Skip to main content
Join
Team Avatar
Penn State

NCAA Wrestling Tournament 2023: Julian Ramirez eliminates Alex Facundo in wrestlebacks

IMG_6598by:Nick Kosko•03/16/23•

nickkosko59

alex
(Penn State Athletics)

No. 4 Julian Ramirez (Cornell) and No. 13 Alex Facundo (Penn State) probably expected to face each other in the Round of 16 at the 2023 NCAA Wrestling Tournament. However, Ramirez won 12-2 in the first round of wrestlebacks and eliminated Facundo from the tournament.

Facundo and Ramirez found themselves on the wrong side of the first round of the NCAA Tournament, both suffering upset losses. Now, Facundo is headed home after a shocking 0-2 stint at the tournament.

Ramirez is still alive for the podium after getting NCAA title buzz prior to the tournament.

Ramirez had the opening takedown, followed by an escape for Facundo. The Cornell wrestler ended up landing another one before the end of the first period to lead 4-1. 

Facundo escaped in the second period but gave up one of his own in the third period and trailed 5-2 with 1:45 to go in the match.

The Nittany Lion started turning up the pressure and drew a stall call out of Ramirez. But then, Ramirez re-attacked off a Facundo shot and threw him to his back.

The Cornell star hit a six point move and added riding time in the end to advance in the wrestleback rounds. With three more wins in a row, he’ll clinch All-American status.

More on the 2023 NCAA Wrestling Championships

The 2023 NCAA Wrestling Championships were held March 16-18 at the BOK Center in Tulsa (Okla). The tournament consists of 330 wrestlers in total across 10 weight classes. Each weight class features wrestlers seeded No. 1 through No. 33.

Over the course of the three-day tournament, wrestlers can achieve national champion status by going 5-0 in their bracket, through Saturday night’s finals. The top eight placewinners in each bracket are considered All-Americans.

Losing one match does not eliminate a wrestler from competition. The consolation bracket is designed to determine the remaining spots on the podium (third through eighth place).

Since there are 33 wrestlers in each weight, the competitors seeded No. 32 and 33 compete in a “pigtail bout” prior to the first round to determine who matches up against the No. 1 seed in Round 1.

Losing the pigtail drops the wrestler to the consolation bracket where there is still opportunity to finish as high as third place in the weight class.

CLICK HERE to subscribe to the On3 YouTube channel today for all of the latest news on college football, recruiting, NIL, more! 

The 2024 NCAA Wrestling Tournament is set to take place in Kansas City (Mo.)