ST. LOUIS, Mo. — For teams that seriously contend for the team title, the first day of the NCAA Wrestling Championships is all about setting yourself up for the rest of the week.
Because major team points are up for grabs on Friday, with the quarterfinals, semifinals and key wrestleback matches all on the schedule. A strong showing there can ensure that Saturday will be a day of celebration.
But none of that is possible without first making sure Thursday goes according to plan. You can't win the national team title on the first day, but you can lose it.