Takedown Report

Austin O’Connor surges to the top of 157 pounds in latest college wrestling power rankings

The latest coaches rankings published last week by NCAA.com inspired a wave of commentary about the purpose and value of rankings. Who should be ranked? What criteria should be used in rankings? How many matches does it take to be ranked?

Everyone has an opinion, but let’s keep the conversation going. Here’s another different subjective set of rankings, listing each of the top five athletes in each weight based on recent results, momentum and quality of opponent. 

125 pounds

1. Spencer Lee, Iowa
2. Patrick Glory, Princeton
3. Liam Cronin, Nebraska
4. Matt Ramos, Purdue
5. Killian Cardinale, West Virginia 

Spencer Lee, of course, leads the 125-pound weight class after recording another bonus point win, this time coming by major decision against Michigan’s Jack Medley. Much like Patrick McKee last week, Medley fought tough and forced Lee into the third period before ultimately dropping the match. 

Glory notched two nice decision wins to keep himself at No. 2 this week, beating Ryan Miller of Penn 8-6 and topping Carter Bailey of Lehigh 12-5. The win over Miller may not have been as dominant as his major decision victories last week, but Glory continues to put reps in at 125 and prep himself for what will be his final NCAA tournament in a few weeks. 

Outside of Lee and Glory, Cronin has separated himself as the No. 3 guy, and while he may not have been anyone’s pick for this spot at the beginning of the year following his 3-3 injured season last year, Cronin is doing what he needs to do to stay competitive. He beat two tough, ranked Big Ten foes over the weekend in Dean Peterson and Malik Heinselman by identical 3-1 scores, and his ability to win these matches will serve him well in the postseason. Matt Ramos, similarly, notched two Big Ten wins to stay at No. 4, … rest of story at NCAA.com/news/wrestling/article/2023-02-13/austin-oconnor-surges-top-157-pounds-latest-college-wrestling-power-rankings

O’CONNOR NAMED ACC WRESTLER OF THE WEEK

GREENSBORO, N.C. – North Carolina wrestling graduate student Austin O’Connor has been named the Atlantic Coast Conference Wrestler of the Week, the league announced Tuesday afternoon.

The recognition comes following O’Connor’s major decision (11-3) against Virginia Tech’s fifth-ranked Bryce Andonian Friday night. O’Connor, who currently sits at 15-0 on the season, has registered 14 bonus point victories on the season, with the lone decision coming in his season debut on Dec. 16 against Appalachian State. 

A four-time All-America honoree and the 2021 National Champion at 149-pounds, O’Connor climbed one spot in this week’s InterMat Wrestling rankings to No. 2 in the nation, following Friday night’s top-five victory. 

Austin and the Tar Heels close out the regular season this Friday night, welcoming No. 8 NC State to Carmichael Arena for Senior Night. … rest of season at GOheels.com/news/2023/2/14/wrestling-o-connor-named-acc-wrestler-of-the-week

February 21, 2023 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized