Ridge Lovett (born August 25, 2000) is an American folkstyle, freestyle, and greco-roman wrestler who competes at 149 pounds for the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Folkstyle career[edit]
High School[edit]
College[edit]
Lovett committed to Mark Manning and the Nebraska Cornhuskers as the 19th-ranked pound-for-pound recruit by FloWrestling.
2019–20[edit]
Lovett began the season redshirting and would place first in the Daktronics Open as a 133-pounder.[1] On November 24, 2019, Lovett had his redshirt status pulled against Northern Iowa.[2] In his dual meet debut, Lovett scored first but would be defeated by Jack Skudlarczyk 8–2.[3] Subsequently, Lovett wrestled with Nebraska in the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Collegiate Invitational.[4] He would finish the tournament with a 5–1 record and a third-place finish.[5] In his first four dual matches after his entrance into the starting lineup, Lovett would lose by three or more points, two of which were major decisions. He would, however, win his first dual match against Michigan State's Garrett Pepple in the way of a 5–0 decision.[6] During the Big Ten Championships, he would secure a takedown in the 7th-place match to earn an automatic bid to the 2020 NCAA Division I Championships,[7] which would later be canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[8] He would finish the season with a 17–8 record.
2020–21[edit]
Lovett gained some weight during the offseason, electing to wrestle as a 149-pounder. The NCAA postponed the 2020–21 season to January due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Competing as a sophomore, Lovett won three extra matches and two dual matches finishing the regular season 5–0. During the Big Ten Championships, Lovett finished 3–1 with his lone loss coming against Sammy Sasso in the 149-pound finals. During the 2021 NCAA Division I Championships, Lovett finished 1–2 and would not place. He would finish the 2020–21 season with a 9–3 record.
2021–22[edit]
2022–23[edit]
After winning the Cowboy Open, Lovett took his available redshirt to improve his skills.[9]
2023–24[edit]
Freestyle career[edit]
Age-group[edit]
In 2015, Lovett started wrestling at the cadet level for freestyle and Greco-Roman. In his first competition, Lovett won the triple crown at the 2015 West Cadet Regional as an 88-pounder. Later in the year, Lovett finished fifth at the USAW Cadet Greco-Roman Nationals and second at the Men's Freestyle Nationals.
In 2016, Lovett finished sixth at the USAW/Cliff Keen Cadet Folkstyle Nationals and fifth at the UWW Cadet Freestyle Nationals. At the 2016 Cliff Keen West Cadet Regionals, Lovett finished second in Greco-Roman and fourth in freestyle. In July 2016, Lovett won the USAW Cadet Greco-Roman Nationals title and finished runner-up to Julian Tagg in the Freestyle Nationals.
In 2017, Lovett started to wrestle in junior-level competitions, debuting at the 2017 Northwest Junior Regional. He would wrestle in all three events but only place in the freestyle bracket finishing third. At the 2017 UWW Cadet Greco-Roman Nationals, Lovett won gold in the 54-kilogram weight class. Again he would wrestle at the West Regional, finishing with gold in freestyle and silver in Greco-Roman. Lovett's biggest tournament of the year was the 2017 USMC/USAW Junior Nationals. In the competition, Lovett would finish fifth in freestyle and third in Greco-Roman. Lovett would also qualify for the 2017 World Cadet Wrestling Championships in Greco-Roman, finishing 2–1 and not placing.
2018–2019[edit]
In 2018, Lovett won the USAW Junior Folkstyle and Greco-Roman Nationals but fell in the finals of the Freestyle Nationals. He would repeat the same outcomes at the 2019 USAW Junior Nationals.
