The toughest college wrestling tournament outside of the NCAAs is holding it's gnarliest round. It's the semifinals of the 2020 Big Ten Championships, and because it rules so much, I will live blog it. 

Watch the 2020 Big Ten Championships Live on Flo

It's a great day for wrestling, and a great day for blogging.

30 minutes from consi round, then semis. Blogging perch is perfecto for this round. pic.twitter.com/zNGXf5cuvA

— Andrew Spey ? (@SpeyWrestle) March 7, 2020

After over an hour of bloodround bouts we are finally getting to our semifinals matches!

125 Pounds

125 #1 Spencer Lee (Iowa) vs #22 Jack Medley (Michigan)

Spencer Lee failed to bonus Medley last time they wrestled, a rarity for him this season. Ans the match begins while the other semifinal mat ahs a 197 bout on it. But we've waited long enough! Spencer with a quick takedown, then he cuts Medley after 36 seconds. Lee with another takedown less than 20 seconds later. Back in neutral and it's 4-2 Lee after less than a minute. Lee on a single, Medley tries to roll through but Lee catches him and is looking for the fall. It's just four back points as Medley eventually bellies out. 10-2, now 10-3 after another optional start. Fireman's carry-ish takedown to make it 12-3. Lee running up the score early, as he is want to do. Medley refused to succumb to the roll-thru tilt so Spencer took him the other way with the reinforced armbar. 16-3 as the first period finally ends. 

Spencer escapes to start the second, then takes Medley down to earn a 19-3 tech fall. Lee looks sharp. A scary proposition for the rest of the weight class.

125 #6 Devin Schroder (Purdue) vs #12 Michael Deaugustino (Northwestern)

We're underway as Mike D's teammate Seabass is halfway through his match on the adjacent mat. A period and a half transpired while I was watching Rivera v Gross. It's 1-0 Schroder, now 3-0 with a takedown late in the second. Schroder riding tough, over a minute of RT. Schroder with a 4-0 lead (I think a stall point) and continues to ride in the third. Another rideout makes it a 6-0 final and Schroder is into the finals. 

133 Pounds

133 #1 Seth Gross (Wisconsin) vs #3 Sebastian Rivera (Northwestern)

Gross and Seabass round 2 begins as heavyweights are still rumbling on the other mat. Slide-by/whizzer-kick for Gross to score the first takedown. Rivera escapes to cut the lead in half. The second takedown is also Gross'. It's 4-1 with 1:14 left in the first. Rivera escapes but not before Gross amasses 1:20 of RT. Rivera gets dinged for stalling with 36 left on the clock and Northwestern is not happy. Rivera in on a shot after the restart and we got far ankle scrambling. Potentially dangerous is called as it looked like Rivera was getting the better of the exchange and the NJ partisan crowd does not like it (Seabass is from NJ btw). 

Rivera takes down to start the second period. Rivera escapes to make it 4-3, RT at 1:33 for Gross. Rivera in on a shot but can't convert. Rivera strikes again in short time and collects both legs, then gets the rideout. Rivera leasing 5-4 going into the third. 

Gross starts on bottom. Rivera rides long enough to take the RT clock under 60, then Gross escapes to tie things up. Another Rivera shot and another scramble. Rivera gets the takedown and the crowd in the RAC approves. Gross escapes with 30 seconds left in the match, trailing by one. Gross in on a shot. He's close to finishing, but not before time runs out. Rivera gets the win! He's fired up, the crowd is fired up. Northwestern with a finalist. 

133 #2 Austin Desanto (Iowa) vs #4 Roman Bravo-Young (Penn State)

DeSanto is 2-1 lifetime over RBY but those two wins came last year. This year he injury defaulted in the first period to Bravo-Young. This long-awaited rematch finally gets underway. RBY comes out firing, getting the first takedown in about 15 seconds. DeSanto escapes, goes in on a shot but it's stalemated. 2-1 RBY early. That's how the period ends. 

Second period DeSanto underneath, escapes to ties the score, RT not yet a factor. No change in score and we go to the third. RBY on bottom. Escapes quickly to regain the lead, 3-2. DeSanto in on a shot, RBY defending, long scramble, stalemate with 56 seconds to go. 26 left after DeSanto takes RBY out of bounds. DeSanto can't get through RBY's defenses. The Nittany Lions get their second finalist! This match happened after Nick Lee's match against Chad Red. 

141 Pounds

141 #1 Nick Lee (Penn State) vs #4 Chad Red Jr (Nebraska)

Shot-machine Nick Lee in on the first shot and converts after a long scramble. Lee smothering Red, who is having a tough time working to his base. Lee rides out the period and will choose down in the second. 

Lee escapes quickly, then gets another takedown to run it up to 5-0. Two minutes of riding time. Red I believe gets a reversal, as I see no other way fro the period to finish 5-2 with Red riding. Red will go back underneath in the third. Red's out to make it 5-3. Lee has RT locked up with a minute left in regulation. Another takedown for Red. He tries to cut Lee but the escape is never awarded. When Lee finally gets the escapes Red is all but out of time. Lee survives to make the finals for the Nittany Lions!

