I can hear Burl Ives as I type this. "Silver and Gold, Silver and Gold." Silver and Gold has been what Derek Blubaugh has been collecting his entire collegiate wrestling career, and in '24-'25, he looks to make out like a 49'er and collect more gold. Thus far in his career, he won the NCAA DII last season, being the runner-up in both '22 & '23. He's a three time Super Region IV silver medalist & he won gold at last year's Midwest Classic. He went 33-2 on the season.
Jackson Kinsella Nebraska Kearney |
23 wins on the season, Jackson Kinsella was 2nd at Super Region VI & 4th in the DII nation.
Dom Murphy St Cloud State |
Having posted a 21-5 record last season, Dom Murphy enters his final season of competition a two time DII All American (4th & 5th) and a two time Super Region V champion.
Max Ramberg Augustana (SD) |
After just barely missing out on NCAA DII qualification as a freshman in 2023, Max Ramberg made up for it last season. Not only did he qualify for the national tournament with a 3rd place showing at Super Region V, he also captured 6th place All American honors.
Dakoda Rodgers Pittsburgh-Johnstown |
7th in the DII nation & 3rd in the Midwest Classic last season, thus far Dakoda Rodgers has been 5th-3rd-1st at Super Region III. He heads into '24-'25 having posted a 32-4 record last year.
Wyatt Miller Grand Valley State |
The former Appalachian State Mountaineer was a huge part of the overall ensemble that lead to Grand Valley State's first year back since discontinuation to be a major success. The Laker posted a record of 30-7, earning a 3rd place finish at Super Region III & an 8th place finish at the NCAA DII championships. He was one match shy of placing at the Midwest Classic.
Nick Johnson Glenville State |
Winning the Super Region III, Nick Johnson finished one match shy of All American honors last season. Among his victories, a 4-1 s.v. over All American Wyatt Miller.
Tereus Henry Fort Hays State |
3rd in the DII nation in 2023, Tereus Henry came up just a hair short of his second All American honor last season. As he enters his final year of collegiate competition, he has been 3rd-1st-1st in Super Region VI & he's twice finished as the Midwest Classic runner-up. 26 wins on the season last year, he defeated All Americans Jackson Kinsella (4-1) and Max Ramberg (7-4) in sudden victory. Also of note, he took NCAA DII champ Blubaugh into sudden victory as well.
Mason Christian West Liberty |
Mason Christian kicked off his freshman campaign with a bang. 28 wins on the season, the rookie made the Super Region III finals and nearly made All American status at the DII championships.
John Parker Wilson Newberry |
27 wins on the season, John Parker Wilson won Super Region II, finishing just shy of a top 8 finish at both the NCAA DII championships & the Midwest Classic.
Gabe Carranza Colorado Mesa |
Posting 23 wins last year, Gabe Carranza was 3rd at Super Region VI & 6th in the Midwest Classic. A 5-4 win over R12'er John Parker Wilson.
Ethan Lopez King |
By season's end, Ethan Lopez's record was only 8-6, but nonetheless he wrestled well when it mattered most & took a 3rd place showing at Super Region II, earning NCAA DII qualification.
Wayne McIntyre Kutztown |
Now here's a team player. To help out the team, Wayne McIntyre wrestled at HWT all season up until the Super Region I. Then he dropped down to 197, and qualified for the NCAA DII championships with a 3rd place finish.
Reese Jacobs Chadron State |
I tell you what, I'm very anxious to see what this guy is gonna do in '24-'25. Also a linebacker on the Eagle football team, Reese Jacobs, a freshman last season, only wrestled at the Super Region VI. It was his only competition! Even at that he STILL managed to nearly qualify for the NCAA DII championships with a 4th place finish.
Cannon Potts Minot State |
17 wins on the season, Cannon Potts finished a match shy of NCAA qualification, finishing 4th at Super Region V.
Walker Uhl Or Peyton Lemon Ashland |
An NCAA R12'er in 2022, Walker Uhl nearly qualified for the NCAA DII championships again, finishing 4th at Super Region III. As he enters his final year of eligibility, he could face challenge for the varsity spot by teammate Peyton Lemon. Also a member of the Eagle football program, Lemon put together quite an impressive season last year. 16 wins, he was one match away from a top 8 showing at the Midwest Classic. A 13-11 win over two time All American Logan Kvien, he defeated qualifier Cole Hivnor 8-2, and had an 11-4 win over two time qualifier Owen Butler.
Jeremiah Larson Maryville |
24 wins on the season, Jeremiah Larson was 4th at Super Region IV, just missing NCAA DII qualification. He had a 17-13 win over All American Jackson Kinsella.
