197 lbs in NCAA DII will be rather riveting this season. We have both the two time NCAA DII champion & the two time NCAA DII runner-up from the past two seasons looking to once again do battle in this year's finals. The real question is, is there anyone out there who could potentially knock off either one of these guys, and "steal" a spot? All in all, all eight All Americans return, plus a R12'er & five more qualifiers.
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| Dalton Abney Central Oklahoma |
197 lbs NCAA DII, here is the man. Dalton Abney won his second NCAA DII title (also 2nd in '21) last year on a 23-2 record. Word has it that he was not 100% during those two losses & either way, he avenged both of them later on in the post season. His Super Region IV appearances reflect those of his NCAA DII, with finishes of 2nd-1st-1st. He is also a two time Midwest Classic Champion having won titles in '21 & this past season.
A word for tough backup Emmanuel Skillings, who on a 6-1 record last season defeated Ben Tonnessen 7-2.
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| Derek Blubaugh Indianapolis |
33-3 on the season, the Achilles heel for Derek Blubaugh the last two seasons has been Dalton Abney. He was able to defeat the Broncho 7-1 last season, but then lost to him twice as he continued to add to his vast collection of silver at both the Super Region IV ('22 2nd & '23 2nd) & the DII National tournament. A Kaufman Brand Champion, he'll have to figure out Abney if he wants to collect gold in the post season.
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| Tereus Henry Fort Hays State |
Tereus Henry had one hell of a season last year. Going 38-4 on the season it was a 3rd place showing in the DII nation. Winning titles at both the Super Region VI (3rd in '22) &the UNK-Hospitality open, he took runner-up finishes at both the Dakota Wesleyan Open & the Midwest Classic.
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| Dom Murphy St Cloud State |
Speaking of those that might possible knock off Abney or Blubaugh.... Dom Murphy went 28-5 last season, one of his wins a 9-0 major decision over Abney. A Super Region V champion (4th in '22), Murphy was 4th in the DII nation, winning a Yellow Jacket Open & finishing 3rd at the Dakota Wesleyan Open.
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| Matt Kaylor Mary |
With back to back Super Region V 3rd place finishes, Matt Kaylor earned his first NCAA DII All American honor last season with a 5th place finish. 29-12 on the season, he was 3rd at the Yellow Jacket Open & 4th at the UNK-Hospitality.
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| Logan Kvien McKendree |
From a 4-5 record to winning 24 matches & placing 6th in the DII nation, I would say Logan Kvien more than improved from '21-'22 to '22-'23. 3rd in the Super Region IV, he was 2nd at the Kaufman Brand & 6th at the Lindenwood Open.
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| Kash Anderson Colorado Mesa |
21-11 onthe season, Kash Anderson was 7th in the DII nation & 3rd at the Super Region VI. He also took a 5th place finish at the UNK-Hospitality.
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| Cole Huss Northern State |
Cole Huss enters his final season of competition now a two time All American with finishes of 4th & 8th. A two time Super Region V runner-up, he will go for a title there too as well. Behind him in the lineup will be Marshall VanTessel who with 10 wins on the season defeated DII qualifier Jacob Kowalski 7-4.
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| Dakoda Rodgers Pittsburgh-Johnstown |
A two time Super Region I place-winner (5th in '22 & 3rd in '23) Dakoda Rodgers was one match shy of earning NCAA DII All American honors last season. 23-10 on the year, he was 8th at the Midwest Classic.
The Braves are looking sharp at 197 as they have two talents ready to go for this season. Bryce Walker is a three time NCAA DII qualifier, who on a 14-5 record took runner-up honors at the Super Region II last season. Garrett Steele with 18 wins on the season, pinned DII qualifier Micha Clemson in 2:56 & defeated Greg Dennard 8-6 s.v. Officially Walker has a 3-1 s.v. over Steele. Should once again be an excellent wrestle-off.
I would imagine one thing Micha Clemson & I both have in common is that we'd both like to see the Cleveland Browns win a Super Bowl in our lifetime. 13-8 on the season, Clemson qualified for the NCAA DII championships with a 3rd place finish at Super Region II.
16-13 on the season, Jacob Noon spent most of the season at HWT before moving down to 197 to win a Super Region III title.
13 wins on the season, Brylan Clouse made the finals of Super Region III.
