Wrestling

[Verdad]

Wrestling is really poised to make a big jump next year. This year they have 3 guys likely to qualify for Nationals - Higley at 141, McGee at 157 and Nix at 285, and they have two NCAA qualifier caliber guys redshirting this year (Baker at 125 and Messer at 174).

If they keep everyone, they could have 5 or 6 NCAA qualifiers next year (top 33 make NCAA tournament at each weight class) based on current guys on roster and maybe more with xfers/freshmen improving (like McGee this year).

For perspective, we had a program record 7 NCAA qualifiers in 2001, but have not had more than 3 in any single year since, with most years only having 1 or 2.

 

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McGee Selected as MAC Wrestler of the Week - George Mason University Athletics

FAIRFAX, Va. – George Mason reshirt freshman Dj McGee was selected as the East Wrestler of the Week, announced by the Mid-American Conference.

gomason.com

"FAIRFAX, Va. – George Mason reshirt freshman Dj McGee was selected as the Co-East Wrestler of the Week, announced by the Mid-American Conference. He shares the honor with Lock Haven's Anthony Noto.

It's the second time the Stafford, Va. native claimed the weekly conference award this season, earning the honor on November 21. The recognition marks a record three for the Patriots this season in the MAC. Nathan Higley earned wrestler of the week in early December."

 

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Patriots Upend Virginia at ARMS Software Classic - George Mason University Athletics

WHAT: Dual v. UVA in the Arms Classic

gomason.com

"Fairfax, Va.— The George Mason wrestling team edged ACC and in-state opponent Virginia, 18-17, today at St. Christopher's High School in Richmond, Va., breaking the Cavs 10-match win streak against the Patriots. Mason (8-4) handed the Cavaliers (4-1) its first loss of the season."

GEORGE MASON 18, VIRGINIA 17
125: Kyle Montaperto (UVA) dec. JB Dragovich (GMU), 3-0 – UVA 3, GMU 0
133: Keyveon Roller (UVA) dec. Shawn Nonaka (GMU), 10-3 – UVA 6, GMU 0
141: Kyren Butler (UVA) major dec. No. 23 Nathan Higley (GMU), 18-7 – UVA 10, GMU 0
149: Kaden Cassidy (GMU) dec. Erik Roggie (UVA) , 5-4 – UVA 10, GMU 3
157: No. 26 DJ McGee (GMU) dec. Nick Sanko (UVA) , 7-2 – UVA 10, GMU 6
165: Evan Maag (GMU) dec. Mason Stefanelli (UVA), 13-7 – UVA 10, GMU 9
174: No. 13 Justin McCoy (UVA) major dec. Paul Pierce (GMU), 9-1 – UVA 14, GMU 9
184: Malachi Duvall (GMU) pinned Griffin Gammell (UVA), 2:53 – GMU 15, UVA 14
197: Tyler Kocak (GMU) dec. Colden Dorfman (UVA), 15-10 – GMU 18, UVA 14
HWT: Ryan Catka (UVA) dec. No. 30 Chad Nix (GMU), 7-3 (sv-1) – GMU 18, UVA 17

 

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DuVall Selected as MAC Wrestler of the Week earning the Patriots a Record Fourth Honor - George Mason University Athletics

FAIRFAX, Va. – George Mason redshirt sophomore Malachi DuVall was selected as the Co-East Wrestler of the Week, announced by the Mid-American Conference. He shares

gomason.com

"FAIRFAX, Va. – George Mason redshirt sophomore Malachi DuVall was selected as the Co-East Wrestler of the Week, announced by the Mid-American Conference. He shares the honor with Lock Haven's Wyatt Henson.

It's the second straight week and the fourth conference award this season by a Mason wrestler. DJ McGee claimed the weekly conference award twice this season, while Nathan Higley earned wrestler of the week in early December.

The Centre Hall, Pa. native scored the critical bonus points to propel George Mason over ACC opponent University of Virginia, 18-17. His pin gave Mason the bonus points to beat the Cavaliers for the first time since February 1991. He won by fall in 2:53 over Griffin Gammell. DuVall was the only Mason Wrestler to score bonus points in the dual where each team won five matches. UVA scored two major decision but DuVall's pin gave the Patriots the win."

