Entering the NCAA Wrestling Championships, eight Cyclones qualified for a crack at a national title. After day two of the tournament, sophomores Evan and Jacob Frost remain the only two.
Four Cyclones win round of 24 matchups
After an opening-round win over Minnesota’s No. 22 Tyler Wells, the lighter of the two Frost brothers, Evan, fell to No. 6 Connor McGonagle. Evan Frost opened day two with two decision wins, one over No. 12 Ethan Oakley of North Carolina and the second in a 5-3 upset over No. 3 Nasir Bailey of Little Rock.
Evan Frost’s win over Bailey was his first in national competition and his first shot at redemption after Bailey’s win at the Collegiate Duals last season.
“[Evan] has made some good adjustments since last season,” Iowa State head coach Kevin Dresser said. “It took a while for him to get back after [Bailey] took him out last season, but he got it done.”
Alongside Evan Frost, sophomores Paniro Johnson, Cody Chittum and Aiden Riggins won in the round of 24 before all three ended their tournament runs in the round of 16.
“There are some tough lessons you learn here,” Dresser said. “In the later stages, it becomes about what you can do to push over the hump. Some of it is wrestling-related, and a lot comes down to a single move.”
No. 9 Jacob Frost earns All-American Honors
Entering session three, only one competitor remained on the front side of the bracket, that being newcomer Jacob Frost. After defeating No. 9 Andrew Alirez of Northern Colorado on a 6-1 decision, Frost was pinned by Nebraska’s top-seeded Brock Hardy.
“The first time you get on the podium as a Division I wrestler, it’s something you never forget,” Dresser said. “When you get to this point, it’s a game of inches, but as a staff, we have to figure out how to get those guys going when they’re behind the eight ball.”
After earning honors, Jacob Frost is the second half of the Frost duo to be named an All-American in the last two seasons. He remains in competition and will take on No. 14 Sergio Lemley of Michigan in the round of 12.
“Those guys make good adjustments,” Dresser said. “They’re one of the best models of consistency in everything they do. They’re both pretty darn good at wrestling.”
Johnson, Chittum, Riggins lose in round of 16
Where the Frost brothers found success, Chittum and Johnson fell short, ending their seasons in the round of 16. After winning his matchup in the round of 24, Johnson could not overcome a 2-0 decision in the round of 16 against No. 11 Sammy Alverez of Rider.
Similarly, Chittum and Riggins defeated their round of 24 opponents, Chittum against No. 11 Noah Castillo of Chattanooga, winning a 5-3 decision and Riggins winning an upset over No. 13 Will Miller of Appalachian State 9-1.
The pair did not succeed in the round of 16, Riggins losing by fall in 1:15 to No. 5 Julian Ramirez of Cornell and Chittum unable to close a tough 4-3 decision to No. 9 Tommy Askey of Minnesota.
“Riggins had a tough draw as a No. 30 seed,” Dresser said. “Our depth has kept us alive through this point, and Riggins has wrestled above his seed no doubt.”
No. 23 MJ Gaitan ends his campaign by technical fall
The final elimination of Friday’s competition came at 174 after Gaitan lost by technical fall against No. 8 Lenny Pinto of Nebraska in 1:53. The sub-two-minute mark was Gaitan’s fastest technical fall defeat of the season.
Gaitan fell to No. 7 Danny Wask of Navy by a 12-4 major decision before his round of 24 matchup. Gaitan is expected to return next season alongside the Frost brothers, Johnson, Chittum and Riggins.
“We could have been more competitive,” Dresser said. “We have to figure out how to get guys ready to go, but it’s hard to win at this level and make it this far in the competition.”
The final sessions of the NCAA Wrestling Championships are scheduled for Saturday. Session five starts at 10 a.m., followed by session six at 6 p.m., with podium finishers crowned at the end of session six.
