Who's #1 Men's Match Notes
Who's #1 Men's Match Notes
All the action of the men's matches at Who's #1 brought to you in real time!
Ever think to yourself, "Wow, this Who's Number One card sure looks great, but would I would really like is a written account of the action as it happens in real time"? Well if so, I have wonderful news for you!
The men's matches begin at 7:00pm ET, which is also when this live blog will get going!
As a reminder, we are using collegiate folkstyle rules for all the bouts.
160: #1 Angelo Ferrari vs #4 Braeden Scoles
1st period: We begin with our first semifinal of the four-man bracket at 160-pounds. Ferrari gets in on a single leg but Scoles throws in a shin whizzer and defends for about a minute on the edge of the mat. Ferrari comes up with no points and we go back to the center. Single leg for Scoles but Fearri dives underneath and passes a leg. Now we're in a scramble. Scoles is an Askren trained wrestler so he's no strager to this kind of wrestling but Ferrari is matching him funk for funk. Scoreless first period.
2nd period: Ferarri takes bottom to start the second. Scoles rides for 16 seconds. Ferrari sits back on the restart, looks like he was looking for a peterson, almost has a cradle in the ensuing scramble but settles for an escape. Ferrari goes right back on a leg and again Scoles defends and uses the out of bounds to get a restart. The Period ends, Ferrari with a 1-0 lead.
3rd period: Ferrari gets a chance to earn some riding time. At the boundary and Ferrari with a tight waist and claw ride tilts Scoles up for a two-count, just barely breaking the 45 degree angle. Scoles finally up to his feet and is out to make it 3-1. Ferrari has riding time advantage but it's not liking to be a factor. At the edge of the mat Ferrari pounces on a Scoles mistake and he'll get two more and a 5-1 lead with just 29 seconds remaining. Scoles rolls through and creates a scramble. Looking for more but Scoles has to settle for 1. And that's how it'll end. Very convincing win for Ferrari, 5-2, and he'll wrestle in the penultimate bout later tonight.
160: #2 Nicco Ruiz vs #3 Joe Sealey
Who gets a crack at Angelo with the #1 spot on the line? We'll find out shortly! Sealey just smashed his way to a U17 world gold medal, but Ruiz has won the last two bouts he's had against Sealey.
1st period: Good action but no scores after the first minute. Now in a scamble, Sealey throws a boot in and tries to fight through a whizzer. Sealey eventually gets the two despite the whizzer. Ruiz is out quickly but Sealey doesn't take long to get another takedown. An escape makes it 4-2. Wonderful scramble but no scores. 4-2 after 1, Ruiz still very much in this bout.
2nd period: Ruiz out quickly but Sealey doesn't give him a moment to relax. Another takedown for Sealey and it's 6-3. An escape makes it 6-4, only a two-point lead but Sealey has been in command for most of the match.
3rd period: Sealey will get a turn on bottom. And the relentless Sealey reverses him to make it 8-4, riding time over a minute. 1:22 to be precise with 1:16 left in the period. An escape from Ruiz but he trails by 3 with riding time inching closer to getting locked up. Ruiz has been unable to generate much offense so far so things looking good for Sealey. And they end on their feet, with the riding time its a 9-5 win, although the match was not as close as the score would imply.
This means we'll see Ferrari vs Sealey for the #1 ranking. Sealey will also at the very least climb up from #3 to #2.
132: #1 Kannon Webster vs #2 Sergio Lemley
1st period: Lemley wrestling in his future home gym as he is a Michigan commit. 90 seconds and no scores although Lemley has been generating most of the offense. Despite that its Webster who scores the first points as he wins a scramble and goes up 2-0. Lemley then sits out, turns in and gets a quick reveal before Webster could accumulate much in the way of riding time. Webster is out quickly so he'll take the 3-2 lead. Riding time is 17 in favor of Lemley.
2nd period: Webster goes underneath again. A couple strong mat returns keeps Webster from escaping, although Lemley did get hit with a stall warning. Webster came close to escaping but Lemley floated his hips and pounded to maintain control. Lemley continues to ride tough and now he's got Webster flat with boot in. They go out of bounds, 32 seconds remaining in the period, Webster leading 3-2 but Lemley with 1:45 of riding time and counting. A ride out would be huge for Lemley. Short time now. Lemley drops to a leg but there's only 2 seconds left, so he won't get called for stalling. And Lemley gets a massive 2nd period ride out.
