🤼♂️ Semifinals Set Quarterfinal Thrills and Upcoming Showdowns at the NCAA Wrestling Championships
🥇 Quarterfinal Highlights — "Blood Rounds and Bracket Busters"
- In a nail-biting match, Lehigh's Sheldon Seymour edged out top-seeded Luke Lilledahl of Penn State in triple overtime, showcasing resilience and tactical prowess.
- Illinois' Lucas Byrd, the No. 1 seed, dominated his quarterfinal bout with a 12-1 major decision over Penn State's Braeden Davis, displaying his technical superiority.
- Nebraska's Brock Hardy secured his semifinal spot with a decisive fall over Iowa State's Jacob Frost, underlining his dominance in the bracket.
- Virginia Tech's Caleb Henson faced a tough challenge but emerged victorious in sudden victory over Little Rock's Jordan Williams, advancing to the semifinals.
- Missouri's Keegan O'Toole continued his quest for another title, advancing with a dominant performance.
- Penn State's Levi Haines, the No. 2 seed, displayed resilience and skill, earning his spot in the semifinals.
- Top-seeded Parker Keckeisen of Northern Iowa advanced with a commanding victory, setting the stage for an exciting semifinal.
- Michigan's Jacob Cardenas, the No. 1 seed, continued his impressive run with a decisive win, moving into the semifinals.
- Minnesota's Gable Steveson, the top seed, showcased his dominance with a commanding quarterfinal victory, advancing to the semifinals.
🏆 Team Scoreboard — "Who’s Leading on the Mat?"
- The team race is heating up, with perennial powerhouse Penn State leading the pack, thanks to strong performances across multiple weight classes.
- Nebraska and Oklahoma State are in close pursuit, each with several wrestlers still in contention for individual titles.
🧭 Semifinal Bracket Breakdown — "10 Weights, 10 Paths to the Podium"
125 lbs — Lightweights, Heavy Drama
- (8) Sheldon Seymour (Lehigh) vs. (4) Vincent Robinson (NC State)
- (3) Eddie Ventresca (Virginia Tech) vs. (2) Troy Spratley (Oklahoma State)
133 lbs — Top Seeds in Control
- (1) Lucas Byrd (Illinois) vs. (4) Zeth Romney (Cal Poly)
- (3) Zan Fugitt (Wisconsin) vs. (2) Drake Ayala (Iowa)
141 lbs — Explosive Talent and Tactical Grit
- (1) Brock Hardy (Nebraska) vs. (5) Cael Happel (Northern Iowa)
- (3) Jesse Mendez (Ohio State) vs. (2) Beau Bartlett (Penn State)
149 lbs — This Weight is a Warzone
- (1) Caleb Henson (Virginia Tech) vs. (5) Dylan D'Emillio (Ohio State)
- (3) Shayne Van Ness (Penn State) vs. (2) Ridge Lovett (Nebraska)
157 lbs — Veterans & Rising Stars Collide
- (1) Joey Blaze (Purdue) vs. (5) Trevor Chumbley (Northwestern)
- (3) Antrell Taylor (Nebraska) vs. (2) Meyer Shapiro (Cornell)
165 lbs — Brutal Bracket, Big Names
- (1) Mitchell Messenbrink (Penn State) vs. (12) Christopher Minto (Nebraska)
- (3) Mikey Caliendo (Iowa) vs. (2) Peyton Hall (West Virginia)
174 lbs — Legacy vs. Momentum
- (1) Keegan O'Toole (Missouri) vs. (13) Cade Devos (South Dakota State)
- (3) Dean Hamiti (Oklahoma State) vs. (2) Levi Haines (Penn State)
184 lbs — Powerhouses and Pounders
- (1) Carter Starocci (Penn State) vs. (4) Dustin Plott (Oklahoma State)
- (3) Max McEnelly (Minnesota) vs. (2) Parker Keckeisen (Northern Iowa)
197 lbs — Fresh Faces and Finals Dreams
- (1) Jacob Cardenas (Michigan) vs. (4) Josh Barr (Penn State)
- (3) A.J. Ferrari (Cal State Bakersfield) vs. (2) Stephen Buchanan (Iowa)
285 lbs — The Return of the King
- (1) Gable Steveson (Minnesota) vs. (4) Owen Trephan (Leigh)
- (2) Wyatt Hendrickson (Oklahoma State) vs. (3) Greg Kerkvliet (Penn State)
📣 Stay tuned, wrestling fans. The lights go up for Semifinal Saturday and these matchups are straight out of a dream bracket. From OT thrillers to bonus-point blowouts, it’s all on the line with spots in the NCAA finals just one win away. Let's crown some kings of the mat.
Jimmy Pallotto
Co-Host
Jimmy Pallotto - Co-Host, The Far End of the Bench
Born and raised in the heart of Colorado, Jimmy Pallotto is the passionate voice behind The Far End of the Bench. A lifelong sports enthusiast, Jimmy brings unparalleled energy, humor, and insight to the podcast, combining his deep-rooted love for the game with a sharp analytical edge. As a proud alumnus of Western Colorado University, where he majored in Communication Arts and Sociology, Jimmy’s background equips him to deliver thoughtful commentary and engage in meaningful discussions with fans and guests alike.
Jimmy’s love for sports extends beyond the mic. By day, he’s shaping young minds as a 7th-grade social studies teacher and multi-sport coach, mentoring athletes in wrestling and football. A dedicated coach and educator, Jimmy instills the same values of teamwork, leadership, and dedication in his students that he shares on the podcast.
When he's not in the classroom or recording episodes, Jimmy enjoys spending time with his girlfriend Carlye, their energetic Border Collie Boomer, and his close-knit family. Whether he's breaking down game-winning plays, sharing hilarious locker room stories, or diving deep into the latest sports controversies, Jimmy’s vibrant personality and authentic voice make him a fan favorite.
Catch Jimmy every week on The Far End of the Bench, where he and his co-host Niko Bryant tackle everything from Colorado sports to national headlines, bringing the sidelines to center stage.
Untouchable History, Undaunted Glory: Stories and Recap from the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Finals
