University of Wisconsin 149-pounder Austin Gomez has had a good week.
Gomez was named both the NCAA and the Big Ten Wrestler of the Week on Tuesday prior to the NWCA All-Star Classic. He collected the honors after a massive 9-3 upset of Cornell’s Yianni Diakomihalis on Saturday, handing his opponent (a three-time NCAA Champion) only the second career loss of Diakomihalis’ collegiate wrestling record.
Also Tuesday, one of the biggest wrestling invitational events in the country — the National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Star Classic — returned to action and Wisconsin was well represented at the elite competition in Austin.
2022 NCAA All-Americans Austin Gomez and Dean Hamiti were invited to the event, a showcase of the nation’s very best collegiate wrestlers. Wisconsin was also one of only four schools with more than one competitor invited, and one of only three in the Big Ten, joining powerhouses Iowa and Penn State with multiple invitees.
Hosted by FloWrestling, Wisconsin’s wrestlers split their results.
Gomez extended his recent winning streak as he earned an impressive 10-9 decision against Big Ten foe Sammy Sasso (Ohio State) at 149 pounds. The physical match saw a number of lead changes. Gomez would clinch the victory with four takedowns in the final period, including three in 25 seconds to defeat Sasso for a second-straight time in a rematch of the 2022 Big Ten Final (Gomez won 8-5 to take the title).
Hamiti lost 7-1 to Missouri’s top-ranked Keegan O’Toole at 165 pounds. O’Toole took an early lead and gathered over two minutes of riding time throughout the bout. Hamiti scored an escape for his lone point.
