Photo by: Tom Lynn
Gross is the GOAT after knocking off three NCAA champions
November 16, 2019 | Wrestling
Wisconsin’s 133 pounder is bound for Olympic Trials
NEW YORK CITY – In his first of five chances to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Trials in April, Seth Gross got the job done at the Bill Farrell Memorial International Open on Saturday afternoon.Â
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Gross, a usual 133-pounder, dropped down to 57 kilograms for the elite showdown.Â
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In his first match of the day, Gross, coming off of a bye, took down Austin Miller in the second round with a 7-4 decision. In the quarterfinals, Gross, the 133-pound 2018 NCAA Champion, faced off against Nick Suriano, the 125-pound 2019 NCAA Champion out of Rutgers. Gross knocked Suriano out of the competition with a last second two-point exposure call, ending with a 4-2 decision.
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Gross continued to knock off former NCAA champions and next up was Darian Cruz. Gross recorded a technical pin against Cruz, Lehigh's 2017 125-pound NCAA Champion. In the freestyle match, Gross won 12-1 against Cruz, ending the match in just 4 minutes, 29 seconds. In the final round, Gross took on 2015 125-pound NCAA Champion and former Ohio State Buckeye, Nathan Tomasello. Gross started off hot, scoring eight points in the first period. He didn't stop there and ended the match in a technical pin in 4:52 outscoring Tomasello, 11-1.
By winning his weight class, Gross qualifies for the 2020 U.S. Olympic trials on April 4-5 at the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pennsylvania.
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From the mat
"Seth did an awesome job. Beating three NCAA champs in one tournament is not easy.  He is a true professional, from dropping a weight class to preparing and executing. I am so proud of him! He got the job done today and qualified for the Olympic Trials!"
    - Head coach, Chris Bono
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"My mindset doesn't change! No matter who I'm up against the plans to give maximum effort and do what I can with the opportunities and talents God has blessed me with. As far as being qualified it will allow me to focus on NCAA season and train freestyle on the side and just focus on getting better at wrestling."
  - Redshirt senior, Seth Gross
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Gross, a usual 133-pounder, dropped down to 57 kilograms for the elite showdown.Â
Â
In his first match of the day, Gross, coming off of a bye, took down Austin Miller in the second round with a 7-4 decision. In the quarterfinals, Gross, the 133-pound 2018 NCAA Champion, faced off against Nick Suriano, the 125-pound 2019 NCAA Champion out of Rutgers. Gross knocked Suriano out of the competition with a last second two-point exposure call, ending with a 4-2 decision.
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Gross continued to knock off former NCAA champions and next up was Darian Cruz. Gross recorded a technical pin against Cruz, Lehigh's 2017 125-pound NCAA Champion. In the freestyle match, Gross won 12-1 against Cruz, ending the match in just 4 minutes, 29 seconds. In the final round, Gross took on 2015 125-pound NCAA Champion and former Ohio State Buckeye, Nathan Tomasello. Gross started off hot, scoring eight points in the first period. He didn't stop there and ended the match in a technical pin in 4:52 outscoring Tomasello, 11-1.
By winning his weight class, Gross qualifies for the 2020 U.S. Olympic trials on April 4-5 at the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pennsylvania.
Â
From the mat
"Seth did an awesome job. Beating three NCAA champs in one tournament is not easy.  He is a true professional, from dropping a weight class to preparing and executing. I am so proud of him! He got the job done today and qualified for the Olympic Trials!"
    - Head coach, Chris Bono
Â
"My mindset doesn't change! No matter who I'm up against the plans to give maximum effort and do what I can with the opportunities and talents God has blessed me with. As far as being qualified it will allow me to focus on NCAA season and train freestyle on the side and just focus on getting better at wrestling."
  - Redshirt senior, Seth Gross
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