
Photo by: Cobe Wastler
NDSU’s Sax Falls in Blood Round of NCAA Championships
3/22/2024 9:24:00 PM | Wrestling
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – North Dakota State wrestler Gaven Sax picked up a pair of wins on Friday but fell in the blood round and was eliminated at the 2024 NCAA National Championships at the T-Mobile Center one match shy of All-American status.
Sax opened up his day by avenging an early season loss to No. 13 seed Justin McCoy of Virginia in come-from-behind fashion. McCoy scored a first period takedown, but trailing 3-2, Sax secured a takedown and a two-point nearfall in the third period for a 7-3 victory.
Later in the day session, Sax recorded his second shutout of the tournament as he picked up a major decision on No. 27 seed Danny Wask of Navy. Sax recorded a first period takedown and then 2:22 of riding time with a rideout. After a scoreless second, Sax picked up an escape, takedown and two-point near fall before riding out the period and picking up a riding time point at the end for a 10-0 win.
In the night session, Sax fell behind No. 2 seed Cade Devos in the first period. Sax would get a takedown in the third, but was unable to secure a late second takedown, falling to DeVos 6-3.
Sax closes his first NCAA Championship appearance with a 3-2 record, scoring 4.0 team points for the Bison, as the lone wrestler at the event this season for NDSU. Sax finishes the 2023-24 season at 20-7, including a 10-7 mark against ranked competition. The Bison close the NCAA Championships in a tie for 44th overall out of 68 teams to qualify a wrestler for the event.
Full List of NDSU's Results:
174 | Gaven Sax | 3-2 | 4.0 pts
L to No. 19 Alex Cramer (Central Michigan); Fall 2:37
W over No. 30 Myles Takats (Bucknell); TF 15-0 4:28
W over No. 13 Justin McCoy (Virginia); Dec 7-3
W over No. 27 Danny Wask (Navy); MD 10-0
L to No. 2 Cade DeVos (South Dakota State); Dec 6-3
Sax opened up his day by avenging an early season loss to No. 13 seed Justin McCoy of Virginia in come-from-behind fashion. McCoy scored a first period takedown, but trailing 3-2, Sax secured a takedown and a two-point nearfall in the third period for a 7-3 victory.
Later in the day session, Sax recorded his second shutout of the tournament as he picked up a major decision on No. 27 seed Danny Wask of Navy. Sax recorded a first period takedown and then 2:22 of riding time with a rideout. After a scoreless second, Sax picked up an escape, takedown and two-point near fall before riding out the period and picking up a riding time point at the end for a 10-0 win.
In the night session, Sax fell behind No. 2 seed Cade Devos in the first period. Sax would get a takedown in the third, but was unable to secure a late second takedown, falling to DeVos 6-3.
Sax closes his first NCAA Championship appearance with a 3-2 record, scoring 4.0 team points for the Bison, as the lone wrestler at the event this season for NDSU. Sax finishes the 2023-24 season at 20-7, including a 10-7 mark against ranked competition. The Bison close the NCAA Championships in a tie for 44th overall out of 68 teams to qualify a wrestler for the event.
Full List of NDSU's Results:
174 | Gaven Sax | 3-2 | 4.0 pts
L to No. 19 Alex Cramer (Central Michigan); Fall 2:37
W over No. 30 Myles Takats (Bucknell); TF 15-0 4:28
W over No. 13 Justin McCoy (Virginia); Dec 7-3
W over No. 27 Danny Wask (Navy); MD 10-0
L to No. 2 Cade DeVos (South Dakota State); Dec 6-3
Players Mentioned
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