PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – North Dakota State sophomore Trent Sprenkle pushed his win streak to three with a victory in the consolation bracket third round at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships Friday, March 18. His three NCAA wins are the most for a Bison wrestler since the transition from Division II.
Sprenkle claimed an 8-2 decision over Wyoming’s Michael Martinez to advance to the consolation bracket quarterfinals. Sprenkle dominated from start to finish, claiming a takedown in each period. He also picked up an escape in the second period and a point for riding time. It was Sprenkle’s first win over Martinez in three tries this season.
Sprenkle will now wrestle 7th seeded Ryan Mango of Stanford in tonight’s session. Mango is coming off an 11-0 major decision loss to 2nd seeded Matt McDonough of Iowa. Live statistics are available. The sophomore is now one win away from a top eight finish and All-America status.
Sprenkle advanced to wrestle Martinez with a 10-5 win over Steven Keith of Harvard in the second round of the consolation bracket earlier this morning. Sprenkle opened with a dominant first period, scoring a takedown, a two-point near fall and a three-point near fall to take a 7-0 lead into the second period. Keith responded with a two-point near fall in the second period. The wrestlers scored three points apiece in the third period.
Sprenkle in the NCAA Tournament
1st round – Lost 4-3 decision to #11 Frank Perrelli of Cornell
Consolation 1st Round – Won by fall (2:48) over Garrett Frey of Princeton
Consolation 2nd Round – Won 10-5 decision over Steven Keith of Harvard
Consolation 3rd Round – Won 8-2 decision over Michael Martinez of Wyoming