2023 Who's Number One Boys Match Notes
2023 Who's Number One Boys Match Notes
Live updates of the premier high school wrestling event of the year.
Want to know what happened at this year's premier high school wrestling event of the year? Well good news, you're in the right place!
Follow all the action in real time as we bring you live updates of the boys' matches at 2023's Who's Number One, presented by Cliff Keen Athletics!
The girls' matches start (or will have started and might have already concluded by the time you read this) at 5:00pm ET and the boys' matches are scheduled to being at 7:30 pm ET.
Now that the girls matches are over, I've exchanged my commentary blazer for a pair of blogging slacks.
WNO blogging perch secured pic.twitter.com/HBZv7zVb7k
— Andrew Spey (@SpeyWrestle) September 2, 2023
We kick things off with a doozy. Perhaps the dooziest even, as Iowa commit Angelo Ferrari takes on uncommitted Ty Eise.
And before we begin, let me just say this that this crowd has been electric. They packed the gym for the girls matches earlier today and are keeping the boisterousness going for the boys. And the UW-Parkside facilities and staff? *chef's kiss*
170 lbs: #1 Angelo Ferrari, Texas vs #2 Ty Eise, Colorado
1st period: And we're off! Ferrari takes ground, wrestling from a low stance. Eise with a big club on the overtie. No scores after a minute. Ferrari fires off a low shot, Eise defends. Still no scores after two minutes. And the period ends with donuts on the scoreboard, 0-0.
2nd period: Ferrari starts the second period on top. Riding time in effect as we are using college rules. And the new ones too, so 3 point takedowns, which we'll see as soon as someone successfully takes someone else down. Blood time for Eise after 30 seconds. Eise escpaes quickly after the restart. Ferrari on a leg, gathers the second leg just barely on the edge of the mat. Three points on the board! Ferrari leads 3-1. Farrari putting a good ride in. And he rides out the period to keep it 3-1. Farrari has 1:38 on the RT clock as well.
3rd period: Ferrari starts down, escapes with 1:18 still on the RT clock, now with a 4-1 lead. Ferrari chewing up the click with solid defense and positioning. Ferrari in on a shot with less than 30 to go. Eise trying to counter in the final seconds but doesn't get it. Wouldn't have mattered if he did but anyway, 5-1 is the official final. Angelo Ferrari wins another WNO match!
And naturally, Ferrari flexes for the camera. Iowa's gotta an immediate impact wrestler when Angelo gets to campus.
Final: Ferrari 5, Eise 1
145 lbs: #1 Kollin Rath, Pennsylvania vs #2 Pierson Manville, Pennsylvania
1st period: It's a PA vs PA brawl. Rath is a PA state champ, still uncommitted. Manville is a Fargo All-American who is headed to Arizona State. No scores after a minute. Accidental eye poke but Manville shakes it off. Stalemate with a minute left in the period, still zip to zip. And that's how the period ends 0-0.
2nd period: Rath is on bottom. Manville stops the first two escape attempts. Out of bounds after 33 seconds, still 0-0, Manville riding. Manville sticking to Rath like glue. 90 seconds of RT accumulated for Pierson. And Manville gets the big second period ride out. 2 minutes of RT and 0-0 on the clock.
3rd period: Manville gets a turn on bottom. Rath won the last two folkstyle battles with Manville, including at PIAAs. Manville escapes after 17 seconds and is that much closer to revenge. Manville's defense holding strong. Rath on the attack, counter from Manville, Awesome scramble as they go out of bounds. Applause from the crowd for that excellent sequence. Manville picks up a stall warning but that's all. He'll hold on to win 2-0 with the riding time point. The avenging WNO victory for Manville!
FInal: Manville 2, Rath 0
160 lbs: #1 William Henckel, New Jersey vs #2 Joe Sealey, Pennsylvania
1st period: This is a continuation of the great Blair (Henckel) vs Wyoming Sem (Sealey) rivalry. Sealey headed to Penn State next year, Henckel is still uncommitted. Sealey strikes first with a low level shot that he converts quickly for two. Henckel stands and is out after 16 seconds. 3-1 Sealey leads. Henckel won a freestyle bout at the U20 team trials but it was a close 9-7 bout. Both wrestlers like a wide open match from neutral. Prolonged scramble late in the first period. Henckel has Sealey hopping on one leg but can't convert before time runs out in the first. Sealey leads 3-1.
2nd period: Sealey chooses down. He's out to make it 4-1. Some good flurries but no more scores for the rest of the period. Sealey leads 4-1 still.
3rd period: Henckel takes down. He's out quickly. 4-2, RT not a factor. And Henckel immediately on a leg. He's got Sealey hopping again. Henckel taking his time, but Sealey kicks free, no score. 1:20 left. Both wrestlers stay on the offense, taking shots, though nothing lands, now with 20 seconds to go. Sealey shutting Henckel down. And that's how it ends. Sealey with a 4-2 win and another revenge victory here in Kenosha!