It is said that it doesn't matter where you start, it matters where you finish. That was certainly the case for Jacob Kowalski this past season. 14-17 on the year, he qualified for the NCAA DII championships with a 3rd place finish at Super Region III.
21-12 on the season, Ajay Hiller finished one match shy of NCAA DII qualification with a 4th place finish at Super Region I. He collected bronze medals at both the Albion Invitational & the East Stroudsburg Open.
The Kentucky native won 13 matches on the season, finishing one match shy of NCAA DII qualification with a 4th place finish at Super Region II. He showed himself to be quite dangerous with a 57 fall over All American Kash Anderson & a 2:41 fall over DII Micha Clemson.
19 wins on the season, Greg Dennard finished one match shy of NCAA DII qualification with a 4th place finish at Super Region III.
An NCAA DII qualifier in 2022, Chase Stegall just barely missed out on qualification #2 with a 4th place finish at Super Region IV. 18 wins on the season he won the Lindenwood Open & he finished one match shy of a top 8 showing at the Midwest Classic. He had a 3-1 victory over All American Logan Kvien.
21-12 on the season, Max Ramberg nearly qualified for the NCAA DII championships in his first season as a Viking with a 4th place finish at Super Region V. Also 4th at the Yellow Jacket Open, he won the Dakota Wesleyan Open. A 3-2 win over All American Tereus Henry & a 9-1 major decision over All American Cole Huss.
Ben Tonnessen really turned things around last season. 6-14 as a freshman, he was 17-9 last year as a sophomore. One match shy of NCAA DII qualification with a 4th place finish at Super Region VI, he was also one match shy of a top 8 showing at the Midwest Classic. A 4:18 fall over All American Jacob Kowalski.
20 wins on the season, Trey Shoemaker finished 5th at the Super Region I.
Brooks Schrimsher has taken back to back 5th place finishes at the Super Region IV the past two seasons. 22-8 on the season, he placed 7th at the Midwest Classic & had a 4-3 win over R12'er Dakoda Rodgers.
18-4 on the season, Zach Ferris was 5th at Super Region VI. He had a 3-2 victory over All American Kash Anderson.
The real Notre Dame has two very tough competitors at 197 lbs. Marvelous Rutledge with 22 wins last season placed 5th at the Super Region III & took a runner-up finish at the King Open. Kyle Richards 6-0 on the season, won the King Open. Their finals match ended in an injury default. very anxious to see how this wrestle-off turns out.
19 wins on the season, Jonathan Clack was 5th at Super Region V.
9 wins on the season, Laith Gilmore was 6th at Super Region VI & 4th at the Menlo Open. I was also going to throw in a word for Taylor Watson, but looking over the current '23-'24 roster, he is not on it.
Here's another wrestle-off that interest me. These guys are rather similar in a lot of ways & I'm anxious to see who takes the starting spot this year. 6-6 on the season, Christos Avgeros was 6th in Super Region II. Mason Kump, 5-6 on the season had an impressive 3-0 win over DII qualifier Brylan Clouse.
Back to back Super Region III 6th place finishes the past two season, Crue Cooper had 11 wins on the year.
The sophomore list Seth Gross as his favorite wrestler, a reminder that like all other sports, wrestlers too have their heroes. 9 wins on the season, BK Seago was 6th at Super Region IV.
17 wins on the season, Dustin Swisher was 6th at Super Region V.
I'm pretty sure that both Hayden Prince & Joseph Reimers are out of eligibility giving room for Jackson Kinsella to open up & really shine for the Lopers this season. 22 wins last year he was 4th at the Dakota Wesleyan Open & he had a 9-2 over Ben Tonnessen.
An NCAA DII R12'er in 2022 as a freshman, Walker Uhl's sophomore season unfortunately came to a tragic end when he was injured at Super Region III. 22-6 on the season, he gave us plenty of reasons to think if it had not been for getting injured, he would have contended for All American honors. 5th at the Midwest Classic, here's the short list among his victories...9-4 over All American Kash Anderson. A 3-2 decision over R12'er Dakota Rodgers. Defeated DII qualifiers Jacob Kowalski (5-1 & 8-3), Jacob Noon 7-0, & Brylan Clouse 8-2. Also had a 7-1 win over Marvelous Rutledge, a 9-6 decision over Brooks Schrimsher & a 3:29 fall over Greg Dennard.
15 wins on the season Drake Kendrex had a 5-0 victory over NCAA DII qualifier Brylan Clouse.
