NCAA Division I Brackets - 2009!

Tristen DeShazer is in the 133 lb. bracket;

Robert "Neil" Erisman is in the 157 lb. bracket; and

Jesse Strawn is in the 197 lb. bracket.

NCAA Division I Wrestling Schedule

Thursday, March 19, 2009
Session I Scottrade Center 11 a.m.
Session II Scottrade Center 6:30 p.m.

Friday, March 20, 2009
Session III Scottrade Center 10 a.m.
Session IV Scottrade Center 6 p.m.

Saturday, March 21, 2009
Session V Scottrade Center 9:30 a.m.
Parade of All-Americans Scottrade Center 5:05 - 5:20 p.m.
Session VI Scottrade Center 5:30 p.m.

Richard,

Our Cowboys have a tough go to get out of the first match. Blanc got a tough spot with Donahoe right off the bat. Notte has to wrestle Daniel Dennis from Iowa who has a chance to win it. Parks has a chance to win his first match but then runs in to Alex Tsirtsis next match. Mason seems to have a chance to make the Semis but has to upset Reader and the guy from Cornell.

Tough week for the Cowboys.

Never seen the Big 12 with such poor seeding. Not really the best of years for the league as a whole it appears.

Intermat Championship Page

Intermat will be providing live match scoring of the tournament.

Change horses then. Go Cornell.

Never!

Tristen DeShazer WBF Darius Little. He will have Daniel Dennis of Iowa next round.

Neil Erisman won 8-3 over Justin Gaethje of Northern Colorado.

Strawn wins his 1st round.

Period 1
J. Strawn T2
J. Strawn NF3
Period 2
J. Strawn chooses Defer
D. Drury chooses Bottom
D. Drury R2
J. Strawn P1
J. Strawn E1
J. Strawn T2
Period 3
J. Strawn chooses Bottom
J. Strawn R2
D. Drury E1
D. Drury RT1
J. Strawn Wins - DEC

DeShazer loses 9-6 to #4 seed Daniel Dennis of Iowa. His next match will be against Rick Deubel of Edinboro.

Erisman loses 7-6 to #5 seed J.P. O'Connor of Harvard. His next match will be against Jonny Bonilla-Bowman of Hofstra.

Strawn loses 14-5 to #1 seed Craig Brester of Nebraska. His next match will be against #11 seed Andrew Anderson of UNI.

DeShazer picks up a fall against Deubel. His next match will be against #12 Steve Bell of Maryland.

Thanks for the updates Curtis.

Much appreciated!

DeShazer's match vs Bell from Maryland should be happening any minute I think. I think that takes place before the night session. Not 100% sure though. Richard??? If he wins he will face the Kent State wrestler to become an all-American.

Another fall could put DeShazer in the running for the "most falls" award!

Just found out that he lost 9-2 to the Maryland wrestler.

Good tournament for him though.

Deshazer lost 9-4 to bell. Great run at AA though.

Jesse Strawn wins by Fall at 5:41 over Clayton Foster Okla State in consolation R4. Strawn faces Brandon Halsey of CSU-Baker in the consolation R5. It looks like if he wins this next match that he will be an All American.

Erisman loses to Bonilla-Bowman 11-8 giving up a pair of 3rd period takedowns. DeShazer and Erisman both had good tourney's though and I fully expect them both to be in the running for AA status next season. Strawn is in the Round of 12 and will face #7 seed Brandon Halsey of CSU-Baker. Winner becomes an All American!

Jesse Strawn loses 13-4 to Halsey.

Congrats to all 3 of our wrestlers in the tourney. They represented Kansas well and I think our state will have a very impressive showing next year!

Here are some video links to the Caldwell upset over Metcalf.

Part I:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNY4VW6Bi3U


Part II:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MI2j0fZOpIQ

Thanks for the vids Ike...Caldwell scoring 4 point in the first 33 seconds set the tone for the match. The left side head and arm was sweet.

Mike Flynn

What did everyone think of what happened at the end of the match. I am torn. For one I am not happy with how Caldwell handled himself. Metcalf pushing him was not acceptable....but I can understand. Note to kids...win with humility as it does not ruin the moment. Lose with dignity as it does not tanish your legacy.

Both were in the wrong.

Metcalf was still trying to score...a takedown with two back points would have won the match. There was about 8 seconds left when they restarted...I think. Plenty of time to push a show boater down and fall on top for the two.

