Monday, September 23, 2024

Who's Who of D2 Collegiate Wrestling: Top Returnees 184 lbs 2024-2025

 


Ty McGeary
West Liberty

It baffles my mind how much talent their is returning to the 184 lbs weight class in NCAA Division II.  I'll put it to you this way.  My hat is off to any newcomer that is able to make a name for himself in this weight class.  Matter of fact, if there is freshman that can break through, and have a standout season, hands down he deserves rookie of the year. 

Leading the way will be three time All American & two time NCAA DII champion Ty McGeary.  32-0 last season, the Hilltopper is 85-3 overall in his career.  Last year he racked up 11 falls, 6 tech falls & 7 major decisions. 


Matt Weinberg
Kutztown

Matt Weinberg is well on his way to having one of the best careers ever by a Kutztown wrestler.  Only a junior this season, Weinberg has thus far been 4th & 2nd in the NCAA DII championships & 2nd & 1st in the Super Region I.  On top of these credentials, he was also 6th at the Midwest Classic.  27-3 last season, his only DII loss was to McGeary in the finals. 

Reece Worachek
UW-Parkside


Among those with the best shot at the miracle that would be keeping McGeary from three-peating is Ranger Reece Worachek.  He looks to become a four time NCAA DII All American (8th-7th-4th), a four time Super Region V finalist (2nd-1st-1st) & a four time Midwest Classic place-winner (6th-7th-4th).  He took the two time NCAA DII champ to two, two point matches last season in close 5-3 & 4-2 battles. 

Damon Ashworth
Central Missouri

5th in the DII nation last season, Damon Ashworth took runner-up finishes at both Super Region IV and the Midwest Classic.  26-7 on the year, something in particular sticks out about his record.  He lost to Garrett Wells three times on the season.  The finals of the Drury Open, the Midwest Classic finals & the Super Region IV finals.  Yet at the NCAA DII championships, he majored the Broncho 11-3. 

Garrett Wells
Central Oklahoma



The Broncho made the most out of his first season as the varsity starter for Central Oklahoma.  32 wins on the season, Garrett Wells won titles at both the Midwest Classic & Super Region IV.  He was 6th in the DII nation. 

  Bryce Fitzpatrick      Or       Tyson Meyer   
St Cloud State             


The Huskies with more than one superb talent at a weight class?  Imagine that.  Bryce Fitzpatrick took 3rd at the Super Region V last season & 8th place All American honors at the NCAA DII championships.  As he'll look to add successes to his resume, don't sleep on Tyson Meyer. Myer put together a 17-5 record last season.  A 4-2 win over R12'er Cade Mueller. 

Cole Gray
Western Colorado

21 wins on the season, Cole Gray actually defeated All American Garrett Wells 10-4 at the NCAA championships, but came up a match short of All American honors himself. He was 2nd at the Super Region VI & one match away from a top 8 showing at the Midwest Classic. 

Cade Mueller
Augustana (SD)

1st-3rd-2nd in the Super Region V thus far in his career, Caed Mueller who finished one match shy of All American status last season, will look to become a four time NCAA DII qualifier & an All American in '24-'25.  Last year he had a 3-2 tiebreaker win over Reece Worachek & a 5-3 win over Garrett Wells. 

Cole Casilio
Gannon 

Two time Super Region I runner-up Cole Casilio was 8th at the Midwest Classic last season.  He had a 17-10 win over R12'er Cole Gray. 

Owen Butler    Or      Aidan Petersen
Indianapolis     

Two time Super Region IV bronze medalist, Owen Butler won 25 matches last season, earning his second NCAA Division II qualification.  As he looks for his third trip to the NCAA DII tournament, he could face challenge for the varsity position by Aidan Peterson.  15 wins on the season himself, he was a match shy from a top 8 finish at the Midwest Classic.  Wins included besting R12'er Ja'Quez Bostic 15-11 & nearly tech'ing qualifier Seth Konynenbelt 14-3.   I would say that there may be a chance that whoever would lose this wrestle-off, could possibly go down to 174. 

UPDATE :  The starter for the Greyhounds will most likely be Peterson. Why? Because Butler has transferred & will be competing for Frostburg State! 

Jason Bynarowicz
Colorado Mesa

NCAA DII qualifier Jason Bynarowicz really shined at the Midwest Classic last season, taking 3rd place honors.  Also 3rd at the Super Region VI, he had a 7-4 s.v. over Reece Worachek on his 20-7 record. 

Anthony Giampetro
Millersville

19 wins on the season for the two time NCAA DII qualifier, who was 3rd at Super Region I. 

