WVU’s Killian Cardinale Makes it to Round of 16 at NCAA Wrestling Championships

TULSA, Okla. — West Virginia fifth-year Killian Cardinale made it to the Round of 16 at the NCAA Wrestling Championships Thursday morning at the BOK Center.

No. 28 Cardinale (11-1) took on No. 5 Appalachian State’s Caleb Smith (26-6) in the Round of 32 in a tough matchup at 125 pounds. Both wrestlers kept it close, but a crucial takedown from Cardinale put him into the next Round with a 3-2 decision.

We aren't surprised.

The takedown that made the difference as Killian Cardinale knocked off Caleb Smith. #HailWV pic.twitter.com/eRxCvQGGo6

— WVU Wrestling (@WVUWrestling) March 16, 2023

The success from Cardinale didn’t translate to success from the other wrestlers in that Round of 32 for the the Mountaineers.

No. 29 redshirt first-year Jordan Titus (21-13) stood no chance against No. 4 Nebraska’s Brock Hardy (28-5), losing in a 12-4 major decision at 141 pounds.

No. 14 junior Payton Hall (23-5) lost to No. 19 Illinois’ Dan Braunagel (20-11) in a 16-5 major decision at 165 pounds. Hall also lost to Braunagel in the Quarterfinals at the Midlands Championships in late December. 

No. 33 redshirt junior Anthony Carman (18-14) won his preliminary matchup against No. 32 Gardner-Webb’s Jha’Quan Anderson (25-15) in a 5-3 sudden victory at 184 pounds.

He then came up short against a great opponent in No. 1 Northern Iowa’s Parker Keckeisen (23-1), losing a 12-3 major decision in the Round of 32.

No. 31 redshirt sophomore Austin Cooley (17-10) didn’t score at all in his matchup with No. 2 Cal Poly’s Bernie Truax (14-1), suffering an 8-0 shutout decision at 197 pounds.

No. 25 redshirt junior Michael Wolfgram (20-13) battled hard with No. 8 Iowa State’s Sam Schuyler (18-3), but lost a 4-2 decision. Wolfgram also lost a 4-2 decision to Schuyler at home in a duel match on Feb. 3. 

WVU will wrestle again tonight at 7 p.m. EST in the Round of 32 and Consolations. Stay tuned for coverage from West Virginia Sports Now of WVU wrestling for the NCAA Championships these three days.

Round of 32

125-No. 28 Killian Cardinale vs. No. 21 Wyoming’s Jore Volk (24-9)

Consolations

141-No. 29 Jordan Titus vs. No. 13 Oklahoma State’s Carter Young (15-13)

165-No. 14 Peyton Hall vs. No 32 Wyoming’s Cole Moody (17-15) OR No. 30 Drexel’s Evan Barczak (25-7)

184-No. 33 Anthony Carman vs No. 16 Pitt’s Reece Heller (18-9)

197-No. 31 Austin Cooley vs No. 18 Oregon State’s Tanner Harvey (20-8)

285-No. 25 Michael Wolfgram vs No. 24 Rutgers’ Boone McDermott (16-6)