UNC Wrestling Heads to Tulsa: Serrano Leads Championship Charge
The University of Northern Colorado (UNC) wrestling team is gearing up for the Large 12 Championships in Tulsa, Oklahoma, starting Friday, March 6th. This marks the first postseason competition under the leadership of head coach Teyon Ware, and the team is looking to build momentum despite a challenging regular season record of 3-10 overall and 2-6 in Big 12 duals.
Serrano’s Pursuit of a Repeat Title
All eyes will be on Dominick Serrano, a standout at 133 pounds, who enters the tournament with an impressive 15-1 record. Serrano is the defending Big 12 champion in his weight class and has been recognized for his consistent performance throughout the season, earning Most Outstanding Wrestler honors at the Southern Scuffle. He received a first-round bye and will face either Gunner Andrick of West Virginia or Carter Schmidt of Oklahoma in the quarterfinals.
First Round Matchups for the Bears
UNC wrestlers will face tough competition across all weight classes. Here’s a glance at the first-round matchups:
- 125 lbs: Bryson Valdez (2-13) vs. Jett Strickenberger (Oklahoma State, 14-5)
- 133 lbs: Dominick Serrano (15-1) – first-round bye
- 141 lbs: Joel Aguilar-Guerrero (5-5) vs. Tyler Wells (Oklahoma, 13-7)
- 149 lbs: KJ Evans (10-9) vs. Jacob Frost (Iowa State, 13-5)
- 157 lbs: Daishun Powe (11-13) vs. Vinny Zerban (Iowa State, 14-3)
- 165 lbs: Kilian Schultz (8-10) vs. LaDarion Lockett (Oklahoma State, 13-1)
- 174 lbs: Murphy Menke (10-8) vs. MJ Gaitan (Iowa State, 11-5)
- 184 lbs: Mahonri Rushton (14-12) vs. Nick Fox (Northern Iowa, 0-2)
- 197 lbs: Tyler Perry (5-15) vs. Bennett Berge (South Dakota State, 0-0)
- 285 lbs: Enzo Cappabianca (0-19) vs. Konner Doucet (Oklahoma State, 14-2)
The Road to the NCAA Championships
The Big 12 Tournament is crucial for UNC wrestlers hoping to qualify for the NCAA Championships, scheduled for March 19-21 in Cleveland, Ohio. Automatic bids are awarded to the winners of each weight class, making this weekend a high-stakes competition.
Supporting UNC Wrestling: The Takedown Club
Fans can support UNC Wrestling through the Takedown Club, which provides vital resources for training, performance technology, and travel. Contributions directly impact the student-athletes’ ability to compete at the highest level.
Tournament Schedule
Friday, March 6
- Session 1: Preliminary & Quarterfinal Matches — 10:00 a.m. CT
- Session 2: Semifinal & Consolation Quarterfinal Matches — 5:00 p.m. CT
Saturday, March 7
- Session 3: Consolation Semifinals— 12:00 p.m. CT
- Session 4: Finals — 7 p.m. CT
All sessions will be streamed live on ESPN+, with live scoring and real-time results available at TrackWrestling.com.
Stay Connected
For the latest updates on UNC Athletics, visit uncbears.com. Follow the wrestling team on X (@UNCBearsWrestle) and Instagram (@UNCBearsWrestle).
FAQ
Q: Where are the Big 12 Wrestling Championships being held?
A: The tournament is taking place in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Q: How can I watch the Big 12 Wrestling Championships?
A: All sessions will be streamed live on ESPN+.
Q: What is the Takedown Club?
A: The Takedown Club is a support group for UNC Wrestling that helps fund training, travel, and other essential resources.
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