The Top 5 Most Disappointing NCAA Individual Performances
The NCAA tournament is always full of excitement and big upsets. We see many unknown wrestlers make a name for themselves during the tournament. We also see wrestlers that don’t rise to the occasion and underperform.
5. Chad Red (Nebraska) - 19th Seed - Did Not Place
After being a 3x All-American for the Huskers, Chad Red fell short of All-American status in the 2022 season. He entered the NCAA tournament with a 12-6 record. Red had a tournament record of 3-2. He finished with wins over 14th seeded Dresden Simon (CMU), Ian Parker (ISU), and Dylan Droegemueller (NDSU). His losses came from a sudden victory match against Rutgers Sebastian Riveria, and a fall from Oregon State’s Grant Willits. Although Chad Red wrestled higher than his seed, it hurts to see him not become a 4 time all-American. I hope we get to see him on the international scene in the future,
4. Drew Hildebrandt (Penn State) -16 seed - Did Not Place
Although Hilderbrandt was seeded 16 many believed he would be a dark horse to All-American, as he was ranked as high as #9 throughout the season. When seeds came out for the NCAA tournament many believed Hildebrandt was seeded too low. He finished 1-2, with losses to 17 seeded Anthony Noto from Lock Haven as well as 15 seeded Brody Teske from UNI. Last Year Hildebrandt Finished 4th at the NCAA tournament for Central Michigan before transferring to Penn State for his final year of eligibility. Hildebrandt entered the Big Ten tournament with an 8-1 record with his only loss coming from Nick Suriano in a 2-1 decision in the Michigan Dual on January 21st. He suffered two close losses to #5 Patrick Mckee 6-3 and #7 Michael DeAugustino in sudden victory 5-3.
3. Devin Schroder (Purdue) -9th Seed - Did Not Place
Schroder had a very strong regular season. He had two top 10 losses to #4 Pat Glory in the Cliff Keen Invitational and #8 Eric Barnett in the Wisconsin dual. His third loss of the regular season was to Drake Ayala in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. He finished 0-2 in the NCAA tournament with losses from the 24th seed Sam Latona from Virginia Tech in a 4-1 decision and 8 seeded Patrick Mckee from Minnesota by an 11-0 major. Schroder had previously beat Mckee 8-3 in a dual against Minnesota just a month before during the regular season. This was Schroders final year of eligibility. He had a very respectable career for the Boilermakers.
2. Max Murin (Iowa) - 8th Seed - Did Not Place
Max Murin finished the regular season 8-2. His regular-season losses were to Manzona Bryant from Lehigh, and a 3-1 decision to #2 Sammy Sasso. He entered the Big Ten tournament ranked 7th in the Nation. He had a great Big Ten tournament finishing 3rd in a stacked 149-pound weight class. His only loss of the tournament was to #2 Sammy Sosa, again. He entered the NCAA tournament as an 8 seed and was favored very strongly to All-American. He finished his tournament 2-2 with losses to #1 Yianni and 6th seeded Jonathan Millner from App. State. He had two strong wins over 9th seeded Kaden Gfeller (OK State) and Corbyn Munson (CMU). Murin will look to All-American for the first time next year for the Hawkeyes for the first time after qualifying 4 times.
Andrew Alirez (Northern Colorado) -5 seed- Did Not Place
Andrew Ailrez is a true underdog story. He decides to stay home after graduating high school in Colorado despite not having a strong division one program. He had a strong season finishing 22-5 as a Junior. He was a Big 12 champion and was a strong favorite to be high on the podium at the NCAA tournament. He had a 3-2 tournament record. HE finished with 3 strong wins over Collin Gerardi (VT), Joseph Zargo (Wisco), and Dresden Simon (CMU). His two losses were to 12th seeded CJ Composto (PENN) in a tie breaker and 10th seeded Jake Bergeland (MINN). Although Ailrez had a rough tournament I believe he will rebound next year for the bears and bring home All-American status.
*All these wrestlers are great! I believe the ones that have years of eligibility will no doubt bounce back and earn All-American honors. For the ones that no longer have eligibility; what an amazing career and the growth you brought to the sport of wrestling will not be forgotten.
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