3rd period: Lemley starts on bottom, hip heists and converts for a reversal. Riding time now locked up, as Webster escapes to make it 4-4, though 5-4 with the RT point in favor of Lemley. Less than a minute to go in the period. Lemley has a stall warning so one more will give him the lead. Webster on a single, up in the air with it. Lemley dives for ankle. He's got it and they're in a scramble. With a leg grapevined Lemley goes behind the arms and gets the takedown. Webster wrestles through the position and gets the reversal. But it's too late to matter. With the RT point Lemley tastes victory in Cliff Keen Arena for the first time in front of a host of his future teammates in attendance. Hail indeed!
113: #1 Anthony Knox vs #1 (at 106) Christian Castillo
1st period: A battle of number ones as Castillo bumps up to take on Knox in a supermatch. Also the NWCA All-Star Classic is back, which rules. Knox gets the first takedown, then pulls back on Castillo to collect four back points and a 6-1 lead after an escape from Castillo. Knox with too much power on double and get takes Castillo down then goes right to a tight waist tilt, running the score up to 12-1. Another four on a title and its a first period tech fall for Anthony Knox! 16-1 is the official final.
138: #1 Ryder Block vs #2 Nasir Bailey
1st period: Block is committed to Iowa and Bailey just recently announced he's signing with Little Rock, making this a classic Hawkeye vs Trojan rivalry. Block is also prepared for an NIL deal with several fans wearing RB t-shirts in attendance. No score after a minute, then the heavy clubs start coming. Block backing away after an eye poke and Bailey shoots a double before the whistle is blown so there's no score but Block gets taken for a bit of a ride. Bailey scores on his next double, then hits a tight tilt that gets four back points just before Block bridges off his back. Block escapes, then hits a clean double of his own to make it 6-3. Block nearly gets nearfall but could only muster a one count. A very eventful first period ends with Bailey leading 6-3.
2nd period. Block takes bottom as Bailey does a good job sticking to him and bringing Block back down to the mat a couple times. Riding time creeps up over a minute. Bailey still riding with 27 seconds remaining. And Bailey gets a massive second period ride out. It was the difference in the Webster/Lemley bout. We'll see what happens here.
3rd period: Bailey chooses bottom, Block goes optional start. Bailey gets the escape and has over 2 minutes of riding time, plus a 7-3 lead. Shuck by Bailey but Block defends and goes right back at Bailey. Bailey dinged for a stall warning with just over a minute to go. Block taking ground but having a hard time finding his offense. Bailey ready for him with the shuck/throwby counters to blunt Block's attacks. Another stall call with under 20 seconds to go makes it 7-4 but Bailey has RT locked up. Block on a leg as time runs out and Nasir Bailey will take over the number spot as the tp 138-pounder in the nation!
145: #1 Tyler Kasak vs #2 Beau Mantanona
1st period: Kasak is a Penn State recruit, Mantanona will attend Michigan and the campus at which he is currently wrestling. Beau Man gets a leg but Kasak then gets one for himself and now we're in a scramble. Mantonana gains the higher ground and collets the two. He then runs a bar and a half and gets the fall! With 28 seconds left in the first period! Incredible! The Wolverine contingent in Cliff Keen Arena goes wild!
Hope the guys on deck are ready!
126: #1 Marc-Anthony McGowan vs #2 Ben Davino
1st period: Looks like these two were good and warmed up as they come out of the gates scrapping! McGowan scores first toward the edge of the mat to take an early 2-0 lead. Davino escapes after 24 seconds. The finish the period on their feet with no further scoring, although Davino hit a nice duck under right after time expires.
2nd period: Davino gets a turn on top. McGowan escapes but is then shot out of bounds and picks up a stall warning. He still leads 3-1, riding time not a factor. And a flurry ensues with reattacks on top of reattacks but neither score, though it was entertaining. Now Davino has a cradle locked up in short time, he rolls through and he's got McGowan on his back. Saved by the bell as time expires but not before Davino gets 2+2 to make it 5-3 going into the final period.
3rd period: Davino underneath, he's out after just a few seconds, 6-3 Davino leads, riding time not a factor. Good low single by McGowan but Davino defends and they're back in neutral. These two are flying across the mat like quicksilver. McGowan fights to the end but Davino doesn't let up on defense and that's how the match ends, 6-3! And we'll have a new number one at 126-pounds!