 

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Wrestling Defeats Edinboro; Host Hofstra on Sunday - George Mason University Athletics

WHAT: Dual Match vs. Edinboro

gomason.com

"Fairfax, Va.— The George Mason wrestling team won nine matches to defeat conference opponent Edinboro, 38-3 on Saturday inside the RAC.

Mason (9-4, 2-1) earned bonus point wins in five matches, including two falls. Edinboro drops to (1-6, 0-1)."

 

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Hofstra Upends the Patriots in Wrestling - George Mason University Athletics

WHAT: Dual Match vs. Edinboro

gomason.com

"Fairfax, Va.— The George Mason wrestling team fell to old CAA foe Hofstra, 25-15, inside the RAC.

Hofstra (5-3) had two bonus point matches, along with a medical forfeit. Mason (9-5, 2-1) earned three decisions and one fall.

After Hofstra took a 7-0 lead, Mason got on the board with a Nathan Higley 7-5 decision against Hofstra's Alex Turley at 141 pounds. Higley improves to 10-1.

No. 26 DJ McGee earned a team-leading 21st win (21-3) with a 6-3 Sudden Victory win against Hostra's Jurius Clark, 6-3 SV-1. Halfway through the match, Hofstra's lead was 13-6.

Evan Maag earned a 13-7 decision on Hofstra's Jake Slotnick at 165 lbs to cut the Pride lead to 13-9.

For the third straight match, Malachi DuVall (184) earned a pin, tying teammate Evan Maag with a team-leading six pins this season.

The heavyweight match pitted two ranked wrestlers, #31 Chad Nix (11-3) and Hofstra's #22 Keaton Kluever. The match was tied at 1-1, before Kluever earned the decision in Sudden Victory."

 

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Wrestling Falls on the Road to Ohio - George Mason University Athletics

WHAT: Dual Match vs. Edinboro

gomason.com

"Fairfax, Va.— The George Mason wrestling team fell to host Ohio University, 29-6, inside the Convocation Center in Athlens, Ohio. The Bobcats (5-3, 1-1) won all six of the matches decided by three points or less en route to the conference win against Mason (9-6, 2-2).

The Patriots Kaden Cassidy(149) earned Mason's points with a fall against Dominic Hoffarth (1:58).
Mason's Brandon Wittenburg (133), Dominic Hargrove (141), DJ McGee (157), Evan Maag (165), Paul Pierce (174), and Chad Nix all dropped close matches.

Redshirt freshman McGee and Maag lost to the top-ranked wrestler in the MAC. Ohio's Peyten Kellar scored a 3-0 decision against DJ McGee and Garrett Thompson earned a 12-10 decision over Evan Maag.

At 174 pounds, the Bobcats two-time NCAA Qualifier Sal Perrine defeated Paul Pierce, 4-2.

OHIO 29 – GEORGE MASON 6
125: Ryan Meek (OHIO) over JB Dragovich (GMU) (Dec 7-0)
133: Mason Brugh (OHIO) over Brandon Wittenberg (GMU) (Dec 8-5)
141: Aidan Waszak (OHIO) over Dominic Hargrove (GMU) (Dec 6-3)
149: Kaden Cassidy (GMU) over Dominic Hoffarth (OHIO) (Fall 1:58)
157: Peyten Kellar (OHIO) over DJ Mcgee (GMU) (Dec 3-0)
165: Garrett Thompson (OHIO) over Evan Maag (GMU) (Dec 12-10)
174: Sal Perrine (OHIO) over Paul Pierce (GMU) (Dec 4-2)
184: Zayne Lehman (OHIO) over Malachi DuVall (GMU) (TF 15-0 0:00)
197: Austin Starr (OHIO) over Ruben Karapetyan (GMU) (Dec 8-1)
285: Jordan Greer (OHIO) over Chad Nix (GMU) (Dec 4-2)"

 

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#22 Lock Haven Upends Mason Wrestling - George Mason University Athletics

Fairfax, Va.— The George Mason wrestling team went into Thomas Fieldhouse tonight and found out why Lock Haven Bald Eagles are the MAC's top-ranked team and ranked

gomason.com

Wrestling1/25/2024 8:06:00 PM

"Fairfax, Va.— The George Mason wrestling team went into Thomas Fieldhouse tonight and found out why Lock Haven Bald Eagles are the MAC's top-ranked team and ranked #22 nationally, defeating the Patriots 33-6.

