Follow along: Eight Iowa wrestlers compete in the 2021 NCAA Championship Session III quarterfinals
Eight Hawkeyes will compete in the quarterfinals and two others will wrestle in the consolation bracket
Mar 18, 2021; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes wrestler Michael Kemerer wrestles Army Black Knights wrestler Benjamin Pasiuk during the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
March 19, 2021
ST LOUIS — Eight University of Iowa wrestlers will compete in the 2021 NCAA Championship Session III quarterfinals Friday morning, and two others will wrestle in the consolation bracket.
No. 1 Spencer Lee vs. No. 9 Devin Schroder
In a match that saw Purdue’s 125-pound Devin Schroder trail by just one point in the second period, a dominant third period catapulted Iowa’s Spencer Lee to the 2021 NCAA Championship semifinals.
Lee scored six points in the the third period to down Schroder, 10-2.
No. 4 Austin DeSanto vs. No. 5 Micky Phillippi
For the second-straight match, a dominant third period clinched a semifinal berth and All-American status for an Iowa wrestler, as 133-pound Austin DeSanto scored five points in the third period after a six-point second period.
No. 1 Jaydin Eierman vs. No. 9 Dresden Simon
Clinging to a 1-0 lead early in the second period, it appeared Iowa’s 141-pound Jaydin Eierman was in for a close match with Central Michigan Dresden Simon.
“The Riddler,” however, quickly turned the tables, pinning Dresden before period two ended.
The victory is the 100th of Eierman’s career and clinches All-American status for him.
No. 12 Max Murin vs. No. 4 Boo Lewallen
After a back-and-forth match through three periods, Iowa’s 149-pound Max Murin fell to Oklahoma State’s Boo Lewallen in sudden victory.
Murin earned a third-period takedown to force the overtime session. He then surrendered a takedown just 32 seconds into sudden victory period.
Murin pounded his fist on the mat and threw his headgear down before he exited the mat.
Murin would’ve clinched All-American status and a spot in the semifinals with a win.
“I’m willing to to do whatever it takes to win,” Lewallen said after the match. “[In that match] it was getting a takedown in overtime.”
157-pound consolation: Kaleb Young vs. Benjamin Barton
Wrestling for a chance to earn All-America honors out of the consolation bracket, Iowa’s Kaleb Young defeated Campbell’s Benjamin Barton via 8-2.
157-pound consolation: Kaleb Young vs. Hunter Willits
After a win over Campbell’s Benjamin Barton in his first consolation match, Iowa’s Kaleb Young continued to work his way toward the third-place match and All-American status in his second consolation match with Oregon State’s Hunter Willits.
Young defeated Willits, 5-1. Young is now just three matches away from the third-place match.
This is a developing story. Check back throughout the day for updates
