Sophomore 107-pounder Nickerson (29-11) led the Mounties off on the day with a 9-0 major decision in his preliminary bout. Nickerson then faced South East Regional champ Arav Pandey (37-3) in the Round of 16 and the Trinity freshman earned a 19-3 technical fall over Nickerson.

Nickerson now faces General McLane sophomore Luke Gray (33-16) in the second round of consolations. The two have not faced each other, but a common opponent is Altoona freshman Dominic Picciotti, who Nickerson beat 4-3 at the Mid-Winter Mayhem Tournament this season and Gray fell 6-5 to a week later.

Pequignot (34-6) was pinned in his first round 121-pound bout to 2024-’25 State 5th-place finisher Dakota Santamaria (39-4). 

Pequignot rebounded with a 22-6 TF in his first consolation match and will next face Phillipsburg-Osceola senior Caleb Hummel (45-9) in the second round of consi bouts. 

Wrestling resumes Friday morning at 8 a.m. with the championship bracket quarterfinals and the second round of consolation matches.