Garrett Steele UNC-Pembroke |
13 wins on the season for Garrett Steele, who finished one match shy of NCAA DII qualification with a 4th place finish at Super Region II.
Bruce Vaughan Millersville |
Despite having more losses than wins, Bruce Vaughan still darn near made the NCAA DII championships finishing 4th at Super Region I.
Matt Kaylor Mary |
After finishing 3rd in '22 & '23 at Super Region V, and 5th in the DII nation in '23, Matt Kaylor came up short of becoming a three time qualifier & possibly a two time All American, as he finished 5th in Super Region V. He'll enter '24-'25 looking to claim both honors, as he'll also look to earn another Midwest Classic medal, having finished 4th last season. 27 wins on the year, he had a 5-2 s.v. over All American Jackson Kinsella & he tech'd R12'er Nick Johnson 29-10.
Micha Clemson Emmanuel |
Injuries suck. It is that simple. An NCAA DII qualifier in '23 with a Super Region II finish of 3rd, Micha Clemson had to medical forfeit to 6th last season.
Brooks Schrimsher Ouachita Baptist |
Not to sound like I'm talking about Hollywood phone numbers, but Brooks Schrimsher has the unique distinction of having finished 5th-5th-5th the past three Super Region IV's.
Ben Tonnessen Adams State |
15 wins on the season last year, Ben Tonnessen really shined at the Midwest Classic last season, taking 5th place honors. Thus far he has been 4th & 5th in Super Region VI. Wins included a 6-1 victory over R12'er John Parker Wilson, two 4-2 victories over qualifier Gabe Carranza and a 12-4 major decision over Matt Kaylor
Treyton Cacek Northern State |
Treyton Cacek was an NCAA DII qualifier in 2022. Since moving up to 197 lbs he hasn't found the environment as friendly. 6th in Super Region V last year, perhaps now that he's had time to adjust, it'll be friendlier.
Crue Cooper Davenport |
Here's a guy who fascinates me. Started off his collegiate career with an 0-8 record. The past three seasons he has been 10-10, 9-8, and 8-10. Yet at the end of the season, he has earned three Super Region III medals (6th-6th-5th) which is by all means, not an easy thing to accomplish.
Noah Williams Mount Olive |
15 wins on the season last year for Noah Williams, who was 5th at Super Region II.
Ryan Cody Colorado School of Mines |
10 wins on the year for Ryan Cody, 6th at Super Region VI.
Emmanuel Skillings Central Oklahoma |
Behind four time NCAA DII finalist/two time NCAA DII champion Dalton Abney who has now graduated, Emmanuel Skillings will finally be able to really showcase his skills. 7th at the Midwest Classic last season, he gave us a glimpse of what he's capable of. A 13-4 major decision over All American Wyatt Miller, he majored R12'er Jeremiah Larson 12-3 & also beat him 9-8.
Isaiah Huus Minnesota State Moorhead |
Another wrestler to look out for this season is Isaiah Huus. 20 wins on the season he was 8th at the Midwest Classic.
Chase Stegall UW-Parkside |
I've been watching wrestling for over 30 years. A constant, season after season, is someone that many weren't expecting much out of who surprises everyone and essentially "comes out of nowhere." You can never really predict who that someone will be, but I could see it potentially being Chase Stegall as far as 197 lbs NCAA DII is concerned. A qualifier in 2022, Stegall barely missed qualification in 2023 with a 4th place finish at Super Region IV. Last year, things fell apart for him and he failed to place at the Region. Such things sometimes light a fire.
Marvelous Rutledge Lander |
Spending the bulk of his career at The Real Notre Dame, Marvelous Rutledge will spend his final season competing for Lander. 19 wins on the season he defeated two time All American Logan Kvien 4-1 & he had a 2-1 tiebreaker win over R12'er Mason Christian.
Zach Ferris New Mexico Highlands |
Another wrestler to look out for this season is former Cloud County NJCAA standout Zach Ferris, who now competes for New Mexico Highlands. 11 wins last season, he defeated Cannon Potts 7-4 and Ben Tonnesson 14-10.
Geoff Freeman Upper Iowa |
A question I was asked once that I did not have the answer to was, "has there ever been a wrestler who did not place at the NJCAA's who went on to place at the national tournament at another Division?" That I do not know. What I do know, is looking forward, Geoff Freeman could very well be an answer to that question. I started following NJCAA wrestling two seasons ago, and without a doubt, Geoff Freeman is the best wrestler from '22-'23 & '23-'24 to not place top 8 in the NJCAA. Earning back to back R12 finishes, Freeman won the South Central District this season, finishing ahead of both NJCAA champion Kaden Glass & NJCAA All American Matt Marcum. I'm very anxious and exited to see what Freeman can do at the NCAA Division II level.
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