2026 NCAA Championship Session IV Thread

[LealandLoyal]

1. If you told me a couple hours ago that I would be cheering for Antrell Taylor to win the 157 finals, I’d say you were crazy.

2. In football when there is a fumble the refs let it play out and then go take a look at review after. In soccer when there is a breakaway that could be offsides the ref lets the play continue and then look at the review after. Why can’t we do that in Wrestling?

 

[GregPickel]

Cael Sanderson laments 'blown call' in PJ Duke's semifinal. We cover that, have an NCAA Championships team race update, and full Penn State session 4 results as the Lions close in on another title.

Cael Sanderson laments 'blown call' in PJ Duke's semifinal; NCAA Championships team race update, full Penn State session 4 results

Penn State wrestling is racing away from the field for the NCAA team title and has six finalists. Here are out semifinal takeaways.

www.on3.com

 

[Misalorales]

Idaho Penn State fan, if you see this...Do you live in Mountain Home Idaho? Maybe spent a career in the Air Force by chance?

 

[HOA242n!]

Hate to say this as a PSU homer, but Davino deserved that.

Agreed. Blaze pulled a rabbit out of a hat the first time, but he's otherwise done nothing against Davino. Who knows about future weight classes, but as it is, I don't see him beating Davino or Forrest moving forward.

 

[gimb14]

If blaze and duke each win their first match tomorrow, the team race is clinched

 

[creamery freak]

"one of"....

Chris Perry is in that conversation also.

 

[gimb14]

was davino's locked hands covered enough? blaze should've won that one too.

 

[Pinne24]

No. The plan was to keep PJ away from Robi’s body. He just used hand fighting to do it for the entire match. PJ is brutal and confident in close quarters. So keep him away and effectively hope for the best. Who knew the best would be a massive referee failure.

I think Robideau wasn't aggressive at all, and I think he was trying to slow the match and hope his tank was better.

 

[manatree]

It’s the seventh time in history that 6 are in the finals

Thanks. I just remember that we did it the other year.

 

[CowbellMan]

Odd how Ferrari didn't want to pray with Batista after the loss. He always willing to pray after a win.

Said the same at the time. I also think he bloodies his nose on purpose just in case.

 

[An Old Pair of Asics]

Assuming you mean 27-28 season I’d say no especially if Ono has two years eligibility

Good luck beating a collection including following: (Too early to specify weights and wrestlers)

luke
Ono
Blaze
Desmond
Shepherd
Kasak
Duke
James
Henckel
Welsh
Barr
Mirasola

You forgot Sidun, James, Cunningham, and some others

 

[Misalorales]

Agreed. Blaze pulled a rabbit out of a hat the first time, but he's otherwise done nothing against Davino. Who knows about future weight classes, but as it is, I don't see him beating Davino or Forrest moving forward.

Really? It isn't like Davino has done much to him...He's older and has an extra year in a college room. I will wager a lot that blaze has a substantially higher ceiling than Davino. Kids younger than Jax Forrest. Hell, he's two months younger than bo basset.

 

[Nitlion1986]

If we were Cornell there would be hell to pay. There needs to be some tough questions asked and responsibility taken.

Can't we rent the Cornell legal team?

 

[RockyChi]

You forgot Sidun, James, Cunningham, and some others

Sidun will be a true freshman with Luke still there, I had James in my list, and I didn’t forget about Asher but Welsh will still be there.

 

[Roswelllion]

Davina is stronger. Blaze can work on that.

i did think this was the first match Marcus was the better wrestler.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Tom, shouldn’t Davino’s riding time stop when he was hit with stalling? If so, Blaze would’ve won.

I saw someone else mention that in the thread during the Session, but I didn't have time to address it.

As best as I can tell from reading the NCAA Rules for 2025-26, that's not the rule. The only time riding time would stop if stalling is called is IF it's called when the top wrestler is in the read standing position.

I usually mention caveats in situations that are unique to college, like this. I'm not a college ref. In HS, riding time is not kept or awarded, so it's not something I have experience with. My knowledge of it is limited to what's in the college rule book, what I've observed, and the many discussions I've had about it with college refs (pretty much all of the college refs that live in my region also ref HS, so I see them a lot, and ask them questions about college rules that I can't figure out on my own).