Final: Sealey 4, Henckel 2
113 lbs: #1 Christian Castillo, Arizona vs #1 (106) Paul Kenny, New Jersey
1st period: It's #1 vs #1 as World Champ Paul Kenny is bumping up to take on #1 Christian Castillo. Castillo was on the same world team this summer where Kenny earned gold. Castillo came home without a medal this year but in 2022 it was a silver medal from U17 Worlds for Christian. Castillo almost scores first but Kenny granbies as they go out of bounds to avoid the TD. Kenny then gets in on a shot but Castillo nearly counters. The crowd wanted three (though some still yelled for two, understandably) but Kenny threw a whizzer in just in time. One minute left, still 0-0. Another couple of flurries but the period ends 0-0.
2nd period: Kenny defers and Castillo takes bottom. Castillo stands, is brought down, stands again and is out. He leads 1-0. More flurries but no takedowns and it's 1-0 after another period. Castillo leads 1-0.
3rd period: Kenny is out in a hurry and the score is tied 1-1. Kenny has 21 of RT but it probably won't matter. Castillo nearly with another takedown but Kenny does the splits and avoids another takedown. A shot in the final seconds doesn't land for Kenny and we're going to overtime!
Overtime: Two minutes on the clock, but Castillo won't need most of it. Finally he finishes cleanly and that'll do it. Castillo with the 4-1 victory in overtime!
Final: Castillo 4, Kenny 1
132 lbs: #1 Ben Davino, Illinois vs #2 Kyler Larkin, Arizona
1st period: We're really cooking now. World teamer vs world teamer. Davino in on a single right off the bat. And he trips Larkin to the mat for three. Larkin with the reach advantage. Larkin out to make it 3-1. 44 seconds of RT for Davino. Davino in on another shot, a throw by, and nearly converts but Larkin's long frame keeps him at bay. More flurries but no scores so the period ends 3-1.
2nd period: Davino on bottom, he's out after about 30 seconds. Another shot by Davino, but he can't finish. Time runs out and it's 4-1, still Davino.
3rd period: Larkin chooses down. Larkin escapes to make it 4-2. A takedown will give him the lead. RT not a factor. Larkin underneath on a shot, Davino grabs ankles. They keep scrambling, stalemate. 30 seconds to go. Larkin on the attack but Davino shuts him down. And it's a victory for Davino!
Final: Davino 4, Larkin 2
126 lbs: #1 Jax Forrest, Pennsylvania vs #4 Jordyn Raney, Kentucky
1st period: Forrest is a U17 world silver medalist in freestyle while Raney is a U17 world gold medalist in Greco-Roman. Now they meet for a college rules folkstyle bout. Raney also beat Forrest at Super 32. And this match is going off from the first whistle. Crazy scramble, Raney some how comes out on top for three. Forrest reverses for two. Raney escapes to make it 4-2 in Raney's favor. Forrest then hits a crazy throw-by to make it 5-4. Forrest with a two-on-ne tilt for a quick two, then an escape by Raney and it's 7-5. Short offense drag by Forrest for three more. Escape by Raney and it's 10-6. And mercifully for my sore fingers the period ends.
2nd period: Forrest underneath, he scrambles, almost a peterson but he'll settle for two. Forrest leads 12-6. Raney escapes, then hits a misderection slide by for three an with the escape earlier its 12-10, Forrest leads. Raney gets the ride out (after some absurd flurries) and this barn burner goes to the third, still 12-10.
3rd period: Raney underneath, he's out to make it 12-11, RT not a factor. Raney almost hits another throw by but Forrest somehow defense. Raney tries for a high flier but Forrest catches him and collects three more to make it 15-11. Escape then another quick throw by to make it 15-15! Raney comes back to tie. Then rides out the period. Overtime!
Overtime: Both wrestlers shoot, no scores. Restart. Ferocious slide by for Forrest and he gets three. Tremendous performance from both wrestlers! Standing O from the crowd. Forrest wins 18-15! Match of the night so far! Will be tough to beat!
Final: Forrest 18, Raney 15
220 lbs: #1 Cody Merrill, California vs #2 Sawyer Bartelt, Florida
1st period: Moving up to the heaviest division here at this year's WNO. Merrill immediately down on a leg and he's got the first three. Bartelt escapes to make it 3-1. After two minutes Merrill has another single and he swings Barelt down for two more and it's 6-1 just like that. 3 point takedown in action! Merrill gets the rideout, still 6-1.
2nd period: Merrill is underneath, he's out quickly and it's 7-1, riding time still over a minute. Another single leg from Merrill and he's unstoppable from this position. 10-1, now 10-2 as Bartelt escapes. 1:51 of RT. And that's how the period ends.
3rd period: Bartelt chooses neutral. No scores after a minute. Still 10-2. Bartelt trying to make something happen, snap down go behind for Merrill and it's 13-2. Escape for Bartelt, but that all he'll get this match. 14-3 is the final with the RT point. Dominant win by Merrill!
