Columbia Wrestling's No. 11 Matt Kazimir (141) and No. 14 Joshua Ogunsanya (165) each remain in contention for podium finishes.
DETROIT — No. 11Matt Kazimir(141) opened his NCAA National Championships career with a win, while in his second bout No. 14Joshua Ogunsanya(165) snagged a win, giving Columbia Wrestling two grapplers still in the fight for the podium after the first day of the NCAA Wrestling National Championships t the Little Caesars Arena. Kazimir's opening win came in the first round over No. 22 Shannon Hanna (CAMP) via a 5-2 decision.While Ogunsanya used a takedown in sudden victory to beat No. 30 Evan Barczak (DREX) via SV-1 3-1 in the consolation first round. Kazimir's opening win means that, despite dropping his second-round bout, he is still in competition for a third-place finish.The Lion 141-pounder will face No. 21 Dylan Droegemuller (NDSU) in the consolation second round bout. Ogunsanya, much like Kazimir, can still finish third and he will take on No. 13 Julian Ramirez (COR) in his consolation second round bout. The consolation second round gets going tomorrow, Mar. 18 at 11 a.m. EST on ESPNU. 141 | Kazimir began his day against Hanna, and in the opening minute of the period Hanna scored two points to quickly take a 2-0 lead.Kazimir, ever the veteran, did not let it phase him and less then 20 seconds after the takedown he escaped and put the score at 2-1 in Hanna's favor after the first period. During the second period, Kazimir put a lock on the riding time, controlling Hanna throughout the entire period and after two the score remained at 2-1 with Hanna in front.Kazimir escaped midway through the third period and battled off Hanna's attacks for the remainder of the bout, knowing that riding time was locked in with the score at 2-2. A late two points for Kazimir, along with his riding time point, gave the Lion 141-pounder his first career win at the NCAA National Championships via dec. 5-2.Matt Kazimiropened the day at the @NCAAWrestling National Championships in style. 💪💪#Team119 | #RoarLionRoar pic.twitter.com/BRqgLi405C
— Columbia Wrestling (@CULionsWR) March 17, 2022In the second round, Kazimir drew No. 6 Cole Matthews (PITT), who he faced when the Lions visited Pitt during the dual season.During the first period, both grapplers felt each other out and neither made a real attack and the opening period finished 0-0. Kazimir began on top in the second period, and at 1:28 Matthews hit a reversal to take a 2-0 lead, which Kazimir counter within seconds with an escape to make it 2-1.With Matthews on top in the third period, Kazimir worked an escape at 1:38 to knot the score up at 2-2 and push things into sudden victory. Late in the sudden victory period, without any side scoring, Matthews nearly got a two-point takedown, being awarded the points despite Kazimir being locked in.A smart challenge from the Columbia coaching staff reversed the call and the match went into the first of two 30-second overtime periods. Kazimir could not escape the grasp of Matthews and he rode his 30 seconds out, which after Kazimir was unable to score in the second 30-second OT period, gave Matthews the 3-2 win via the riding time. 165 | Ogunsanya's nationals opened against No. 19 Justin McCoy (UVA), where the Lion 165-pounder fell via decision 6-1 to move into the consolation first round.After the break, Ogunsanaya took to the mat in the second session against Barczak. Neither grappler could score in the opening period and the bout rolled into the second period.Ogunsanya began on top and could not hold down Barczak who eventually escaped to take a 1-0 lead. Ogunsanya responded in the third period, escaping with a little over 40 seconds left to tie the score up at 1-1 and force things into sudden victory.At 1:16 in the sudden victory period, Ogunsnaya finished off a double leg takedown to secure his first career win at the NCAA National Championships via SV-1 3-1.165 | @NCAAWrestling National Championships Cons. First RoundWith a takedown midway through the sudden victory period, No. 14 Ogunsanya gets himself a win, 3-1, over No. 30 Barczak (DREX)!! 👏👏#Team119 | #RoarLionRoar pic.twitter.com/WZCwz3JjkE
— Columbia Wrestling (@CULionsWR) March 18, 2022125 | No. 29 Joe Manchio's day began against No. 4 Brandon Courtney (ASU), where he would battle hard but fall in a major decision 14-5.Coming back in the second session, later in the evening, Manchio drew Iowa's No. 13 Drake Ayala in the consolation First Round. In his bout against Ayala, Manchio could not find the scoring and a late takedown along with the riding time gave Ayala a win via decision, 7-1.The loss ended Manchio's run at the NCAA National Championships. COLUMBIA RESULTSNCAA National Championships (Day One)Detroit, Mich. (Little Caesars Arena) SESSION ONE First Round 125 | No. 4 Brandon Courtney (ASU) def. No. 29Joe Manchio(COL) maj. 14-5 141 | No. 11Matt Kazimir(COL) def. No. 22 Shannon Hanna (CAMP) dec. 5-2 165 | No. 19 Justin McCoy (UVA) def. No. 14Joshua Ogunsanya(COL) dec. 6-1 SESSION TWO Second Round 141 | No. 6 Cole Matthews (PITT) def. No. 11Matt Kazimir(COL) OT3 3-2 Consolation First Round 125 | No. 13 Drake Ayala (IOWA) def. No. 29Joe Manchio(COL) dec. 7-1 165 | No. 14Joshua Ogunsanya(COL) def. No. 30 Evan Barczak (DREX) SV-1 3-1 FOLLOWING THE LIONS: Stay up to date on all things Columbia Wrestling by following the Lions on Twitter (@CULionsWR), Instagram (@culionswr) and on Facebook (@ColumbiaAthletics). Print Friendly VersionPlayers Mentioned
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