Ann Arbor, Mich. – Five Huskers will wrestle for a Big Ten title tomorrow afternoon, as the Nebraska wrestling team sits in third place after day one at the 2023 Big Ten Championships.
Semifinals
In a rematch of this year’s home dual, No. 2 Liam Cronin faced No. 6 Michael DeAugustino of Northwestern. Cronin battled until the end and held off DeAugustino for the 2-1 victory and a spot in tomorrow’s finals.
Up next, No. 3 Brock Hardy (141) faced No. 2 Beau Bartlett (PSU) for a chance to join Cronin as a Big Ten finalist. Bartlett took the early 2-1 lead, but Hardy used a pair of takedowns, an escape and the riding time point to secure the 7-3 decision.
The Huskers kept the momentum going as No. 1 Peyton Robb (157) defeated No. 4 Chase Saldate of Michigan State. Robb used a pair of escapes and a takedown to become the third Husker in the finals.
For the second time this season, No. 2 Mikey Labriola (174) defeated No. 3 Ethan Smith of Ohio State by decision. Labriola scored a reversal and takedown to grab the 4-3 victory and continue his title run.
No. 2 Silas Allred (197) closed out an impressive semifinal performance for the Huskers as he became the fifth Husker to qualify for tomorrow’s Big Ten finals. Allred used a pair of escaped and a takedown to defeat Zac Braunagel of Illinois, 4-3.
Consolation Quarterfinals
No. 10 Bubba Wilson (165) continued to climb the consolation ladder as he defeated Penn State’s No. 4 Alex Facundo. Wilson used an escape and a takedown to claim the 3-2 decision and a spot in the consolation semifinals. At 184, No. 7 Lenny Pinto advanced to the consolation semifinals as well due to medical forfeit.
Consolation Second Round
At 165, Wilson defeated Minnesota’s No. 9 Andrew Sparks in a 3-2 decision. Wilson recorded a takedown and Sparks answered with an escape in the first three minutes. The two wrestlers each grabbed another escape in the last two periods, with Wilson prevailing to move on in the consolation bracket. Up next, Pinto (184) advanced over Illinois’ Dylan Connell by injury default.
Wrestling resumes Sunday at 12 p.m. (CT) with the consolation semifinal and seventh-place matches, and championship bouts start at 3:30 p.m. (CT).
Team Score (Points):
Penn State (120.0)
Iowa (108.5)
Nebraska (98.5)
Ohio State (77.0)
Minnesota (73.0)
Michigan (67.0)
Northwestern (64.0)
Wisconsin (46.5)
Illinois (36.5)
Purdue (36.5)
Rutgers (30.0)
Indiana (27.0)
Michigan State (27.0)
Maryland (19.5)
