CLEVELAND — Senior Yonger Bastida punched his ticket to the semifinals during the third session of the NCAA Championships Friday. In a CyHawk rematch, Bastida bested No. 8-seeded Iowa sophomore Ben Kueter 4-2. Bastida will face No. 4-seeded Nebraska senior AJ Ferrari at 7 p.m. in the fourth session of the tournament, Friday.
Bastida took his time, waiting for the right moment to strike. In the middle of the first period, Bastida found his opening, scoring a crucial takedown to take a 3-0 lead.
Bastida started the second period on bottom and used his position to score an escape point. Kueter kept it close in the third, earning his second escape point to narrow the gap by two. But Bastida’s defensive skills were too good as he evaded Kueter’s advances in the waning seconds of the third period to win 4-2.
Bastida was named the Big 12 Wrestler of the Year on Thursday, adding another accomplishment to his laundry list of achievements. The one that has eluded him is a national title.
The lone Cyclone to advance to the semifinals, Bastida keeps his title hopes alive. It’s his first time back in the tournament since 2024. Bastida’s highest finish was fifth at the 2022 NCAA Championships when he competed in the 197-pound weight class.
Bastida’s match with Ferrari will be a headlining clash between two premier heavyweights. Ferrari is a well-traveled wrestler with stops at Oklahoma State and Cal State Bakersfield before joining the Huskers in 2025.
Ferrari has been one of the best wrestlers in the country. He is the 2021 National Champion at 197 pounds when he wrestled for the Cowboys during the 2020-21 season. At Cal State Bakersfield, Ferrari went 21-1 and won the Pac-12 Championship, also at 197 pounds.
Since joining Nebraska, Ferrari has continued to dominate the mat. Compiling a 13-2 record in his first heavyweight season. For his career, Ferrari has a 64-4 record and looks to add his second national championship in two weight classes.
This should be a highlight contest with two of the most experienced wrestlers going head-to-head with a trip to the championship round on the line. Bastida faces Ferrari at 7 p.m. Friday.