Agreed. I don't mind the actions of either. Hard not to celebrate when you have won a national title. Thankfully God made us all with different personalities.

Beeson,

Metcalf was down by four not including one point riding time which would make a 5 point lead when he pushed Caldwell two seconds after the match was over and 10 feet out of the ring.
Should have of been an ejection out of the whold tournament.


This was a blatant show of unsportsmanship from Metcalf. Metcalf got his but kicked and he couldn't take it. I lost a lot of respect for Metcalf.

I was there in the stands I noticed every national champ celebrated after their match and sometimes quite excessively. This is the biggest upset in years at the NCAAs and the biggest win of Caldwell's life. I have now problem with this celebration. Don't tell me this isn't the first time we've seen a flip in the finals.

Here's the real point, if the ref had big enough balls he should have ejected Metcalf out of the tournament. I've seen refs throw out guys for a lot less than Metcalf did. Of course that would of cost Metcalf all-american and Iowa National championship so you would have never seen that.

Did everybody notice Iowa was penalized a team point for this.
The significance of this was it brought Ohio State within range of the championship if Pucillio Pinned or Majored Herbert. Of course that was a big longshot, but how big would of that point been if that happened.

Like I said before, I'm ok with what they both did at the end of the match. IT IS THE NATIONAL FINALS. They are ADDRENDYLNE (sp) CHARGED/FILLED YOUNG MEN.

Metcalf could have pushed a lot harder than he did. He pulled up a little. It was frustration. I dare say it could have happened to any of us.

Congrads to both!

I'm with Beeson on this and I would change the above to say-- Metcalf SHOULD have pushed a lot harder than he did!!

I don't have time for showboaters.

If we were all stoics, it would be a pretty darn boring world. Again, its a NATIONAL TITLE! A young man's DREAM! And, you expect him to act like a robot or something?

Heck, its not much different than that FL QB this year during the end of the BCS game doing his GATOR CHOMP to an OU player. And, they had spent all night talking about what a GREAT, CHRISTIAN kid Tebow is . . . I'm sure he is. But facts are - he was an EXCITED, FULL-CHARGED and passionate young man who did a kind of silly thing and got penalized for it. But, THAT'S OK. I like the humble ones (Payton in ftbl, Sanderson in wrestling) and I like the showboaters. But thats just me. I respect your right to be 'hating' on the boaters! ;-)

I applaud for BOTH of them and looking forward to seeing them wrestle again next year.

What bothered me the most was that the match wasn't even over when he started his little gymnatics routine, Metcalf very well could have been attempting a take down as time was running out. I'm all for celebrating, but can we wait until the match is over??

I'd also imagine Metcalf was a little frustrated....he pretty much got it taken to him.

There was a 5 point lead after the riding time point and the restart was with 5 seconds left. Caldwell's hands for the flip hit the mat as time expired and the actual backflip came a few seconds after time expired. Metcalf had no business pushing him like that. Guy's like Caldwell are good for the sport though, kinda like Johnny Hendricks was. Showboating adds a little bit of drama and excitement to a sometimes boring sport.

More importantly than all of this crap talked about, did anybody actually watch the match? Caldwell broke Metcalf mentally with that last takedown as Metcalf was in a position to score and just let go of the leg. Pretty impressive match by Caldwell.

I disagree. Caldwell didn't mentally break Metcalf. Metcalf had a poor semi match and was not wrestling well. I think the pressure got to him, and rightfully so. He destroyed Caldwell at the All Star match by tech falling him. This time Caldwell had nothing to lose and Metcalf had everything to lose and unfortunately did. I still think Metcalf is the better wrestler hands down, and this will just feed him.

You can make excuses for Metcalf, but the fact is Metcalf got got his butt kicked. Caldwell had 4 takedowns and two minutes of riding time. The only reason Metcalf got a takedown was because Caldwell was playing prevent defense.

This match arguably was the second biggest blow out next to the Jaggers 141 final. It wasn't close.


Please watch the match, as Chenoweth pointed out, the flip was
after the match ended.
I know some referees are reading this, here's a question.
Would you disqualify a kid in a high school match if he pushed his winning opponent after the match was over?

Metcalf was in full sprint mode, it's pretty hard to just stop on a dime when you are running full out. Perhaps he ran into him and put his arms out as a block?

