Roanoke Vs Washington & Lee Preview (Sat Nov 16)

 

Now we head east to the state of Virginia where one of our newest teams in NCAA DIII wrestling, now on its fourth season takes on one of the oldest teams in collegiate wrestling.  The Washington & Lee Generals have been around since the 1920-1921 season! They are on their 104th season of collegiate wrestling. 

Both of these programs are in Region 4, so these matches will weigh heavy as to seeding. 

Mac Cafurello Vs David Rubin
125

Returning All American Mac Cafurello wants to once again stand on that grand award stand by season's end.  It will once again take him wrestling at his best to do so, and one of his first test this season will be the General's David Rubin.  Cafurello has defeated Rubin on three occasions thus far. 4-1 s.v., 8-0, and 7-2.  The odds heavily favor the Maroon's, but this is still a match Cafurello is going to want to be focused and prepared for. 

Mark Samuel Vs Skyler Hickman
141

Opportunity is a word that is used a lot in the world of wrestling & here it is going to be used about as well as it can be used.  Mark Samuel is a fun, exciting wrestler & a favorite among many fans.  He's energetic, aggressive and when he turns it on, he can beat just about anybody.  He was 3rd in the NCAA D3 championships last season.  With that said, he's struggled with Skyler Hickman.  He needed the tiebreakers to defeat him 7-6 & then as offensive as he usually is, he defeated Hickman 2-0.   Let's face it. At the moment Hickman is relatively unknown, not many talking about him or the potential he has.  If he can pull off an upset over Samuel this weekend, he'll be the talk of D3 wrestling on Monday. 

Morgan Robinson Vs Evan Lindner
149

I personally feel that Evan Lindner has the talent to become an NCAA Division III All American this year.  A Southeast Regional runner-up last season, he's shown his skills and abilities on the mat.  With that said, Morgan Robinson will be an excellent test for him this Saturday.  Robinson was 7th in both '22 & '23 at the Southeast Regional & he's looking to not only earn his third Regional medal this season, but to do much more than that.  A W over Lindner would do just that. 

Jarrod Pominville Vs Nic Zamaloff
157

I think this match at 157 lbs will be good. We have an 8th place Regional finisher Vs a 5th place Regional finisher.  Nic Zamaloff also won the Old Dominion Athletic Conference title last season & if he wants to win another title, he's going to have to go through tough wrestlers like Jarrod Pominville to get it.  

David Reid Vs Mark Troni
165

In my preseason previews I said that I thought that Mark Troni could contend for a Regional title this season.  While I'm no Collin Raye, "That's my story, and I'm sticking to it."  Truth of the matter is though, David Reid, a Regional runner-up last season, is also a Regional title contender this year.  It's very plausible that Reid Vs Troni is a match we could see twice more this season.  The finals of the ODAC and the finals of Regionals! Who will win?  Well, Reid does own a 10-2 major over Troni, but Troni owns a 7-3 win over Reid.  Make of that what you will. 

*NOTE* - I'm almost positive that Jacob Cherry is not out of eligibility yet.  Perhaps he's sitting out the '24-'25 season and will return for '25-'26?  I don't know.  What I do know is that Cherry Vs Troni in itself would have been a great matchup this dual as well.  Ironically enough, they have also split in two matches.  Cherry with 7-2 win over Troni & Troni with an 11-8 win over Cherry.

Lorenzo Pellot Vs John Santowski
197

Opportunity.  There's that word again.  Lorenzo Pellot was a Regional runner-up last season, finishing one match shy of All American honors.  Yet the last time these two met, it was a 4-1 s.v. for John Santowski.  What a statement it'd be for the General if he were to once again pull off what would be on paper a huge upset.  Another of what should be some very good matches between the Maroons & the Generals! 

