Kyle Parco calls it 'perfect timing' after upset of No. 1 Ridge Lovett

Arizona State’s Kyle Parco made waves during the final weekend of the wrestling regular season, beating No. 1 Ridge Lovett (Nebraska) 4-3.

Now, the Huskers got the last laugh in the 26-9 victory on Sunday. However, Parco gave Lovett, the national title favorite at 149 pounds, his first loss of the season.

It was a sign of Parco peaking at the right time going into the Pac-12 Championships and eventually the NCAA Tournament.

“As far as the rankings go, it’s kind of like perfect timing,” Parco said post match. “But at the end of the year, the rankings really don’t matter. It’s about who you’re wrestling in that match, who you’re going to step out there with. So I think it gives me a lot of confidence, but just reinforces what I’ve been thinking to myself, what I’ve been envisioning this whole time. So, it’s perfect.”

Parco is now 19-2 on the season and now No. 3 in the latest InterMat rankings. The three-time All-American has yet to finish at the top of the podium, but has finishes of 6th, 8th, and 4th.

A national finals appearance could be in the cards this time around. A rematch against Lovett anyone?

“My preparation is coming to fruition,” Parco said. “I think I’ve done a lot of work. I’ve prepared a lot so all that work is paying off. I just have to keep doing that after this point.”

Parco won the last two Pac-12 titles after transferring from Fresno State, where he was an All-American. It’s one tournament at a time, but the conference title is not the ultimate goal.
“The number one thing on my mind is being at the top of the podium,” Parco said. “It’s been on my mind for the past few months, especially. That’s what has been in my mind and I have to keep it there and just focus on that.” 

The seeding should be very interesting when it comes time for NCAAs. Of course, the conference championships have to play out first, then the world will have a clearer picture of Parco’s path to the title.

How will Lovett respond? Well, he’s expected to be the No. 1 seed at a loaded Big Ten Tournament at 149 pounds.

A title there and Lovett could very well end up being the No. 1 seed at NCAAs. As mentioned above, the brackets could play out to where these two see each other again, but on the big stage instead.