Colter Bye
Upper Iowa

8th in the NCAA DII nation in 2023, Colter Bye came up just a hair short of his second NCAA DII qualification last season finishing 4th in Super Region V (he was 2nd in '23). Despite the tough outcome, Bye will still come into the '24-'25 season, favorite to once again All American.  7th in the Midwest Classic, Beye had a 4-2 win over Garrett Wells, a 4-2 win over Cole Gray & a 9-4 victory over Owen Butler. 

Owen Gnibus
Pittsburgh-Johnstown

17 wins on the season for Owen Gnibus who finished one match shy of NCAA DII qualification with a 4th place finish at Super Region I. 

Kyler Pickard
Belmont Abbey

An up and down season for Kyler Pickard in '23-'24, but he did manage to finish a match shy of NCAA DII qualification at the Super Region II. 

Isaiha Casto
Glenville State

20 wins on the season for Isaiha Casto who finished one match shy of NCAA DII qualification with a 4th place finish at Super Region III. 

Zeke Waltz
McKendree


Like Colter Bye, Zeke Waltz was an NCAA DIII qualifier (R12'er as well) in 2023, who came up a hair short of a second qualification in 2024.  18 wins on the season, Waltz was 4th at Super Region IV. 

Darion Johnson
McKendree

At the 184 lbs weight class, McKendree also picked up NJCAA standout Darion Johnson of Western Wyoming, who earned back to back runner-up finishes within the junior college nation the past two seasons. 



Donn Greer
Colorado State Pueblo

An up and down season for Donn Greer, who finished one match shy of NCAA DII qualification, finishing in 4th place at Super Region VI. 

Keegan Gehlhausen
Chadron State

An NCAA DII R12'er & 2nd in Super Region VI in 2023, Keegan Gehhausen came up a little short last year of his second NCAA DII qualification, finishing 5th in the Region. 

Wyatt Lidberg
Mary

If you're curious as to who the best wrestler is at 184 lbs yet to qualify for the NCAA DII championships, the answer is Wyatt Lidberg.  4th & 5th thus far in Super Region V, but that is far from the only reason I say that.  29 wins on the season & 5th at the Midwest Classic also help to contribute. If that's not all, take a look at some of the W's he collected last year alone.  A 3-2 win over All American Bryce Fitzpatrick, he also had a 13-11 win over Jason Bynarowicz, an 8-6 win over Colter Bye & a 8-0 major over Zeke Waltz. 

John Gholson
Maryville


Here's a guy that interest me. John Gholson started off the season 0-8 & yet still managed to place at Super Region IV.  Matter of fact, he's been 4th & 5th there the past two seasons. 

Clint Morrissette
King


An NCAA DII qualifier in 2023, Clint Morrisette has thus far been 3rd & 5th in Super Region II. 

Jordan Barnett
Lake Erie


Jordan Barnett enters his junior season of competition having posted 5th & 6th place Super Region II finishes the past two years. 


Lucas Salmon
Tiffin

20 wins on the season for Lucas Salmon who was 5th at Super Region III & one match shy of placing at the Midwest Classic. 

Mason Diel
Colorado School of Mines

A Super Region VI 6th place finish for Little Rock transfer Mason Diel last season. 

Adam Sylvester
Southwest Minnesota State

16 wins on the season, Adam Sylvester was 6th at Super Region V. 


Chris Dickey
UNC-Pembroke

6th in Super Region VI, 23 wins on the season for Chris Dickey. 

Alex Munoz
Nebraska-Kearney



Behind three time NCAA DII All American Billy Higgins last season, Alex Munoz put together a 12-3 record.  A 10-3 victory over Mason Diel. 

Brayden Mirjavadi
Grand Valley State

Behind NCAA DII qualifier Seth Konynenbelt last season, Brayden Mirjavadi went 8-1 on the season, with ironically enough, an impressive 8-1 decision over two time NCAA DII qualifier Owen Butler. 

Cayden White
Minot State

Extremely inconsistent, Cayden White is one of those wrestlers you never want to count out.  Moments of brilliance last season included a 14-12 win over Donn Greer & upsetting Colter Bye 10-4 at the Super Region V. 

Hunter Tobiasson
Adams State

Rough season for Hunter Tobiasson last year, but he was an NCAA DII qualifier in 2023 & could very well be again. 


Wyatt Powell
Minnesota State Moorhead

Wyatt Powell, an NJCAA qualifier for Cloud County, will compete for Minnesota State Moorhead this season. 


































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