Final: Merrill 14, Bartelt 3
138 lbs: #1 Daniel Zepeda, California vs #2 Bo Bassett, Pennsylvania
1st period: U17 world gold medalist Bo Bassett is bumping up to take on Cody Merrill's teammate, Daniel Sauce Zepeda going right at Bassett. Scramble ensues, CRAZY scramble. Zepeda comes out on top and its 3-0. Bassett gets caught while trying to escape and Zepeda collects three nearfall to make it 6-0. Escape and right back into a takedown for Bassett and it's 6-4, still Zepeda. An escape makes it 7-4. Bassett on the attack, scramble late in the first, but Zepeda manages to fend him off with a well places foot. 7-4 into the second.
2nd period: Bassett starts on top, his pace may become a problem for Zepeda. Big scramble again and he gets the reversal to make it 7-6, Zepeda in the lead. Escape Zepeda and it's 8-6. Bassett shoots in, Zepeda defends and breaks Bassett's grip on his leg to cover for three an an 11-6 lead.
3rd period: Zepeda chooses down. Bassett lets him up, 1:19 of RT in Zepeda's favor, score 12-6. Zepeda holding his own and is able to match Bassett's pace now. Snap down go behind for Zepeda and that propels him to a 15-6 lead. Escape Bo and it's 15-7. Another scramble and after a danger count it's three more for Zepeda. Plus four nearfall and Zepeda is close to icing this. A pinfall makes it official. Daniel Zepeda gets the dub!
Great fight from Bassett and lots of fun scrambles but Zepeda was too much. Our own David Bray asked Zepeda's coach, Daniel Cormier, why he calls Daniel "Sauce", and Cormer said, "Because he's got the sauce, Dave!" So that settles that.
Final: Zepeda over Bassett by pinfall
120 lbs: #1 Anthony Knox, New Jersey vs #2 Leo DeLuca, New Jersey
1st period: New Jersey on New Jersey super match for the co-main event. They're training partners who have never wrestled each other outside the practice room. Both are also uncommitted, so this match will be of great interest to the many college coaches here in attendance. Low single leg shot from DeLuca and he brings Knox down to the mat and finishes for three. Knox almost has the reversal but settles for the escape, 3-1 in DeLuca's favor. Lots of wrestling still to go. Extremely high level scrambles but no more scores. We go to the second still 3-1.
2nd period: Knox chooses down. Two big mat returns for DeLuca and he's still go control. Restart and this time Knox is out, it's 3-2, DeLuca has 1:03 of RT. Fierce hand fighting but no more scores and the period ends 3-2, still favoring DeLuca.
3rd period: DeLuca chooses neutral. Knox on the attack, DeLuca chest wraps and they go out of bounds. Just 43 seconds left, DeLuca with the 1 point leads and RT, but a takedown by KNox, even with 2 seconds left, will be enough to win. Stall warning on Deluca. Knox in on a shot, 10 seconds left, DeLuca tries to roll through, Knox stops him and gets three, plus nearfall. 9-3 with four nearfall. Knox comes through in the clutch!
Final: Knox 9, DeLuca 3
195 lbs: #1 Connor Mirasola, Wisconsin vs #2 Aeoden Sinclair, Wisconsin
1st period: Already our final match of the night! Time flies when you're watching kick ass wrestling. This one is not only Wisconsin vs Wisconsin, but Askren Wrestling Academy vs Askren Wrestling Academy. They've wrestled in an AWA event before but never in a bout of this magnitude. Sinclair made the U17 world team while Mirasola fell just shy of the U20 world team, then crushing the field at Fargo before this bout. Sinclair, who is coached by Ben Askren, is committed to Mizzou. Mirasola, who is coached by Max Askren, is committed to Penn State (along with Connor's twin brother Cole). No Scores after 90 seconds. Lots of handfighting and some decent flurries but goose eggs after 3 minutes, 0-0.
2nd period: Mirasola chooses down, Sinclair putting on a solid ride. A nice flurry but Mirasola can't escape. Sinclair breaks Mirasola down and has him flat and has a high figure four. There's a stalemate to give Mirasola a fresh start but Sinclair gets the ride out anyway. 0-0 but 2 minutes of riding time.
3rd period: Sinclair on bottom, Mirasola cuts him and it's 1-0. Level change from Mirasola, Sinclair down blocks then chases down a leg. he converts for three and it's 4-0 late in the 3rd. Sinclair riding again but he's not getting a turn and is dinged for stalling. Mirasola gets the escape on the restart to make it 4-1, but riding time is locked up so a takedown still won't do it for Mirasola. It won't come to that though, as Mirasola can't get through Sinclair's defenses and that's it. Aeoden Sinclair wins the battle of Wisconsin and AWA. A solid 5-1 victory for Sinclair!
Final: Sinclair 5, Mirasola 1
And that's all she wrote! What a tremendous day of wrestling at UW-Parkside! Big shouts to our hosts, our sponsors, and don't forget to donate to the folks in Maui if you can! Thanks for being here for another incredible Who's Number One. Sorry for the typos, see you next time!