The Big Ten wrestling championships, the deepest Division I convention wrestling match within the nation, kicks off Saturday morning with 140 starters all vying for his or her shot at a convention title and a ticket to the 2023 NCAA wrestling championships. Here’s what it’s worthwhile to know in regards to the schedule of the match and the largest storylines at every weight.
FOLLOW IT ALL: Live updates all through the Big Ten wrestling championships
2023 Big Ten wrestling championships brackets
Click or faucet right here for see the bracket for every weight.
How to look at the Big Ten wrestling championships
| TIME | SESSION | DESCRIPTION | WATCH |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, 10 a.m. | Session I | First Round, Quarterfinals, Wrestlebacks | Big Ten Network |
| Saturday, 5:30 p.m. | Session II | Consolation Matches, Wrestlebacks | B1G+ |
| Saturday, 7:30 p.m. | Session II | Semifinals | Big Ten Network |
| Sunday, 1 p.m. | Session III | Consolation Semifinals, Seventh-place Matches | B1G+ |
| Sunday, 4:30 p.m. | Session IV | 1st-, Third- and Fifth-Place Matches | Big Ten Network |
Pre-seeds and preview
125 kilos
Main storyline: Three-time NCAA champion Spencer Lee leads the way in which at 125 kilos with an undefeated report on the season. Lee gained Big Ten titles in 2020 and 2021 and would be the favourite to repeat as champion this 12 months. After Lee, the burden is huge open, with Nebraska’s Liam Cronin rightfully incomes the No. 2 seed after common season wins over All-Americans Eric Barnett, Patrick McKee and Michael DeAugustino. McKee and Barnett are notably wild, so do not be stunned in the event that they shake up this bracket. Add within the unpredictable and funky Matt Ramos, and this weight shall be enjoyable.
Pre-seeds:
- Spencer Lee (Iowa)
- Liam Cronin (Nebraska)
- Matt Ramos (Purdue)
- Eric Barnett (Wisconsin)
- Patrick McKee (Minnesota)
- Michael DeAugustino (Northwestern)
- Malik Heinselman (Ohio State)
- Braxton Brown (Maryland)
- Dean Peterson (Rutgers)
- Jack Medley (Michigan)
- Gary Steen (Penn State)
- Tristan Lujan (Michigan State)
- Jacob Moran (Indiana)
- Maximo Renteria (Illinois)
133 kilos
Main storyline: Like Lee, Penn State’s Roman Bravo-Young can also be searching for his third Big Ten title after topping Austin DeSanto within the finals in 2021 and 2022. Bravo-Young can also be undefeated on the 12 months and has notable wins over Mendez, Ragusin and Teske this season. Can Mendez make a push for the finals as a real freshman for the Buckeyes? With his teammate Malik Heinselman out for the season with an damage, Mendez will wish to put as many staff factors on the board as he can for the Bucks. Topping Bravo-Young shall be a tricky activity, however the battle for a spot within the finals would be the storyline to observe at this weight.
Pre-seeds:
- Roman Bravo-Young (Penn State)
- Jesse Mendez (Ohio State)
- Lucas Byrd (Illinois)
- Chris Cannon (Northwestern)
- Dylan Ragusin (Michigan)
- Aaron Nagao (Minnesota)
- Joe Heilmann (Rutgers)
- Brody Teske (Iowa)
- RayVon Foley (Michigan State)
- Taylor LaMont (Wisconsin)
- Henry Porter (Indiana)
- Kyle Burwick (Nebraska)
- Dustin Norris (Purdue)
- Jackson Cockrell (Maryland)
ALLOCATIONS: What this 12 months’s imply for the upcoming NCAA championships
141 kilos
Main storyline: A two-time Pac-12 champion, Iowa’s Real Woods enters his first Big Ten match as the highest seed, and he’ll intention so as to add his identify to the lengthy listing of Hawkeye champions at this occasion. Woods has a historical past of firing quick off the primary whistle, and if he can preserve scoring factors like he is accomplished, he can seperate himself in a weight class filled with opponents who want to preserve battles shut. Penn State’s Beau Bartlett, the No. 2 seed, was in a position to gradual Woods down of their final assembly, shedding simply 4-1 to the All-American. This is not essentially the deepest weight within the match, however it’s one which may very well be key for Iowa from a staff factors perspective.
Pre-seeds:
- Real Woods (Iowa)
- Beau Bartlett (Penn State)
- Brock Hardy (Nebraska)
- Frankie Tal Shahar (Northwestern)
- Jakob Bergeland (Minnesota)
- Danny Pucino (Illinois)
- Joseph Olivieri (Rutgers)
- Parker Filius (Purdue)
- Dylan D’Emilio (Ohio State)
- Cole Mattin (Michigan)
- Joseph Zargo (Wisconsin)
- Jordan Hamdan (Michigan State)
- Cayden Rooks (Indiana)
- Kal Miller (Maryland)
149 kilos
Main storyline: This is perhaps essentially the most fascinating weight in your entire match. Ohio State’s Sammy Sasso earned the No. 1 seed due to No. 2 Austin Gomez of Wisconsin taking an damage default loss to Yahya Thomas of Northwestern, however all three of those guys are aggressive with each other when wholesome and will make a push for the convention title. Sasso gained the Big Ten match in 2021 and Gomez took the gold in 2022. Penn State’s Shayne Van Ness and Iowa’s Max Murin, although, aren’t happening with no struggle. This stacked bracket can have electrical matches from the opening session. The NCAA allotted 9 match spots for this weight for good purpose — 149 kilos may get wild.