U23 and Senior level[edit]
Greco-roman record[edit]
| Senior & U23 Greco-Roman Matches
|
| Res.
|
Record
|
Opponent
|
Score
|
Date
|
Event
|
Location
|
| 2020 US Nationals DNP at 65 kg
|
| Loss
|
2–2
|
 Morgan Flaharty
|
TF 4–12
|
October 9–11, 2020
|
2020 US Senior Nationals
|
Coralville, Iowa
|
| Win
|
2–1
|
Bobby Treshock
|
TF 12–4
|
| Loss
|
1–1
|
Duncan Nelson
|
7–12
|
| Win
|
1–0
|
Justin Feldman
|
TF 12–0
|
Freestyle record[edit]
| Senior & U23 Freestyle Matches
|
| Res.
|
Record
|
Opponent
|
Score
|
Date
|
Event
|
Location
|
| 2023 US Open 6th at 65 kg
|
| Loss
|
19–9
|
Anthony Ashnault
|
Fall
|
April 26–30, 2021
|
2023 US Open National Championships
|
Las Vegas, Nevada
|
| Loss
|
19–8
|
Matthew Kolodzik
|
Fall
|
| Loss
|
19–7
|
Joseph McKenna
|
3–8
|
| Win
|
19–6
|
Patricio Lugo
|
7–5
|
| Win
|
18–6
|
Cole Matthews
|
5–1
|
2023 Henri Deglane Grand Prix  at 65 kg
|
| Win
|
17–6
|
Matt Kolodzik
|
15–12
|
January 20–22, 2023
|
Grand Prix de France Henri Deglane 2023
|
 Nice, France
|
| Win
|
16–6
|
 Agustín Destribats
|
Fall
|
| Win
|
15–6
|
Khamzat Arsamerzouev
|
5–3
|
| Loss
|
14–6
|
 Andre Clarke
|
1–4
|
| Win
|
14–5
|
 Nariman Serikbayev
|
TF 15–4
|
| 2022 US Nationals at 65 kg
|
| Win
|
13–5
|
Jordan Decatur
|
TF 10–0
|
June 3–6, 2022
|
2022 US U23 Nationals – US World Team Trials
|
Geneva, Ohio
|
| Win
|
12–5
|
Beau Bartlett
|
6–0
|
| Loss
|
11–5
|
Cole Matthews
|
5–6
|
| Win
|
11–4
|
Kellyn March
|
TF 16–4
|
| Win
|
10–3
|
Wil Guida
|
TF 11–0
|
| Win
|
9–3
|
Ethan Fernandez
|
TF 10–0
|
| Win
|
8–3
|
Isaiah Delgado
|
TF 11–1
|
| 2021 US Nationals 6th at 70 kg
|
| Loss
|
7–3
|
Yahya Thomas
|
TF 1–12
|
May 27–29, 2021
|
2021 US U23 Nationals
|
Geneva, Ohio
|
| Loss
|
7–2
|
Brayton Lee
|
TF 2–12
|
| Win
|
7–1
|
Connor Kievman
|
17–12
|
| Win
|
6–1
|
Jimmy Hoffman
|
TF 13–2
|
| Win
|
5–1
|
Luke Odom
|
TF 16–5
|
| Win
|
4–1
|
Luke Kemerer
|
9–2
|
| Win
|
3–1
|
Hunter Balk
|
TF 10–0
|
| Win
|
2–1
|
Ty Raines
|
17–15
|
| Loss
|
1–1
|
Doug Zapf
|
7–8
|
| Win
|
1–0
|
Brock Parker
|
TF 11–0
|
NCAA record[edit]
| NCAA Division I Record
|
| Res.
