Incoming Iowa Wrestling recruits Anthony Cassioppi (Hwt) and Nelson Brands (160) had a very successful day 2 at Junior Nationals in Fargo, ND. Cassioppi defeated Mason Parris of Indiana (#1 at 220) by a 12-2 tech fall in 2:42 to advance to the finals. After dropping a match in the Round of 16, Brands won three straight matches and will wrestle for third place.
Cassioppi, from Hononegah High School (Roscoe, IL), is ranked #4 at Hwt by Intermat and is attempting to repeat as a rare Triple Crown winner. Cassioppi and Brands, from Iowa City (West HS), IA are joined by Joe Kelly of West Liberty, IA and Aaron Cashman of Spring Park, MN in the Iowa Wrestling Recruiting Class of 2018.
The finals are at 1 PM today.
Round of 64 – Hwt
Anthony Cassioppi (Illinois) VFA Derek Rymer (Ohio), 4-0 0:14
Round of 32
Anthony Cassioppi (Illinois) VSU Jorden Pryor (Maryland), 11-0 1:37
Round of 16
Rd of 16: Anthony Cassioppi (Illinois) VFA Jacob Edwards (Pennsylvania), 4-0
Quarterfinals:
Anthony Cassioppi (Illinois) VSU John Mcconkey (Iowa), 10-0 0:43
Semifinals
Anthony Cassioppi (Illinois) VSU1 Mason Parris (Indiana), 12-2 2:47
Finals
Anthony Cassioppi (Illinois) vs Nash Hutmacher (South Dakota)
Round of 64 – 160 lbs.
Nelson Brands (Iowa) VPO1 Kolby Ho (Pennsylvania), 14-9
Round of 32.
Nelson Brands (Iowa) VSU Mison Mickle (South Carolina), 10-0 0:44
Rd of 16:
Danny Braunagel (Illinois) VPO1 Nelson Brands (Iowa), 13-7
Consi of 8 #1:
Nelson Brands (Iowa) VPO Austin Brenner (Minnesota), 9-0
Consi of 8 #2
Nelson Brands (Iowa) VSU Keller Rock (Arizona), 10-0 0:33
Consi semis:
Nelson Brands (Iowa) VPO1 Tyler Dow (Wisconsin), 3-3
3rd place match
Nelson Brands (Iowa) vs Robert. Kanniard (NJ)
