Thursday, August 29, 2024

Who's Who of DI Collegiate Wrestling = Top Returnees 174 lbs 2024-2025

 


Keegan O'Toole
Missouri 

3rd-1st-1st-3rd, Keegan O'Toole comes into the '24-'25 season as one of the best wrestlers in all of collegiate wrestling, looking to become a rare five time All American. 88-4 thus far in his career, with three of those losses coming to David Carr, it's hard to imagine that anyone other than O'Toole will win the NCAA title at 174 this year.  With that said, it's gonna be one heck of a good field. 

Levi Haines
Penn State

2nd-1st thus far in the NCAA, Levi Haines has ruled the roost competing at 157 lbs.  Going up two weight classes can leave us wrestling fans in limbo, wondering how the weather will fair up 17 lbs of muscle. Penn State fans of course aren't worried as they see their wrestlers as demigods, impregnable and impenetrable. However, with as insanely loaded as 174 lbs will be this season, the Nittany Lion may make out like Ivan Drago, and prove to be human after all.  A meeting between Haines & O'Toole isn't likely to happen before the NCAA's, but what a match to look forward to. 

Also going to put in a word for 2023 NCAA qualifier Alex Facundo who will be backing Haines up this season.  With the caliber of wins Facundo had at 165 lbs two seasons ago, it's easy to imagine he'd do the same at 174. 

Rocco Welsh Or Carson Kharchla
Ohio State

An NCAA finalist and 3rd in the BIG 10, you wouldn't dare think of Rocco Welsh being challenged for the varsity spot at 174 lbs would you? Actually, yes you would. Carson Kharchla wants the spot too & there's a lot of reasons to think this will be one of the best wrestle-offs in all of collegiate wrestling.  7th at the NCAA championships back in 2022, thus far Kharchla has 3rd-8th-3rd showings at CKLV.  In the very, very, very least both of these guys are '24-'25 All American contenders, and that isn't giving either one of them near enough credit.  Awesome for the Buckeyes to have such talent on their roster, but what a bummer that they're both at the same weight. 


D.J. Hamiti
Oklahoma State

One of the biggest surprises last season was D.J. Hamiti who had back to back 6th place NCAA finishes in '22 & '23, fail to place at the national tournament.  If nothing else, a reflection of how indescribably competitive collegiate wresting is at the DI level. Hamiti thus far has been 3rd-1st-2nd in the BIG 10 & will now compete within the BIG 12.  Like O'Toole & Haines, Hamiti too is a newcomer to the 174 lbs weight class.  The question is, how will he do?  Does he pose a threat to O'Toole?  What does the match between him and Haines look like?  So much to be excited about regarding this weight class. 

For the record, Braydon Thompson who was 3rd in last year's BIG 12's is redshirting. 

Cade DeVos
South Dakota State


What an outstanding season for Cade DeVos last year.  Winning both a CKLV & a BIG 12 championship, he finished 5th at the NCAA's.  He goes into his final season of competition, looking to become a two time All American & a five time NCAA qualifier. 

Lennox Wolak
Virginia Tech 

An EIWA champion & 6th in the NCAA last season competing for the Lions of Columbia, Lennox Wolak will spend his final season of eligibility competing for the Hokies of Virginia Tech. 

Patrick Kennedy or Gabe Arnold
Iowa

Iowa is in the same predicament that Ohio State is in.  They have two outstanding talents, both All American caliber, both at the same weight class.  Patrick Kennedy was 5th in the BIG 10 last season, finishing one match shy of a top 8 NCAA showing.  Gabe Arnold went 12-1 last year, winning a Soldier Salute title & scoring a 4-1 win over All American Lennox Wolak.  Kennedy Vs Arnold, should prove to be an outstanding wrestle-off. 

M.J. Gaitan
Iowa State

Pretty good first year of varsity for the California state champ last season.  A match away from earning All American honors, M.J. Gaitan was 4th in the BIG 12 and 8th at CKLV with 22 victories. 

Nick Incontrera
Pennsylvania

Nick Incontrera heads into his final season of competition looking to become a four time NCA qualifier.  An EIWA runner-up in 2023, he was 5th this past season.  2nd & 3rd the past two Midlands, he'll look to challenge for a title this season, going for his third medal.  A Keystone Classic champion, he had 26 wins on the season last year. Two notable wins, a 5-3 victory over All American Lennox Wolak & a 10-2 major decision over Patrick Kennedy. 

Alex Cramer
Central Michigan


An Academic All American, Alex Cramer heads into this final season a two time MAC champion, who has also placed 5th & 7th thus far in the Midlands.  23 wins on the season, he was also a runner-up at the Michigan State Open. 

Gaven Sax Or Tate Picklo
Oklahoma




When it comes to the most improved wrestlers in the nation, I think Gaven Sax in the least deserves mention.  Here's a guy that went from a 11-12 record, to a 12-12 record, to making the BIG 12 finals & finishing one match shy of being an All American last year.  20 wins on the season, Sax also placed 3rd at the Southern Scuffle.  He will compete for Oklahoma this season, and in doing so, he'll have himself one heck of a good challenge for the varsity position against Tate Picklo.

