PHILADELPHIA – Both Brevin Cassella and Cory Day won a match during the opening day of the NCAA Wrestling Championships Thursday at the Wells Fargo Center, as the duo advances to the second day of the competition.

Despite each of them facing a loss, the two national qualifiers fought their way to the second round of the consolation bracket, keeping their hopes of reaching the podium and earning All-America honors for the first time in their respective careers alive.

Cassella got a 3-1 decision in his first match of the day over No. 27 Jasiah Queen of Drexel to reach the second round at nationals for the second time in as many years. Trying to reach the quarterfinals for the first time in his career, Cassella was defeated by No. 11 Patrick Kennedy of Iowa 3-0 to fall to the consolation bracket.

On the other hand, Day began his tournament with a 10-2 loss to No. 14 Gavin Hoffman of Lock Haven. In the first round of the consolation bracket, Day bounced back by pinning No. 30 Sam Mitchell of Wyoming for his career-high 14th fall of the season to reach the next round.

"Brevin and Cory each had great effort today and I am excited to see them back on the mat on Friday competing for a spot on the podium," said Binghamton Head Wrestling Coach Kyle Borshoff.

Overall, Binghamton ends the first day tied for 42nd out of 66 teams with 3.5 points. Penn State is in first with 39.5 points.

Session One
In Cassella's opening match, it was Queen that got out to a 1-0 lead near the end of the first period after Cassella was called for an illegal hold. With neither wrestler able to generate any offense, Cassella tied the match at one in the second period following a stalling call on Queen. After Cassella chose to start the third period on the bottom, Queen elected to give Cassella an escape to start the frame neutral. Cassella gained one more point after Queen was called for stalling a second time and successfully defended his lead to advance to the second round on a 3-1 decision.

Day's bout against Hoffman was a rematch between the two wrestlers from their dual on Jan. 5, which Hoffman won 6-3. This latest bout remained scoreless until the start of the third period, when Day chose to go on the bottom only for Hoffman to elect that two competitors start in neutral, giving the Bearcat wrestler an escape point. Hoffman then got a takedown to move ahead 3-1, before Day escaped to bring it within 3-2. With time winding down, Day went on the attack, only for Hoffman to counter and get both a takedown and four points off a near fall to win in a 10-2 major decision.

Session Two
Kennedy got a quick takedown early in the first period and rode Cassella for the remaining 1:47 of the opening frame. Cassella then chose to start the second period on top, before riding Kennedy for the entire two minutes. Both wrestlers began the third period neutral, as Cassella made multiple attempts to tie the match with a takedown. Kennedy denied Cassella every time to win the match 3-0.

Day went on the attack early against Mitchell, getting a takedown 46 seconds into the bout before riding out the remainder of the first period. The Bearcat extended his lead to 5-0 after completing a reversal almost halfway through the second period. After Mitchell picked up an escape, Day took a 5-1 lead into the third period. 30 seconds into the final frame, Day took down his opponent before turning him over on his back and securing the pin.

2025 NCAA Wrestling Championships Day One Results

Brevin Cassella
174 First Round | No. 6 Brevin Cassella (Binghamton) def. No. 27 Jasiah Queen (Drexel) DEC 3-1
174 Second Round | No. 11 Patrick Kennedy (Iowa) def. No. 6 Brevin Cassella (Binghamton) DEC 3-0

Cory Day
285 First Round | No. 14 Gavin Hoffman (Lock Haven) def. No. 19 Cory Day (Binghamton) MD 10-2
285 Consolation First Round | No. 19 Cory Day (Binghamton) def. No. 30 Sam Mitchell (Wyoming) FALL 8-1 5:58

Up Next
During Session Three, Cassella goes against No. 28 Clayton Whiting of Minnesota in the second round of the consolation bracket. In that same round, Day faces No. 13 Seth Nevills of Maryland. Session Three begins on Friday at noon. If either Cassella or Day win two matches, that individual advances to Session Four, which starts Friday at 8 p.m. If one of them wins their first match during that session, that wrestler clinches a spot on the podium to earn All-America honors.

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