Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Who's Who of NAIA Collegiate Wrestling: Top Returnees HWT for 2024-2025

 

Kenneth Copley
Embry Riddle

The HWT division of the NAIA was completely dominated by seniors this past season, thus opening up '24-'25 to an assortment of talent looking to become the next big stars.  Leading the way will be sophomore Kenneth Copley, who despite being drowned in those with experience still held his youthful own last year.  8th in the NAIA nation, Copley collected a silver medal at the Oppenheim Invitational, taking bronzes at the Mile High Invite, the Missouri Valley Invite & the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC). 

Braydon Erb
Indiana Tech

A Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) champion last year, Braydon Ern finished one match shy of NAIA All American honors. 

Trevion Sample
Dakota Wesleyan

3rd in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC), Trevion Sample finished one match shy of NAIA All American honors.  I also have come to find out that Sample played college football 8 years ago for Tarleton State, which ironically enough is trying to become the first Division I wrestling program in Texas since the early 1970's. 

Wylie Dunn
Cumberlands

If you're one of those wrestlers who is thinking about throwing in the towel because of poor previous results or you're a coach thinking a kid may "just not have it," take a good long look at Wylie Dunn.  He was 1-11 in 2023.  By the end of last season he was 13-15, but he qualified for the NAIA's with a 4th place finish at the Mid South Conference (MSC) & he finished one match shy of becoming an All American. 

TreyShawn White
Cumberlands

The Patriots also picked up NJCAA R12'er TreyShawn White of Indian Hills, who took a 3rd place finish at the North Central District last season. 


Tanner Hawkins
York (NEB)

Tanner Hawkins won the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) title this past season. 

Ian Nelson
Williams Woods

Ian Nelson made history last season by becoming Williams Woods first ever American Midwest Conference/Sooner Athletic Conference (AMC/SAC) champion. 

Gabe Craig
Campbellsville

Going 22-5 on the year, Gabe Craig won the MSC title last season. 

Gavin Howes
Avila

Gavin Howes was the KCAC runner-up last season. 

Jakob Jerabek
Morningside


The two time GPAC runner-up enters the '24-'25 season having also earned a 3rd place finish at the Missouri Valley Invitational last season. 

Jackson Schenk
Rochester

Having already reached the 100 win mark in his collegiate career, Jackson Schenk took runner-up honors at the WHAC last season. 

Kaleb Stone
Oklahoma City

Kaleb Stone took runner-up honors at the AMC/SAC last season. 


UPDATE:  See below

Cooper Cook
Oklahoma City

Been informed that Kaleb Stone is no longer with Oklahoma City & sophomore Cooper Cook will be the Stars' HWT. 



Gavin Harper
Reinhardt

Gavin Harper took 3rd place at the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) this past season. 

Austin Foye
Central Methodist

Austin Foye was 3rd at the Heart of America (HOA) last season. 

Eli Criblez
Doane

4th in the GPAC last season, Eli Criblez was also 7th at the Missouri Valley Invitational. 

Alton Allen
Briar Cliff

4th & 5th thus far in the GPAC, Alton Allen took 5th at the Missouri Valley Invitational. 

Ethan DeRoche
Providence

5th in the CCC, Ethan DeRoche was also 4th at the Missouri Valley Invitational & 3rd at the Grand View Open. 

Excell Brooks
Marian

An NAIA qualifier for Marian last season, Excell Brooks took 8th at the Missouri Valley Invitational. 

Bruce Wagers
Rio Grande


Bruce Wagers was an NAIA qualifier last season, who also made the finals of the Patriot Open. 

Garine Gibson 
Central Methodist

Garine Gibson took 4th place at last year's HOA. 

Kaiden Cisneros
Arizona Christian

Kaiden Cisneros was one match shy of a top 8 finish at the Missouri Valley Invitational last season. 

Juan Camacho
Dickinson State

Juan Camacho made the finals of the Hastings Open last season. 

Emitt Mercado
Menlo

Emitt Mercado won the Mile High Invitational last season. 


John Bray
Wayland Baptist

Finishing 8th in the NJCAA nation last season for NEO A&M, John Bray will compete for Wayland Baptist this season. 

Kazz Hyson
Graceland

An NJCAA qualifier for Southeast CC last season, Kazz Hyson will compete for Graceland in '24-'25. 
















































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