Dean Stunned in Finals as Wrestling Fails to Meet Goals at NCAAs
March 20, 2017

 

Maybe it just wasn't meant to be.

At least, that's how it seemed after Cornell wrestling two-time National Champion and four-time All-American Gabe Dean fell in the 184 pound finals on Saturday night of the NCAA Championships, capping off a tough 24-hour stretch for the team from Ithaca.

The Red was in prime position to bring home some hardware going into the second day of competition Friday night. The team had put up big numbers during the opening sessions of the tournament and was solidly in contention for a top-five team finish. Its top three wrestlers — seniors Dean, Brian Realbuto (174) and Dylan Palacio (157) — were all in their bracket's semifinals. Cornell had also already locked up four All-Americans with the three aforementioned seniors and sophomore Brandon Womack (165).

What transpired next was tough to swallow for anyone watching.





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