MAC ATTACK: Princeton University wrestler Marc-Anthony McGowan, right, surveys a foe in a bout earlier this season. Last weekend, sophomore star McGowan made a stirring run at the NCAA Wrestling Championships in Cleveland, Ohio. The 10th-seeded McGowan advanced to the national final at 125 pounds where he fell 2-1 to top-seeded Luke Lilledahl of Penn State on Saturday night. In making the championship match, McGowan became Princeton’s 10th-ever finalist. He is the first finalist for the program since Pat Glory ’23 won the title at 125 in 2023. (Photo by Frank Jacobs III)
By Bill Alden
Competing in the NCAA Wrestling Championships last weekend in Cleveland, Ohio, Princeton University sophomore star Marc-Anthony McGowan produced some March Madness of his own.
Seeded 10th at 125 pounds, McGowan made a Cinderella run to the national final where he fell 2-1 to top-seeded Luke Lilledahl of Penn State on Saturday night.
On Thursday, McGowan began his stirring NCAA performance by pinning No. 23 Nicolar Rivera of Wisconsin. In his second bout of the day, McGowan posted a 4-2 win over No. 7 Nick Provo of Stanford.
A day later, McGowan upset No. 2 Eddie Ventresca of Virginia Tech in the quarterfinals with a sudden-victory decision after the foes tied at 2-2 through regulation. McGowan then defeated No. 14 Jacob Moran of Indiana in the semifinals, 4-1, to make the final and claim All-American status.
In advancing to the championship match, McGowan became Princeton’s 10th-ever finalist. He is the first finalist for the program since Pat Glory ’23 won the title at 125 in 2023.
In the final, McGowan jumped off to a 1-0 lead and was tied 1-1 with Lilledahl heading into the third period. While looking for a shot, McGowan received two stall calls, giving a point to Lilledahl to decide the match.
McGowan finished the season with a 19-7 record as he became the first All-American and first national finalist under Tiger head coach Joe Dubuque and his staff.
Four other Tiger wrestlers competed in the NCAA Championships as Ty Whalen (165), Mathew Martino (141), Eligh Rivera (149), and Holden Garcia (174) each lost their first round bouts. Whalen won his first consolation match before getting eliminated in the wrestlebacks while the other three each lost their first consolation matches.