1. The Caldwell celebration probably seemed over the top to those watching the video, or to those who haven't followed this young man's career. He was excited and frankly I would have been too if I had won a national championship. I think we have all seen celebrations that were far "worse" than a backflip that lasted all of 6 seconds. If you've never won an event as big as a national championship at the highest level of collegiate wrestling you couldn't possibly have any idea of how difficult that is. After all that hard work I think a couple of seconds of celebration out on the mat is earned. He wasn't taunting, baiting, etc etc.

2. I also think that there was a very serious overreaction to the "push" that Metcalf gave him. I have seen way worse things happen in the normal course of a match. The penalty was certainly warranted, but ejection.... really? I say you are joking on that one.

It's hard to notice but I've watched the match 5 times now. On Caldwell's last takedown Metcalf was in better position to score than Caldwell was as Caldwell was on his but and his only hope was to keep scooting out which he was doing pretty well. Metcalf just let go of the legs though and flattened out on the mat. In my opinion his actions on that scramble showed that he broke and was done for.

Courtesy of Tech-Fall



Caldwell is beginning his celebration with Metcalf, both fists clenched, in pursuit.

Very well said on both points. But, I don't think the BM 'haters' were joking about the 'ejection'. However, I agree with you. Ejecting him from the tourney would have been a very poor call.

Thanks for sharing the cool photo. However, most people run with 'both fists clenched'. And, he clearly pushed and did not punch Caldwell.

Congrats to both and lets do it again next year!

Generally, I try to stay from generalizations (pun intended). I do not know how most run, however, ...


and

Was there an accusation of a punch being thrown?

At this point, Caldwell plans on a playing NCAA football next season and will take a redshirt for his wrestling season.

Interesting. What position does he think he will play in football and did he have a successful high school football career and lastly, is NCS any good at ftbl?

Thanks.

That is one way to keep from having a rematch. Really can't blame the guy I wouldn't want to wrestle Metcalf again either.

Ha! Now that is a good one. Lets see - Caldwell already PINNED him once. And, now beat him pretty easily in the finals. The only time Metcalf beat Caldwell (and yes, BM did tech fall) was early in the season during an exhibition.

Anyway, congrats to both.

Listen....Why are we so suprised to see any of this happen? I am not trying to condone what Metcalf did, but look at how he wrestles. He wrestles full throtle for 7 minutes every time out. You can go YouTube all of his matches and see this. I love watching this guy go at it. This has allowed him to bully most of his opponents. He is aggressive to the point they break and then he pours on the points. Now Caldwell comes out and punches him in the mouth and takes him down multiple times. I think the most effective way to wrestle Caldwell. Metcalf is out of his game plan and Caldwell gets the momentum and rides it to a victory. Then he taints it by rubbing it in his face. Everytime Metcalf won this year he ran back to the center with his hand out first, shook hands, then ran off of the mat...no emotion no showboating. Why can't Caldwell??? Celebrate with your team. This is not the NFL or the NBA. This is wrestling. Get up raise your hands in victory and celebrate with your coaches. Metcalf chasing him down is...in my opinion...not that suprising. There was still time on the clock. Where I will disagree is I think he was pissed when he pushed him and not trying to score points. This is the mentality of the Iowa Hawkeyes. Stay aggressive every second and find a way to punish your opponent. I listend to an interveiw with Coach Brands and the USA team where he condoned the actions of Roger Clemens throwing the barrell of a broken bat at Mike Piazza in the World Series a couple of years ago. This is the mentality in the room at Iowa. Metcalf could have injured Caldwell and Metcalf should have pulled up, but look at the body of work. Do your flips after time has expired after your opponent walks off of the mat. Not when there is time on the clock....this will cut your chances of peing shoved by a pissed off guy in a black singlet.

Me being a mom of a National Champ, I don't see how you can't showboat to a point, but I wasn't impressed with how he went about it. But you know it was in the moment, he can look back on in it later and say wow I shouldn't have done that, but when you are in the moment, know telling what you will do. If they all could do like my Champ that would be great but not all minds think alike right?? Congrats to him for doing what he set out to do!

[quote=coach craig] Everytime Metcalf won this year he ran back to the center with his hand out first, shook hands, then ran off of the mat...no emotion no showboating. Why can't Caldwell???

Why should he?

Why do we expect or want him to be a Metcalf clone? Why can't we let him celebrate the way he wants to? Its his life. Diversity is cool. Winning a national title is cool. Especially when it is beating someone that most every one else thought was UNBEATABLE.

He earned it. Some hated it. Some loved it. He earned it. He won.

