Jackson Reaches Semifinals, Set to Rematch No. 1 Nickal

Friday, March 18

New York, N.Y.

11 AM

Indiana University

NCAA Championships - Third Round (Quarterfinals)

Jackson Reaches Semifinals, Set to Rematch No. 1 Nickal

3/18/2016 5:03:00 PM | Wrestling

The junior clinched an All-American selection after his third major decision this week

NEW YORK – For the third consecutive season, an Indiana Hoosier will wrestle in the NCAA Semifinals. Junior Nate Jackson (174) is the latest to reach the penultimate bout en route to NCAA supremacy. With his 14-4 major decision win over Jadaen Bernstein, Jackson clinches his first All-American selection and a Big Ten rematch against No. 1 Bo Nickal (Penn State) in the semifinals.

"I want to thank God for the opportunity to showcase my ability in front of these fans, and there's no better place to do it than Madison Square Garden," Jackson said about his All-American selection. "I haven't been looking at much film, and I've been wrestling my style. It came down to me finishing my shots, which I've done all year. I'm looking forward to tonight."

NCAA Wrestling Championships: Quarterfinals
Bout 366
No. 12 Nate Jackson, Indiana (34-7) maj. dec. Jadaen Bernstein, Navy (34-12), 14-4
Jackson: [1^st] T2| [2^nd] T2, N2, T2 | [3^rd] E1, S1, T2, S1, RT
Bernstein: [1^st] E1 | [2^nd] E1, E1 | [3^rd] E1

Jackson's quarterfinal matchup pitted him against Jadaen Bernstein, one of the bracket busters in the 174 lbs. class. Jackson brought the underdog story to an abrupt conclusion with a 14-4 major decision win, his third major in as many matches this week.

After a tight 2-1 score line in the first period, Jackson opened it up in the second with three takedowns. Bernstein dropped to the mat on the second takedown, forcing a concussion evaluation midway through the period.

Bernstein returned to the mat and the match resumed, but Jackson picked up where he left off. He closed the bout with an escape in the third period, followed by two stall points, a takedown, and a point from riding time.

Through his three bouts in the NCAA Championships this year, Jackson has yet to yield a single takedown.

NCAA Wrestling Championships: Consolation Round 2
Bout 388
Alfredo Rodriguez, SIU-Edwardsville (17-2) maj. dec. Elijah Oliver, Indiana (32-10), 18-9
Oliver: [1^st] T2 | [2^nd] E1, E1 | [3^rd] E1, E1, T2, E1
Rodriguez: [1^st] E1, T2 | [2^nd] T2 | [3^rd] R2, T2, E1, T2, N4

Elijah Oliver bowed out of his first NCAA Championships with a loss in the consolation bracket, 18-9, to SIU-Edwardsville's Alfredo Rodriguez. Oliver finishes his tournament campaign with a 1-2 record, picking up his win in the opening round.

"I see the fire in his eyes, and it hurts," said Jackson, Oliver's teammate and friend since their days in youth club wrestling. "I almost shed a tear. But he has the right mind, and he's going to work. He got a little taste of it, and next year he's going all the way. Next year, he'll be giving back to all the guys that beat him."

Oliver launched into the early lead with the first takedown. Rodriguez broke away and gained the lead with a takedown in the dwindling seconds of the first period. The grapplers swapped two points apiece in the second, with Rodriguez leading 5-4 heading into the final period.

Rodriguez opened with a reversal and a takedown in the third, but a pair of escapes kept Oliver in the fray. The Hoosier freshman dropped Rodriguez for the second time with a minute remaining, cutting his deficit to one point.

Rodriguez's point total doubled in the final minute with an escape, two takedowns, and four back points, causing Oliver to fall out of his first NCAA Championships appearance.

Oliver finishes the season with an impressive 32-10 overall record, earning bonus points in 53% of his victories. He's Indiana's first freshman NCAA qualifier since 2008 Champion Angel Escobedo.

"He's so talented," Jackson said. "I always say that he has a higher ceiling than me. It's all about putting that work in, and I know he'll be with me this offseason putting in the work."

Up Next: NCAA Semifinals
Friday, March 18, 2016 • 8:00 p.m. ET • TV: ESPN • Stream: WatchESPN

No. 12 Nate Jackson, Indiana (34-7) vs. No. 1 Bo Nickal, Penn State (35-1)

The semifinal matchup between Jackson and Nickal is a rematch that wrestling fans have been clamoring for since their meeting in January. Nickal boasts a near-perfect record, but Jackson handed the freshman his only collegiate loss in their dual meet in Bloomington.

Jackson, for one, isn't buying into the hype. In his eyes, the match will be a hard-fought battle for a spot in the title bout.

"Every match is different," Jackson said, when asked about the previous meeting. "He didn't wrestle the best of me, and I probably didn't wrestle the best of him, but I was able to pull it out. I'm going to be ready to take it to him, be very offensive, and answer the bell."

The winner of tonight's bout will advance to the NCAA Championship match, against the winner between No. 11 Myles Martin (Ohio State) and unseeded Lelund Weatherspoon (Iowa State). The sessions will start on Saturday, March 19 at 8:00 p.m., and all 10 championship matches will air live on ESPN.