Derek White Scores Upset in All-Star Classic Matchup as Brock/Smith Fall

Kaid Brock, Jacobe Smith, and Derek White wrestled in the NWCA All-Star Classic in Colorado on Friday.

Derek White came up with a huge win over third ranked Youssif Hemida in overtime. Fourth ranked White was down 4-0 early in the first after getting taken down and put on his back. He battled back to take a 5-4 lead late in the match, then gave up an escape to tie it up at 5-5 and send the match to OT. In the sudden victory overtime White got takedown to upset Hemida. This was a very big win for White. Hemida is one of the top guys at heavyweight this year and the United States rep on the U23 World Team.

Last year heavyweight was a two-man race at the top. This year it has cleared out and White is a very legitimate NCAA title contender. Most that follow closely know that he’s up from 197 a few years ago. Last year he was in that 240-245 range. As of last week he weighed 258 and at times has weighed even more. He can go with any heavyweight on his feet, but the really big boys did seem to have the ability to ride him last year. I’m hoping that extra size will help with that. He didn’t struggle in that department here. He may match up with freshman phenom Gable Steveson at Minnesota in a few weeks. It should be a really intriguing one there.

Brock kicked things off for the Cowboys against Ohio State’s Joey McKenna. Getting his first taste of the new weight class Brock fell 11-4. He had a few early take-downs and was good on his feet here in the first. But continues to struggle from underneath, giving up four back-points in the second and a massive amount of riding time throughout the match.

Brock blows my mind with what he’s able to do on his feet. He’s really impressive in that department, but even up a weight he still had issues getting out. Ultimately he can neutralize that deficiency to an extent by not choosing to go underneath, but through the season John will continue to have him take bottom to improve in that department. You have to hope to see it because it’s really been his Achilles heal the last few years.

Jacobe ran into Michigan’s Myles Amine here. It was even on their feet through the first. In the second and third Amine poured it on, racking up an 11-2 major decision.