Coe Vs Central Dual Preview (Thursday Nov 14th)

 

We have a great dual here in NCAA Division III between two tough Iowa teams as Coe takes on Central this Thursday.  I am very familiar with both of these teams. Pella was only 45 minutes from where I grew up, and I've attended the Under Amour a handful of times in my life.  They hosted a high school freestyle tournament every year that I went to once without a coach or a team.  Ended up having some college kids coach me through a match where I beat a class 3A State qualifier for a bronze medal.  Former Coach, Matt Diehl used to come to our freestyle practices at Oskaloosa and show technique.  Cedar Rapids was only an hour and a half from where I grew up. Been to the Coe Invitational quite a few times in my life, as well as some duals.  When D3nation said I grew up surrounded by great NCAA DIII wrestling, they meant it. I did, and Central & Coe were two of them. 

Stepping out of the Delorean, and back into 2024, this dual this Thursday has a lot on the line.  Both of these teams are in Region 6, and while there's still a lot of season left to wrestle, every match counts to how you will be seeded.   In a tournament that only takes the top 3 to the NCAA championships, getting those seeds is vital.  Five matches stick out in particularly. 

David Vukobratovich Vs Cade Hornback
125

This sport is all about proving yourself and reproving yourself.  Every time you set out on to the mat and put your toe on the line, you have to be prepared to go to war.  This match between David Vukobratovich and Cade Hornback, will be a war.  Hornbeck is an NCAA DIII qualifier who finished 3rd at the Lower Midwest Regional last season.  Vukobratovich wants that qualification spot.   The last these two met, it was a 12-9 s.v. for Hornbeck. 

Brock Beck Vs Bryce Parke
133

Here's another match with a lot on the line.  Bryce Parke is a two time NCAA DIII qualifier for the Kohawks, with back to back 3rd place showings at the Lower Midwest Regional.  However, it was Brock Beck who won their last meeting 4-2.  Will be a good match. 

Pierre Baldwin Vs Dresden Grimm
141

Here's a match that I'm really looking forward to.  We have NCAA R12'er/Lower Midwest Regional runner-up Pierre Baldwin taking on Dresden Grimm.  Both of these guys have shown one another the lights.  Baldwin pinned Grimm at the 6:38 mark & Grimm pinned Baldwin at the 3:44 mark.   Might go the full 7 minutes this time.  

Carson Martinson Vs Will Esmoil
165

What a golden opportunity Carson Martinson! The last time he and two time NCAA DIII All American Will Esmoil met up, he took Esmoil into sudden victory & dropped a 7-4 decision.  If he were to somehow turn that close loss into a win, what propulsion that would be leading him into the rest of '24-'25.  On the same hand though, Esmoil is a two time AA for good reason. 

Sam West Vs Jared Voss
184

Now the last time Sam West & Jared Voss met, Voss pinned West in 1:18.  However, that's not the match we're looking at when analyzing how good this third meeting has potential to be.  The other time they met was much closer, with Voss winning a 7-6 squeaker. Voss was a NCAA DIII qualifier in 2023, and he just missed out on qualifying again in 2024 by one match.  Both of these guys want that trip to Rhode Island in March.  So, again a lot on the line here. 

Roger Williams Invite Recap & Review

 

The Roger Williams Invitational was an exceptionally good tournament this year, as it was last year.  A lot happened in this tournament.  So much that a few simple Twitter Tweets, or whatever we're supposed to call "X" now wasn't going to cut it.  Too much to say.  This needed an article! 

125 lbs Champ
Gavin Bradley of Castleton

Our best wrestling college in the state of Vermont crowned many champions today & one of them was Gavin Bradley who took care of business winning his second Roger Williams Invitational in a row.  

133 lbs

As he usually does and as he'll continue to do, Joziah Fry of Johnson & Wales just completely dominated today winning a Roger Williams Invitational title.  With that said, I have to throw out a word for Southern Maine's Jake Craig.  This has been a tough tournament for quite sometime & he's wrestled very well here the past three seasons.  3rd-2nd-2nd. 

141 lbs Champion & the Talk of the Tournament

Here's the big story my wrestling friends.  What we in the news call, "the big scoop!"  What an outstanding performance from Evan Onstad of UW-Whitewater.  First he knocks off teammate Justin Fortugno 5-4 in the semi-finals.  Then he pulls off a huge 2-2 tiebreaker win over two time All American & two time Roger Williams Invitational champion James Rodriguez in the finals.  What a statement made by the sophomore today. 

