IRVING, Texas – North Dakota State wrestling's
Max Petersen (149),
Landen Johnson (157) and
Gaven Sax (174) have been seeded, as the Big 12 Conference announced seeds and bracket for the 2024 Big 12 Championships held in Tulsa, Oklahoma this weekend.
Petersen received a six seed in the 149-pound bracket, the highest for the Bison, as the redshirt freshman went 15-7 during the regular season, including a 6-2 mark in Big 12 duals. Petersen is set to face Northern Iowa's Adam Allard (5-8) in the first round. Petersen did not face Allard during the regular season.
Johnson received a seven seed in the 157-pound bracket after an 11-10 campaign that included a 5-2 record in Big 12 duals. Johnson received one of three randomly drawn byes in the first round and will face the winner of Northern Iowa's Ryder Downey (16-4), seeded second, and Utah Valley's Alex Emmer (3-11) in the quarterfinals. Johnson picked up an 8-1 win over Emmer during the regular season, but did not face Downey.
Sax also received a seven seed in the 174-pound bracket after a 14-4 regular season that included an 8-3 record in duals and a 3-2 record in Big 12 duals. Sax will open up his Big 12 Championships in the first round with a matchup against Wyoming's Quayin Short (2-6). Sax picked up a 17-0 tech fall over short in a dual earlier this season.
The rest of the Bison will be unseeded in the championships.
Ryan Henningson (125) will open up with fourth seeded Tanner Jordan of South Dakota State.
Fernando Barreto (133) will take on top seeded Daton Fix of Oklahoma State in the opening round.
Gavin Drexler (141) goes up against seventh seeded Haiden Drury of Utah Valley.
Brendan Howes (165) will open up against third seeded Peyton Hall of West Virginia.
Adam Cherne (184) is set to take on fourth seeded Colton Hawks of Missouri.
Spencer Mooberry (197) will face Oklahoma State's Luke Surber, who is seeded seventh.
Devon Dawson (285) will take on third seeded Zach Elam of Missouri.
The Big 12 received 57 pre-allocations, automatic berths, to the NCAA Championships. The top six placers at the Big 12 championships at 125, 133, 149, 157, 165, 174, and 197 pounds will receive AQs. At 141, 184 and 285 pounds, the top five will receive AQs.
A full Big 12 Championships bracket can be found
here.
