LHU’s Noto locks up All-American honors at NCAAs

TULSA, Okla. – In the biggest moment of the season to date on the sport’s biggest stage, redshirt-sophomore Anthony Noto (Lima, N.Y./Honeoye Falls-Lima) went a perfect 2-0 Friday night during Session 4 – the blood round – at the 2022-23 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships and, in doing so, he locked up All-American honors to lead the way for the Lock Haven University men’s wrestling team.

In earning All-American status, Noto became the 44th NCAA Division I All-American for the Bald Eagles, and the first since 2019 when both Chance Marsteller and Kyle Shoop soared to All-American honors on the mats.

Heading into Saturday’s final day of the national tournament Noto can finish as high as third, but no lower than sixth.

Friday in Consolation Round 4 action, Noto – the No. 8 seed at 125 pounds – secured All-American honors with a 3-1 victory over No. 13 seed Dean Peterson of Rutgers. Noto scored a takedown as time expired in the first period and added a quick escape in the second to advance in the consolation round and secure his status as a 2023 Division I All-American.

After locking up All-American accolades, Noto returned to the mats in Consolation Round 5/Quarterfinal action and he rolled to another impressive victory. Noto capped a 2-1 day with a dominating 8-3 win over No. 28 Killian Cardinale (West Virginia). After a scoreless first period, Cardinale took a 1-0 lead on an early second-period escape, but Noto quickly went up 2-1 on a takedown. The Bald Eagle led 2-1 after two, and Noto pulled away in the third with two more takedowns which stretched the difference to 8-3.

With the win over Cardinale, Noto advances to the consolation semifinals Saturday morning where he will meet No. 3 Liam Cronin of Nebraska. With a win vs. Cronin, Noto would secure a spot in the third-place bout. A loss would push Noto into the fifth-place bout.

Earlier Friday in Session 3, No. 8 seed – Noto fell to top-seed Spencer Lee of Iowa in the quarterfinals at 125. Lee, a three-time NCAA champion won by major decision despite a strong effort from the Bald Eagle, which included a sensational second period. Noto was the first this tournament to force Lee to wrestle an entire match.

Lee led Noto, 10-0 after the first period but starting on top in the second – Noto quickly turned Lee, and the Bald Eagle recorded four near-fall points. After the second period, which was highlighted by Noto’s tough ride, Lee led 11-4, before pulling away late for the major.

On Day 1 – at the NCAA Championships, Noto went a perfect 2-0 to earn his spot in today’s 125-pound quarterfinals.

Noto opened the championships with a 5-2 First Round win over No. 25 seed Joe Prata of Oklahoma. In Round 2, Noto used a late takedown to edge out No. 9 seed Eric Barnett of Wisconsin, 5-4.

Noto entered Friday’s quarterfinal bout on a 20-match win streak and the loss was his first since Dec. 19, 2022.

Thursday’s 2-0 record and Noto’s 2-1 effort Friday pushed him to 4-1 overall at this year’s national tournament. The two-time national qualifier (*2022) is now 5-3 lifetime at the NCAA tournament.

On the season, Noto is a remarkable 33-3 and he’s now 64-6 in his collegiate career.

The 2022-23 NCAA Division I National Championships, got underway Thursday and run through Saturday at the BOK Center in Tulsa Oklahoma. Session 5, which includes the consolation semifinals, third-place, fifth-place, and seventh-place bouts, is set for an 11 a.m. EST start Saturday start and will be televised live on ESPNU and ESPN+. Full championship schedule details and live coverage options are available at GoLHU.com.

Lock Haven Bout-by-Bout Results

125: Anthony Noto (Lima, N.Y./Honeoye Falls-Lima), Redshirt-Sophomore, No. 8 seed
First Round vs. #25 Joey Prata (Oklahoma), W dec. 5-2
Second Round vs. #9 Eric Barnett (Wisconsin), W, dec. 5-4
Quarterfinals vs. #1 Spencer Lee (Iowa), L, major dec. 14-4
Consolation Round 4 vs. #13 Dean Peterson (Rutgers) W, dec. 3-1
Consolation Round 5/Quarterfinals vs. #28 Killian Cardinale (West Virginia) W, dec. 8-3
-2023 NCAA Tournament Record: 4-1 // Career NCAA Tournament Record: 5-3
-2023 Season Record: 33-3 // Career Record: 64-6

*# = NCAA Tournament Seed