Two University of Wisconsin wrestlers fell short in their bids for national titles at the NCAA championships on Friday, but they both earned All-American honors in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Dean Hamiti (165-pound division) lost to Michigan's Cameron Amine 3-2 in the quarterfinals, but Hamiti earned his second All-American honor with a 10-2 major decision over Northern Iowa’s Austin Yant in the quarterfinals of the consolation round.
The Big Ten Conference champion advanced to Friday's stage with victories vs. Drexel's Evan Barczak and Illinois' Dan Braunagel. Hamiti pinned both Barczak in the first round and Braunagel in championship round 2
Meanwhile, heavyweight Trent Hillger (285) was defeated by Penn State's Greg Kerkvliet via decision with riding time 4-0 in the quarterfinals. Hillger recovered to beat Iowa State’s Sam Schuyler in SV overtime in the quarterfinals of the consolation round to earn his fourth All-American honor.
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Hillger beat Virginia Tech's Hunter Catka by decision in round 1 and punched his ticket to the quarterfinals with a 1-0 decision over Harvard's Yaraslau Slavikouski.
Eric Barnett (125 pounds) lost via 3-1 decision with riding time against Virginia Tech's Eddie Ventresca in the quarterfinals of the consolation round. Barnett advanced to that stage with a win vs. Michigan's Jack Medley at 7-4 with riding time.
Barnett pinned Oregon State's Brandon Kaylor in only 29 seconds in consolation round 2. Barnett defeated Columbia's Nick Babin by major decision in round 1 before losing to Lock Haven's Anthony Noto via decision in round 2.
In consolation round 3, Austin Gomez (149 pounds) was pinned by Michigan's Chance Lamer in 49 seconds.
Gomez advanced by beating NDSU's Kellen March with a 9-1 major decision in consolation round 2. Gomez defeated Central Michigan's Johnny Lovett by major decision in Round 1 and lost by decision to Arizona State's Kyle Parco in championship round 2.
In consolation round 2, Garrett Model (157 pounds) lost 9-6 to South Dakota State's Cael Swensen. Model beat Iowa's Cade Siebrecht by decision in round 1 and then lost to Nebraska's Peyton Robb by tech fall in championship round 2.
UW was 17th in the team standings with 25.5 points as of 9:15 p.m.
The championships wrap up on Saturday with session 5 at 10 a.m. and session 6 at 6 p.m.
