WATCH: Top-three seeds in 125-pound bracket fall in Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals

No. 1 Matt Ramos, No. 2 Drake Ayala, and No. 3 Eric Barnett will now have to battle for third place.

March 9, 2024

Iowa’s No. 7 125-pound Drake Ayala sits on the bench during a wrestling dual between No. 3 Iowa and No. 1 Penn State at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024. The Nittany Lions defeated the Hawkeyes, 29-6. (Ayrton Breckenridge/The Daily Iowan)

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Chaos ensued in the 125-pound Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals.

Purdue’s No. 1 Matt Ramos, who upset three-time national champion Spencer Lee in last year’s NCAA semifinals, fell, 7-1, to Rutgers’ No. 9 Dean Petersen. It was Ramos’ first match of the day, as he had a bye in the first round.

Here’s another look at Dean Peterson (@DTMP02) upsetting No. 1 Matt Ramos. 😲#B1GWrestle x @RUWrestling pic.twitter.com/AbtU9UVfd3

— Big Ten Wrestling (@B1GWrestling) March 9, 2024

Iowa’s No. 2 Drake Ayala, who also had a bye in the first round, fell, 4-1. It was knotted at one heading into the third period, and Northwestern’s No. 7 Michael DeAugustino scored a takedown near the edge in the final 10 seconds to clinch the match.

ANOTHER MASSIVE UPSET IN THE QUARTERFINALS! 🚨

No. 7 at 125 Michael DeAugustino earns the 4-2 decision over No. 2 Drake Ayala. 👀#B1GWrestle x @umichwrestling pic.twitter.com/rqOmfCLhra

— Big Ten Wrestling (@B1GWrestling) March 9, 2024

Wisconsin’s No. 3 Eric Barnett lost to Penn State’s No. 6 Braden Davis in sudden victory because of an illegal hold. Just a three-hour drive from State College, the pro-Penn State crowd loved the upset.

It is absolute pandemonium here in Maryland

Braeden Davis wins in SV with an illegal hold against Eric Barnett. Whole match was amazing. pic.twitter.com/ToEKDCUNML

— Christian Pyles (@CPyles8) March 9, 2024

It was LOUD inside the XFINITY Center when No. 6 Braeden Davis secured the SV win over No. 3 Eric Barnett to advance to the 125 Semifinals. 🔊 #B1GWrestle x @pennstateWREST pic.twitter.com/uAtrdKFA5o

— Big Ten Wrestling (@B1GWrestling) March 9, 2024

The three 125-pounders will move down to the consolation bracket but still have a shot for third place.

About the Contributors

Kenna Roering, Sports Editor

she/her/hers

Kenna Roering is The Daily Iowan's sports editor. She is a junior at the University of Iowa majoring in journalism with a minor in sports and recreation management. Kenna previously worked as a sports reporter for men's wrestling and volleyball and was the summer sports editor in 2023. This is her second year with the DI.

Ayrton Breckenridge, Managing Visuals Editor

(he/him/his)

Ayrton Breckenridge is the Managing Visuals Editor at The Daily Iowan. He is a senior at the University of Iowa majoring in journalism and cinema. This is his fourth year working for the DI.