Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Who's Who of NAIA Collegiate Wrestling: Top Returnees 165 for 2024-2025

 

Jonathan Kervin
Indiana Tech

Gold! Gold! Gold! What a phenomenal season for Jonathan Kervin last year!  Championships won at the Missouri Valley Invitational, the Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) & the NAIA championships. 

Keller Rock
Embry Riddle

Standout season for Keller Rock.  An NAIA finalist, he also made the finals of the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) and the finals of the Mile High Invite. 

Jayden Luttrell
Embry Riddle

Along with Keller Rock, the Eagles also picked up a standout NJCAA wrestler in Jayden Luttrell of Western Wyoming.  A Plains District champion, he earned back to back NJCAA All American honors of 5th & 6th. 



Steve Villalobos
Life

4th in the NAIA, Steve Villalobos heads into the '24-'25 season having posted 3rd & 1st place finishes in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) the past two seasons. 

Roman Garcia
Central Methodist

The Spanish refer to wrestling as "lucha libre" which literally translates into "free for all."  NAIA wrestling can often resemble that remark, and a perfect example of it last season was Roman Garcia of Central Methodist.  5th in the Heart of America (HOA) he was also 5th at the NAIA championships.  Everyone who placed ahead of him at HOA, did not place in the NAIA.  Just goes to show how anything can happen, and often does in NAIA wrestling. 

Shad Slone
Campbellsville


Only a junior eligibility wise and already looking to become a three time NAIA All American.  Thus far Shad Slone has been 7th & 6th in the NAIA nation.  He was also the Mid South Conference (MSC) runner-up last season. 

Trace Braun
Southeastern

5th & 3rd the past two AAC's, Trace Braun earned a 7th place finish at the NAIA championships last season. 

Zander Ernst
Morningside

Earning 8th place NAIA All American honors last season, Zander Ernst has thus far been 3rd & 2nd in Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) finishes.  He finished one match shy of a top 8 showing at the Missouri Valley Invitational. 

Braden Baller
Texas Wesleyan

In my opinion, Braden Baller heads into '24-'25 one of the best wrestlers in the NAIA nation yet to All American.  Finishing one match shy last season, he took runner-up finishes at Oppenheim, Grand View & Friends Falcon. 

Pig Hobbs
Providence

An NAIA All American with a 5th place finish in 2023, Pig Hobbs missed out on AA #2 last season by one match.  Had an excellent Missouri Valley Invitational, where he finished in 3rd place. 

Matt Jenkins
Reinhardt

Another super tough wrestler to finish one match shy of All American honors last season, Matt Jenkins won the Hawk Classic & has thus far finished 3rd & 2nd in the AAC. 

Cameron Hargrove
William Penn

Cameron Hargrove on the HOA last season & finished 5th at the Missouri Valley Invitational. 

O'Brien Black
Cumberlands

O'Brien Black was the MSC champion last season. 

Kaleb Bigelow
Dakota Wesleyan

2nd & 1st thus far in the past two GPAC championships, Kaleb Bigelow also won the Dakota Wesleyan Open last season. 



Dayton Hill
Ottawa

Dayton Hills heads into '24-'25 having posted 1st & 2nd place KCAC finishes the past two seasons.  He was also 4th at the Friends Falcon Invitational. 

Tommy Wentz
Concordia (NEB)

10 wins on the season for Tommy Wentz who made the GPAC finals last season. 

Cole Price
Concordia (NEB)


I've heard some conflicting reports on where exactly Cole Price has ended up after two back to back All American NJCAA seasons with the Iowa Western Reivers (5th & 8th).  I think Concordia (Neb) is the correct one though & I believe he'll be a Bulldog this season. 

Jett Nelson
Graceland

Jett Nelson made the HOA finals last season.



Diego Muchado
St Ambrose

Diego Muchado took a 3rd place finish at the HOA last season. 

Seth Borba
Menlo

4th in the CCC, Seth Borba won the Mile High Invitational last season. 

Sunni Motas
Vanguard

The future CPA was a qualifier for the Lions last season. 

Devin Crawford
Montana State Northern

Devin Crawford heads into '24-'25 having posted 6th & 5th place finishes in the CCC the past two seasons. 

Elliot Rodgers
Marian

Elliot Rodgers looks to become a rare 5x NAIA qualifier this season. 

Hayden Brown
Oklahoma City

Brown was an NAIA qualifier for Oklahoma City last season. 

UPDATE: Brown will be competing at 157 this season. 

Justin McCunn
Grand View

Justin McCunn was a Missouri Valley Invitational runner-up last season. 


Wyatt Higgins
Reinhardt

Wyatt Higgins took 5th in last year's AAC. 

Jovan Mitchell
Grand View

The Viking took 3rd at the Friends Falcon Invitational & 7th at the Missouri Valley Invitational last year. 

Jaden New
Life

New took a 6th place finish at the Missouri Valley Invitational. 

Daylon Stafford
Midway

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


Jeff Dunasky
Marian

Jeff Dunasky was one match shy of a medal at the Missouri Valley Invitational. 
























































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