LAS VEGAS, NV – Isaac Dean led the Rider wrestling team on Friday at the prestigious Cliff Keen Invitational at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Dean was the lone Bronc to advance to tomorrow's semifinal round. The senior upsetted third-seeded and 2024 NCAA All-American Bennet Berge of South Dakota State.
McKenzie Bell (141 lbs) opened his day with a close 5-2 loss to Michigan's Sergio Lemley who was an NCAA qualifier from a season ago. Bell would then take on Julian Bell of South Dakota St in the consolation bracket and win by injury default after already having an 8-4 advantage. Bell defeated Wyoming's Cole Brooks in the first consolation round of eight but would fall to eighth-seeded Sam Latona of Virginia Tech to round out his day in the second consolation round of eight.
Sammy Alvarez (149 lbs) started his day with a quick fall over Vincent Milazzo of Sacred Heart in just 2:19. Alvarez moved on to the round of 16 to take on Wyoming's Gabe Willochel where he secured a tough 9-6 victory. With Alvarez's riding time, the match was deadlocked at six in the final minute of the match. The Oklahoma St transfer secured a clutch takedown to clinch the win and advance to the quarterfinals.
After picking up an 11-3 major decision in his first match of the day over Columbia's Dominic Rossetti,
Colton Washleski (157 lbs) fell to top-seeded Antrell Taylor of Nebraska in the round of 16. Washleski's day would end after an 8-2 loss to Wyoming's Jared Hill in the consolation bracket. Washleski would go 1-2 on the day.
Michael Wilson (174 lbs) started his day with a 4-2 win over Carter Schmidt of California Baptist. Wilson would then fall to third-seeded and 2x NCAA qualifier Lenny Pinto of Nebraska. The Bronc fell to the consolation bracket and secured a 4-2 decision over Columbia's Jack McGill. Wilson rounded out his day with a loss against NC State's Matthew Singleton. Wilson would go 2-2 on the day.
Isaac Dean (184 lbs) picked up a gritty 4-1 decision to start his day to defeat Cornell's Cole Barely. Dean continued his roll into the round of 16 where he secured another victory, defeating Ohio's Jeremy Olszko by a 7-3 decision.
Quarterfinals
(10) Sammy Alvarez vs (2) Ridge Lovett (Nebraska)
In the quarterfinal match, Alvarez met 2x NCAA All-American and second-seeded Ridge Lovett of Nebraska. After a scoreless opening period, Lovett escaped the bottom position, making the score 1-0. A few flurries of scrambles made things interesting in the second and third periods, but Alvarez could not get a takedown. Lovett earned a riding time point making the final 2-0.
Alvarez dropped to the consolation bracket to go up against Koy Buesgens of NC State. Each guy's pair of escapes made the score 1-1. The exciting match went the distance with Alvarez getting an escape in the first of ride-outs, giving Alvarez the 2-1 advantage. Then it was Buesgens' chance to get an escape but Alvarez remained tough and put Buesgens on his back, securing three near-fall points. A last-second escape would make the score 5-2 but Alvarez advanced to day two of the competition with automatic placement.
(11) Isaac Dean vs (3) Bennett Berge (South Dakota State)
Dean took on third-seeded and 2024 NCAA All-American Bennett Berge of South Dakota St in the quarterfinals. An opening takedown by Dean set the tone early to give him the 3-0 after the first period. Berge chose to start the bottom position in the second period and earn the escape making the score 3-1. Dean went into the final period on the bottom with a two-point lead. A quick escape rapidly made it 4-1. Berge brought the intensity and pressure in the final minute but Dean's defense would hold strong. Dean gave up two stall points in the third but would still secure the 4-3 upset victory over the fifth-ranked wrestler in the country.
Quotes and Notes
"We competed hard today but in a tournament like this, you need to believe you belong and that you're going to win when you take the mat. Our guys learned that lesson today, some better than others."
– Rider Head Coach John Hangey
Up Next
The Broncs are next in action tomorrow Dec. 7 for day two of competition of the Cliff Keen Invitational with Alvarez and Dean battling it out with the final eight wrestlers remaining in each of the ten weight classes. 29 Broncs will then compete at the Patriot Open on Dec. 8 in Fairfax, VA