|
Record
|
Opponent
|
Score
|
Date
|
Event
|
| End of 2023–2024 Season (junior extra-year)
|
| Loss
|
69–16
|
Kyle Parco
|
3–4
|
February 25, 2024
|
Nebraska - Arizona State Dual
|
| Win
|
69–15
|
Tyler Kasak
|
7–3
|
February 18, 2024
|
Nebraska - Penn State Dual
|
| Win
|
68–15
|
Austin Gomez
|
11–4
|
February 9, 2024
|
Michigan - Nebraska Dual
|
| Win
|
67–15
|
Julian George
|
Fall
|
January 28, 2024
|
Nebraska - Wisconsin Dual
|
| Win
|
66–15
|
Aiden Vandenbush
|
Fall
|
January 26, 2024
|
Nebraska - Northwestern Dual
|
| Win
|
65–15
|
Marcos Polanco
|
Fall
|
January 21, 2024
|
Purdue - Nebraska Dual
|
| Win
|
64–15
|
Drew Roberts
|
MD 11–0
|
January 19, 2024
|
Nebraska - Minnesota Dual
|
| Win
|
63–15
|
Caleb Rathjen
|
5–1
|
January 12, 2024
|
Iowa - Nebraska Dual
|
| Win
|
62–15
|
Cael Rahnavardi
|
7–1
|
January 6, 2024
|
Northern Iowa - Nebraska Dual
|
| Win
|
61–15
|
Gabe Willochell
|
Fall
|
Wyoming - Nebraska Dual
|
| Win
|
60–15
|
Alek Martin
|
5–1
|
December 16, 2023
|
South Dakota State - Nebraska Dual
|
2023 Cliff Keen Invitational  at 149 lbs
|
| Win
|
59–15
|
Caleb Henson
|
4–3
|
December 1–2, 2023
|
2023 Cliff Keen Las Vegas Collegiate Invitational
|
| Win
|
58–15
|
Dylan D’Emilio
|
MD 11–0
|
| Win
|
57–15
|
Quinn Kinner
|
13–6
|
| Win
|
56–15
|
Dylan Gilcher
|
MD 11–1
|
| Win
|
55–15
|
Noah Tapia
|
Fall
|
| 2023 Navy Classic at 149 lbs
|
| Win
|
54–15
|
Dylan Chappell
|
Fall
|
November 18, 2023
|
2023 Navy Classic
|
| Win
|
53–15
|
Jeffery Boyd
|
1–0
|
| Win
|
52–15
|
Hayden Watson
|
TF 18–1
|
| Win
|
51–15
|
Alec Viduya
|
TF 20–2
|
| Win
|
50–15
|
Justin Rivera
|
TF 17–2
|
November 10, 2023
|
Campbell - Nebraska Dual
|
| Win
|
49–15
|
Kellyn March
|
MD 11–1
|
November 4, 2023
|
Nebraska - North Dakota State Dual
|
| Start of 2023–2024 Season (junior extra-year)
|
| End of 2022–2023 Season (junior year)
|
| 2022 Cowboy Open at 149 lbs
|
| Win
|
48–15
|
Chase Zollmann
|
TF 18–0
|
November 11, 2022
|
2022 Wyoming Cowboy Open
|
| Win
|
|
Nick Gallegos
|
MD 11–2
|
| Win
|
|
Kyler Lake
|
TF 22–4
|
| Win
|
47–15
|
Q'veli Quintanilla
|
Fall
|
| Start of 2022–2023 Season (junior year)
|
| End of 2021–2022 Season (sophomore extra-year)
|
2022 NCAA Championships  at 149 lbs
|
| Loss
|
46–15
|
Yianni Diakomihalis
|
5–11
|
March 18–20, 2021
|
2022 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
|
| Win
|
46–14
|
Bryce Andonian
|
5–4
|
| Win
|
45–14
|
Tariq Wilson
|
Fall
|
| Win
|
44–14
|
Joshua Heil
|
8–1
|
| Win
|
43–14
|
Jaden Abas
|
4–2
|
| 2022 Big Ten Conference 4th at 149 lbs
|
| Loss
|
|
Max Murin
|
MFOR
|
March 5–6, 2022
|
2022 Big Ten Conference Championships