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| Bryce Walker Garrett Steele UNC-Pembroke |
The Braves are looking sharp at 197 as they have two talents ready to go for this season. Bryce Walker is a three time NCAA DII qualifier, who on a 14-5 record took runner-up honors at the Super Region II last season. Garrett Steele with 18 wins on the season, pinned DII qualifier Micha Clemson in 2:56 & defeated Greg Dennard 8-6 s.v. Officially Walker has a 3-1 s.v. over Steele. Should once again be an excellent wrestle-off.
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| Micha Clemson Emmanuel |
I would imagine one thing Micha Clemson & I both have in common is that we'd both like to see the Cleveland Browns win a Super Bowl in our lifetime. 13-8 on the season, Clemson qualified for the NCAA DII championships with a 3rd place finish at Super Region II.
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| Jacob Noon Tiffin |
16-13 on the season, Jacob Noon spent most of the season at HWT before moving down to 197 to win a Super Region III title.
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| Brylan Clouse Lake Erie |
13 wins on the season, Brylan Clouse made the finals of Super Region III.
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| Jacob Kowalski Findlay |
It is said that it doesn't matter where you start, it matters where you finish. That was certainly the case for Jacob Kowalski this past season. 14-17 on the year, he qualified for the NCAA DII championships with a 3rd place finish at Super Region III.
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| Ajay Hiller East Stroudsburg |
21-12 on the season, Ajay Hiller finished one match shy of NCAA DII qualification with a 4th place finish at Super Region I. He collected bronze medals at both the Albion Invitational & the East Stroudsburg Open.
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| Khris Walton Newberry |
The Kentucky native won 13 matches on the season, finishing one match shy of NCAA DII qualification with a 4th place finish at Super Region II. He showed himself to be quite dangerous with a 57 fall over All American Kash Anderson & a 2:41 fall over DII Micha Clemson.
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| Greg Dennard Bluefield State |
19 wins on the season, Greg Dennard finished one match shy of NCAA DII qualification with a 4th place finish at Super Region III.
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| Chase Stegall Maryville |
An NCAA DII qualifier in 2022, Chase Stegall just barely missed out on qualification #2 with a 4th place finish at Super Region IV. 18 wins on the season he won the Lindenwood Open & he finished one match shy of a top 8 showing at the Midwest Classic. He had a 3-1 victory over All American Logan Kvien.
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| Max Ramberg Augustana (SD) |
21-12 on the season, Max Ramberg nearly qualified for the NCAA DII championships in his first season as a Viking with a 4th place finish at Super Region V. Also 4th at the Yellow Jacket Open, he won the Dakota Wesleyan Open. A 3-2 win over All American Tereus Henry & a 9-1 major decision over All American Cole Huss.
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| Ben Tonnessen Adams State |
Ben Tonnessen really turned things around last season. 6-14 as a freshman, he was 17-9 last year as a sophomore. One match shy of NCAA DII qualification with a 4th place finish at Super Region VI, he was also one match shy of a top 8 showing at the Midwest Classic. A 4:18 fall over All American Jacob Kowalski.
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| Trey Shoemaker Shippensburg |
20 wins on the season, Trey Shoemaker finished 5th at the Super Region I.
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| Brooks Schrimsher Ouachita Baptist |
Brooks Schrimsher has taken back to back 5th place finishes at the Super Region IV the past two seasons. 22-8 on the season, he placed 7th at the Midwest Classic & had a 4-3 win over R12'er Dakoda Rodgers.
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| Zach Ferris New Mexico Highlands |
18-4 on the season, Zach Ferris was 5th at Super Region VI. He had a 3-2 victory over All American Kash Anderson.
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| Marvelous Rutledge Kyle Richards Notre Dame (OH) |
The real Notre Dame has two very tough competitors at 197 lbs. Marvelous Rutledge with 22 wins last season placed 5th at the Super Region III & took a runner-up finish at the King Open. Kyle Richards 6-0 on the season, won the King Open. Their finals match ended in an injury default. very anxious to see how this wrestle-off turns out.
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| Jonathan Clack Mount Olive |
19 wins on the season, Jonathan Clack was 5th at Super Region V.
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| Laith Gilmore San Francisco State |
9 wins on the season, Laith Gilmore was 6th at Super Region VI & 4th at the Menlo Open. I was also going to throw in a word for Taylor Watson, but looking over the current '23-'24 roster, he is not on it.
