The Consolation Semifinals at the 2025 Wrestling Championships delivered thrilling matches across various weight classes. Notable performances included victories from top contenders, showcasing their skills and determination as they aimed for a spot in the third-place matches.
In the 285-pound weight class, No. 3 Josh Heinselman from Michigan faced off against No. 5 Luke Luffman of Illinois. Heinselman struck first, establishing a lead of 3-1 going into the second period. By the end of the second, he increased his advantage to 7-2 with back points, ultimately securing a 7-3 victory.
Meanwhile, No. 7 Ben Kueter from Iowa engaged in a scoreless first period against No. 4 Nick Feldman. Kueter managed to escape early in the second period, gaining momentum and maintaining control throughout. He concluded the match with a 2-0 win, earning crucial team points for the Hawks.
In the 197-pound category, No. 4 Isaiah Salazar from Minnesota dominated his match against Penn State's Josh Barr, winning by injury default. In another match, No. 5 Zac Braunagel of Illinois edged out No. 7 Camden McDanel of Nebraska with a narrow 2-1 victory, advancing him to the third-place match.
No. 5 Jaxon Smith of Maryland initiated the action with a takedown against No. 3 Silas Allred of Nebraska, leading 3-1 after the first period. Although Allred managed to escape, Smith held on to win 4-2, securing his place in the third-place bout. In another fierce match, No. 6 Edmond Ruth from Illinois narrowly defeated No. 4 Gabe Arnold of Iowa in a dramatic tiebreaker, advancing with a final score of 3-2.
No. 7 Dan Braunagel of Illinois showcased his strength against No. 12 Branson John from Maryland, winning decisively with a technical fall at 19-4. In a closely contested match, No. 2 Carson Kharchla of Ohio State edged out No. 4 Patrick Kennedy from Iowa with a 4-2 victory, both wrestlers now aiming for third place.
No. 4 Beau Mantanona from Michigan opened strong against No. 8 Maxx Mayfield, winning by injury default to secure his spot in the third-place match. Minnesota's No. 5 Andrew Sparks also advanced after a solid performance, defeating No. 8 Braeden Scoles with a score of 10-5, demonstrating his prowess on the mat.
In the 157-pound division, No. 3 Antrell Taylor from Nebraska faced off against No. 1 Ethen Miller, scoring a decisive takedown to secure a win. Additionally, No. 8 Joey Blaze from Purdue advanced after a thrilling sudden victory against No. 5 Tommy Askey, setting up an exciting matchup with Taylor.
No. 1 Shayne Van Ness from Penn State dominated his match against No. 8 Andrew Clark with a score of 12-1. Similarly, No. 2 Kyle Parco of Iowa showcased his skills with a powerful 9-0 victory over No. 4 Dylan D'Emilio, setting up a rematch against Van Ness for the third-place match.
In the 141-pound category, No. 1 Beau Bartlett of Penn State secured a 4-2 win against No. 6 Joseph Oliveri, while NCAA champion Jesse Mendez from Ohio State advanced decisively with an 11-3 victory over No. 5 Sergio Lemley, setting up a highly anticipated rematch between Bartlett and Mendez.
No. 4 Braeden Davis from Penn State faced a challenging match against No. 3 Braxton Brown of Maryland, ultimately winning 9-7. Ohio State's No. 9 Nic Bouzakis also advanced after a close match against No. 5 Dylan Shawver, setting the stage for an exciting third-place match against Davis.
No. 1 Matt Ramos from Purdue came back strong after his first loss, dominating No. 8 Jacob Moran with a 9-0 major decision. Ramos will face No. 11 Nicolar Rivera of Wisconsin in the third-place match after Rivera advanced via medical forfeit, adding another layer of excitement to the competition.
As the championships progress, fans can anticipate more thrilling moments and fierce competition as these talented wrestlers aim for glory. Stay tuned for more updates and results from the tournament!