|
| Win
|
42–14
|
Michael Blockhus
|
9–5
|
| Loss
|
41–14
|
Austin Gomez
|
Fall
|
| Win
|
41–13
|
Mike Van Brill
|
2–0
|
| Win
|
40–13
|
Alec White
|
8–1
|
| Win
|
39–13
|
Vincent Turk
|
3–1
|
February 20, 2022
|
Iowa - Nebraska Dual
|
| Win
|
38–13
|
Christian Kanzler
|
6–1
|
February 13, 2022
|
Illinois - Nebraska Dual
|
| Win
|
37–13
|
Beau Bartlett
|
6–0
|
February 6, 2022
|
Nebraska - Penn State Dual
|
| Win
|
36–13
|
Patrick Nolan
|
MD 11–3
|
February 4, 2022
|
Michigan - Nebraska Dual
|
| Win
|
35–13
|
Yahya Thomas
|
7–6
|
January 23, 2022
|
Nebraska - Northwestern Dual
|
| Loss
|
34–13
|
Austin Gomez
|
2–4
|
January 21, 2022
|
Nebraska - Wisconsin Dual
|
| Win
|
34–12
|
Michael Blockhus
|
7–2
|
January 14, 2022
|
Minnesota - Nebraska Dual
|
| Win
|
33–12
|
Trey Kruse
|
10–3
|
January 7, 2022
|
Purdue - Nebraska Dual
|
| 2021 Cliff Keen Invitational at 149 lbs
|
| Win
|
|
Yahya Thomas
|
MFOR
|
December 3–4, 2021
|
2021 Cliff Keen Las Vegas Collegiate Invitational
|
| Win
|
32–12
|
Mitch Moore
|
3–2
|
| Loss
|
31–12
|
Yianni Diakomihalis
|
SV–1 4–6
|
| Win
|
31–11
|
Jaden Abas
|
9–2
|
| Win
|
30–11
|
Kody Komara
|
Fall
|
| Win
|
29–11
|
Jaron Jensen
|
MD 11–2
|
| 2021 Daktronics Open DNP at 149 lbs
|
| Loss
|
|
Zach Price
|
MFOR
|
November 21, 2021
|
2021 Daktronics Open
|
| Loss
|
|
Drew Roberts
|
MFOR
|
| Win
|
|
Paniro Johnson
|
MD 15–6
|
| Win
|
28–11
|
Blaine Brenner
|
7–5
|
| Win
|
27–11
|
Zach Sherman
|
4–3
|
November 17, 2021
|
North Carolina - Nebraska Dual
|
| Win
|
|
Ryan Johnson
|
Fall
|
November 11, 2021
|
Nebraska–Kearney - Nebraska Dual
|
| Win
|
|
Chance Bockenstedt
|
TF 18–0
|
Chadron State - Nebraska Dual
|
| Start of 2021–2022 Season (sophomore extra-year)
|
| End of 2020–2021 Season (sophomore year)
|
| 2021 NCAA Championships DNP at 149 lbs
|
| Loss
|
26–11
|
Josh Finesilver
|
Fall
|
March 18–20, 2021
|
2021 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
|
| Loss
|
26–10
|
Max Murin
|
3–5
|
| Win
|
26–9
|
Peyton Omania
|
SV–1 6–4
|
| 2021 Big Ten Conference at 149 lbs
|
| Loss
|
25–9
|
Sammy Sasso
|
2–5
|
March 6–7, 2021
|
2021 Big Ten Conference Championships
|
| Win
|
25–8
|
Michael Blockhus
|
TB–1 2–1
|
| Win
|
24–8
|
Max Murin
|
11–6
|
| Win
|
23–8
|
Graham Rooks
|
6–1
|
| Win
|
22–8
|
Danny Pucino
|
TF 20–5
|
February 21, 2021
|
Nebraska - Illinois Dual
|
| Win
|
21–8
|
Eddie Homrock
|
6–0
|
February 6, 2021
|
Nebraska Michigan State Extra
|
| Win
|
20–8
|
Peyton Omania
|
MD 13–3
|
Michigan State - Nebraska Dual
|
| Win
|
19–8
|
Justin Benjamin
|
MD 10–2
|
January 23, 2021
|
Nebraska Northwestern Extra
|
| Win
|