 

[Pinne24]

i did think this was the first match Marcus was the better wrestler.

He did dictate the wrestling the first seven minutes. Blaze will get pissed and get better.

 

[MikeReichard25419]

Quick shout to Nogle of the Air Force dropping first round and making it to AA as a higher seed

His dad John wrestled for my high school alma mater right after my time. His dad also taught me my favorite move.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Flo's live review of the Semis:

 

[js87931]

Tom, shouldn’t Davino’s riding time stop when he was hit with stalling? If so, Blaze would’ve won.

The rulebook language on this is a bit ambiguous (surprise surprise) but I believe the riding time stops only as long as they remain in rear standing. Davino returns him instantly so it starts accumulating again.

They did screw it up on the second drop down but that would not have changed the outcome.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Nitlion1986]

I saw someone else mention that in the thread during the Session, but I didn't have time to address it.

As best as I can tell from reading the NCAA Rules for 2025-26, that's not the rule. The only time riding time would stop if stalling is called is IF it's called when the top wrestler is in the read standing position.

I usually mention caveats in situations that are unique to college, like this. I'm not a college ref. In HS, riding time is not kept or awarded, so it's not something I have experience with. My knowledge of it is limited to what's in the college rule book, what I've observed, and the many discussions I've had about it with college refs (pretty much all of the college refs that live in my region also ref HS, so I see them a lot, and ask them questions about college rules that I can't figure out on my own).

Based on what I have witnessed this weekend you need to start doing some college matches. Take the test.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[LB99]

In football when there is a fumble the refs let it play out and then go take a look at review after. In soccer when there is a breakaway that could be offsides the ref lets the play continue and then look at the review after. Why can’t we do that in Wrestling?

This ^^

 

[PortaJ]

He did dictate the wrestling the first seven minutes. Blaze will get pissed and get better.

Davino showed that Blaze needs to add to his arsenal. The snap down, misdirections, go behinds aren't cutting it. I know Blaze has lived on that and he shouldn't toss it but needs to add more. Plenty of time this offseason to fine tune some stuff and work on some new approaches for his attacks

 

[gabletrained1990]

You forgot Sidun, James, Cunningham, and some others

Cael Sanderson laments 'blown call' in PJ Duke's semifinal. We cover that, have an NCAA Championships team race update, and full Penn State session 4 results as the Lions close in on another title.

Cael Sanderson laments 'blown call' in PJ Duke's semifinal; NCAA Championships team race update, full Penn State session 4 results

Penn State wrestling is racing away from the field for the NCAA team title and has six finalists. Here are out semifinal takeaways.

www.on3.com

I am older than most I imagine on this forum (and admittedly ‘free-ride’ as I’m on here obsessively but infrequently post b/c not sure I have much to add) but I recall a times past when ‘tie’ matches were decided by criteria. Up until this year I always thought it was ridiculous to put a match in the hands of a ref’s opinion and/or independent observer, but I’m beginning to think it might be better than this TB nonsense. The TB clearly benefits the wrestler who did less work during the other 9 minutes and is less spent. Unless refs start aggressively calling stalling AND more frequently giving takedowns to the wrestler who initiates the action, I’d rather see a 3rd Ref at the table make a criteria call than the current ride out formula. Just way too many matches where guys do nothing for 9 minutes against a guy actually working to win the match and benefit by having spent a fraction of the energy only to hang on for 19 seconds as opposed to their opponent’s 16 seconds. Not good for the sport.

 

[js87931]

He has control of the far ankle for nearly 5 seconds here. Blaze is struggling to free it and cannot. That’s a takedown.

 

[HOA242n!]

Really? It isn't like Davino has done much to him...He's older and has an extra year in a college room. I will wager a lot that blaze has a substantially higher ceiling than Davino. Kids younger than Jax Forrest. Hell, he's two months younger than bo basset.

