Last-second rally for Virginia's Valenti at NCAA Wrestling Championships
In Friday morning’s wrestleback round, Virginia’s Derek Valenti said he used the mindset of “do-or-die” to pull out a one point victory after trailing Buffalo’s Desi Green 3-1 with just over 10 seconds left at 149 pounds. The junior scored a takedown with nine seconds left, then scored an escape before the buzzer to finish the match with a 4-3 lead and earn himself a spot in the next round of Friday afternoon’s wrestlebacks.
In Friday morning's wrestleback round, Virginia's Derek Valenti said he used the mindset of "do-or-die" to pull out a one point victory after trailing Buffalo's Desi Green 3-1 with just over 10 seconds left at 149 pounds.
The junior scored a takedown with nine seconds left, then scored an escape before the buzzer to finish the match with a 4-3 lead and earn himself a spot in the next round of Friday afternoon's wrestlebacks.
"There's no turning back, I have to leave everything on the mat," Valenti said.
At the end of the second period, Valenti was the subject of a controversial call as Green was awarded a takedown which appeared to come after the horn had sounded. Virginia coach Steve Garland adamantly argued the call.
"My pop-pop always told me, 'You're facing two guys every time you're on the mat; your opponent and the referee," Valenti said. "I have to leave nothing up to (the referee)."
From Session 3: