Indiana wrestling reached new heights under coach Angel Escobedo's leadership this season, culminating in a historic performance at the NCAA Championships over March 20-22 in Philadelphia. For the first time since 2015, the Hoosiers secured a top 25 finish, tying Oregon State University and Maryland for 24th place all accumulating 18.5 team-points.
Escobedo's tenure saw significant milestones over the weekend as two Indiana wrestlers advanced to the quarterfinals, and three made it to the consolation round of twelve. Notably, graduate student DJ Washington punched through to an eighth-place finish and became the first Indiana University wrestler since 2017 to stand on the podium at the NCAA championship.
Washington earned All-American honors — a top eight finish in the NCAA tournament — which is a substantial milestone in a wrestler’s career. To place in the top eight, a competitor needs to advance to either the semifinal or past the notorious “Blood-Round” — slang for the consolation round of twelve — to guarantee a spot on the podium and in the national spotlight.
After a first-round loss, Washington's battle to claim All-American status included impressive victories over two previous All-Americans — South Dakota State's No. 5 seed redshirt sophomore Bennett Berge and Illinois No. 10 seed redshirt senior Edmond Ruth.
Washington had never defeated Ruth in their many previous meetings over the last seasons. However, Washington wouldn’t be denied his All-American finish in his fourth and final trip to the national tournament.
Graduate student Jacob Moran made waves for the Hoosiers with a crucial upset in the opening round. Moran scored the only upset of the round when he defeated Oregon State redshirt junior Maximo Renteria 7-6.
Moran fought tactfully against University of Northern Colorado redshirt junior Stevo Poulin but eventually fell via a 1-0 decision. Poulin would go on to finish eighth in the national tournament. Moran has one final year of eligibility and another shot at an NCAA season.
Graduate student Angelo Rini was a bright spot for the Hoosiers at 133 lbs. when he went on a two-match winning streak in the opening rounds. Rini upset both University of North Carolina redshirt junior Ethan Oakley and No. 5 seeded redshirt junior Dominick Serrano in a dominant 15-7 major decision. Rini then suffered two hard-fought defeats to finish his tournament in the consolation round of 12.
Redshirt sophomore Tyler Lillard ended his 165 lbs. season campaign after a 1-2 performance at the NCAA Championships. Lillard defeated Rider University junior Enrique Munguia by a fall in the second period.
In his second straight year, Lillard delivered a pin in the collegiate landscape's premier tournament. Notably, it was the only recorded pin by an IU wrestler during this year's tournament.
Redshirt sophomore Gabriel Sollars impressed at 197 lbs. in his first trip to the NCAA Championships. Sollars defeated rival redshirt senior No. 9 seed Zac Braunagel of Illinois University in a 6-5 decision, avenging the agonizingly close loss Sollars had to Braunagel in the dual earlier in the season.
Sollars went on to make the quarterfinals of the tournament before falling in the infamous “Blood-Round,” coming just shy of the coveted All-American placement.
Graduate Student Jacob Bullock finished his career as a Hoosier by delivering a 2-2 performance over the weekend. Bullock successfully became the first heavyweight in Escobedo’s tenure to qualify for two national tournaments. He defeated Iowa State University freshman Daniel Herrera and Army West Point freshman Brady Colbert in the consolation rounds.
The Hoosiers have set new standards for future seasons after the achievements made over this past weekend. The Hoosier lineup will return three of these national qualifiers next season in Moran, Lillard and Sollars all with remaining eligibility.
