second sudden victory was like the first with neither getting a good shot to score. In the second tiebreaker, Oliver went down first, and was again unable to escape. When Ness went down, he escaped right away for the winning point. Ness advances to his second career NCAA title match, where he'll face Daniel Dennis of Iowa.
Zach Sanders vs. Fred Santaite (Boston U)
Zach Sanders became a two-time All-American with another come-from-behind win. Down 2-0 early, Sanders came back for an impressive 9-4 win over Fred Santaite of Boston University. By the time the first period ended, Sanders had tied the match 3-3, and he started the second with an escape to take the lead for good. After a long scramble near the edge, Sanders notched a takedown to go up 6-3 and in control from then on. He led 8-4 at the start of the third and, after starting up, kept Santaite on the mat for the eventual 9-4 win. He can finish no worse than eighth, and will face Nikko Triggas later this evening for a chance to improve his tally.
Session III
Scott Glasser vs. (7) Ben Bennett (Central Michigan)
Like Cody Yohn just before him, Scott Glasser was knocked out of the tournament in his second match today. Matched up with seventh seeded Ben Bennett of Central Michigan, Glasser entered the third down 3-0. He got his first takedown early in the period to close within one at 3-2, and after a Bennett escape, he was still in striking distance at 4-2. As the period wore on, though, Glasser could not get the takedown he needed, and instead Bennett added the last score with win-sealing takedown to go up 6-3. After the last point for riding time the final was 8-3.
Cody Yohn vs. Josh Asper (Maryland)
Cody Yohn had his run at his first NCAA Championships come to an end today, losing 6-3 to Josh Asper of Maryland. Yohn escaped to start the scoring and take the first lead of the match at 1-0. Asper responded with a takedown and after an escape and takedown to start the third went up 5-1. Yohn close the game to 5-3, but it was too little too late, and Asper held on for the 6-3 win. Yohn is the first Gopher today to get bumper out of the tournament.
Mike Thorn vs. Todd Schavrein (Missouri)
Mike Thorn moved one step closer to his first All-America honor with a pin of Todd Schavrein from Missouri. Leading 5-4 in the third, Thorn got a reversal to go up 7-4 and then at the 3:34 mark of the match, had it over with the fall. Like many today, Thorn had to come back for the win. Schavrein scored first, but a Thorn reversal tied the match at 2-2. Another Reversal by Schavrein and he again was up 4-2. From there Thorn took control on his way to the win. Just one win away from being an All-American, Thorn will face Seth Ciasulli of Lehigh tonight.
Zach Sanders vs. Jason Lara (Oregon State)
Zach Sanders made it interesting, but stayed alive with 6-4 win over Jason Lara of Oregon State. Tied 4-4 in the third, Sanders notched the winning takedown with just under 10 seconds left in the match. Lara scored first with a first period takedown, catching Sanders in a shot and turning him for the two. Sanders escaped and got his own takedown to take a lead, but Lara escaped to tie it up at 4-4, before the winning score late in the match. Sanders stays alive and is now just one win away from becoming a two-time All-American. Tonight he'll face Fred Santaite of Boston.
Ben Berhow vs. (3) Zachery Rey (Lehigh)
For the third straight match, Ben Behow found himself in overtime, but this time he was unable to come up with the winning takedown, falling 2-1 in the tie-breaker to Zachery Rey of Lehigh. The only scoring regulation was on an escape for each. In the third Berhow had a couple of nice looks, but couldn't finish with a leg or ankle for the points. There was not much offense in the sudden victory session, and Berhow was unable to break free in the tie-breaker. When Rey began down in the tie-breaker he broke loose right away and then would not allow Berhow any points on a takedown. Berhow's consolation round opponent is yet to be determined.
Sonny Yohn vs. (1) Jake Varner (Iowa State)
Sonny Yohn faced the toughest test of all the Gophers today, facing undefeated and top seeded Jake Varner of Iowa State. The first period ended scoreless and Varner went up 1-0 with an escape to start the second. Out near the edge of the mat Varner was able to get control of Yohn get a takedown for a 3-0 lead. Varner almost had Yohn on is back, but Yohn rolled out of it and was able to avoid the back points. Yohn will have to wait until the end of session I this morning to learn his next round opponent.
