Northwestern University Athletics
Rivera Earns All-American Status at NCAA Championships
3/16/2018 9:11:00 PM | Wrestling
CLEVELAND — Redshirt first-year Sebastian Rivera won his Round of 12 matchup on Friday night at the Quicken Loans Arena and became the 40th Wildcat wrestler to earn All-American honors in school history.
Rivera is the first Northwestern All-American since 2015, when current assistant coach Mike McMullan and Jason Tsirtsis earned the honors. Rivera is also the highest-seeded Wildcat to become an All-American since a 10th-seeded McMullan finished in third place in 2012.
The Jackson, New Jersey, native earned the 68th overall All-America honor in NU history and becomes the fifth 125-pound Wildcat to earn the status, joining Brandon Precin (2008-09, 2011), John Velez (2006), Ralph Lupton (1928), and Bryan Hines (1924).
He also beat ninth-seeded Ronnie Bresser of Oregon State in the consolation quarterfinals and will wrestle No. 2 Nathan Tomasello of Ohio State tomorrow morning. The winner will wrestle for third place.
"It feels awesome. Listening to Cody [Brewer], and Matt [Storniolo], and [Andrew] Howe, and [Mike] McMullan all year, [saying] that, 'This is going to happen,' and for it to happen and make them proud and give Northwestern a name, I couldn't be more stoked," Rivera said after his win.
Rivera started his bout against Virginia's Louie Hayes, the 14th-ranked wrestler in the nation, with a very quick takedown and rode out the Cavalier wrestler for the rest of the period.
"I knew that [Hayes] didn't have anything on his feet and he couldn't get out from bottom," Rivera said. "I knew I was going to dominate the rest of the match and so I went down there and got my riding time … and continued to score."
Rivera continued to score points against Hayes, finishing with a commanding, 8-0 major decision to earn his All-American honor.
Against Bresser, Rivera used many of the same tactics that he did against Hayes, including an early takedown and amassing a wide riding time advantage. A late point-scoring flurry gave Rivera a 12-2 major decision over the 10th-ranked 125-pounder in the nation.
Session V begins on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. CT and will be broadcast on ESPNU.
Results
Round of 12
125: (10) Sebastian Rivera (NU) maj. dec. (12) Louie Hayes (Virginia), 8-0
Consolation Quarterfinals
125: (10) Sebastian Rivera (NU) maj. dec. (9) Ronnie Bresser (Oregon State), 12-2
Rivera is the first Northwestern All-American since 2015, when current assistant coach Mike McMullan and Jason Tsirtsis earned the honors. Rivera is also the highest-seeded Wildcat to become an All-American since a 10th-seeded McMullan finished in third place in 2012.
The Jackson, New Jersey, native earned the 68th overall All-America honor in NU history and becomes the fifth 125-pound Wildcat to earn the status, joining Brandon Precin (2008-09, 2011), John Velez (2006), Ralph Lupton (1928), and Bryan Hines (1924).
He also beat ninth-seeded Ronnie Bresser of Oregon State in the consolation quarterfinals and will wrestle No. 2 Nathan Tomasello of Ohio State tomorrow morning. The winner will wrestle for third place.
"It feels awesome. Listening to Cody [Brewer], and Matt [Storniolo], and [Andrew] Howe, and [Mike] McMullan all year, [saying] that, 'This is going to happen,' and for it to happen and make them proud and give Northwestern a name, I couldn't be more stoked," Rivera said after his win.
Rivera started his bout against Virginia's Louie Hayes, the 14th-ranked wrestler in the nation, with a very quick takedown and rode out the Cavalier wrestler for the rest of the period.
"I knew that [Hayes] didn't have anything on his feet and he couldn't get out from bottom," Rivera said. "I knew I was going to dominate the rest of the match and so I went down there and got my riding time … and continued to score."
Rivera continued to score points against Hayes, finishing with a commanding, 8-0 major decision to earn his All-American honor.
Against Bresser, Rivera used many of the same tactics that he did against Hayes, including an early takedown and amassing a wide riding time advantage. A late point-scoring flurry gave Rivera a 12-2 major decision over the 10th-ranked 125-pounder in the nation.
Session V begins on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. CT and will be broadcast on ESPNU.
Results
Round of 12
125: (10) Sebastian Rivera (NU) maj. dec. (12) Louie Hayes (Virginia), 8-0
Consolation Quarterfinals
125: (10) Sebastian Rivera (NU) maj. dec. (9) Ronnie Bresser (Oregon State), 12-2
••••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, check us out on Instagram, visit our Social Media page and download our mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play! To get involved with the #B1GCats, become a season-ticket holder or join the Wildcat Fund!
Players Mentioned
/ Wrestling
Wrestling - Four 'Cats Earn Bonus Points as Northwestern Downs Maryland in Big Ten Opener (1/9/26)
Saturday, January 10
Wrestling - 'Cats Take Down Wisconsin, 27-11, on Senior Night (2/14/25)
Saturday, February 15
Wrestling - Seven 'Cats Claim Victory in 27-12 Win Over Michigan State (2/8/25)
Saturday, February 08
Wrestling - 'Cats Tame Mustangs, Take Down Cal Poly 29-14 (12/19/24)
Friday, December 20