Southern Maine Crowns a Champ at 149

Southern Maine had some good performances today.  The best of them was Colby Frost at 149 lbs.  The D3 All American scored a 16-6 major over Elijah Cyr of Castleton in the finals. 

157 lbs champ
Nate Camiscioli 

Much like teammate Gavin Bradley did at 125 lbs, Nate Camiscioli came into the Roger Williams Invitational and took care of business winning title #2.  

Up a Weight Class & Up A Spot on the Podium

Wesleyan's C.J. Shea finished as the Roger Williams Invitational runner-up at 157 lbs last year.  This year he's up at 165 lbs, and looked very good as he traded in his silver for gold.  An impressive 9-1 major decision over Scott Busse of UW-Whitewater in the semi-finals, he stayed one step ahead of Jashon Holmes of Castleton in an 8-7 final. 

Did I mention Castleton Brought Home a Lot of Gold this Tournament? 

Same as he did last year, Desmond McLaughlin came into the Roger Williams Invitational, ran out of bubble gum and kicked words that rhyme with glass. Was disappointed to see Jayden Curley of Roger Williams, a runner-up last year, slip to 5th place.  It is wrestling though, nothing is ever a given. 

Another Title for Sampson Wilkins at 184

Sampson Wilkins is now a two time Roger Williams Invitational champion.  It's only November 9th.  I'm sure within due time, he'll be winning a lot more titles before the season is over. 

3...2...1  Host Crowns a Champ! 

Finishing 3rd & 2nd the past two seasons, Spencer Fetrow finally earned himself a Roger Williams Invitational title.  Did so amongst some tough competition too.  Haven Tatarek & Josh Negron, two of the names within the bracket. 

A Good Day For Evan Day

HWT as it was last year, was again pretty crazy.  Abbas Abdulrahman of Castleton who has been 3rd & 2nd the past two seasons, shocked the heck out of me by having his way with Mason Sprinkel (last year's champion) in the semi-finals.  Three takedowns in the first period.  A 7 point move at the begging of the second, then another takedown & baby it was over just like that.  A 19-3 technical fall over a very good wrestler.   Then of course things just cannot finish out the day anything but abnormal.  Not here, not with the ongoing saga of "who will start at HWT for Castleton by Regionals?"   As good as Abdulrahman looked in the semi-finals, he is majored 8-0 by teammate Evan Day in the finals.  Day, finished 3rd here a year ago. 

Then as if it needs to even be said, Sprinkel pinned his way back to 3rd. 

Campbell Vs North Carolina State Preview (Sat Nov 9)

 

We have some good matches to look forward in this dual between the Camels of Campbell & the Wolfpack of North Carolina State tomorrow. 

Anthony Molton Vs Jakob Camacho
125

Without a doubt, one of the best wrestlers to be left home last season from the NCAA DI championships was Anthony Molton.  Of the 33 wrestlers who did qualify for the national championships, it wouldn't surprise me at all to find out that Molton was 34th or extremely close to it. It's a tough sport and in the allocation system, every major W you can garner counts.  A win over Jakob Camacho would be huge for the SOCON title contender.   Camacho himself is looking to become a five time NCAA DI qualifier this season, as well as win his fourth ACC title. This is going to be a good match.  A good victory to put in the list of W's for either wrestler.

Shannon Hanna Vs Kai Orine
133

Kai Orine has earned back to back 8th place All American honors competing at 133 lbs the past two seasons.  Now he's up at 141 lbs, looking to take home a third All American honor.  Shannon Hanna, fresh off of redshirting last season, will be an excellent test to see how Orine handles things 8 lbs of muscle up. Looking at it from the other perspective, Hanna himself is looking for a big win to propel himself forward.  A win over Orine would be huge for the Camel. 

Dom Baker Vs Matt Singleton
174

This match intrigues me.  Dom Baker was an NCAA qualifier for the Camels last season & has thus far competed once, winning a major decision over an unranked opponent.  Matt Singleton redshirted last season & has yet to compete this year.  During his redshirt however, he had an impressive 8-1 over Gavin Kane.  As I've mentioned many times previously, the allocation system makes the overall season matter and makes each match count. In looking to earn a top 33 spot by year's end, these kind of matches have a lot of significance.  Should be a good one. 