18–8
|
Carter Happel
|
4–2
|
January 15, 2021
|
Iowa Nebraska Extra
|
| Start of 2020–2021 Season (sophomore year)
|
| End of 2019–2020 Season (freshman year)
|
| 2020 Big Ten Conference 7th at 133 lbs
|
| Win
|
17–8
|
Joey Silva
|
4–3
|
March 6–7, 2021
|
2020 Big Ten Conference Championships
|
| Loss
|
16–8
|
Sammy Alvarez
|
3–9
|
| Win
|
16–7
|
Travis Ford-Melton
|
Fall
|
| Loss
|
15–7
|
Austin DeSanto
|
0–1
|
| Win
|
15–6
|
Boo Dryden
|
Fall
|
| Win
|
14–6
|
Boo Dryden
|
FF
|
February 21, 2020
|
Nebraska - Minnesota Dual
|
| Win
|
13–6
|
Austin Assad
|
MD 11–0
|
February 14, 2020
|
Michigan - Nebraska Dual
|
| Win
|
12–6
|
Cayden Rooks
|
4–2
|
February 9, 2020
|
Nebraska - Indiana Dual
|
| Win
|
11–6
|
Travis Ford-Melton
|
Fall
|
February 7, 2020
|
Nebraska - Purdue Dual
|
| Win
|
10–6
|
Jordan Decatur
|
6–5
|
February 2, 2020
|
Ohio State - Nebraska Dual
|
| Win
|
9–6
|
Garrett Pepple
|
5–0
|
January 26, 2020
|
Michigan State - Nebraska Dual
|
| Loss
|
8–6
|
Roman Bravo-Young
|
MD 3–11
|
January 24, 2020
|
Penn State - Nebraska Dual
|
| Loss
|
8–5
|
Austin DeSanto
|
4–7
|
January 18, 2020
|
Nebraska - Iowa Dual
|
| Loss
|
8–4
|
Seth Gross
|
MD 5–13
|
January 12, 2020
|
Nebraska - Wisconsin Dual
|
| Loss
|
8–3
|
Devan Turner
|
2–6
|
December 20, 2019
|
Oregon State - Nebraska Dual
|
| 2019 Cliff Keen Invitational at 133 lbs
|
| Win
|
8–2
|
Todd Small
|
7–1
|
December 6–7, 2019
|
2019 Cliff Keen Las Vegas Collegiate Invitational
|
| Win
|
7–2
|
Mosha Schwartz
|
Fall
|
| Loss
|
6–2
|
Montorie Bridges
|
1–5
|
| Win
|
6–1
|
Louie Hayes
|
8–7
|
| Win
|
5–1
|
Garrett Lambert
|
6–2
|
| Win
|
4–1
|
Taylor LaMont
|
6–1
|
| Loss
|
3–1
|
Jack Skudlarczyk
|
2–8
|
November 24, 2019
|
Nebraska - Northern Iowa Dual
|
| 2019 Daktronics Open at 133 lbs
|
| Win
|
3–0
|
Caleb Gross
|
Fall
|
November 17, 2019
|
2019 Daktronics Open
|
| Win
|
2–0
|
Zach Price
|
6–4
|
| Win
|
1–0
|
Brent Jones
|
MD 14–2
|
| Start of 2019–2020 Season (freshman year)
|
| Season
|
Year
|
School
|
Rank
|
Weigh Class
|
Record
|
Win
|
Bonus
|
| 2024
|
Junior+
|
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
|
#3
|
149
|
21–1
|
95.45%
|
59.09%
|
| 2023
|
Junior
|
#3 (DNQ)
|
2–0
|
100.00%
|
100.00%
|
| 2022
|
Sophomore+
|
#5 (2nd)
|
20–4
|
83.33%
|
25.93%
|
| 2021
|
Sophomore
|
#11 (DNQ)
|
9–3
|
75.00%
|
25.00%
|
| 2020
|
Freshman
|
#17 (COVID)
|
133
|
17–8
|
68.00%
|
32.00%
|
| Career
|
69–16
|
81.18%
|
37.91%
|
- NCAA All-American (2022)
- 3× NCAA Qualifier (2020, 2021, 2022)
- Nebraska's Best Male Athlete (2022)
- Nebraska's Most Outstanding Wrestler (2022)
References[edit]
American
United States
