COLLEGE WRESTLING: Lovett advances to NCAA title match

From news services

DETROIT — Nebraska sophomore Ridge Lovett, the former Post Falls High star, will get his shot in the spotlight again, advancing to the 149-pound championship match at the NCAA Tournament in Detroit tonight on ESPN.

Lovett, who went 169-0 in four years at Post Falls, graduating in 2019, beat 11th-seeded Bryce Andonian of Virginia Tech 5-4 in the semifinals on Friday. The two were tied 2-2 to start the second period and traded reversals to hold the tie, but Lovett grabbed the win by securing the riding time point.

“I think this is the kind of tournament where a lot of upsets happen,” Lovett said. “A lot of the divisions don’t get to cross much, so the seeds are iffy. Anybody can beat anybody, and it’s really showing in this tournament.”

Lovett (28-3) will face top-seeded and unbeaten Yianni Diakomihalis of Cornell (31-0) in the finals. Diakomihalis is trying to win his third national title. Lovett went 1-2 at the NCAAs last year.

In the semifinals of the 2021 Cliff Keen Invitational in December, Diakomihalis beat Lovett 6-4 in overtime at 149 pounds. Lovett finished third in the tournament.

“I wrestled him in Vegas and had him beat in Vegas in overtime and hit some funk,” Lovett said. “That’s all behind me and been motivation the rest of the season and that’s all behind me and I know I can beat him. I’m going to do it tomorrow night and show everybody.”

Championship finals are scheduled for 4 p.m. on ESPN.