Cornell's Kyle Dake captured his historic third NCAA championship at a third weight class, this time at 157 pounds. Dake won at 149 pounds last year after winning the 141 two years back. Unfortunately for MMA fans, Dake will likely try his hand at international wrestling before a potential MMA career.
The most impressive performance of the NCAA tournament was turned in by Penn State's David Taylor. Taylor destroyed the competition, registering four pins and a technical fall to capture the 165 pound championship. Kellen Russell took his second NCAA championship at 141. Matt McDonough won his first 125 pound championship after finishing second last year.
Many of these elite athletes will try to continue a path of amateur wrestling, but some will come to mixed martial arts. Strength, conditioning, mental toughness, the ability to cut weight and quickness are all traits of most high level wrestlers.
The biggest skill that transfers to MMA is the ability to take someone down and defend the take down. However, the mental aspect cannot be overlooked as most of these guys take part in over 100 combat matches over a college career.
125- Matt McDonough (Iowa) def Nicholas Megaludis (PSU) 4-1
133- Logan Stieber (OSU) def Jordan Oliver (Ok St) 4-3
141- Kellen Russell (Mich) def Montell Marion (Iowa) 6-4
149- Frank Molinaro (PSU) def Dylan Ness (Minnesota) 4-1
157- Kyle Dake (Cornell) def Derek St. John (Iowa) 4-1
165- David Taylor (PSU) def Brandon Hatchett (Lehigh) 22-7
174- Ed Ruth (PSU) def Nick Amuchastegui (Stan) 13-2
184- Steve Bosak (Cornell) def Quentin Wright (PSU) 4-2
197- Cam Simaz (Cornell) def Chris Honeycutt (Edinboro) 7-5
285- Anthony Nelson (Minn) def Zachery Rey (Lehigh) 4-1
Team Standings:
1. Penn State - 143
2. Minnesota - 113.5
3. Iowa - 103.5
4. Cornell - 90.5
5. Oklahoma State - 66
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