Scott Glasser vs. Daniel Rinaldi (Rutgers)
Scott Glasser kept the winning going with a comeback win at 174, beat Daniel Rinaldi of Rutgers 5-4. Rinaldi got on the board first with a takedown in the first, and after a Glasser escape, he notched his own takedown to take a 3-2 lead into the second. Rinialdi had an escape in the second and they started the third tied 3-3. Glasser went back on top, 5-3, with a takedown in the third and then held on for the 5-4 to advance. Next he'll face seventh seeded Ben Bennett of Central Michigan.
Cody Yohn vs. (11) Rick Schmelyun (Bloomsburg)
Following in the day's theme, Cody Yohn turned in his own impressive performance, with a first period pin over 11th seeded Rick Schmelyun of Bloomsburg. Yohn took his shot right off the whistle but didn't get his takedown until midway through the match. After the takedown, Yohn rolled Schmelyun on to his back and began his work for the fall. He repositioned once, and with just eight seconds left in the first got the call for the fall. Yohn moves on now to face Josh Asper from Maryland tonight.
Mike Thorn vs. Chris Drouin (Arizona State)
Mike Thorn made it three-for-three for the Gophers to start Session III, with a 9-1 major decision over Chris Drouin of Arizona State. Thorn was in control the entire way, after a first period takedown gave him a 2-0 lead. Leading 2-1 to start the second, Thorn notched an escape and quick takedown for a 5-1 lead. Then, near the end of the period he had Drouin on his back for three near fall points and an 8-1 lead. Thorn rode out the entire third for the win, and advances to face Todd Schavrien of Missouri later this morning.
Jayson Ness vs. (8) Tyler Graff (Wisconsin)
Jayson Ness kept the winning going for the Gophers with a dominating 4-0 decision over No. 8 seed Tyler Graff of Wisconsin. After a scoreless first Ness started down in the second, but quickly escaped and got the takedown for a 3-0 lead. From there Ness rode out the period, and after a neutral start to the third, Graff was unable to get any offense going. Several shots led to nothing as Ness continued to control the match. Ness moves on to the semifinals as the Gopher's sixth four-time all-American. One win away from the national championship match, he will next face Oklahoma State's Jordan Oliver.
Zach Sanders vs. Frank Lomas (Cal State Bakersfield)
Zach Sanders started things off for Minnesota with a nice come-from-behind victory over Frank Lomas of Cal State Bakersfield. Sanders earned an 8-5 decision, coming back after giving up the first takedown. After a Sanders escape, Lomas went up 4-1 after his second takedown of the first period. In the second, Sanders began his comeback, scoring and escape, takedown and near fall to tied the match at 5-5. In the third, Sanders quickly took Lomas down again, taking his first lead at 7-5. He the rode out the period for the 8-5 decision. Sanders will wrestle later this morning against Jason Lara of Oregon State.
Session II
Scott Glasser vs. #12 Banga Tovuujav (George Mason)
After an upsetting first round loss, Scott Glasser put on an impressive show this evening, winning by fall over Banga Tovuujav from George Mason. It was just the fourth fall of the season for Glasser, but couldn't have come at a better time. He was taken down early, but avoided giving up back points and quickly escaped, trailing just 2-1. In the second Glasser notched back-to-back takedowns to take a 5-3 lead into the third. After going up 8-3 in the period, Glasser had Tovuujav on his back as the ref signaled the fall. Next up for Glasser is Daniel Rinaldi of Rutgers.
Cody Yohn vs. Chad Porter (Liberty)
Facing elimination in his first NCAA Tournament, Cody Yohn, came out on fire and dominated his way to a 13-2 win over Chad Porter of Liberty. Yohn scored his first takedown just 15 seconds into the match and led 9-0 after a succession of near falls. In addition to the nine-point lead after the first, Yohn had 2:45 of riding time. He led 10-0 at the start of the third, before allowing just a pair of escapes to Porter. On added takedown and a riding time point gave Yohn the final 13-2 major decision. He will now face Rick Schmelyun of Bloomsburg.
