Unforgettable Moments from the 2025 NWCA National Duals: Complete Roundup and Key Highlights!
2025-01-10
Author: Chun
The 2025 NWCA National Duals brought together the top wrestling teams from across NCAA and NAIA divisions to the historic Cedar Falls arena. This year’s tournament was filled with thrilling bouts, stunning upsets, and remarkable displays of athleticism. As the tournament progresses, we’ll provide ongoing updates, results, and standout performances from this electrifying event.
NCAA Division 1 Quarterfinal Recap
The competition in the NCAA Division 1 was fierce, culminating in several decisive victories:
- Northern Iowa Dominates Ohio: The Northern Iowa Panthers showcased their prowess with a staggering 48-3 win over Ohio. Key performances included Trever Anderson, who pinned Logan Dean, and Julian Farber, who scored a technical fall against TJ England. Notably, Northern Iowa's 157 lbs wrestler, Ryder Downey, dominated his match as well, showcasing their team's strength across all weight classes.
- Northern Colorado vs. Wyoming: Northern Colorado took the lead against Wyoming with a 22-12 victory, showcasing some closely contested matches. Highlighting the match was the sudden victory win by Vinny Zerban at 157 lbs, which proved pivotal for the team.
- Little Rock Edges Cal Poly: In a nail-biting contest, Little Rock triumphed over Cal Poly with a final score of 22-19, featuring standout performances from Matty Bianchi, who secured a key win, and Tyler Brennan, who showcased his skills to keep Little Rock ahead.
- South Dakota State vs. Pennsylvania: The bout ended with South Dakota State holding off a fierce challenge from Pennsylvania, scoring a narrow 21-16 win. Max Gallagher and Jude Swisher delivered significant wins for Pennsylvania, but it wasn’t enough to clinch victory.
NCAA Division 2 Excitement
The Division 2 matches kept fans on the edge of their seats. Standouts included:
- St. Cloud State's Overwhelming Performance: St. Cloud State delivered a commanding 35-9 victory against Tiffin, with Alyeus Craig’s quick fall at 141 lbs underlining their dominance.
- McKendree vs. Marion: McKendree edged Marion with standout wins across weight classes. Joey Semerad pinned his opponent, showcasing McKendree’s overall depth and strength in their roster.
NCAA Division 3 Highlights
The NCAA Division 3 action didn’t disappoint:
- Wartburg’s Thrilling Triumph: Wartburg decimated Alvernia with a stunning 41-3 victory, illustrating their dominance in the weight categories, especially with Tommy Thongseng at 141 lbs who achieved a technical fall.
- Johnson & Wales Shines: Johnson & Wales showed no mercy as they took down Baldwin Wallace with a final score of 37-9, highlighted by consecutive falls and technical falls.
NAIA Action
In the NAIA division, fans witnessed unexpected outcomes:
- Grand View’s Clean Sweep: Grand View overwhelmed Morningside with an astounding 52-0 performance, a testament to their strategical strength and technical capability.
- Southern Oregon’s Narrow Victory: Southern Oregon took a close 22-18 win over Indiana Tech, with multiple matches going down to the wire, showcasing the competitiveness of the NAIA level.
Conclusion: A Wrestling Showcase to Remember
As the 2025 NWCA National Duals unfold, wrestling enthusiasts are treated to thrilling matches filled with suspense, athleticism, and exceptional sportsmanship. Fans are eagerly anticipating the semi-finals, where the stakes will undoubtedly be raised even higher as teams vie for glory. Stay tuned for more updates on the journey to crown the champions of this prestigious tournament!