For the third year in a row, senior John Rizqallah is headed to the NCAA tournament.

Rizqallah pinned Northwestern’s Mitch Sliga in the semifinal match of the Big Ten Championships on Saturday. This pin Pinning Sliga automatically places Rizqallah into the top ten placers at the NCAA tourney. These Having earned a top ten finish, Rizqallah, will be given an automatic bid to the tournament later this month in St. Louis. Spartans Nick Trimble and Nick McDiarmid both face the same daunting task of wrestling for an invite. As of this article, Nick Trimble has placed eighth and did not receive an automatic bid.

The Spartans are currently in 12th place with 12 points, which is huge. The fact that John Rizqallah received a third invite adds to an already sterling collegiate career.

McDiarmid still has a chance to qualify and the Spartans are sending someone to St. Louis, so, fans have something to stay tuned in for. Could there be a dark horse run in John Rizqallah? Maybe. This is his last shot at a title or a top-three finish. He knows that far better than we do. Every ex-wrestler knows the feeling of the last time they stepped on the mat.

Coach Tom Minkel will be guiding John Rizqallah along the way, and anything is possible. As for Nick McDiarmid, he seemed relaxed and ready for Columbus when I spoke with him. McDiarmid on the impending weekend, “Nothing to lose really. Just go out there and go, high fly man.”

Nick Carver is the Host of Pinned Down Wrestling for MSU Impact Sports

Photo by Siobhan Findlay/ Impact Sports