152: #1 Meyer Shapiro vs #2 LaDarion Lockett
1st period: Shapiro is a machine, nearly scores in the first 15 seconds, secures the takedown in the second 15 seconds of the match. The Cornell commit is up 2-0 early on Lockett. Shapiro putting on a tough ride, had a couple mat returns to stay on top for 42 seconds as we get another restart. Lockett gets a caution for false start, he's second. The next false start will cost him a point. Lockett gets to his feet on the next restart but Shapiro brings him right back down. A stand by Lockett creates some space for a granby roll and now Lockett is free, with 57 seconds on the RT clock. Shapiro's timing and positioning is superb as he clocks another takedown to make it 4-1. Locket escapes to make it 4-2, then hits a slick tuck under with just 6 seconds left on the clock to make it 4-4! Or does he? Shapiro's corner will challenge. It's waived off. We restart with 11 seconds on the clock and the scoreboard back to 4-2. And that's how the period ends.
2nd period: Lockett will go underneath. A well-timed suck back by Shapiro almost catches Lockett for nearfall, then Shapiro gets a cradle locked up, but Lockett wrestles out of danger and then escapes to make it 4-3, though Meyer has 1:48 of riding time. Shapiro is a U17 world gold medalist and looks it but Lockett is wrestling him tough and staying in this match. Solid flurries and scrambles but no more scores the rest of the period.
3rd period: Shapiro escapes to make it 5-3 and holds on to 1:41 of riding time. Lockett will need to generate some offense to keep hope alive but that's easier said than done. Especially when Shapiro keeps attacking and shoots Lockett off the mat which earns LaDarion a stall warning. Lockett keeps attacking but Shapiro is too stingy. That makes it a 6-3 decision once the riding time point is added on. Meyer stays number one!
182: #1 Brayden Thompson vs #2 Zack Ryder
1st period: Thompson wrestling in his U20 World Championship souvenir socks, an event he wrestled in just a few weeks ago. Ryder won a bronze medal at the U17 Worlds about a month ago. Heavy hand fighting and battles for position but no scores after the first two minutes. Ryder drives Thompson off the far side of the mat but its all for naught in folkstyle. 0-0 as the period ends.
2nd period: Thompson chooses down. Ryder tries throwing a boot in but he gets too high and Thompson shakes him off to score a reversal and takes a 2-0 lead. A quick escape makes it 2-1. Ryder pushing forward but Thompson keeps him off his legs. They go out of bounds again and this time Thompson picks up a stall warning.
3rd period: Ryder gets a turn on bottom, RT not a factor at the moment. Ryder's out and the score is knotted up 2-2. Under a minute left in the period. We'll go to sudden victory if the score remains tied. And the period ends so collegiate overtime here we go!
Sudden Victory: If there are no scores after two-minutes we go alternating top/bottom and then the RT clock is the criteria for tiebreaking. Some good exchanges but still no scores, now with just 30 seconds to go. How much stamina does each wrestler have left? No scores, on to Tiebreakers!
Tiebreaker 1: Thompson underneath with 30 seconds on the clock. He stands and is out in 8 seconds. Now Block needs to get out in 8 seconds or less.
Tiebreaker 2: Block goes underneath. Thompson gets a leg in. Block stands. Big mat return for Thompson. Block is run out of bounds. Thompson has to be careful about stalls. Block stands and escapes after the restart but he can't score in the final four seconds or so. Thompson takes it by criteria and maintains his number one ranking!
120: #1 Jax Forrest #2 Nate Jesuroga
1st period: A rematch of the world team trials that saw Forrest come out ahead. But now we are wrestling folkstyle! Jesuroga with heavy hands to set up a double, somehow Forrest fights off the initial attack and then reattacks with a dump for a 2-0 lead. Forrest throws in a leg and rides for about 20 seconds before we need a restart. Jesuroga sits but Forrest follows and keeps the ride going. RT clock over a minute and counting. Forrest making excellent use of both legs and arms simultaneously, which is frustrating Jesuroga's escape attempts. And a big rideout to end the period and Forrst has a 2-0 lead and 1:46 of RT going into the second.
