As the buzzer sounded, AJ Ferrari laid on his back, pistols in the air. A deep exhale.
The No. 1-seeded 197-pound freshman had just accomplished what only two Cowboys have done before— winning an NCAA title as a true freshman.
Every day of his life, Ferrari has been working for this moment. Thousands of hours of weightlifting with his brothers and dad in the Ferrari’s home garage. All the gained muscle. All the cut weight led to a 4-2 decision over Pittsburgh’s No. 6 Nino Bonaccorsi.
After a 2-1 lead in the first period, Ferrari used his superior strength to ride Bonaccorsi.