Mario Mason vs. Donald Vinson (Binghamton)
Mario Mason's run at his first NCAA Tournament came to an end in this evening's semifinals, losing 5-2 to Binghamton's Donald Vinson. Vinson went on top 2-0 with a first period takedown and held the lead into the second. In the second Mason took his shot and after missing initially on the takedown, worked near the edge of the mat to get the two and tie the score. Vinson went on to get the point for an escape and added another to lead 4-2 after an escape to start the third. Mason nearly tied the match with takedown late, but couldn't close it out and Vinson took the 5-2 final, ending the season for Mason.
Zach Sanders vs. Aaron Kalil (Navy)
The first for the Gophers to compete in wrestlebacks was Zach Sanders and he responded after a disappointing loss with an impressive 11-5 victory over Aaron Kalil of Navy. Sanders was trailing 2-1 entering in the second, but quickly took a 4-2 lead after and escape and a takedown. Sanders was in control for the rest of the match, stretching his lead to 8-3 and then 10-5 before one final riding time point led to the 11-5 final. Sanders survives for another day while Kalil's run at the NCAA Tournament is already over. Tomorrow Sanders will face Frank Lomas of CSU Bakersfield.
Ben Berhow vs. Nate Everhart (Indiana)
Ben Berhow faced a tall task in his second round match, matched up with sixth seeded Nate Everhart of Indiana. With no score at the end of the first, an escape from each wrestler led to a 1-1 tie at the end of regulation. In the extra session Everhart came out taking more shots, but each time Berhow was able to counter and defend, preserving the tie. Late in the sudden victory period, Everhart shot again, but this time Berhow caught him and turned him over for the winning takedown and the 3-1 victory. Next up for Berhow is three seed Zachary Rey of Lehigh.
Sonny Yohn vs. Alan Gelogaev (Oklahoma State)
In his second match, Sonny Yohn started fast with an early take down, racing out to a 2-0 lead over Alan Gelogaev from Oklahoma State. After the takedown though, Yohn was called for an illegal move and one point was awarded to Gelogaev. With each wrestler notching an escape point, they started the third with Yohn on top and leading 3-2. Yohn held tight and ran up the riding time before giving up the escape to the match at 3-3. There was no more scoring in the third and when regulation ended, Yohn used the riding time advantage to take the match by the 4-3 final. Up next, Yohn will get defending champ and top-seeded Jake Varner of Iowa State.
Mike Thorn vs. Germane Lindsey (Ohio)
Mike Thorn was knocked out of the championship bracket with a 6-3 loss to Germane Lindsey of Ohio. Lindsey went up 2-0 on a takedown late in the first, but led just 2-1 at the start of the third. With Thorn starting on top, he gave up a reversal and Lindsey went ahead 4-1, before Thorn escaped to make it 4-2. Later in the third, a scramble towards the end of the mat saw Lindsey come out on top to take a 6-2 lead on his way to the 6-3 win. Thorn will now wrestle tomorrow in the wrestle backs against the winner of Chris Drouin of Arizona State and Jordan Lipp of American
Jayson Ness vs. Ian Paddock (Ohio State)
Ness started Session II for the Gophers, and moved on to the quarterfinals with a 5-0 win over Ian Paddock of Ohio State. Ness scored quickly with a first period takedown, and took a 2-0 lead into the second. After starting down, Ness was back on top quickly with a reversal, extending his lead to 4-0. He then rode out Paddock in the third for a 5-0 win. When the match was over, Ness had racked up 5:55 of riding time. Ness will face Tyler Graff of Wisconsin tomorrow in the quarterfinals.
