Leake Earns First NCAA Tournament Victory as CBU's Season Ends in Philadelphia

Thursday, March 20

Philadelphia, PA

9 AM

California Baptist University

Session I

Photo by: Ryley Collom

Leake Earns First NCAA Tournament Victory as CBU's Season Ends in Philadelphia

3/20/2025 7:50:00 PM | Wrestling

By: Ryley Collom, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications & Digital Media

PHILADELPHIA, PA--- Hunter Leake earned his first-ever NCAA Tournament win on Thursday for California Baptist University Wrestling but would ultimately end his season in the opening round of the consolation bracket.

Leake would open his day at the Wells Fargo Center in the pigtail round against Nolan Wertanen of Michigan. Leake would fall behind early after Wertanen took Leake to the mat and turned him for an early 7-0 advantage in the first period. Leake would turn the screws on Wertanen moments later and take him down toward the edge of the mat. Leake would flip over Wertanen and earn swipes before eventually putting him on his back for the fall. The win was Leake's first at the NCAA Tournament and was the first match win of the day, giving CBU three points and a team lead on the scoreboard.

The win set up a matchup against the top seed in the 133lb bracket in Lucas Byrd of Illinois. Byrd, a two-time All-Amercian and three-time NCAA qualifier, won the BIG 10 title two weeks ago and was awarded with the #1 seed in the bracket. The opening period went scoreless as Leake fended off a few solid shots from Byrd. Leake would begin round two on top, which allowed Byrd to earn a two-point reversal to begin the scoring. Leake would return the favor with a reversal in the waning second of the frame to tie the score at two heading into the final period. Byrd would ride out Leake in the final period to earn his riding time point and escape a major upset from Leake.

Leake would make his way into the consolation bracket and matchup with 2024 NCAA qualifier Jacob Van Dee of Nebraska. Van Dee would grab early momentum with a takedown and back points before rounding out a 13-2 major decision over Leake. The loss would end Leake's season, a season in which he was the first 2x NCAA qualifier and Big 12 placer in program history and was the first Lancer to earn a trip to the BIG 12 semifinals.