(Editor’s note: Iowa State athletics release)
CLEVELAND, Ohio – Jarrett Degen’s run at the 2018 wrestling NCAA Championships came to a close in the round of 12 on Friday night. Degen fell to No. 10 Jason Tsirtsis of Arizona State by 4-3 decision.
In his inaugural trip to the national tournament, the Belgrade, Mont., native posted a 3-2 record and fell just one win short of reaching the podium. He finishes the season with a final record of 23-11.
In the blood round, Degen faced former national champion, No. 10 Jason Tsirtsis of Arizona State. Tsirtsis scored first on an early takedown. Degen would get to this feet and trail 2-1 after the first period.
Degen began the second period on top and Tsirtsis earned an escape to extend his lead to 3-1. Degen remained agressive for the remainder of the period, but was unable to connect on his attacks. In the third, Degen cut the lead to 3-2 on an escape and was rewarded for his pace, tying the match at 3-3 on a pair of Tsirtsis stall calls.
In the end, Tsirtsis’ riding time was the difference in the contest and he advanced with a 4-3 decision.
To reach the blood round, Degen scrapped to a 2-0 record on Friday morning. He picked up victories over Minnesota’s Steve Blesie by 9-7 decision in sudden victory and then dominated Virginia’s Sam Krivus of Virginia by 8-0 major decision behind 3:08 of riding time.
Tournament Match by Match
149: Jarrett Degen (ISU) dec. No. 13 Colton McCrystal (NEB), 9-5.
149: No. 4 Troy Heilmann (UNC) dec. Jarrett Degen (ISU), 7-5
149: Jarrett Degen (ISU) dec. Steve Bleise (MINN), 9-7 (SV-1)
149: Jarrett Degen (ISU) maj. dec. Sam Krivus (UVA), 8-0 (3:08 RT)
149: No. 10 Jason Tsirtsis (ASU) dec. Jarrett Degen (ISU), 4-3.