Mason earned decisions in two matches. At 165 the Patriots Evan Maag earned an 8-3 decision against Eric Alderfer to get Mason on the board. Maag improves to 17-9.

Malachi DuVall (184) won 8-2 against Lock Haven's Colin Fegley. DuVall has won five of his last six matches and improves to 11-9.

Lock Haven's (5-7, 2-1 MAC) three ranked wrestlers; #8 Anthony Noto (125) and #13 Henson each won, earning the first 14 points of the match.

The Patriots (9-7, 2-3 MAC) will look to stop the team's three-match skid at Bloomsburg Friday night. back in the win column after two straight setbacks."

 

[Verdad]

#22 Lock Haven Upends Mason Wrestling - George Mason University Athletics

Fairfax, Va.— The George Mason wrestling team went into Thomas Fieldhouse tonight and found out why Lock Haven Bald Eagles are the MAC's top-ranked team and ranked

gomason.com

Wrestling1/25/2024 8:06:00 PM

"Fairfax, Va.— The George Mason wrestling team went into Thomas Fieldhouse tonight and found out why Lock Haven Bald Eagles are the MAC's top-ranked team and ranked #22 nationally, defeating the Patriots 33-6.

Mason earned decisions in two matches. At 165 the Patriots Evan Maag earned an 8-3 decision against Eric Alderfer to get Mason on the board. Maag improves to 17-9.

Malachi DuVall (184) won 8-2 against Lock Haven's Colin Fegley. DuVall has won five of his last six matches and improves to 11-9.

Lock Haven's (5-7, 2-1 MAC) three ranked wrestlers; #8 Anthony Noto (125) and #13 Henson each won, earning the first 14 points of the match.

The Patriots (9-7, 2-3 MAC) will look to stop the team's three-match skid at Bloomsburg Friday night. back in the win column after two straight setbacks."

It's like a Highlights magazine game of spot the typos

 

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Mason Wrestling Wins MAC dual at Bloomsburg - George Mason University Athletics

Fairfax, Va.— The George Mason wrestling team completed its three-match road stance with a convincing win at Bloomsburg. The Patriots won nine of the ten matches

gomason.com

 

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https://www.themat.com/news/2024/january/31/no-1-cornell-no-2-south-dakota-state-headline-first-nwca-mid-major-top-20-of-the-season

NWCA Division I Men’s Wrestling Mid-Major Coaches Poll

January 31, 2024

Rank/Team (First)/Record/Points/Conf./All-Sports

1 Cornell (4) (7-3) 99 EIWA Ivy League

2 South Dakota State (1) (9-2) 95 Big 12 Summit

3 Lehigh (4-3) 89 EIWA Patriot

4 Little Rock (11-5) 76 Pac-12 Ohio Valley

5 Northern Iowa (4-5) 73 Big 12 Missouri Valley

6 Cal Poly (5-2) 70 Pac-12 Big West

7 Campbell (7-3) 67 SoCon CAA

8 Navy (6-5) 62 EIWA Patriot

9 Appalachian State (4-1) 61 SoCon Sun Belt

10 Penn (2-4) 51 EIWA Ivy League

11 Army West Point (5-3) 46 EIWA Patriot

12 Binghamton (6-3) 32 EIWA America East

13 Wyoming (6-5) 31 Big 12 Mountain West

14 Northern Illinois (10-2) 30 MAC MAC

15 Northern Colorado (8-5) 22 Big 12 Big Sky

16 North Dakota State (3-7) 21 Big 12 Summit

17 Bucknell (7-4) 19 EIWA Patriot

18 Air Force (3-5) 15 Big 12 Mountain West

19 (tie) Princeton (3-3) 14 EIWA Ivy League

19 (tie) Rider (5-5) 14 MAC MAAC

Others Receiving Votes: Chattanooga 13, Clarion 13, Lock Haven 10, Ohio 10, Hofstra 8, George Mason 4, Harvard 4, Central Michigan 1.