An NCAA qualifier himself in 2023, Picklo was one of the better wrestlers left out of the NCAA championships last season.  8th in the BIG 12's (5th in '23), Picklo won titles at the Michigan State Open & at RENO.  He was 4th at the Southern Scuffle.  Among his wins a 17-5 thrashing of R12'er Jared Simma, a 5-2 decision over Braydon Thompson & a 7-2 decision over MAC champ Alex Cramer. 

Sax and Picklo met officially three times last season.  Picklo winning both an 11-2 major decision as well as 4:46 fall. Sax winning an 8-4 decision. 

Danny Braunagel
Illinois

 174 lbs in NCAA DI wrestling will feature an assortment of absentees from '23-'24 making a comeback in '24-'25.  Perhaps none with more anticipation than that of Danny Braunagel.  A three time NCAA qualifier, he will be looking to earn his first All American honor.  Like many at this weight class, it'll be his first season competing at 174, although he did win the final Lindenwood Open.  He's been 4th & 3rd thus far in Midlands competition. 

Lorenzo Norman Or Tye Monteiro
Stanford

Seeing that they're both redshirt freshmen and that they both have a good long career ahead of them, I would say at some point, they're bound to go different weight classes. For now though, both Lorenzo Norman and Tye Monteiro are at 174 lbs.  Last season Norman made a name for himself placing 7th at CKLV & 6th at the Southern Scuffle.  He also had an 11-8 victory over R12'er M.J. Gaitan.  Monteiro himself had a 5-2 win over Tyler Brennan & a 9-4 win over Cael Valencia.  Should be a great wrestle-off.  Something else Bernard Muir and take & as Dick Cavett would say, "fold five ways and put where the moon don't shine." 

Jared Simma Or Lance Runyon
Northern Iowa


7th in the in the BIG 12, Jared Simma had a great run through the NCAA's that nearly ended in All American honors.  19 wins on the season, he's another reason for head Coach Doug Schwab to be enthusiastic about '24-'25. With that said, he'll be challenged for the spot by two time NCAA qualifier Lance Runyon.  Injured in '24, notable victories include an 8-2 decision over Nick Incontrera and a 7-3 decision over Gaven Sax. 

Jackson Turley
Rutgers


Injuries have hampered Jackson Turley his entire career. Hence why we haven't seen him at his full potential...yet.  If finally healthy & 100%, '24-'25 could finally be his moment in the sun.  A three time NCAA qualifier, he was 8th all the way back in 2021. This will be his final opportunity to redeem himself and reclaim his status. 

Nicco Ruiz
Arizona State

A lot of redshirt freshmen will be stepping into the fire that burns 174 lbs this season.  Among them, Nicco Ruiz. Reason to believe he'll be competitive right out of the gate? RENO champ & a 6-3 victory over Matt Olguin. 

Danny Wask
Navy


25 victories for the sophomore last year as a freshman.  An NCAA qualifier, Danny Wask was 7th in the EIWA, 3rd at the Franklin & Marshall Lehman Open and 4th in CKLV. 

Mickey O'Malley
Drexel

Another absentee (due to injury) in the '23-'24 season, to look very forward to in '24-'25, is the Dragon's Mickey O'Malley.  A four time NCAA qualifier, he's thus far been 4th-2nd-1st-5th in EIWA competition.  Has defeated Nick Incontrera on three occasions.  Twice pinning him (1:39 & 3:00), also owns a 2-1 tiebreaker. 

Andrew Sparks
Minnesota


Andrew Sparks heads into the '24-'25 a three time NCAA qualifier.  He was 6th in last year's BIG 10's. 

Adam Kemp
Cal Poly 

Last year's PAC-12 champion Adam Kemp heads into his final year of competition looking to earn his first All American honor.  8th in the Midlands, he came up a little short of a medal at CKLV, although he was 6th there two seasons ago.  Owns a 4-2 victory over R12'er Jared Simma. 

Josh Ogunsanya
North Carolina

Injured last season, Josh Ogunsanya, a two time NCAA qualifier who will compete for North Carolina this season. 

Brody Conley
West Virginia


23 wins on the season for Brody Conley, he took 5th place finishes at Midlands and the BIG 12's. 

Luca Augustine
Pittsburgh

3rd in the ACC in '23, Luca Augustine was awarded an at large/wildcard selection to compete in his second NCAA championships.  He owns a 5-4 victory over R12'er M.J. Gaitan. 

Myles Takats
Bucknell

I don't think Bucknell is getting anywhere near the credit they deserve for the improvements that are being made in Union County, Pennsylvania. Myles Takats is another piece of evidence to support the narrative.  25 wins on the season, Takats was an NCAA qualifier last year, 6th in the EIWA. 