2nd period: Forrest underneath, he escapes then goes on the attack. Passes the elbow and gets to Forrest's legs. Quick conversion for two, but Forrest stays on his hustle and gets a reversal, then Jesuroga escapes to make it 5-3. Riding time is at 1:34 for Jax. Nate still very much in this bout as we go to the final stanza of regulation.
3rd period: Nate wisely chooses neutral. There's a flurry, Jesuroga comes out on top of this exchange and ties the score 5-5. He cuts Jax to make it 6-5. A beautifully timed go behind make it 7-6, then Nate cuts Jax again. It's 7-7 but Forrest now has riding time locked up. 10 seconds to go. Jesuroga on the attack but it's Jax Forrest with riding time to win! 8-7 is the final. What a match!
160: #1 Angelo Ferrari vs #3 Joe Sealey
1st period: It's been about 90 minutes since their last bouts, so both guys should be sufficiently rested. It gets physical immediately, with big snaps coming from Sealey. Ferrari lunges for an ankle but Sealey evades trouble. No scores after a minute. Ankle pick for Sealey, Ferrari dives underneath and passes a leg. A scramble ensues and Ferrari wins the battle and collects two. Sealey trying to create some room to escape, comes close to hipping over but Ferrari keeps control. Finally, Sealey is able to get in another flurry and they go out of bounds. Loss of control is ruled and Sealey gets a point. It's 2-1 Ferrari leads wth exactly 1:00 of riding time.
2nd period: Ferrari goes underneath. He's up and out in under 20 seconds. Sealey on the attack, Ferrari reattacks. Amazing sequence but no scores. Another attack by Sealey and Ferrari gets him with a slide by, then drops down on the legs to collect two more and makes it 5-1. Ferrari then gets the rideout. Big finish to the period.
3rd period: Staring in neutral, Ferrari with 1:40 of riding time. Another flurry and Ferrari is just in the right position at the right time for this whole match. He gets another takedown to run it up to 7-1. Sealey escapes but not before riding time is locked up for Ferrari, effectively making it 8-2. Ferrari pouring it on, low level shot and it's 9-2 on the scoreboard. 30 seconds to go. Ferrari gets the ride out. It's a 10-2 major decision! Impressive stuff from Angelo, defending his #1 ranking not once but twice in one day!
170: #1 Josh Barr vs #2 Rocco Welsh
1st period: The main event, after 23 awesome bouts between the men and women. Running back the most talked about match from this year's Fargo. Barr is a local Michigander who's headed to Penn State. Welsh is a Pennsylvanian going to Ohio State next year. Barr strikes first. He's got a long reach and he slaps his hands behind Welsh's knees and finishes for two. Rocco out quickly and it's 2-1 early in the first. A couple of nice elbow post attacks from Welsh but Barr defends. Good action but the period ends without any other scores.
2nd period: Rocco chooses bottom. Welsh stands and Barr drops to a leg. He picks up but doesn't let go (or finish) in time and gets a stall warning. Now Welsh escapes. Barr shoots, counter by Welsh and he'll collect two. Welsh leads 4-2 as they go out of bounds. Barr stands and escapes after 5 seconds. Barr immediately on a shot but Welsh sprawls and defends. 4-3 Welsh leads. Barr attacks and Welsh chases him down on a reattack but not before they go out of bounds. Period ends still at 4-3.
3rd period: Barr won the first period, Welsh the second. Now to decide the match. Barr chooses down. Barr stands but Welsh maintains control as they go out of bounds. 91 seconds remaining in the period. 38 seconds of RT for Rocco. Barr collects a caution, his first. Barr stands again, Welsh fighting for control. Now the escape to tie it up but not before RT rolls over the 1:00 mark for Welsh. They go out of bounds and Barr's corner, specifically Logan Massa, who is coaching him, wants to challenge saying there was locked hands in that last exchange. The refs take another look and the challenge is lost, no locked hands. So it's 4-4 with just under a minute, Welsh with 1:09 of riding time. Barr putting his foot on the gas. Welsh has a stall to give. And there he gets called. But it won't matter. Rocco Welsh gets his revenge and is the new number one!
Another outstanding match, which we all expected from those two competitors.
That'll do it for the 10th Who's Number One! The legendary matches continue to pile up. Enjoy the archives. Sorry for the typos I will see you in Serbia for the World Championships!