2024 NCAA Wrestling Results: Best to Worst Matches
The 2024 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships in Kansas City delivered unforgettable drama, historic upsets, and dominant title defenses. Fans witnessed everything from lightning-fast pinfalls to grueling sudden-victory tiebreakers. Analyzing the 2024 NCAA Wrestling Results requires looking past the final team scores to evaluate the individual bouts that defined the tournament's legacy.
Whether you are a die-hard mat enthusiast looking back at the action or a casual fan trying to understand which finals were must-watch television, here is a complete ranking of the tournament's most compelling matches, ordered from the absolute best to the least engaging.
Tier 1: Instant Classics and Historic Battles
These matches featured elite competitors, high-stakes championship implications, and non-stop momentum shifts that kept the T-Mobile Center crowd on the edge of their seats.
1. 141 Pounds: Real Woods vs. Beau Bartlett
Topping the list is the absolute war at 141 pounds. Iowa's Real Woods and Penn State's Beau Bartlett put on a masterclass in tactical hand-fighting and scrambling. With both wrestlers fighting for every single inch, the match came down to a brilliant third-period takedown by Woods, securing his title and capping off one of the most electric atmospheres of the weekend.
2. 197 Pounds: Aaron Brooks vs. Trent Hidlay
While Aaron Brooks was dominant throughout the entire 2024 tournament on his way to securing his fourth national title, his final against NC State's Trent Hidlay was a showcase of pure wrestling intelligence. Hidlay pushed the pace, but Brooks' unmatched defensive transitions and explosive counter-attacks made this a fascinating tactical chess match between two generational talents.
Tier 2: High-Scoring Thrillers and Dramatic Upsets
This tier includes bouts that delivered massive fireworks, unexpected momentum swings, and the kind of heart-pounding action that defines March collegiate wrestling.
3. Heavyweight: Greg Kerkvliet vs. Lucas Davison
Big men don't usually move the way Greg Kerkvliet does. The Penn State heavyweight showcased incredible agility and conditioning, dismantling his opponents with swift sweep singles. While the final match was a decisive victory, the sheer athleticism on display made it far more engaging than your average heavyweight bout.
4. 133 Pounds: Vitor Hughes vs. Daton Fix
Daton Fix's quest for that elusive NCAA title added immense emotional weight to every match he wrestled. His encounter provided high-octane scrambling, rapid-fire restarts, and a tense third period where every single whistle carried championship-altering consequences.
Tier 3: Solid Matches with Clear Outcomes
These bouts were technically sound and featured high-level athletes, but lacked the late-match drama or competitive parity of the top-tier clashes.
- 125 Pounds: Patching together quick escapes and solid defense, the 125-pound final provided steady action without a dramatic late-match lead change.
- 149 Pounds: A methodical bout focused heavily on neutral positioning. While it lacked explosive throws, it rewarded purists who appreciate foundational technique.
- 157 Pounds: High-paced in the first two periods, but ultimately decided by conditioning as one wrestler pulled away in the final two minutes.
Tier 4: Tactical Stalemates and Least Engaging Bouts
Every tournament has matches that slow down due to conflicting styles, heavy tie-ups, or cautious strategies aimed entirely at avoiding mistakes rather than scoring points.
The lowest-ranking matches of the 2024 championship weekend were typically those bogged down by prolonged mat returns, excessive stalling warnings, and a reliance on riding time rather than offensive takedown attempts. While the athletes competing at this level are among the top 0.1% in the world, these specific bouts devolved into low-scoring defensive stalemates that failed to capture the imagination of neutral viewers.
Summary of the 2024 Championships
Ultimately, the 2024 NCAA Wrestling Championships reinforced Penn State's historic dominance while providing individual fighters with moments of eternal glory. By reviewing the 2024 NCAA Wrestling Results through the lens of match engagement, it is clear that when the top-tier athletes clashed, the sport reached heights of excitement matched by few other collegiate athletic events.
