Let's Watch IMAR's NCAA Championship Win Over Nolf Together

One of the best matches in NCAA history has to be Isaiah Martinez versus Jason Nolf in the NCAA finals. Like Hall of Fame ILLINI Steve Marianetti before him, IMAR would keep a wrestler from becoming a four-time NCAA champion. 

He did it in style.  

You might recall that IMAR lost the match against Nolf during the dual, snapping his 52-win unbeaten streak. Something I point out to anybody who'll listen is that IMAR was--at the time of that dual loss--in the middle of his descent to 65kg to try to make a world team. Compare IMAR in this video from the dual with IMAR in the video of the Championship match below.

IMAR looks like IMAR's little brother. 

Another aspect of this season was the untimely death of Isaiah's father. That pretty obviously took a toll on him, but it also motivated him in his championship quest. Here's the video from the finals:

:05  IMAR makes his run out from the tunnel and into the arena. Any decent ref would have awarded him two points just for that. What? You don't agree? Well, **** you!

1:21  Nolf is twisting IMAR's knee in a very unpleasant way. The ref stops the action for potentially dangerous. Rant time! I do not like Jason Nolf. The main reason for that is the way he ***** around with his opponent's knees. As another example, in a later ILLINI/PSU dual in Champaign, Eric Barone was doing an amazing job frustrating Nolf in the first period. He went to the splits to avoid a single leg a couple of times. Nolf went to his evil knee attack (See, e.g., 8:54 of this video). 

**** Nolf! 

2:10  IMAR hits a high crotch for two! 

2:26  Nolf escapes. The score is 2-1.

3:41  With 15 seconds remaining in the first period Nolf secures a takedown. Will IMAR be able to get out in short time?

3:54  Yes! IMAR escapes with :02 left in the first period. The score is knotted up at 3-3 going into the second. 

4:18  Nolf indicates optional start. Then he grabs both of IMAR's ankles. 

4:24  IMAR escapes and now leads 4-3. 

5:20  Ref calls stalling on IMAR. This was 21 seconds after an IMAR shot that was eventually stalemated with Nolf hanging over the ILLINI's back and grabbing ankles. Additionally, there were two more IMAR shots during that 21 seconds of mat time. The only reason that Nolf was in there at all was because of a reattack after the third IMAR shot within 21 seconds. 

**** you, ref! 

7:12  Nolf gets escape to start the scoring in the third period. IMAR has :10 of riding time. 

8:39  There's :16 seconds left in regulation. The score is 4-4, and there will be no riding time. IMAR glances at the clock. He realizes what he has to do.

8:41  A wicked shrug by with all of IMAR's strength (with his head nearly hitting the mat) throws Nolf to the ground! IMAR jumps behind and scores the two with eleven seconds left in the match! 

8:50  IMAR cuts him loose. The next few seconds are a commercial on national television for IMAR's tattoo. Any decent ref would have awarded him 2 points for that tattoo. Prove me wrong. 

9:05  The match is over. Mama IMAR is screaming and crying in the stands! 

9:17  His hand has been raised, IMAR points to his Father.