Session I
Ben Berhow put a good cap on the Gophers opening round, pulling the upset at heavyweight. Matched with 11th seeded Mitch Monteiro, the two ended regulation tied 4-4. Berhow led 4-3 going into the third, but Monterio notched the escape to tie it. In the extra session, Berhow landed the winning shot with just 25 seconds left right near the edge of the mat, taking the 6-4 win as Minnesota finished the day. Berhow will now face Indiana's Nate Everhart in the second round tonight.
Sonny Yohn was able to get the Gophers back in the proverbial winner circle, with his victory at 197. Yohn scored a 7-1 decision over Dennis Drury from North Carolina, sealing the win with a final takedown in the third period. Yohn took off to a 5-0 lead before Drury got on the board with an escape in the third period. This was the first appearance in the NCAA Tournament for Yohn, and he will move on in the championship bracket to face Alan Gelogaev of Oklahoma State tonight.
Fifth seeded Scott Glasser drew Jarion Beets from Northern Iowa in the first round and suffered a 14-7 upset to the unseeded opponent. Beets led 4-2 at the end of the first and 8-4 at the end of the second. Glasser closed to within three at 9-6 with a takedown in the third, but Beets controlled the rest of the match, tabbing one final takedown for a 14-7 final score. Glasser's wrestlebacks opponent is 12th seeded Bagna Tovuujav from George Mason.
At 165 unseeded Cody Yohn was matched up with Justin Kerber of Cornell, and fellow unseeded wrestler. In a close match, the first period ended with no score, and Yohn scored first in the second with an escape. Before the end of the period Kerber had notched a takedown to take a 2-1 lead into the final period. In the third Kerber also added a two-point near fall to go up 4-1 before the match ended 5-1. Yohn's next opponent is Chad Porter of Liberty, who was pinned in the first round by top seed Andrew Howe.
Early in his match at 157, Dustin Schlatter suffered an injury to his already-bad knee, and was unable to finish the match. The senior in search of his fourth All-America was helped off the mat with his status for tonight unclear. Should he wrestle tonight, Schlatter will face 11th seeded Robert Erisman from Oklahoma State in wrestle backs.
In his first NCAA Tournament, 12th seeded Mario Mason lost a tough 2-1 decision in overtime to unseeded Eric Albright of Pittsburgh. Albright brought 20 wins to the NCAA Championships, but had to work for his 21st. Each wrestler scored on just an escape and regulartion, and neither scored in the sudden victory session. Mason started down in the tie-breaker but was unable to earn an escape, leaving the door open for Albright. Albright broke free of Mason's grasp to take a 2-1 lead, which is where the match ended. In wrestlebacks, Mason will face Donald Vinson from Binghamton.
Mike Thorn (St. Michael, Minn.) opened his run at the NCAA Championships with an impressive 14-2 victory over Anwar Goers of Bingamton. This was Thorn's first career NCAA Tournament victory after going 0-2 in his first appearance last season. He scored a takedown just 30 seconds into the match and was in control the entire way. A takedown and near fall to start the second opened his lead to 9-1 and another takedown and near fall in the matches final seconds led to 14-2 final. Thorn will face Germane Lindsey of Ohio in the second round tonight.
Jayson Ness (Bloomington, continued his dominance on the season as he opened his final NCAA Tournament. Top-seeded Ness recorded his 16th first period pin of the season and his 19th overall on the season over unseeded Sean Clair of Eastern Michigan. Clair entered the match with a 20-12 record, but he was overmatched by Ness who scored his second takedown late in the first period and quickly ended the match with the fall at 2:12. Ness moves on in the winners bracket to face Ian Paddock of Ohio State after he also won by fall in the first round.
Entering his second NCAA tournament as the No. 6 seed at 125, Zach Sanders (Wabasha, Minn.) met Jerrod Garnett from Virginia Tech in the opened round and was upset by Hokie, 17-7. Garnett scored first with a first-period takedown and led the entire match. The second period began with Sanders trialing 2-1 and he was behind 8-4 to ender the third. Sanders drew to within three at 8-5 after an escape to start the third, but pair of takedowns and late near fall led to the 17-7 final. Sanders will face Aaron Kalil of Navy in the consolations tonight.
Players Mentioned
