Penn State grabs lead on opening day of NCAA Div. I tournament

Harvard’s James Harrington of Tynsboro Mass., stays off his back against Wyoming’s Jared Hill (top) in a consolation round match at 157 pounds Thursday in Philadelphia. Harrington won, 5-4 to remain alive in the tournament. (Photo courtesy Sam Janicki / SJanickiPhoto.com)

Day 1 of the NCAA Division I championships is in the books in Philadelphia with Penn State holding a 11½ point lead over Nebraska as the Nittany Lions look to capture their 12th championship in the last 14 tournaments.

There are no Connecticut athletes in the tournament for the first time since 2019. But there is plenty of action to see.

Wrestling begins at noon on ESPNU or streaming on ESPN+ with the quarterfinals and second and third round consolation matches. The semifinals and additional consolation rounds will begin at 8 p.m. on ESPN2.

Our photos with this story come from a first round consolation mat. Harvard’s James Harrington of Tynsboro, Mass., stayed off his back to beat Wyoming’s Jared Hill, 5-4 and remain alive in the tournament. Harrington got a takedown with 1:16 left in the match to take the lead for good.

Award-winning freelance photographer Sam Janicki from Michigan provided the photos. Janicki was recently named photographer of the year for the second time by the National Wrestling Media Association.

NCAA results
After day 1: Penn State 39½, Nebraska 28, Oklahoma State 27, Iowa, Minnesots and Ohio State 18
2025 NCAA Division I championships brackets and results (TrackWrestling)

Harvard’s James Harrington (top) got a takedown with 1:16 left in the third period to beat Wyoming’s Jared Hill, 5-4 and remain alive in the NCAA Division I tournament Thursday in Philadelphia. (Photo courtesy Sam Janicki / SJanickiPhoto.com)