McLaughlin Advances to Day Two of 2019 NCAA Wrestling Championships

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Air Force Academy wrestling's senior co-captain Anthony McLaughlin punched his ticket to day two of the 2019 NCAA Championships, advancing in the consolation bracket at 197 lbs. Thursday evening, March 21, inside PPG Paints Arena.

McLaughlin is the first AFA wrestler to win a match in the NCAA Championships since 2016. He will face No. 24 seeded Jake Jakobsen of Lehigh in the second round of consolations tomorrow. The two have faced off once before, with Jakobsen taking a 2-0 victory at the 2018 Southern Scuffle.

The day began for the 26th seeded McLaughlin in the championship first round, as he faced #7 Jay Aiello of Virginia. McLaughlin held tough, getting a pair of escapes, but Aiello finished off a 7-2 decision, dropping McLaughlin into the consolations.

After a long break, McLaughlin came back that evening against No. 23 seeded Kellan Stout of the hometown Pittsburgh Panthers. Following a scoreless first, McLaughlin started the second on top. He got over a minute of riding time, but gave up the escape to trail 1-0 into the third.

In the third, he got his escape, but riding time was back under one minute, making it a true tie match. With about a minute to go, McLaughlin was able to secure a takedown, and get his riding time back up over a minute. Despite giving up an escape, he fended off any last second shots, and held on for the 4-2 decision win.

McLaughlin will be back in action tomorrow morning for the second round of consolations in Session III. Action from the Steel City begins at 9 a.m. MT.

197 – #26 Anthony McLaughlin (1-1)
Round of 32: #7 Jay Aiello (Virginia) over #26 Anthony MLaughlin (Dec 7-2)
Consi of 16 #1: #26 Anthony McLaughlin over #23 Kellan Stout (Pittsburgh) (Dec 4-2)
Consi of 16 #2: #24 Jake Jakobsen (Lehigh)

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