 

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MAC Leader Rider Defeats Patriots in Wrestling - George Mason University Athletics

Fairfax, Va.— The MAC leading Rider Broncs continued its unblemished mark in the conference with a 29-9 dual win against Mason in a Sunday afternoon tilt inside

gomason.com

"The dual was the final MAC match for the Patriots (10-8, 3-4 MAC) before the conference championships, March 8-9 at Kent State. Rider improves to 6-6, 6-0 in the MAC."

"A nationally ranked match at 157 pounds was won by the Patriots #21DJ McGee defeating the Broncs #29Colton Washleski. McGee earned the win with a takedown in the second period, earning the win 4-2. McGee, ranked second in the MAC's latest rankings, improves to 22-4, 5-1 in the MAC."

 

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2024-25 Wrestling Standings - Mid-American Conference

The official 2024-25 Wrestling Standings for Mid-American Conference

getsomemaction.com

 

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#13 Hokies Defeat the Patriots in Blacksburg - George Mason University Athletics

Fairfax, Va.— Nationally ranked #13 Virginia Tech proved its high ranking with a 45-5 win against the Patriots.

gomason.com

"Fairfax, Va.— Nationally ranked #13 Virginia Tech proved its high ranking with a 42-5 win against the Patriots."

 

[Verdad]

#13 Hokies Defeat the Patriots in Blacksburg - George Mason University Athletics

Fairfax, Va.— Nationally ranked #13 Virginia Tech proved its high ranking with a 45-5 win against the Patriots.

gomason.com

"Fairfax, Va.— Nationally ranked #13 Virginia Tech proved its high ranking with a 42-5 win against the Patriots."

That was rough, but not unexpected - our top 3 wrestlers (Higley at 141, McGee at 157 and Nix at 285) did not wrestle. Team is really banged up (Cassidy was out at 149 as well).

 

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Mason Wrestling Dominant in Win on Senior Day - George Mason University Athletics

WHAT: Dual Match vs. Lindenwood

gomason.com

Patriots Lineup
125 – Austin Kegley (LU) over JB Dragovich (GM), TF, 19-3 (4:30); Lindenwood leads 5-0
133 – Brandon Wittenberg (GM) over Caiden Pelc (LU), TF 19-4 (7:00); Tied, 5-5
141 – Dom Hargrove (GM) won by forfiet; Mason leads 11-5
149 – Kaden Cassidy (GM) Cruz Lara (LU), TF 15-0 49), Mason leads 16-5
157 – DJ McGee (GM) won by forfiet; Mason leads 22-5
165 – Evan Maag (GM) over Kaleb Valdez-Lemos (LU), F, 23-7 (6:02); Mason leads 28-5
174 – Paul Pierce (GM) over Kaden Charboneau (LU), F (4:10); Mason leads 34-5
184 – Malachi DuVall (GM) Luke Shaver (LU), TF 16-1 (4:50); Mason leads 39-5
197 – Tyler Kocak (GM) over Ryan Golnick (LU), 7-5; Mason leads 42-5
285 – Davide Hernandez (LU) over Donovan Sprouse (GM), SV-1 4-1; Mason wins 48-5.

