The Tigers are sitting in 4th place with 70.5 points after day one of NCAA’s and have four automatic qualifiers with Gage Walker, Cam Steed, Aeoden Sinclair, and Jarrett Stoner. They’re behind ASU with 78.5 points and are just ahead of SDSU with 69 points.They also have Teague Travis as a possibility. While the Tigers are in a solid position as a team, it’s filled with a rough day overall.
Evan Bates and Easton Hilton went 0-2, while multiple other wrestlers suffered upsets to not qualify. The Tigers struggled in multiple matches and had struggles on bottom and finishing shots. They’ll need a number of At-Larges and have a number of bubble wrestlers who can improve their case with a win in the morning.
125lbs: #29 Mack Mauger – Not Qualified (2-2)
– First Round: #29 Mack Mauger Maj. Tucker Owens (AF) (10-2)
– Quarterfinals: #6 Troy Spratley (OKST) Maj. #29 Mack Mauger (9-0)
– Consolations Round Two: #29 Mack Mauger Dec. An’ee Vigil (ASU) (7-2)
– Consolations Round Three: #21 Brady Roark (SDSU) Dec. #29 Mack Mauger (1-0)
– Upcoming Match: Tucker Owens (AF)
Mauger came in unseeded and started his tournament taking out the eight seeded Tucker Owens. Mauger did a great job of getting to his ties early and getting to his single. He locked up a cradle and got some nearfall but Owens managed to not give up the pin. Mauger didn’t stay as aggressive after that, but had a nice reattack for the clinching takedown in the third with a good rideout. His quarterfinals match was against top seeded Spratley who teched him in the dual. Mauger kept it closer but it was more due to Spratley’s insistence on a tough ride.
Mauger looked good in his consolations match with Vigil, getting to his offense and handfighting well late to not give anything up. Against Roark it felt like Mauger was controlling the handfight again but wasn’t able to score. Then in the third Roark got a full rideout to win on an escape. It was a surprising result as Mauger was well in control and scoring in their match at the Invite.
Mauger will need an At-Large as there are only five qualifiers at this weight. He has some going in his favor, but finishing 7th over 8th could have a big impact.