I think, and it's just my opinion, alot of people are having an issue with the way he did it. There seems to be confusion as to when he started celebrating, some say it was before time ran out, some say it was after. I have ready Chenoweth's posts and watched the match and have to agree with him, time had run out, altough barely, when he started. And I agree with you dwelsh yes he earned and deserved it. He was obviously the better wrestler in the finals. He broke Metcalf and that's what it was going to take and he knew it. But as I said everbody has an opinion and is entitled to that and God Bless America for letting us speak it!

Amen Mom! Yeah for diversity and freedom of speech! BOO FOR CLONES!!! ;-)

Darrion Caldwell named TheMat.com Wrestler of the Week for March 17-23
TheMat.com
03/23/2009

Darrion Caldwell (Rahway, N.J./North Carolina State) has been named TheMat.com Wrestler of the Week for March 17-23.

Each week, TheMat.com will select an Athlete of the Week, based upon performance within wrestling for that week. The selection committee will consider any level of wrestling, from youth programs through the Senior level.

Caldwell, an N.C. State junior, delivered one of the most stunning upsets in the 79-year history of the NCAA Championships when he shocked Hodge Trophy winner Brent Metcalf of Iowa 11-6 in the 149-pound finals. Caldwell scored four takedowns in the win.

The third-seeded Caldwell came out aggressively, scoring two early takedowns to stun the No. 1 Metcalf. The second takedown was a headlock. Caldwell also kept Metcalf on the mat, racking up well over a minute of riding time in the match.

Caldwell caught and pinned Metcalf with a spladle early last season. It was Metcalf’s only college loss until Saturday night. Metcalf, a junior, won by technical fall over Caldwell in the all-star match at the beginning of this season which did not count in official records.

His victory snapped Metcalf’s 69-match winning streak. Caldwell was named Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament.

Caldwell opened the NCAA Championships with a pin over Cesar Grajales of Penn in 3:27. In the second round, he scored a major decision over Desmond Green of Buffalo, 10-2. In the quarterfinals, Caldwell had a major decision win over No. 6 Jake Patacsil of Purdue, 10-1. In the semifinals, he had another major decision, stopping No. 7 Bryce Saddoris of Navy, 13-2. He ended his season with a 38-0 record.

Caldwell placed fifth at the 2008 NCAA Championships as a sophomore, and was one match shy of All-American honors as a freshman. He was a three-time New Jersey state high school champion.

I do not want a Metcalf clone. That's boring. What I do want is some sort of respect towards your opponent.

You left out a very important piece of my post as well...Celebrate with your coaches and team...Do your flips when time has expired when you opponent has walked off of the mat. Not when there is time on the clock. Read the post don't just cut out and read what you want.

I am not against one getting excited. We will see this in Topeka this weekend. I am against showing up and showboating in front of your opponent. I am also against retaliating against this.

For the record I thought it was great that he beat metcalf. It shows that anyone can be beat on any day. Caldwell wrestled his match and did not let Metcalf bully him around. Also, I'm a Cowboy fan and any one that has the ability to keep Iowa out of the #1 spot I am pulling for.

I read all of your post. I think Caldwell was just happy and in the moment as 'mom' said. I doubt he did it with the intent to hurt BM feelings. He was just excited. I'm letting it go. Lets agree to disagree. Some think it was cool. Some think it was AWFUL. Some think it was in between.

I think that is where we will have to leave it. What we can agree on is it was a great match and DC took it to BM.

Amen. Take care.

I hope we (fans) get to see a rematch some day.

I don't think this match was a one time fluke. I'd put my money on Caldwell on the rematch because he figured out Metcalf.

If you watch Metcalf, he's notorious for breaking his opponents down with that heavy collar tie. He shuts them down and eliminates their attack and also wears them down by hanging all of his weight on his opponents neck and back. If you notice in the match, Caldwell shucked, blocked and passed the collar tie and kept turning the corner. He wouldn't let Metcalf get in his comfortable position. I think some of the other top 149 wrestlers will be watching tape and figure this out.

And when BM loses a match next year, I hope he takes it like a man that time.

And just to reiterate to Iowa fan, the flip was cleary after time was up and 10 feet off the mat. look at the tape!!! I think it's great that Iowa wrestlers wrestle a full 7 minutes, but you better turn if off when the 7 is up.

Also, nobody would be talking about Caldwell's flip is Metcalf didn't push him.