 

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MAC Announces Pre-Seeds for 2024 MAC Wrestling Championship

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Mid-American Conference (MAC) announced today the pre-seeding for the upcoming 2024 MAC Wrestling Championship (March 8-9), hosted by Kent State University at Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center in Kent, Ohio.

getsomemaction.com

125 lbs.
1. Anthony Noto, Lock Haven
2. Blake West, Northern Illinois
3. Tyler Klinsky, Rider
4. Joey Fischer, Clarion
5. Sean Spidle, Central Michigan
6. Benjamin Aranda, Cleveland State
7. Davian Guanajuato, SIUE
8. Max Elton, Buffalo

133 lbs.
1. Gable Strickland, Lock Haven
2. Richie Koehler, Rider
3. Nick Molchak, Cleveland State
4. Tommy Maddox, Buffalo
5. Marcel Lopez, SIUE
6. Pablo Castro, Kent State
7. Mikey Kaminski, Northern Illinois
8. Vince Perez, Central Michigan

141 lbs.
1. Wyatt Henson, Lock Haven
2. Jacob Brya, Northern Illinois
3. Jimmy Nugent, Central Michigan
4. Erick Almarinez, SIUE
5. Dylan Layton, Cleveland State
6. Ryan Sullivan, Clarion
7. Billy Meiszner, Kent State
8. Caleb Brooks, Buffalo

149 lbs.
1. Corbyn Munson, Central Michigan
2. Quinn Kinner, Rider
3. Caleb Tyus, SIUE
4. Javion Jones, Northern Illinois
5. Nick Stonecheck, Lock Haven
6. Kaleb Burgess, Buffalo
7. Derek Raike, Ohio
8. Douglas Terry, Cleveland State

157 lbs.
1. Peyten Kellar, Ohio
2. DJ McGee, George Mason
3. Johnny Lovett, Central Michigan
4. Colton Washleski, Rider
5. Alejandro Herrera, Clarion
6. Marcus Robinson, Cleveland State
7. Munkhtulga Zuunbayan, Northern Illinois
8. Brock Woodcock, SIUE

165 lbs.
1. Garrett Thompson, Ohio
2. Tate Geiser, Cleveland State
3. Evan Maag, George Mason
4. Caden Dobbins, Bloomsburg
5. Jake Silverstein, Rider
6. Hunter Shaut, Buffalo
7. Eli Brinsky, Clarion
8. Aaron Ferguson, Kent State

174 lbs.
1. Alex Cramer, Central Michigan
2. Sal Perrine, Ohio
3. Michael Wilson, Rider
4. Tyler Stoltzfus, Lock Haven
5. John Worthing, Clarion
6. Jay Nivison, Buffalo
7. Deandre Nassar, Cleveland State
8. Aj Burkhart, Kent State

184 lbs.
1. Cameron Pine, Clarion
2. Matt Zuber, Northern Illinois
3. Zayne Lehman, Ohio
4. Chase Kranitz, Buffalo
5. Isaac Dean, Rider
6. Malachi Duvall, George Mason
7. Deron Pulliam, SIUE
8. Colin Fegley, Lock Haven

197 lbs.
1. Sam Mitchell, Buffalo
2. Ben Smith, Cleveland State
3. Blake Schaffer, Kent State
4. Cameron Wood, Central Michigan
5. Austin Starr, Ohio
6. Jack Kilner, Edinboro
7. Azeem Bell, Rider
8. Ryan Yarnell, SIUE

285 lbs.
1. Daniel Bucknavich, Cleveland State
2. David Szuba, Rider
3. Jacobi Jackson, Northern Illinois
4. Bryan Caves, Central Michigan
5. John Meyers, Clarion
6. Jordan Greer, Ohio
7. Josh Boggan, Kent State
8. Ethan Miller, Lock Haven

 

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Wrestling Heads to Ohio for MAC Championships this Weekend - George Mason University Athletics

2024 MAC Wrestling Championships

gomason.com

"FAIRFAX, Va. – George Mason Wrestling will travel to Ohio for the Mid-American Conference Championships on Friday and Saturday, March 8-9 held inside the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center in Kent, Ohio.

In its fifth season in the MAC, Mason finished the season with an 11-9 record, 3-4 in the MAC. The Patriots defeated Edinboro, Cleveland State, and Bloomsburg.

For the second consecutive season the Green and Gold have 11 wins, which ties the most wins in a season since the 2007-08 season when the Patriots finished with a 13-5 record.