Levi Hopkins Vs Christian Knop
197

This will be a very good match.  The last time these two met, Levi Hopkins won a very tight 2-0 decision.  Hopkins is a two time SOCON champ, looking to win his third title this season & contend for All American honors.  Christian Knop on the other hand is a senior, who is wrestling his first full varsity season, looking for his first NCAA DI qualification.  There's no reason to think that he won't earn it, but again, easier said than done.  A win over Hopkins this weekend would be something he would most certainly want on his resume. 

Taye Ghadiali Vs Isaac Trumble
HWT

This could easily be the match of the night.  The main event, if you will.  We have All American Taye Ghadiali taking on Isaac Trumble who redshirted last season. Trumble has spent the bulk of his career thus far as 197 lbs, but he more than showed us that he will contend at HWT this year, as he dominated his way to a Midlands title last year.  Trumble reminds me a lot of former Ohio State Buckeye J.D. Bergman, a three time All American, who specialized in upper body wrestling. If you enjoy watching large wrestlers take Delta airlines from one side of the mat to the other, Trumble is a wrestler to watch.  On the same hand though, Ghadiali isn't afraid to tango. He can pull off some pretty impressive moves himself.  Fun and exciting is what I predict for this match. 

Utah Valley Vs Nebraska Preview (Fri Nov 8 )

 

Utah Valley has been doing a great job of building themselves up and showing the wrestling community that they are one of the west coast programs that cares to be competitive.  They have some solid opportunities to step it up and wrestle well against a very tough Nebraska team.  Four matches in particularly stick out in this dual. 

Bridger Ricks Vs Caleb Smith
125

This was a good match the last time these two met, with Smith winning a tight 7-4 battle.  It'll be a god match again tomorrow.  Ricks, an NJCAA runner-up last year is currently looking for that first huge win, to prove himself as a DI material.  Getting a W against Smith would not only do that, but also show that he's in contention for All American honors.  A much easier said than done task.  Smith was an All American last year himself for good reason.  

Kase Mauger Vs Jacob Van Dee
133

Kase Mauger is a fifth year senior who has yet to make the NCAA DI championships, who usually bats .500 or even below it. The thing is, every season he usually pulls off one or two notable victories.  Could one of them be tomorrow against JVD? Probability is not in his favor against the Husker, but it's not at 0% either.  Being honest and realistic, we're probably looking at a solid decision for Nebraska here.  

Haiden Drury Vs Brock Hardy
141

Haiden Drury qualified for the NCAA DI championships as a freshman back in 2022.  Now he's a fifth year senior, in his final attempt to make it back.  With the way the NCAA DI qualification system works, a win over Brock Hardy would be HUGE for the Wolverine.  It's also very unrealistic.  Hardy is a two time All American, one who realistically has his eye on the NCAA DI title this year.  Staying in the match, keeping it to a decision, that in itself would be a win. 

Terrell Barraclough Vs Bubba Wilson
165

Looking very forward to this match.  Terrell Barraclough in his first real test as a Wolverine, pulled off a huge win against All American Hunter Garvin last week.  Another good win against a quality opponent like Bubba Wilson would be a great way to head into week four of the overall collegiate wrestling season.  The opposite is true too.  Bubba Wilson speaking talent, ability, heart and spirit, is an All American contender himself.  It's simply that the kid can't see to catch a break concerning health issues.  A win over Barraclough would be very big for the Husker.  A great way to start off the '24-'25 season.  

Stanford Vs Iowa State (Fri Nov 8) & Vs Iowa (Sat Nov 9) Preview

 

No thanks to Bernard Muir, the Cardinal of Stanford have a very solid team this year.  I think we're looking at, at least six NCAA DI qualifiers, some of which will be All American contenders.  Could see as many as eight qualifiers as far as I'm concerned.  This upcoming weekend will be one of their greatest test, as they take on two of collegiate wrestling's best teams in both Iowa State & Iowa.  The Cardinal face the Cyclones on Friday & then turn around to do battle with the Hawkeyes on Saturday.  

