Results, Match Notes / Brackets
ST. LOUIS - Purdue's run at the NCAA Wrestling Championships came to a close during Friday's morning session inside of the Scottrade Center. Alex Griffin won his first match of the session, but was defeated in the third round of wrestlebacks at 157 pounds. In the second round of wrestlebacks at 197, true freshman Christian Brunner was forced to bow out after suffering his second loss of the tournament.
Griffin avenged an early season loss to Army's Russell Parsons with an 8-6 decision in the second round of wrestlebacks. The two-time qualifier took the 11th-seeded Black Knight down with 11 seconds left in the first period. A scramble situation ensued where Parsons reversed Griffin and earned a two-point nearfall, taking a 4-2 lead.
Griffin recovered, scoring a takedown at the 1:25 mark of the second period and all but secured the win with a third takedown with a minute remaining in the match. His 2:24 of riding time earned him his eighth point.
Virginia Tech's No. 14 Sal Mastriani was the next task for Griffin. Each wrestler had taken the other down and escaped for a 3-3 tie in the opening frame.
Mastriani's takedowns in the second and third periods, along with the riding time he accumulated, were too much for Griffin to overcome. The 8-5 loss, his second of the tournament, forced the redshirt senior to bow out while also bringing his Boilermaker career to a close.
The Lafayette, Indiana, native, concludes his campaign with a record of 26-15. Griffin's final season saw him set career highs across the board in nearly all win types and statistical categories. He has etched his name among Purdue's best when it comes to scoring back points. The 158 he racked up this season are the fourth most in a season for the Boilermakers. His four-year total of 310 ranks third for a Purdue wrestler in his career.
Fifty-four percent of Griffin's 71 career victories resulted with bonus points, earning six pins, a dozen major decisions and 20 technical falls. Those 20 tech falls accounted for 28 percent of his career wins.
An outstanding rookie season came to an end for Brunner in a 6-2 loss to Northern Illinois' Shawn Scott. The 11th-seeded Huskie registered takedowns in the first and second stanzas, with each followed by period ride outs.
Brunner, who became Purdue's first true freshman to qualify for the NCAA Championships since Cashé Quiroga in 2010, finishes with a 24-17 mark. His 24 wins are the second most for the Boilermakers this season.
The results, match notes contain complete play-by-play and notes from Purdue's matches during the two days of competition.
WR Season Comes to a Close in Session III
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