141 #2 Luke Pletcher (Ohio State) vs #6 Mitchell McKee (Minnesota)

McKee and Pletcher scoreless after 2 minutes. Pletcher gets the takedown in short time, though. Rideout gives him a two point lead going into the second. McKee on bottom in the second. McKee with the escape but Pletcher quickly back in on a double. It's 4-1, McKee back underneath, Pletcher with 1:21 of RT.  McKee escapes again, then chooses neutral in the third. Pletcher gets a quick takedown but looks like McKee is hurt. His lower left leg is being attended to. Do not like to see this at all. McKee up to his feet, he's going to try and continue. Takes a lot of grit to continue a match in this situation. Pletcher with another takedown once they resume. 8-2 with RT locked up for Pletcher, he's going to look for a major. Pletcher wins 11-3 and secures the major for the Buckeyes. Ohio State with a finalist!

149 Pounds

149 #1 Sammy Sasso (Ohio State) vs #11 Kanen Storr (Michigan) 

Sasso and Storr get going. Scramble but no score. Sasso pressuring Storr but can't get a takedown. Sasso starts on bottom in the second. Sasso out in 7 seconds. Guessing a stall point as its 2-0 Sasso still in neutral. Storr in on a nice shot but Sasso is incredibly difficult to score on. Stalemate. Now in the third, Sasso riding Storr, over a minute of RT.

149 #2 Pat Lugo (Iowa) vs #7 Brayton Lee (Minnesota)

Lugo and Lee (our third Lee of the semis) take the mat. Methodical first period so far after two minutes. Scoreless after 3 minutes. Lugo with a minute of riding time in the second. Lee having a terrible time escaping Lugo's clutches and its a 2nd-period rideout for the Hawkeye. Lee takes neutral in the third, wants to win it on his feet and I don't blame him. Lugo says not happening, counters a Lee shot and goes ahead 3-0 but also locks up riding time. An escape for Lee and RT point for Lugo makes it a 4-1 official final. Lugo into the finals to take on Sammy Sasso!

157 Pounds

157 #1 Ryan Deakin (Northwestern) vs #8 Will Lewan (Michigan)

Deakin wastes no times scoring a takedown on Lewan to see who will face Coleman in the finals. Deakin is the heavy favorite to do so. Deakin now leads 4-1. Deakin up 7-1 and cruising late in the second. Deakin makes it official, winning 8-2 and advancing to the finals, the second Wildcat to do so!

157 #7 Kendall Coleman (Purdue) vs Peyton Robb (Nebraska)

Our first 15-pound semi is Boilermaker vs Cornhusker, two very important and very American occupations. An upper body tussle goes in Coleman's favor and he gets the takedown and two nearfall. Nebraska corner challenges the nearfall. The nearfall is waved off but Coleman keeps the takedown points. Robb escapes and we go to the second. Another Robb escape ties it up, 2-2 and we're midway through the second period. We go to the third, Coleman on bottom, score tied. Coleman escapes quickly to regain the lead. 90 seconds left in regulation. Coleman in on a single leg, shin whizzer defense for Robb. Valuable seconds ticking away in the scramble. Only 21 seconds remain after the protracted scramble. Still 3-2 Coleman, RT will not be a factor. Shot from Robb but Coleman defends and will make the finals. Purdue will wrestle for a title at 157!

165 Pounds

165 #1 Vincenzo Joseph (Penn State) vs #5 Isaiah White (Nebraska)

Cenzo vs Zay Zay starts after Marinellii's pinfall. Cenzo scores first with a takedown. Now it's 2-1. White on a shot but lead hips Joseph so no sir. Still 2-1 late in the first. Period ends still 2-1 Cenzo. White escapes quickly to make it 2-2, riding time at 53 seconds for Cenzo. Stall call on White late in the second. Cenzo goes underneath and escapes quickly to begin the third. He holds a 3-2 lead. A takedown for Joseph will likely ice it. An escape in short time and an RT point and Cenzo wins 6-3. He will wrestle Marinelli for a Big Ten title, which believe it or not, could be his first!

165 #2 Alex Marinelli (Iowa) vs #12 Shayne Oster (Northwestern)

Marinelli in on a shot but Oster defends and 165 is underway. Next attack is successful for the BUll and he takes a 2-0 lead. Marinelli walks out front, going underhook chancer/cement job/cowcatcher and flips Oster over with a thud. The fall is called and Marinelli is into the finals with 2 more bonus for the Hawkeyes!

174 Pounds

174 #1 Michael Kemerer (Iowa) vs #6 Devin Skatzka (Minnesota)

Hawkeye vs Gopher in a battle of the upper midwest. Kemdawg strikes first with a takedown. Kemerer is up 11-3 already and I'm having trouble keeping up with hs pace. At least I'm not the only one. Second period and Skatzka is on top. 15-7 Kemerer to start the third. Skatzka gets a reversal to make it 15-9 has less than a minute to make up the rest of the difference. A reversal from Kemerer and some back points for good measure makes it 21-9. Kind of crazy match but Iowa will have another finalist and get a Kemerer Hall rematch tomorrow night!

