Upsets Galore as 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championships Kick Off in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — The 2025 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships commenced on March 20 at the Wells Fargo Center, showcasing fierce competition among 330 of the nation’s top collegiate wrestlers across ten weight classes.

The tournament began with Session 1 at noon, where athletes took to the mat in pigtail and first-round bouts. As the first day progressed, several upsets emerged, shocking fans and competitors alike.

One of the biggest surprises came in the 149-pound bracket, where No. 29 Jack Gioffre from Virginia defeated Big 12 champion No. 4 Paniro Johnson of Iowa State in overtime, securing a 5-2 victory. Gioffre’s remarkable performance highlighted a trend of unexpected outcomes throughout the day.

The 197 and 184-pound brackets didn’t disappoint either, with five upsets reported in both categories. Other notable match results included No. 26 Brock Zurawksi of Rider taking down Wyatt Voelker from Northern Iowa 5-2, and Army’s Wolfgang Frable advancing with a close 12-8 victory over No. 33 Carson Floyd of App State.

Fans eagerly watched as top seeds battled for supremacy. At 125 pounds, Michigan State‘s Caleb Weiland narrowly defeated Marcello Milani of Cornell 4-1, advancing amidst a tense match that reached sudden victory.

“It feels unreal to come out on top,” said Weiland post-match. “I worked hard for this moment.”

The competition intensified as each session progressed. Fakeouts and surprising pinfalls kept the audience on the edge of their seats, a testament to the unpredictable nature of wrestling. The final match of the session saw Iowa State’s Jacob Frost defeating 2023 National Champion Andrew Alirez from North Carolina, clinching a 6-1 victory and further highlighting the talent pool in this year’s championship.

Throughout the tournament, wrestlers compete in a double-elimination format, with the top eight in each weight class earning All-American honors. As of today, each team is vying for their share of glory, with schools like Penn State seeking to maintain their dominance after winning 12 national titles in recent years.

The 2025 championship features a total of 77 NCAA programs, with 66 teams represented. Of the 330 wrestlers, over 280 earned their places through conference tournaments, while others were awarded at-large bids based on their seasonal performances. As the competition heats up, fans can watch every match live on ESPN and ESPN+.

With the tournament lasting until March 22, anticipation builds for the semifinals and the championship rounds, promising an action-packed conclusion amid the thrill of collegiate wrestling.