March 22, 2013
DES MOINES, Iowa - Senior Ivan Lopouchanski advanced to the NCAA Wrestling Championship Round of 12 for the second time in his career Friday morning, earning a pair of victories to move on to the fourth session. His wins along with a major decision from fellow senior Tommy Churchard give the Boilermakers 6.5 team points for the championship and they sit in 35th place in the overall standings.
Lopouchanski opened the session with his 29th victory of the season, using a first-period takedown to earn a 3-2 victory over Wyoming's Brandon Richardson. The takedown came off a slick transition from a two-on-one tie to a double-leg, and he added an escape in the second period to come away with the win. He followed up with a 5-2 decision over Edinboro's David Habat in the third consolation round, again scoring in the first period in a scramble and riding tough in the third to seal the win. The match saw scramble after scramble from the two wrestlers as both were able to get to the other's legs, but neither was able to finish. Habat made it a little exciting in the third period, earning a reversal, but a second escape by Lopouchanski and the riding-time point were the final difference.
Lopouchanski will face fourth-seeded Cole Von Ohlen of Air Force in tonight's session with All-America honors on the line. The Boilermaker senior made the Round of 12 in 2011, while still at UNC Greensboro, and looks to climb the podium for the first time in his career.
Churchard opened the day with a solid 11-2 major decision over Ohio's Spartak Chino, but faltered in his third-round consolation bout as he was pinned by fourth-seeded James Green of Nebraska in 3:30. Churchard got off to a fast start in his first match, capitalizing on a throw attempt by Chino and putting him on his back for a six-point move after Chino called for injury time. Churchard added a reversal in the second and another takedown in the third to pick up the major decision and bonus point for the Boilermakers. The second match of the day would not go as well for the Purdue senior as Green reeled off three first-period takedowns and a reversal before cradling Churchard in the second period for the fall.
Churchard finishes his career with 57 wins and a 21-17 mark this season. His 15 reversals on the year match the No. 14 single-season mark in Purdue history and his 32 career reversals are tied for 13th all-time.
Sophomore Brandon Nelsen was bumped from the tournament at 141 pounds in his first match on Friday, suffering a 7-3 defeat at the hands of Virginia Tech's Zach Neibert. Nelsen was in on his opponent's legs early and often, but was unable to finish takedowns as he wrapped up his season at 26-14.
Tonight's session is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. (CT), and will have continued coverage from the ESPN family of networks. The semifinals will air live on ESPNU, while there will be continued webcast coverage on ESPN3. For brackets and team scores click here.
Purdue Results
141 Pounds - Brandon Nelsen
First Round - lost to #12 Chris Mecate (Old Dominion), D 6-3
Conso. First Round - def. Pat Greco (Northwestern), Fall 4:26
Conso. Second Round - lost to Zach Neibert (Virginia Tech), D 7-3
149 Pounds - #10 Ivan Lopouchanski
First Round - def. Josh Roosa (Bloomsburg), D 3-0
Second Round - lost to #7 Scott Sakaguchi (Oregon State), D 4-1
Conso. Second Round - def. Brandon Richardson (Wyoming), D 3-2
Conso. Third Round - def. David Habat (Edinboro), D 5-2
Round of 12 - #4 Cole Von Ohlen (Air Force)
157 Pounds - Tommy Churchard
First Round - lost to #5 James Fleming (Clarion), TF 16-0 (4:44)
Conso. First Round - def. Cody Pack (South Dakota State), D 3-0
Conso. Second Round - def. Spartak Chino (Ohio), MD 11-2
Conso. Third Round - lost to #4 James Green (Nebraska), Fall 3:30
174 Pounds - Chad Welch
First Round - lost to Cody Walters (Ohio), D 5-3
Conso. First Round - lost to Ian Korb (Penn), MD 12-4
197 Pounds - Braden Atwood
First Round - lost to #11 Blake Rosholt (Oklahoma State), D 3-2
Conso. First Round - lost to Mario Gonzalez (Illinois), D 7-1