“Mock MATNESS” Deep Dive: 197 lbs.
This is where we take a closer look at individual weight classes. The Brackets have been released for the 2024 NCAA Div. 1 Wrestling Championships and “Mock MATNESS” has now turned into legit Bracket Predictions! If the seeds play out as expected, many believe this Finals bout will be featured as the “Last Match of the Night.” It also could decide the winner of The Dan Hodge Trophy (Wrestling’s versoin of the Heisman Trophy).
1st Round: Jaxon Smith easily disposes of familiar Big Ten foe Garrett Joles. Another couple of Big Ten guys tangle when youngster Luke Geog takes on Silas Allred. Geog has a bright future ahead of him but the 2023 Big Ten Champ Allred, finishes him off with a FALL. “Sweet” Lou Deprez looked great in a matchup against Cowboy Luke Surber. Could Deprez go on a run? Keep reading to find out.
Zach Glazier defeats Andy Smith
Rocky Elam holds off Mac Stout in an early round UPSET scare.
2nd Round: In a HUGE UPSET, John Poznanski uses his “Old-Man Strength” to take apart the defensive puzzle that is Tanner Sloan. After advancing to the Finals last year, Sloan finds himself in the consolation bracket. You have to ❤️ ALL Rutgers wrestlers in the month of March. They always seem to bring their A-game accompanied by their well-known grit. In another UPSET, Rocky Elam looks to be in his old-form in order to take down Jacob Cardenas late.
Buchanan beats Little in the battle of “Stephen’s”
Silas Allred is starting to make some noise with his slightly unexpected win over Glazier
Quarterfinals: Trent Hidlay closes the door quickly on a Silas Allred magical run. The member of the “Wolfpack” takes Allred to the woodshed for a (14-1) bludgeoning. Speaking of magical runs, The Great Poz-nanski is no-more. Lou “Ferrigno” Deprez wins the battle of 🧱 💩 🏠 ‘s.
Aaron Brooks Major-Decision over Stephen Buchanan 13-3
Michael Beard Major-Decision over Rocky Elam 10-2
Semifinals: In a not-so-far away land, and not really that long ago, Michael Beard and Aaron Brooks were teammates at Pennsylvania State University. That makes for some drama in this matchup but Brooks quickly squashes that with (2) takedowns while racking up over a minute of riding time in the 1st period. The score is 6-2. AB escapes in the 2nd and gets another takedown pushing the tally to 10-2, going into the 3rd. After a injury scare to both wrestlers, Brooks secures the riding time point but Beard escapes shortly thereafter. Brooks by Major Decision 11-3.
Hidlay wins over Deprez 6-2
Finals: In the “Final Match of the NIght” and quite possibly the Dan Hodge Trophy, two of the best wrestlers in all of the NCAA, square off. Trent Hidlay begins the scoring with a beautiful shrug and go-behind scramble. It seemed like Brooks keeps getting to his underhook but Hidlay has a way of using it against AB. After one period, Hidlay leads 3-1. Hidlay gets his escape in the 2nd and goes up 4-1. Brooks cannot get his scoring going, however Hidlay is hit with a stalling warning. Brooks quickly escapes in the 3rd to make it 4-2 and HERE WE GO! This match will be decided one way or the other with the next takedown. Hidlay gets hit with another stall call and leads by one with :45 left. Brooks pressures and forces Hidlay to take a bad shot at the edge, Brooks is able to get both ankles while staying in bounds. Although, Brooks takes the lead 6-4, he thinks he hears the whistle, lets up and meanwhile Trent reverses to tie the score. We’re going to overtime! Aaron Brooks bullies Hidlay with his patented underhook and is able to gain control for the winning takedown, 9-6. Penn State has another 4x National Champion! Congratulations AB!