Indiana University
Big Ten Championships (March 8-9)
Big Ten Championships Wrap Up
3/9/2014 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
March 9, 2014
MADISON, Wis. - Three Hoosiers claimed the right to compete in the 2014 NCAA Wrestling Championships, qualifying with automatics bids based on their performances at this weekend's Big Ten Championships. Adam Chalfant, Taylor Walsh and Ryan LeBlanc can start packing their bags for Oklahoma City.
Hoosier heavyweight Adam Chalfant reached the title bout before falling, 2-1, in a tiebreaker to two-time defending national champion Tony Nelson of Minnesota. The Big Ten heavyweight runner-up will enter NCAA action with an overall record of 25-3; all three defeats coming in extra time. Chalfant and Nelson have now split a pair of meetings this season as Chalfant topped the Gopher in Minnesota during the regular season dual.
Walsh started his Day Two by nearly enacting revenge on Wisconsin's Isaac Jordan. It was Jordan winning by a slim margin in the regular season meeting, 2-1, before getting all he could handle once again on Sunday in the consolation semifinals. Jordan was able to get past Walsh in sudden victory, 2-0. Walsh then received a medical forfeit from Dylan Ness to claim fifth place.
LeBlanc did just enough to guarantee his slot in the 165-pound field at nationals, finishing in eighth place at Big Tens. During the conference tournament, LeBlanc secured his 100th career win and moved within four W's of cracking the all-time top-10 at IU for wins in a season. The senior out of New York has racked 35 victories this season.
In addition to the three Hoosiers qualified above, 184-pounder Luke Sheridan placed in the top-8 as well. With just seven automatic bids in his weight class, the 2013 NCAA Qualifier must await his fate until later this week when the NCAA committee's 40 at-large selections are announced. He's put together a worthy resume that includes an overall mark of 27-14 and a pair of conquests of nationally-ranked foes.
DAY ONE RECAP
Three Hoosier grapplers claimed their bids to the NCAA Championships on Day One of the Big Ten Championships, including heavyweight Adam Chalfant advancing to the championship bout. On Sunday, he'll have a shot at becoming Indiana's first conference champion since Angel Escobedo brought back three straight from 2008-10.
Chalfant posted a pair of victories to reach the heavyweight finals, capped off with a 3-2 decision over Northwestern's Mike McMullan. It marks Chalfant's second triumph over the Wildcat this season, posting a 10-4 decision in the dual match. Following a first round bye, Chalfant topped Connor Medberry (Wisconsin), 7-2, to set up the semifinals meeting with McMullan. Awaiting Chalfant in the championship bout is two-time defending national champion Tony Nelson of Minnesota.
Taylor Walsh punched his NCAA ticket as well, winning three of four bouts at 157 pounds. The Cherry Hill, N.J., native remains in contention for third place after wins over Randall Languis (Ohio State), Roger Wildmo (Michigan State) and Zach Brunson (lllinois). The besting of Brunson came via a first period pin (1:14). It added to his school record 25 falls this season and pulled Walsh within one of tying Viktor Sveda (1998-2002) for the career IU record of 47 pins.
165-pounder Ryan LeBlanc has guaranteed his spot in Oklahoma City as well, notching two Day One victories to run his career wins total to 100. He will wrestle for seventh place on Sunday thanks to wins over Joe Grandominico (Ohio State) and Purdue's Pat Robinson. With 35 overall wins this season, LeBlanc is closing on cracking the school's all-time top-10 (39) in that category.
Luke Sheridan will compete in the seventh-placed bout as well, but needs to win it to clinch an NCAA qualification as the just the top-seven 184-pounders earn an automatic bid. Sheridan bounced the highest seed of the tournament's first round, hitting a sudden victory takedown to get past 7th-seeded Jackson Hein (Wisconsin). Two bouts later, Sheridan was back at it in dramatic fashion once again. He was able to ride out Purdue's Tanner Lynde in a tiebreaker for the 2-1 decision. It'll be a rubber match of sorts in the seventh-place bout, facing off against Michigan State's John Rizqallah for the third time after splitting the first two matchups.
