PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Rhenzo Augusto completed his competition at the 2025 NCAA DIII Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 14, falling in the first round and battling back, but falling one step short of All-American honors.
Augusto received a championship round one bye before opening his day with a match against third-seeded Cooper Pontelandolfo of NYU in the championship round two. Pontelandolfo scored a late first period takedown, but Augusto was able to escape tp move the score to 3-1 in favor of NYU heading into the second. Starting on top in the second period, Pontelandolfo would extend his lead to 7-1 by the end of the second with an escape and takedown. Pontelandolfo further cemented his win with another takedown to secure riding time, and while Augusto added a point from stalling, Pontelandolfo took the 11-2 major decision.
To open the consolation first round, Augusto faced Gavin Pascoe of Gettysburg, jumping out to an 11-3 opening period lead with two takedowns and four nearfall points, adding an escape after a reversal from Pascoe. Augusto would build his lead in the second with an escape and subsequent takedown, and added another takedown in the third period to secure the 18-5 major decision to move on to the next round.
In the consolation third round, Augusto faced Jacob Woodburn of Coast Guard, looking to book his ticket to Day Two. Augusto started hot again, scoring seven points with a takedown and nearfall in period one, and added a takedown and escape point in the second to lead, 11-1, heading into the final period. Augusto escaped, adding his 12th point, and secured a 12-1 major decision to advance to the next round
With one victory standing between the freshman and All-American honors, Augusto faced returning placewinner Clayton McDonough of Luther. After a scoreless first period, McDonough scored a takedown and four back points to take a 7-0 lead into the third period. There, McDonough scored another four-point nearfall, and despite an escape and takedown from Augusto, McDonough held on for the 12-4 major decision.
Augusto ends his season with an overall record of 35-5, one of the best performances from a freshman in Bluejay history.
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