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Budd Survives Day One of NCAA Wrestling Championships

Mark Budd

Rebounding from a defeat earlier in the day, Budd turned a tightly contested first period into a flurry of takedowns that led him to a second consecutive victory over Pfennigs in a two-year span. Budd downed Pfennigs, 8-4, in last year’s NCAA tournament, and managed to leave right where he left off.

After a scoreless first period, the Orrville, Ohio native was awarded an escape at the 1:21 mark, then proceeded to take down Pfennigs for two additional points. An Oregon State escape was immediately followed by another takedown, making the score 5-1 at the end of the second stanza.

With the match nearly done with, Pfennigs turned Budd’s near fall attempt into an escape which cut into the lead. Budd rifled in for the takedown with 30 seconds left in the match to ice his first win of the tournament.

Budd’s next opponent, Rob Preston of Harvard, awaits Friday morning, as the two will face off for the first time ever in their respective collegiate careers. Preston drew a win over Ohio State’s T.J. Enright in the opening round, and fell to fifth-seeded Matt Keller of UT-Chattanooga in the second round. He is 8-3 on the year.

The second day of the NCAA Wrestling Championships resumes Friday morning at 11 a.m. with the championships quarterfinals and wrestle-backs.