Yes, really. Davino has been much closer to a TD in regulation in all three matches and looked to be the better wrestler in at least 2/3 matches.

I said it on here a few times early in the season as well, and got a lot of crap for it. Davino and Forrest are not the same guys he beat fairly handily in high school. Blaze is in the right room to figure it out.

 

[Psalm 1 guy]

i did think this was the first match Marcus was the better wrestler.

I felt like Marcus rushed the finish on his TD attempt. Had he been able to shelf the leg rather than standing up with it he may have been able to methodically work up for the TD, but the margins at these elite levels are so small.

 

[Misalorales]

Yes, really. Davino has been much closer to a TD in regulation in all three matches and looked to be the better wrestler in at least 2/3 matches.

I said it on here a few times early in the season as well, and got a lot of crap for it. Davino and Forrest are not the same guys he beat fairly handily in high school. Blaze is in the right room to figure it out.

You should get crap. It's a crap take man. But, it's a take nonetheless and I'm not here to change your mind. Have a good evening.well..morning lol

 

[js87931]

Davina is stronger. Blaze can work on that.

I don’t think it’s strength. Davino is way more dynamic. Blaze has never been a huge scorer. Wins a lot of controlled, but close matches. Davino has more paths to victory because of the opportunities he gives himself.

Blaze needs to keep developing the leg attacks. Reminds me a bit of young Gilman who was so reliant on snaps and short offense. Fix is another guy like this but he never developed. I do think Blaze has the length to get better there.

 

[IdahoPennStateFan]

Idaho Penn State fan, if you see this...Do you live in Mountain Home Idaho? Maybe spent a career in the Air Force by chance?

Far east side of the state. In the shadows of the Tetons.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Based on what I have witnessed this weekend you need to start doing some college matches. Take the test.

I appreciate the comment. But if anything, I'm looking to cut back on my reffing (I do more than just wrestling). I missed a chunk of this year's wrestling season when I went to Hawaii, and didn't mind it. I have two younger grandkids, and scores of places I want to travel to. So I'm trying to map out a way to do enough reffing to still be good at it, but to also spend more time with my grandkids, and more time traveling. It's a challenge, as I'm used to reffing all the time (like almost every day), in multiple seasons, but I've done my time. Plus, I've been invited to become a college ref in other sports that I ref, but while I came close a few different times, I kind of like reffing within an hour of my house (usually less). College refs get paid a good bit more, but they also travel a great deal more than I care to do. I used to travel within a multiple state region to ref tournaments, but now I only consider tournaments that are close to my home. Besides, while I'm in great shape for my age, I'm on the downside of my reffing career. I'll leave the opportunity to move up to the college ranks to younger refs.

 

[Pinne24]

Tonight, Davino was closer to a TD in regulation?

 

[Efejle]

Outside of Jax, Taylor's entire team has been a stalling machine all weekend. "Bunch of killers" my ***.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Nitlion1986]

I appreciate the comment. But if anything, I'm looking to cut back on my reffing (I do more than just wrestling). I missed a chunk of this year's wrestling season when I went to Hawaii, and didn't mind it. I have two younger grandkids, and scores of places I want to travel to. So I'm trying to map out a way to do enough reffing to still be good at it, but to also spend more time with my grandkids, and more time traveling. It's a challenge, as I'm used to reffing all the time (like almost every day), in multiple seasons, but I've done my time. Plus, I've been invited to become a college ref in other sports that I ref, but while I came close a few different times, I kind of like reffing within an hour of my house (usually less). College refs get paid a good bit more, but they also travel a great deal more than I care to do. I used to travel within a multiple state region to ref tournaments, but now I only consider tournaments that are close to my home. Besides, while I'm in great shape for my age, I'm on the downside of my reffing career. I'll leave the opportunity to move up to the college ranks to younger refs.

Yeah. I reffed for a few years when I was younger, then moving for different jobs, kids, wife and finding time was impossible.
Hawaii is easy to like, and time spent with grandkids should never be not enjoyed.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Efejle]

If blaze and duke each win their first match tomorrow, the team race is clinched

Don't even need that. Ok state needs all pins.