Pre-seeds:
- Sammy Sasso (Ohio State)
- Austin Gomez (Wisconsin)
- Yahya Thomas (Northwestern)
- Max Murin (Iowa)
- Shayne Van Ness (Penn State)
- Michael Blockhus (Minnesota)
- Graham Rooks (Indiana)
- Ethen Miller (Maryland)
- Chance Lamer (Michigan)
- Tony White (Rutgers)
- Dayne Morton (Nebraska)
- Jake Harrier (Illinois)
- Peyton Omania (Michigan State)
- Jaden Reynolds (Purdue)
157 kilos
Main storyline: While 149 kilos is perhaps essentially the most fascinating weight class of the match, the 157-pound weight class is technically the deepest within the nation. With 10 allocation spots, Peyton Robb, Levi Haines, Kendall Coleman, Chase Saldate, Cobe Siebrecht, Will Lewan, Michael Carr, Trevor Chumbley, Garrett Model and Derek Gilcher will simply have to wrestle to seed to earn their spots. Minnesota’s Brayton Lee, the No. 11 seed and a 2021 All-American, may very well be on the skin trying in, except he can pull off just a few upset wins. Lee has the potential to be a severe bracket-buster right here, making a deep weight doubtlessly even deeper. Ohio State’s Paddy Gallagher, the No. 12 pre-seed, additionally battled No. 1 Peyton Robb powerful in one of many final twin meets of the season, and, as a freshman, Gallagher may completely discover his groove this weekend and surge into the postseason. Even with 10 allocations, there’s potential for madness right here.
Pre-seeds:
- Peyton Robb (Nebraska)
- Levi Haines (Penn State)
- Kendall Coleman (Purdue)
- Chase Saldate (Michigan State)
- Cobe Siebrecht (Iowa)
- Will Lewan (Michigan)
- Michael Carr (Illinois)
- Trevor Chumbley (Northwestern)
- Garrett Model (Wisconsin)
- Derek Gilcher (Indiana)
- Brayton Lee (Minnesota)
- Paddy Gallagher (Ohio State)
- Andrew Clark (Rutgers)
- Michael North (Maryland)
165 kilos
Main storyline: Not to be outdone by the 149 or the 157 pound weight class, the 165-pound bracket options three All-Americans in Dean Hamiti, Cameron Amine and Carson Kharchla, in addition to breakout freshman Patrick Kennedy and Alex Facundo. These high athletes have nearly all wrestled each other. Hamiti’s finest win got here in opposition to Iowa’s Kennedy, however Kennedy then beat Facundo, who beat Amine who beat Hamiti. The focus could also be on these elite middleweights, however take note of Andrew Sparks and Bubba Wilson on the No. 9 and No. 10 seeds, too. Both certified for the NCAA match final 12 months, however, with the NCAA awarding simply eight allocation spots at 165 kilos this 12 months, these athletes might want to outperform their seed to make sure their ticket to Tulsa.
Pre-seeds:
- Dean Hamiti (Wisconsin)
- Cameron Amine (Michigan)
- Patrick Kennedy (Iowa)
- Alex Facundo (Penn State)
- Carson Kharchla (Ohio State)
- Caleb Fish (Michigan State)
- Maxx Mayfield (Northwestern)
- Danny Braunagel (Illinois)
- Andrew Sparks (Minnesota)
- Bubba Wilson (Nebraska)
- Nick South (Indiana)
- Robert Kanniard (Rutgers)
- Stony Buell (Purdue)
- John Martin Best (Maryland)
174 lbs.
Main storyline: This weight is high heavy, with 2022 Big Ten champion Carter Starocci controlling 174 kilos. If Starocci and Nebraska’s All-American Mikey Labriola wrestle to seed, the Cornhusker may have a shot at unseating the champ within the convention finals. Labriola already beat 2019 NCAA champion Mekhi Lewis earlier this 12 months, and he is little question hungry for one more upset. Both Starocci and Labriola come into the match undefeated, and whereas Starocci is a heavy favourite, do not dismiss Labriola. Ohio State All-American Ethan Smith can also be within the combine and able to holding matches shut with Labriola specifically, as he demonstrated in his slender 6-4 loss on Feb. 10. Illinois’ Edmond Ruth additionally pushed Labriola to sudden victory earlier this season. While this bracket is much less shaky than a number of the others, each match nonetheless counts. With seven allocation spots on the road, there is not a ton of wiggle room.
