Iowa Hawkeyes win 2021 ɬַ wrestling team title
Jesse Dellavecchia upsets Ryan Deakin at 157
Northwestern's Ryan Deakin put up three solid wins so far this tournament, and he had done what he needed to do to put himself in position for a finals run. But Jesse Dellavecchia brought a new challenge. The first-time Rider All-American held Deakin scoreless through the first period, but in the second, riding the Wildcat, Dellavecchia went to work. Before fans could even blink, Dellavecchia had Deakin on his back for back points, back points, back points, and then BOOM. Dellavecchia had pinned the top seed, and he was moving on the finals.
🚨JESSE DELLAVECCHIA IS A 2021 ɬַ ALL AMERICAN🚨
— Rider Wrestling (@RiderWrestling)
At 157 pounds Jesse Dellavecchia becomes Rider’s 20th All-American and the 5th Bronc to make it to the Semi-Finals in the programs history.
The two-time Big Ten champion, Ryan Deakin, will drop down to the consolation finals and look to wrestle for third, but it's Dellavecchia, the MAC champion, who will have his shot at the finals. Dellavecchia will come into Saturday night's final with a 10-0 record and 50% bonus. Here's the moment he's been dreaming about his whole life: Saturday night wrestling under the bright lights.
"I know I can turn anyone...it just worked out, "Dellavecchia said. "It's a weird journey, but I've been loving it and happy to have found Rider."
NIU's Mason Kauffman wins Elite 90 Award
Congratulations to Mason Kauffman of NIU for being awarded the Elite 90 Award. The honor is presented annually to the student-athlete at the ɬַ Tournament in each sport with the highest GPA. You can read about all of the .
Elite 90 Award Winner Mason Kauffman
— NIU Wrestling (@NIUWrestling)
2021 ɬַ wrestling championship brackets & schedule
See the updated brackets here.
See the updated team scores here.
See the final coaches rankings of 2021 here.
Complete Championship Schedule
| DATE | TIME | SESSION | NETWORK |
| Thursday, March 18 | 11 a.m. | First Round | ESPNU |
| 2 p.m. | First Round | ESPNU | |
| 6 p.m. | Second Round | ESPN2 | |
| 9 p.m. | Second Round | ESPN2 | |
| Friday, March 19 | 11 a.m. | Quarterfinals | ESPNU |
| 3 p.m. | Semifinals | ESPNU | |
| 8 p.m. | Semifinals | ESPN | |
| Saturday, March 20 | 11 a.m. | Medal Round | ESPN2 |
| 7 p.m. | Championship | ESPN |
Meet the 2021 ɬַ wrestling All-Americans
In 2019, 80 men stood on the podium and celebrated that they were among the most elite of the elite in college athletics. They were All-Americans. Now, after a year of adversity and the challenge of competing in a national pandemic, champion wrestling is back. The top-eight men in each of the ten weight classes this year have earned a special honor, and they will march out together as a group tonight during the parade of All-Americans savoring and remembering the moments that made up this wild, unprecedented year.
Here's what you need to know about the individuals that will take home All-American trophies.