149 lbs has been hit fairly hard by graduation or as we say in the COVID-19 era, "Finally done with eligibility" but looking over rosters, I don't think it was hit as hard as I initially thought. I found two wrestlers who I swore were done with their collegiate careers, that may very well have this season remaining. Don't know for sure. What I do know is that COVID has made knowing whether someone is a freshman, a sophomore, a junior or a senior nearly impossible. I for one will be happy when the days of "9th year sophomore" are over.
With that said, here is a look at the top returnees at 149 lbs in the NAIA.
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| Brevin Balmeceda Life |
3rd in the NAIA nation in 2022 & a national champion last season, Balmeceda is the odds on favorite to repeat as champion again this year.
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| Francis Morrissey Reese Jones Life |
Balmeceda is far from alone in the Runnin' Eagles wrestling room. Both Francis Morrissey & Reese Jones are All American candidates in their own right, should Life decide to enter more than one wrestler in the post season. Morrissey a Cumberland Open champion, was 3rd in the tough Missouri Valley Invitational. Jones was 7th, having also won a Life Open title.
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| Blake Gonzalez Grand View |
The NEO NJCAA champion proved to be a great addition to the Viking line-up last season, as he won a Heart of America Conference title & finished 3rd at the NAIA championships.
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| Jack Latimer Cole Ferguson |
Gonzalez has as much company in Des Moines as does Balmeceda in Marietta. Other Vikings who more than have the capability of earning All American honors this season are Jack Latimer & Cole Ferguson. Latimer who's already been top 8 in the NAIA during his career, made it to the finals of the Missouri Valley Invitational last year. He was also 3rd at the Doane Open. Ferguson, only a sophomore, had a very impressive runner-up finish at the UNK Hospitality open among some Division II & Division I competition. He tied for 5th/6th at the Missouri Valley Invitational.
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| Jace Luchau Cumberlands |
Just to think, Luchau used to be a Runnin' Eagle. As a Patriot last year, the California native won a Mid-South Conference title, finishing 4th in the NAIA nation.
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| Keegan Luton Oklahoma City |
In effort to become a four time All American & a four time conference champion, Keegan Luton has thus far been 7th & 5th at the NAIA championships as he enters his junior season.
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| Nate Lendt Doane |
The former Southeast Polk Ram had himself an outstanding freshman campaign last season for the Tigers. A 6th place finish at the NAIA's, he was runner-up at both the Great Plains Athletic Conference as well as the Doane Open, winning titles at both the Falcon Invite & the Mile High Open.
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| Chris Gaxiola Menlo |
I was almost positive that we'd seen the last of Chris Gaxiola after he finished one match shy of All American honors last year. Yet taking another look, I do believe that the unorthodox & wild style will grace the mats for one more season. He was 4th in the Cascade Conference last season.
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| Martin Wilkie Montana State Northern |
I really thought the Light would challenge for an NAIA title last season after finishing as the NAIA runner-up in 2022. Instead he finished one match shy of earning another All American honor. In the minds of many wrestling fans, what I'm about to say may be classified as blasphemy, but it's my opinion, my website, my article...so I'm gonna say it. Wilkie looked outstanding at the Missouri Valley Invitational, which is in my opinion THE toughest in-season tournament. Winning a title there is every bit as difficult as is earning a medal at nationals. They're both extremely tough tournaments & unfortunately while Wilkie had a fantastic weekend at Mo Valley, it wasn't as fantastic at the NAIA's. It's really that simple. He'll be a contender this season.
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| Dallas Koelzer Baker |
Thus far 3rd & 2nd in the Heart of America, Dallas Koelzer will be among those challenging for a conference title this season. He was also 4th at the Dan Harris Open & 5th at the Doane Open.
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| Bryson Anderson Missouri Valley |
The North Idaho NJCAA transfer had himself a pretty nice season in the NAIA last year. Qualifying for nationals he was 4th in the Heart of America.
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| Aaron Gandara Southern Oregon |
A testimony to just how locked & loaded 149 lbs was last year in the NAIA, 2022 NAIA 6th place All American Aaron Gandara came up a little short in securing another medal. A two time Cascade Conference champion, he'll go for his third title & his second All American honor this season. Among those who stand in his way, Wilkie who he defeated for the conference title last year.
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| Andreus Bond Southeastern |
I found it quite depressing when after winning the NAIA national title in 2021 & finishing 4th in 2022, Andreus Bond had such a nightmare of a tournament last season. I was under the impression that his eligibility was up, but current quadruple checking has lead me to believe that he actually has this season remaining. I certainly hope that's the case. If it is, I can't help but get goose bumps & vibes thinking about Nebraska-Kearney's Josh Portillo. 2nd in the DII nation, fails to place the next year. Then totally redeems himself by coming back & making the finals again! Do I think Bond can take Balmeceda? I don't think it's an undoable task. He took the Eagle to a 1-0 match the last time the two met. However, IF Bond is indeed back this year, he has a lot more than just Balmeceda to worry about.
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| Jonah Chew Embry Riddle |
The Hawaiian native won the Mile High Open last season.
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| Logan Johnson Avila |
5th in the KCAC in 2022 & 3rd last season, Logan Johnson also won a Central Baptist title & was 5th at the Life Open. He will look to improve upon his finishes this year.
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| Chad Sakamoto Oklahoma Wesleyan |
The Eagle has a style on the mat that is as unorthodox & crazy as is his hair. I keep waiting for the guy to really let loose, go out onto the mat with a nothing to lose attitude & just let er rip. Perhaps this will be the year where that potential is unlocked. A guy that knows how to turn losses into wins (lost to Alejandro Mas via fall & then came back to beat him 4-3) Sakamoto was 4th in the KCAC, he was 3rd in the Central Baptist.
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| Mitchell Freeman Rio Grande |
Freeman was runner-up at the Cumberland Open.
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| Austin Almaguer Saint Mary |
With so many talents returning to the NAIA at 149 lbs, among them is Austin Almaguer who was 8th at the Missouri Valley Invitational.
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| Cameron Hargrove William Penn |
A little bit of a a disappointing end to last year's season as Cameron Hargrove slipped to a 5th place finish at the Heart of America Conference tournament after finishing in 2nd place in 2022. Runner-up at the Falcon Invite, Hargrove goes into his junior season looking to reclaim his place within the conference.
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| Tyler Okada Waldorf |
5th in the Heart of America in 2022, Tyler Okada was 3rd in the Luther Hill Invitational last year.
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| Kaleb Clark Midway |
Clark was runner-up at the Central Baptist Invite last season.
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| Noah Horst St Thomas |
Horst is definitely a guy to keep an eye on this season. He was 5th at the Dakota Wesleyan Open, taking runner-up honors at both the Life Open as well as the Pembroke Open which featured Division II talent.
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| Alejandro Mas Central Baptist |
As mentioned earlier, Mas owns a 5:16 fall over Sakamoto. He was 4th in the Central Baptist invite.
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