149 is yet another weight that I am looking forward to at the Big Ten Championships this weekend. Pat Lugo looks like a confident senior that is on a mission. The top four in the Pre-Seeds are ranked in the top seven in the country and Lugo has competed against the other three wrestlers. That is an advantage for Iowa. Lugo will have a tough match in the semifinals if seeds hold up with Brayton Lee of Minnesota. Lugo defeated Lee in the dual meet 3-2.
There is a potential rematch in the finals with #1 Sammy Sasso of Ohio State who was the only one to defeat Lugo this season. I am really hoping for that rematch in the finals. I like Lugo’s chances.
Lugo has continued to improve this season and he looked his best ever with a Fall in 2:21 over #5 ranked Boo Lewallen of Oklahoma State. Lugo has proven that he can win close matches. As long as his defense holds up and he finishes enough shots to have a lead, Lugo is going to be very difficult to beat. Getting the first takedown in a match is very important for Lugo.
Pat Lugo is confident and I really, really like that. Lugo’s confidence makes me confident.
Big Ten Conference Tournament: March 7-8
Big Ten Automatic Bids for NCAA National Tournament at 149 lbs. – 10
Pat Lugo
Big Ten Championships Pre-Seed: #2
NCAA D-I Coaches Ranking: #2
Record: 18-1
Falls: 2
Tech Falls: 1
Major Decisions: 3
Decisions: 12
149 lbs. Big Tens Pre-Seeds:
- Sammy Sasso, OSU
- Pat Lugo, IOWA
- Brayton Lee, MINN
- Kanen Storr, MICH
- Graham Rooks, IND
- Cole Martin, WIS
- Collin Purinton, NEB
- Jarod Verkleeren, PSU
- Yahya Thomas, NU
- Griffin Parriott, PUR
- Gerard Angelo RU
- Alex Hrisopoulos, MSU
- Mousa Jodeh, ILL
- Ryan Garlitz, MD
149 lbs. NCAA D-I Coaches Ranking and results of matches wrestled:
#2 Pat Lugo – Iowa
#17 Cole Martin – Wisconsin
Pat Lugo over Cole Martin Dec 5-2
#1 Sammy Sasso – Ohio State
Sammy Sasso over Pat Lugo Dec 2-1 TB1
#20 Jared Verkleeren – Penn State
Pat Lugo over Jared Verkleeren Dec 6-1
#7 Kanen Storr – Michigan
Pat Lugo over Kanen Storr Dec 2-0
#6 Brayton Lee – Minnesota
Pat Lugo over Brayton Lee Dec 3-2
#5 Boo Lewallen Oklahoma State
Pat Lugo over Boo Lewallen Fall 2:21
It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.
Go Hawks!