MAC QUALIFIER ALLOCATIONS FOR 2024 NCAA D1 WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIP
The NCAA has announced the qualifier allocations for the 2024 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships and the Mid-American Conference has received 22 qualifier allocations, the fifth highest of any Division I Wrestling Conference.

After all the conference tournaments have concluded, the NCAA Division I Wrestling Committee will meet in-person to select the remaining 46 at-large qualifiers. All weight classes will consist of 33 wrestlers.

Mason's DJ McGee (157) qualified the spot for the conference.

After all the conference tournaments have concluded, the NCAA Division I Wrestling Committee will meet in-person to select the remaining 46 at-large qualifiers. All weight classes will consist of 33 wrestlers.

MASON LINEUP
125 | R-Fr. JB Dragovich (Roanoke, Va./Hidden Valley) Season: 6-12, 2-3
133 | GS Brandon Wittenberg (Haymarket, Va./Battlefield) Season: 5-8, 2-3
141 | R-So. Dominic Hargrove (Colorado Springs, Colo./Discovery Canyon) Season: 9-12, 1-1
149 | R-Fr. Kaden Cassidy (Bedford, Pa./Bedford) Season: 14-7, 3-4
157 | R-Fr. DJ McGee (Stafford, Va./Bullis Prep) Season: 23-4, 5-1
165 | R-Fr. Evan Maag (Bethlehem, Pa./Notre Dame) Season: 23-9, 5-3
174 | GS Paul Pierce (Stafford, Va./Brooke Point) Season: 13-11, 2-3
184 | R-So. Malachi DuVall (Centre Hall, Pa./Penn Valley) Season: 14-10, 5-2
197 | Sr. Tyler Kocak (Gibsonia, Pa./Hampton) Season: 6-5, 0-2
285 | So. Donovan Sprouse (Gainesville, Va./Patriot) Season: 5-15"

"157 | DJ McGee
DJ McGee has been the team's most consistent wrestler this season. He is 23-4 and earned one of the five allocations for the MAC at the weight. He is ranked 23rd in the country and 19th in the RPI. DJ has a win over the #3 wrestler in the country in the weight class. DJ has conference wins over #24 Lovett, #28 Washleski, and #33 Herrera-Rondon with a close loss to #16 Keller.

165 | Evan Maag
Evan Maag looks to have saved his best wrestling for the end of the season. He is 23-9 on the season, winning 12 of his last 14 matches. The number #12 ranked wrestler in the country is in the weight and there is only one spot allocated."

 

[Verdad]

Unfortunately two of our wrestlers who spent the majority of the season ranked/as potential NCAA qualifiers are both out with injuries (Higley at 141 and Nix at 285).

DJ McGee is likely already in as an at large, and needs to only finish top 5 at the MAC tournament in order to get an auto bid. He can improve his NCAAT seeding by making or winning the finals.

Maag still has to win his weight class to get the auto and likely doesn't have the resume to get an at large. But he has a shot to make the finals and either look for an upset against the #12 wrestler in the country (or maybe he is upset before the finals). He wrestled #12 and only lost by two - so he can compete with him.

Cassidy is a darkhorse at 149 if he can get the opening round upset vs #24 and make it to the finals/3rd place match (top 3 advance to NCAAT).

Similar situations for Pierce at 174, DuVall (6th seed) at 184 and Kocak at 197, as they can qualify if they make it to the finals (top 2 advance to NCAAT at each weight) - each only has one ranked wrestler on their side of the bracket that they would likely have to upset (#27, #27 and #33, so none ranked that high).

Future is still bright for next season with two guys returning from redshirt (Baker at 125 and Messer at 174) and hopefully everyone else returning healthy.

 

[Verdad]

Cassidy is a darkhorse at 149 if he can get the opening round upset vs #24 and make it to the finals/3rd place match (top 3 advance to NCAAT).

Cassidy with the UPSET OF #24! in first round, won solidly turning him twice, nearly getting the pin in the 2nd period.

Has just put himself in position to challenge for one of the top 3 spots - if bracket seeds hold, he would face 2nd seeded Kinner in semi's who he lost a close match 4-0 against recently.