PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Sophomore Ivan Lopouchanski was just seconds away from becoming the first All-American in UNCG wrestling history on Friday, but fell in overtime as UNCG concluded its stay at the 2011 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships.
After scoring a pair of decision wins earlier in the day, Lopouchanski found himself in the round of 12 just one win away from earning All-America status. In that match he was pitted against Jamal Parks from Oklahoma State, who is ranked fifth nationally.
After some back-and-forth action in the first period, Lopouchanski trailed 5-4, but earned an escape later in the match to tie things at five. Late in the third period, Lopouchanski had riding time locked up and was theoretically winning 6-5, but he was called for locking hands with just two seconds left in the match, which tied the match at six and forced sudden victory. In the extra session, Parks was able to score a takedown and won the match, 8-6.
Lopouchanski finished the season with an incredible 41-10 record, becoming the only UNCG wrestler to ever hit the 40-win plateau.
Lopouchanski started his day with an 8-3 decision victory over Joseph Napoli from Lehigh. He was then able to advance into the round of 12 with another 8-3 win, this time over Oregon State's Scott Sakaguchi, who is ranked 17th nationally.
Junior Manny Ramirez was also able to advance into the second day, but he fell in his first match of the day to No. 12 Jarrod Garnett from Virginia Tech, 8-4, to be eliminated.
AGATE
125 pounds:
No. 12 Jarrod Garnett (Virginia Tech) dec. Manny Ramirez (UNCG), 8-4
* Manny Ramirez eliminated from tournament
149 pounds:
No. 14 Ivan Lopouchanski (UNCG) dec. Joseph Napoli (Lehigh), 8-3
No. 14 Ivan Lopouchanski (UNCG) dec. No. 17 Scott Sakaguchi (Oregon State), 8-3
No. 5 Jamal Parks (Oklahoma State) dec. No. 14 Ivan Lopouchanski (UNCG), 8-6 SV1
* Ivan Lopouchanski eliminated from tournament
- UNCG -
