UW-Parkside Vs Maryville Preview (Friday 11-1)

 

We have a good dual here in NCAA Division II wrestling between UW-Parkside & Maryville this Friday.  Both teams have some tough wrestlers & it'll be fun to watch them do battle on the mat. 

Matt Chi Vs Evan Binder
133

I was very vocal in my '24-'25 preseason previews that I felt Matt Chi was one of the best wrestlers in NCAA Division II wrestling yet to make the NCAA Division II championships.  Among the many reasons I stated, an 11-5 decision over NCAA DII R12'er Evan Binder is why.  If Chi can once again defeat the Saint, what a start to the season it'd be for the Ranger. 

Cayden Henschel Vs Kody Ketchum
141

Love him or hate him, there's no denying that two time NCAA DII R12'er Cayden Henschel is one of the most well known figures in DII wrestling. He'll start off the season with a very tough challenge in Kody Ketchum.  While Henschel defeated the Saint 7-2 last season, I'm not sold that we saw Ketchum (who was still recovering from injuries via high school) at 100% last year.  This will be a good test to start out '24-'25 for Henschel. 

Brady Schuh Vs Cole Ritter
      165 

This strikes me as a good match.  We have Brady Schuh who finished one match shy of NCAA DII qualification last season & we have Cole Ritter, who finished 5th in the D2 nation.  For those unfamiliar with D2 wrestling, it's not like D1 or the NAIA.  You only qualify if you place top 3 within your regional.  I point this out, because on paper, some might think that an All American wouldn't have any problem with someone who didn't even qualify.  It's not that simple in D2 & I say Schuh gives Ritter a good match. 

Lloyd Reynolds Vs Ryan Herman
     HWT

"Stay off your back!"  This is going to be a fun one.  Lloyd Reynolds & Ryan Herman have met exactly three times.  Reynolds stuck Herman at 5:00, Herman stuck Reynolds at 6:26, and Herman won a 5-4 decision.  Both NCAA DII qualifiers, Herman captured 7th place All American honors last season.  He was also the only wrestler in two seasons to hand two time D2 champ Shawn Streck a loss last year.  A win for either of these guys is huge, but speaking to rankings/seedings/ect, a bit bigger for Reynolds.