Two Quarterfinalists, Four Advancements Highlight Day One of NCAA Championships

PHILADELPHIA – The Trojans finished day one of the three-day NCAA Division I Championships with four of five wrestlers still alive and moving on to day two. In addition, Little Rock has two Quarterfinalists, one more than last year: Jordan Williams and Matty Bianchi.

"Today was full of highs and lows," said head coach Neil Erisman. "We saw some great wrestling from the guys. Putting two in the quarters is tough feat to accomplish. We lost two tough situations in the other two weights that were still on the top side of the bracket, but I believe they will come back strong tomorrow. We're looking forward to a great day of wrestling tomorrow, and as always, I'm proud of our entire team."

Williams and Bianchi definitely felt the highs - each had perfect days to make it to the Round of 16 before becoming the team's second and third Quarterfinalists in program history, respectively. The younger Bianchi will compete in the second day of Nationals for the first time, since he went 0-2 on day one in his NCAA debut last season. Despite appearing in the Tournament last year for the Cowboys, Williams fell to the consolation bracket in the second match while with Oklahoma State. This year, he advances in the championship side of the bracket.
 

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Both Little Rock Quarterfinalists had equally thrilling, yet very different victories – Williams pinned his first opponent then commanded the offense throughout his second bout to reach his team-high 26^th win today. The redshirt sophomore's first period fall in the morning also leads the Trojans for most pins this season.

Meanwhile, Bianchi won in sudden victory overtime in his first match and then found a late takedown in last moments of his second bout, with some help from a well-timed challenge brick thrown by associate head coach Javier Maldonado. The call was reversed and gave the redshirt junior an upset win over the no. 6 seed in his weight class.

Despite dropping his second match in the evening session, Stephen Little is currently on the same path as last year when he battled all the way to a seventh-place finish. Meaning, the redshirt sophomore from Kentucky has actually never been to the Quarterfinals and instead made his way through wrestlebacks to podium in 2024.

Both he and fellow returning All-American Nasir Bailey will have some extra bouts ahead of them due to slipping to their respective consolation brackets, but as Little proved last year, that doesn't mean that an impressive finish is out of reach.

Finally, Joseph Bianchi finished his career as a Trojan in his second appearance at the NCAA Championships this evening after going out in two matches. The super senior recorded 70 wins in his six years, a program-high mark. He is one of just a handful of Little Rock wrestlers than have been with the program since its infancy, collecting his first three wins back in the 2019-20 inaugural season.

Tomorrow morning the Quarterfinals and more consolation matches will kick off at 12 p.m. EST. Be sure to tune in on ESPN+ and follow the Trojans on social media for live updates.
 
 
Day One Results

Champ. Round 1 - Nasir Bailey (Little Rock) won by decision over Derrick Cardinal (South Dakota State) (Dec 9-8)
Champ. Round 2 - Zan Fugitt (Wisconsin) won in sudden victory - 1 over Nasir Bailey (Little Rock) (SV-1 4-1)

Champ. Round 1 - Jordan Williams (Little Rock) won by fall over Malyke Hines (Lehigh) (Fall 1:43)
Champ. Round 2 - Jordan Williams (Little Rock) won by decision over Cross Wasilewski (Pennsylvania) (Dec 10-3)

Champ. Round 1 - Matty Bianchi (Little Rock) won in sudden victory - 1 over Ed Scott (NC State) (SV-1 5-2)
Champ. Round 2 - Matty Bianchi (Little Rock) won by decision over Ryder Downey (Northern Iowa) (Dec 5-4)

Champ. Round 1 - Christopher Minto (Nebraska) won by major decision over Joseph Bianchi (Little Rock) (MD 13-1)
Cons. Round 1 - Mac Church (Virginia Tech) won by major decision over Joseph Bianchi (Little Rock) (MD 12-4)

Champ. Round 1 - Stephen Little (Little Rock) won by decision over Levi Hopkins (Campbell) (Dec 10-6)
Champ. Round 2 - Michael Beard (Lehigh) won by decision over Stephen Little (Little Rock) (Dec 4-1)

 
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