Buchanan earns All-American honors at NCAA Championships
ST. LOUIS – Stephen Buchanan became Wyoming’s 36th NCAA All-American on Friday inside the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Mo. He is the 13th Cowboy to earn All-American honors during the Mark Branch era.
“Having Stephen come in tonight and be an All-American is what we talk about all year. That’s what it’s all about. It's a great thing for the program and a great thing for Stephen,” Branch said. “Now we will refocus and try to get his hand raised one more time tomorrow.”
In the quarterfinals at 197 pounds, Buchanan faced No. 1 Myles Amine (MICH). Buchanan would hang with his top-seeded opponent, pushing him to the brink before losing a tight 7-6 decision.
Buchanan’s loss would set up a win or go home match against No. 19 Thomas Penola (PUR). Buchanan scored a late first-period takedown and controlled the match from there, winning 6-2. He is the first Wyoming All-American since Bryce Meredith and Montorie Bridges in 2018.
Buchanan will wrap up his NCAA Tournament tomorrow against No. 15 Michael Beard (PSU) in the seventh-place match.
Jacob Wright’s incredible NCAA tournament run ended just short of All-American honors, with a 10-2 loss to No. 5 Kaleb Young (IOWA) in the blood round. Wright entered the weekend as the 23 seed and was a match away from earning a top-eight spot.
On the consolation side of the bracket Hayden Hastings picked up a win over No. 13 Jackson Hemauer (UNCO), who defeated Hastings at the Big 12 championships. Hastings exacted his revenge in dominant fashion, controlling the match from whistle to whistle, winning 8-1.
At heavyweight, Brian Andrews knocked off No. 19 Josh Heindselman (OU). Tied 1-1 in overtime, Andrews struck fast and left no doubt scoring a big takedown off a strong-double-leg shot.
After the second day of the NCAA Championships, Wyoming sits in a tie for 25th with 15.5 team points. The placing rounds have begun.
Day Two Results
157 - Jacob Wright
Quarterfinals – No. 2 Hayden Hidlay (NCST) Fall (2:33) over No. 23 Wright (WYO)
Consi. Round of 12: No. 5 Kaleb Young (IOWA) Major Dec. No. 23 Wright (WYO) 10-2
165 - Cole Moody
Consi. Round 2:
No. 14 Peyton Robb (NEB) Major Dec. Moody (WYO) 15-7
174 - Hayden Hastings
Consi. Round 2: No. 14 Hastings (WYO) Dec. No. 13 Jackson Hemauer (UNCO) 8-1
Consi. Round 3: No. 11 Austin Murhpy (CAMP) Dec. No. 14 Hastings (WYO) 3-1
184 - Tate Samuelson
Consi. Round 2: No. 9 Jeremiah Kent (MIZZ) Dec. No. 10 Samuelson (WYO) 6-1
197 - Stephen Buchanan
Quarterfinals: No. 1 Myles Amine (MICH) Dec. No. 8 Buchanan (WYO) 7-6
Consi. Round of 12: No. 8 Buchanan (WYO) Dec. Thomas Penola (PUR) 6-2
Consi. Quarterfinals: No. 5 Jacob Warner (IOWA) Dec. No. 8 Buchanan (6-3)
285 - Brian Andrews
Consi. Round 2: No. 13 Andrews (WYO) Dec. No. 19 Josh Heindselmen (OU) 3-1(SV-1)
Consi. Round 3: No. 21 Tate Orndorff (OSU) Dec. No. 13 Andrews (WYO) 2-1 (TB-1)
* University of Wyoming press release