174 #2 Mark Hall (Penn State) vs #4 Dylan Lydy (Purdue)

The first 174-pound match takes place after the first 184-pound match happened. Two quick stalls on Lydy and it's 1-0 Hall. Shot by Hall anticipated by Lydy who scores on a go-behind to take a 2-1 lead. Hall escapes exceedingly quickly to tie it back up. We go to the second knotted up. Hall ecapes to make it 3-2. Now 5-3 after a Hall takedown and Lydy escape. Lydy on bottom to start the third and another escape closes the deficit to one point. Riding time not a factor. Lydy pressures in but Hall defends and Hall wins by a 5-4 score. Another Nittany Lion in the finals!

184 Pounds

184 #6 Aaron Brooks (Penn State) vs #10 Taylor Venz (Nebraska)

184 starts before any 174 semis are wrestled and it's a rematch that Venz won earlier this year. Brooks gets the first takedown. Venz stands, Brooks drops to a leg and Venz hits a gator-bacon-y counter. He's got Brooks on his back. Not reversal or nearfall called. Venz gets the one but Nebraska challenges. Takedown but no nearfall, plus an escape for Brooks is how it's finally ruled. So 3-3 and we're in neutral, RT not a factor. Almost like none of it ever happened. Period ends still 3-3. 

Venz on bottom to start the second. Venz is out in 9 seconds. Brooks quickly back in on a single. Now he's got a cradle locked up. Venz is in trouble. Brooks readjusting. There it is! Big time move by Aaron Brooks and the Nittany Lion freshman is in the finals! There are a lot of PSU fans here in the RAC and they are pumped. A WE-ARE chant dutifully ensues. 

184 #7 Cameron Caffey (Michigan State) vs #9 Abe Assad (Iowa)

Iowa's true frosh has a tough act to follow after what Penn State's just did in the other 184-pound semi. Caffey has something to prove as well, and so far after 3 minutes of wrestling, neither competitor has allowed a score. Caffey scores first with an escape in the second period. He follows it up with a takedown to make it 3-0, now 3-1 after Assad escapes. Another takedown and escape by the same folks and it's 5-2 as we head to the third. 

Assad breaks free early in the period and is trailing by two with less than a minute to go. Assad can't break through Caffey's defenses and Michigan State has a Big Ten finalist! Sparty gets a breakthrough performance from their sophomore 184-pounder.

197 Pounds

197 #1 Kollin Moore vs #10 Lucas Davison (Northwestern)

Moore up 4-1 in less than 90 seconds. There is a reason is a Hodge contender. Moore too big, too fast, and too strong for Davison in the first. He's up 6-2 with 1:33 of RT. Moore's low-level shots are sublime and he's got five of them so far as time runs out in the second. Moore is up 13-5 with less than a minute left in regulation. Buckeyes sitting at fourth on the team score leaderboard and could use all the bonus points they can get. Moore gives them one extra as he wins 16-5. 

197 #18 Shakur Rasheed (Penn State) vs #8 Eric Schultz (Nebraska)

Rasheed showing up in postseason form, getting the first takedown against Schultz. PSU trails Iowa in the team score but not by as much as many thought they would at this point in the tournament. Schultz escapes to cut the lead to one. Then takes the lead with a double leg takedown. 

Schultz starts the second period underneath with a 3-2 lead. Makes it 4-2, and Rasheed picked up a stall call in the process. Period ends 4-2 and Rasheed goes underneath in the third. Rasheed escapes to make it 4-3, riding time not a factor. Rasheed attacking, Shultz keeping him at bay. PSU fans want a stall call, and they'll get it as Rasheed shot him out of bounds. Rasheed has a headlock! But Shultz squirms free. That was close. Schultz will prevail, and the Husker will face Kollin Moore in the finals! A smattering of boos from the PSU fans as Schultz goes arms-out, are-you-not-entertained to the crowd. 

285 Pounds

285 #2 Mason Parris (Michigan) vs #5 Trent Hillger (Wisconsin)

We've got our first heavyweight match as the semifinals round the home stretch. No scores after 2 and a half minutes. A missed a score in there as it's 3-0 in Parris'  favor and they're in neutral in the second. Must have been a takedown in short time for Parris. And it's a third-period rideout for Parris for a comfortable 4-0 win. Big Blue with a finalist!

285 #1 Gable Steveson (Minnesota) vs #3 Anthony Cassioppi (Iowa)

Steveson starts our last semifinal bout with a thump, taking Big Tony down early in the first. A mostly quiet rest of the period makes it 2-1 going into the second. An escape by Cassioppi and another thunderous double leg by Steveson and it's 4-2 in favor of Steveson. Make that 4-3 after an escape from Cass. 6-4 now in the third. We're in neutral but Steveson has 1:35 of riding time. Late takedown and riding time makes it a 9-4 final. Steveson into the finals for the second time in two tries!

Iowa leads the team race by 19 over Nebraska. Ohio State in third with 94 and Penn State in a surprising fourth with 93.5. The Nittany Lions have five finalist, though, the most of any team, including the Hawkeyes. 

That'll do it for session II inside the RAC. Thanks for reading, apologies for the typos and see you tomorrow the 2020 Big Ten finals!