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| Christos Avgeros Mason Kump Belmont Abbey |
Here's another wrestle-off that interest me. These guys are rather similar in a lot of ways & I'm anxious to see who takes the starting spot this year. 6-6 on the season, Christos Avgeros was 6th in Super Region II. Mason Kump, 5-6 on the season had an impressive 3-0 win over DII qualifier Brylan Clouse.
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| Crue Cooper Davenport |
Back to back Super Region III 6th place finishes the past two season, Crue Cooper had 11 wins on the year.
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| BK Seago Drury |
The sophomore list Seth Gross as his favorite wrestler, a reminder that like all other sports, wrestlers too have their heroes. 9 wins on the season, BK Seago was 6th at Super Region IV.
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| Dustin Swisher Minot State |
17 wins on the season, Dustin Swisher was 6th at Super Region V.
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| Jackson Kinsella Nebraska-Kearney |
I'm pretty sure that both Hayden Prince & Joseph Reimers are out of eligibility giving room for Jackson Kinsella to open up & really shine for the Lopers this season. 22 wins last year he was 4th at the Dakota Wesleyan Open & he had a 9-2 over Ben Tonnessen.
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| Walker Uhl Ashland |
An NCAA DII R12'er in 2022 as a freshman, Walker Uhl's sophomore season unfortunately came to a tragic end when he was injured at Super Region III. 22-6 on the season, he gave us plenty of reasons to think if it had not been for getting injured, he would have contended for All American honors. 5th at the Midwest Classic, here's the short list among his victories...9-4 over All American Kash Anderson. A 3-2 decision over R12'er Dakota Rodgers. Defeated DII qualifiers Jacob Kowalski (5-1 & 8-3), Jacob Noon 7-0, & Brylan Clouse 8-2. Also had a 7-1 win over Marvelous Rutledge, a 9-6 decision over Brooks Schrimsher & a 3:29 fall over Greg Dennard.
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| Drake Kendrex West Liberty |
15 wins on the season Drake Kendrex had a 5-0 victory over NCAA DII qualifier Brylan Clouse.
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| Aydan Edwards Fairmont State |
17 wins on the season Aydan Edwards scored an 8-4 decision over DII qualifier Brylan Clouse.
What makes me keep an eye on this guy is his tremendous gas tank. In a sport like wrestling, where cardiovascular conditioning is so vital, you never know when it'll come in handy. He used the tanks of pure oxygen last season to defeat NCAA DII qualifier Jacob Kowalski 32-21 last season. Show someone that match the next time they say wrestling doesn't have enough action.
It's hard to believe that Carter Marx going into his senior year of competition has yet to earn a Super Region V medal. He certainly has the tools to do so & he's proven himself multiple times on the mat. A 4-3 victory over Max Ramberg, he defeated Dustin Swisher 4-3 & he defeated Khris Walton 3-1 s.v.
A hot & cold wrestler, Drayden McKerrow had some impressive wins last season. 3-2 over NCAA DII qualifier Brylan Clouse, he also defeated Jonathan Clack 5-3.
I believe that Jordan Williams took a redshirt last season, where he pinned Marvelous Rutledge in 3:55. In 2022, he was 4th at Super Region III.
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| Dominic Robles CSU-Pueblo |
What makes me keep an eye on this guy is his tremendous gas tank. In a sport like wrestling, where cardiovascular conditioning is so vital, you never know when it'll come in handy. He used the tanks of pure oxygen last season to defeat NCAA DII qualifier Jacob Kowalski 32-21 last season. Show someone that match the next time they say wrestling doesn't have enough action.
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| Carter Marx Southwest Minnesota State |
It's hard to believe that Carter Marx going into his senior year of competition has yet to earn a Super Region V medal. He certainly has the tools to do so & he's proven himself multiple times on the mat. A 4-3 victory over Max Ramberg, he defeated Dustin Swisher 4-3 & he defeated Khris Walton 3-1 s.v.
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| Drayden McKerrow Kentucky Wesleyan |
A hot & cold wrestler, Drayden McKerrow had some impressive wins last season. 3-2 over NCAA DII qualifier Brylan Clouse, he also defeated Jonathan Clack 5-3.
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| Jordan Williams Glenville State |
I believe that Jordan Williams took a redshirt last season, where he pinned Marvelous Rutledge in 3:55. In 2022, he was 4th at Super Region III.
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