Sal Perrine
Ohio 

I'm usually not one to say, "severely disrespected" but in the case of Sal Perrine in the '23-'24 season, it is appropriate.  3rd in '22 & 4th in '23 within the MAC were good enough to get Perrine into the NCAA's.   Yet he finished 4th last year, and he was left at home. It was more than that though.  He also had an assortment of quality wins.  5-4 over All American Lennox Wolak, he defeated SOCON champion Austin Murphy 8-5.  Other victories included an 8-5 decision over Cael Valencia, a 4-3 win over Danny Wask & a 7-3 decision over Braydon Thompson. Objectively speaking, he was one of the best wrestlers left home last season. 

Luke Uliano
Appalachian State


21 wins on the season last year, Luke Uliano was 5th at the Southern Scuffle.

Brody Baumann
Purdue

Despite having a losing record of 12-15, Brody Baumann punched his ticket to his first NCAA championships with an 8th place finish at the BIG 10's. 



Gerrit Nijenhuis
Cal State Bakersfield

For those that read me often, you know that I'm a big fan of Luke Smith & I'd like to see him start having more success in his head coaching position in Bakersfield. I know Coach Smith has the fuel and the desire, but sometimes it takes a spark to get that fire started.  I feel that Gerrit Nijenhuis can be the spark that the Roadrunners need right now.  A three time NCAA qualifier, Nijenhuis was a RENO runner-up & 8th at the Southern Scuffle last year. 

Michael Wilson
Rider

An NCAA qualifier for the Broncos last season, Michael Wilson has thus far been 5th & 2nd in MAC competition.  He had 21 wins on the year. 

John Worthing
Clarion 


An NCAA qualifier in 2023 for the Golden Eagles, John Worthing has thus far been 2nd & 3rd within the MAC. 3rd at the Clarion Open last season, he'll look to reclaim qualification this season. 

Joseph Walker
Michigan

A very tough backup most of his career, I believe that Joseph Walker will finally get his shot at a full season of varsity this season.  Believe he'll make the most of it.  He was 3rd at last year's Michigan State Open. 

Travis Mastrogiovanni
Northern Colorado


The entire point of these weight by weight previews at the DI level is to try and determine who will be top 33 by '24-'25's end. The BIG 12 is going to be rockin' this year & among those in the fight will be Travis Mastrogiovanni who was 7th at last year's Southern Scuffle. 

Darrien Roberts
Morgan State


Little pleases me more in collegiate wrestling than when a team that has been discontinued gets restored! Now it's time for Morgan State to get their first NCAA DI qualifier since restoration.  Who will that man be?  I say their best bet is Darrien Roberts.  A redshirt last season, a 4-3 win over Philip Conigliaro & an 8-2 decision over MAC champ Alex Cramer give confidence heading into '24-'25. 

Triston Wills
Little Rock


Triston Wills moves from the 184 lbs weight class down to the 174 lbs weight class for the '24-'25 season.  Should contend for NCAA qualification within the PAC-12 conference. 

Mason Reiniche
Oregon State


Another contender within the PAC-12 conference this season will be Oregon State's Mason Reiniche. A Southeast Open champion last year, he had a 5-4 victory over Sal Perrine. 

David Ferrante
Northwestern

If healthy, I'm interested in what David Ferrante may be capable of this season.  174 lbs the entire time I've been paying attention (and that's been a LONG time) has always been a cryptic weight, full of lots of surprises. Ferrante being one this year, if I'm allowed any irony, wouldn't surprise me.  He was hurt in '23 & I say his 11-15 record last season was a reflection of not being fully healed, nor anywhere near 100%.  He is a two time NCAA qualifier. 

Jared McGill
Edinboro

Where Jared McGill was in '23-'24 & why he didn't compete, I have no idea.  What I do know is that he's a tough wrestler & one of the Fightin' Scots best bets for NCAA qualification this season. 

Elise Brown Ton
Nebraska


An inconsistent wrestler, Elise Brown Ton has had moments of brilliance throughout his career and perhaps he will this season as well.  An Oppenheim champion last year, he was 5th at the Soldier Salute. 

D.J. Shannon
Michigan State


In my estimation, D.J. Shannon has yet to wrestle up to his potential.  Not sure what's holding him back, but it seems as if there's something that is keeping him from going out, letting loose & letting it fly on the mat. As if there's hesitation and doubt. Gotta call it like I see it & that's what I see.  With that said, sometimes wrestlers wait until their final season before making magic happen on the mat.  Perhaps this is how the collegiate wrestling story of D.J. Shannon will end.  He was 3rd at the Black Knight Invitational last season. 

Simon Ruiz
Cornell

Notify the press! The Loch Ness Monster has been confirmed! We have a live specimen next to a Big Foot! Johnnythompsonnum1 is including a true-freshman in one of his previews! 

Yeah, this never happens, but Simon Ruiz of Cornell defeated All American Lennox Wolak 5-1 last season & I'm not going to overlook that.  He also stuck Benny Baker, Cornell's starter last season (who has since used up his eligibility) who was 3rd in the EIWA a the 6:59 mark.   




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