Pre-seeds:
- Carter Starocci (Penn State)
- Mikey Labriola (Nebraska)
- Ethan Smith (Ohio State)
- Bailee O’Reilly (Minnesota)
- Edmond Ruth (Illinois)
- DJ Washington (Indiana)
- Nelson Brands (Iowa)
- Troy Fisher (Northwestern)
- Max Maylor (Michigan)
- Jackson Turley (Rutgers)
- Ceasar Garza (Michigan State)
- Dominic Solis (Maryland)
- Josh Otto (Wisconsin)
- Cooper Noehre (Purdue)
184 kilos
Main storyline: Two-time NCAA champion Aaron Brooks paces the group right here at 184 kilos, and he’ll be searching for his third convention title after being upset by Michigan’s Myles Amine on this match final 12 months. Despite taking a loss earlier this 12 months to Iowa State’s Marcus Coleman, Brooks has a strong maintain on the burden class, notably within the Big Ten, and would be the favourite to take residence gold for himself and for the Nittany Lions. Ohio State’s Kaleb Romero is the one different All-American within the combine, although Isaiah Salazar, Matt Finesilver and Abe Assad all wrestle powerful, shut matches. Nebraska’s Lenny Pinto has additionally been a breakout star this 12 months, and he’ll look to proceed his success by means of the postseason alongside his deep Cornhusker staff.
- Aaron Brooks (Penn State)
- Kaleb Romero (Ohio State)
- Isaiah Salazar (Minnesota)
- Matt Finesilver (Michigan)
- Abe Assad (Iowa)
- Layne Malczewski (Michigan State)
- Lenny Pinto (Nebraska)
- Brian Soldano (Rutgers)
- Dylan Connell (Illinois)
- Tyler Dow (Wisconsin)
- Evan Bates (Northwestern)
- Ben Vanadia (Purdue)
- Clayton Fielden (Indiana)
- Kevin Makosy (Maryland)
197 kilos
Main storyline: Penn State’s Max Dean gained his first Big Ten title at this match final 12 months, after competing for Cornell for the primary two seasons of his collegiate profession. Now Dean is again to defend his title in a weight that appears just like years previous with just a few notable exceptions. Nebraska’s Silas Allred surged to the No. 2 pre-seed this 12 months after a stellar common season wherein he completed with a 23-5 report, notching wins over All-American Gavin Hoffman and junior World Champion Braxton Amos. Allred and Dean haven’t but wrestled this 12 months, and whereas Dean would be the favourite, Allred’s journey shall be fascinating to observe this postseason. NCAA finalist Jacob Warner sits down on the No. 5 seed after Big Ten losses to Dean, Michial Foy and Zac Braunagel, so search for each Warner and Foy to doubtlessly trigger some hassle on this bracket. Cameron Caffey, pre-seeded at No. 4, additionally has a profession win over Dean, although Dean’s crushed him of their final two conferences. The Big Ten has 9 automated NCAA spots at this weight, placing Foy within the ultimate slot, with Billy Janzer on the skin trying in, if everybody wrestles to seed.
- Max Dean (Penn State)
- Silas Allred (Nebraska)
- Zac Braunagel (Illinois)
- Cameron Caffey (Michigan State)
- Jacob Warner (Iowa)
- Jaxon Smith (Maryland)
- Gavin Hoffman (Ohio State)
- Braxton Amos (Wisconsin)
- Michial Foy (Minnesota)
- Nick Willham (Indiana)
- Billy Janzer (Rutgers)
- Andrew Davison (Northwestern)
- Brendin Yatooma (Michigan)
- Hayden Filipovich (Purdue)
285 kilos
Main storyline: This may lastly be Michigan’s Mason Parris’ 12 months. The two-time All-American completed second and seventh in his final two NCAA match appearances, however with Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson off to the WWE, the Wolverine is lastly the top-ranked heavyweight, each within the Big Ten and within the nation. If Parris runs by means of his bracket this weekend, he is more likely to safe the highest seed on the nationwide match and put himself in an excellent spot for a title run. Navigating the convention, nonetheless, will not be simple. Penn State’s Greg Kerkvlie pushed Parris of their lone assembly this 12 months, dropping simply 3-1. Iowa’s Tony Cassioppi additionally stored his bout shut and misplaced 9-7. Parris is a winner, and he is discovered a strategy to win these duals. The massive storyline right here is: can he beat these elite athletes once more and are available away with gold?
Pre-seeds:
- Mason Parris (Michigan)
- Greg Kerkvliet (Penn State)
- Tony Cassioppi (Iowa)
- Lucas Davison (Northwestern)
- Trent Hillger (Wisconsin)
- Boone McDermott (Rutgers)
- Tate Orndoff (Ohio State)
- Jacob Bullock (Indiana)
- Jaron Smith (Maryland)
- Hayden Copass (Purdue)
- Garrett Joles (Minnesota)
- Ryan Vasbinder (Michigan State)
- Matt Wroblewski (Illinois)
- Austin Emerson (Nebraska)