Nico Provo Vs Kale Petersen
125

Honestly this will be a great test for both of these gentlemen.  Doesn't matter what school you are from or who you are wrestling, it is a big deal to get a W inside of Carver Hawkeye Arena.  When you're the opposition, you have between 10K to 15K screaming against you in a very hostile environment.  Iowa's sold out their tickets this season, so it'll be closer to the 15K.  It'd be big for Provo to get a win here.   As to Kale Petersen, he has yet to prove himself as a Hawkeye.  The expectations as they always are with anyone who suits up in the black & gold, are high.  A win over the likes of Provo would be a step in the right direction. 

Tyler Knox Vs Drake Ayala
Tyler Knox Vs Evan Frost
133

We have yet to truly determine what NCAA DI 125 lbs runner-up Drake Ayala looks like up at 133 lbs.  In the lower weights that 8 lbs jump can make a world of difference.  This weekend will be a great test to see exactly where he's at as he takes on Tyler Knox, a redshirt freshman who collected medals at both Cliff Keen & the Southern Scuffle straight out of high school last year.  Ayala won't be Knox's only opportunity to knock off a top opponent.  The night before he wrestles Evan Frost, who placed 6th in the DI nation last season.  What a way to start off your first varsity season. 

Jason Miranda Vs Cullan Schriever 
Jason Miranda Vs Jacob Frost
141

As far as I'm concerned, the past few seasons Jason Miranda has finished somewhere between 34th & 38th in the country.  Just a hair short of NCAA DI qualification. This is his last shot. His last opportunity to make the dance. I think he's good enough to be top 33 this year, but he's going to have to earn it.  This weekend presents him an excellent opportunity.   A win over either Cullan Schriever or Jacob Frost would be huge Miranda.  If he we to somehow be able to defeat both of them, even better.  Much easier said than done though.  We're talking about two very talented wrestlers, and Miranda will be facing both on their mats, in front of their people. 

Jaden Abas Vs Kyle Parco
Jaden Abas Vs Anthony Echemendia
149

Jaden Abas was an All American all the way back in 2021.  If he wants to earn All American again in 2025, he's going to have to go through some extremely tough competition in order to do so.  This weekend presents itself a golden opportunity for the Cardinal.  He has All American Anthony Echemendia on Friday & then he has looking to become a 5 time All American/NCAA DI title contender Kyle Parco on Saturday.  Nothing would say, "I'm back!!" louder than going back to California with two extremely high profile W's. 

Hunter Garvin Vs Mikey Caliendo
Hunter Garvin Vs Connor Euton
165

We have last year's 7th place All American taking on last year's 4th place All American.  Hunter Garvin & Mikey Caliendo have met exactly once so far on the mat, and it was a 7-4 victory for the Hawkeye.  So in other words, the advantage goes to the black and gold, but it doesn't count out the Cardinal. It'll be a good match. A huge W to take back to the better weather in California if it can be pulled off.   As to Garvin Vs Connor Euton, this should result in a W for the Cardinal.  As in the Cardinal of Stanford, not the cardinal and gold of Iowa State.  With that said however, Euton is the replacement for the much beloved and much missed David Carr.  He's looking for an opportunity to prove himself to the faithful Cyclone community.  He upsets Garvin, he'll be doing just that. 

Norman Lorenzo Vs Nelson Brands
Norman Lorenzo Vs M.J. Gaitan
174

A young & hungry member of the Cardinal, Norman Lorenzo could very well be Stanford's most realistic hope to leave the state of Iowa with a 2-0 record this weekend.  He's already proven he can defeat M.J. Gaitan, as he handed the Cyclone an 11-8 loss last season.  I don't think Brands is out of his league either.  Brands struggled with Oregon State's Sean Harman last weekend.  A wrestler who in four seasons with the Missouri Tigers, never cracked the varsity lineup.  Again we're talking trying to defeat both a Cyclone & a Hawkeye back to back on their home mats, but if anyone is going to do it this weekend, Lorenzo has the best shot. 

Nick Stemmet Vs Stephen Buchanan
197

Courage is an admirable thing.  Gotta hand it to Nick Stemmet.  The three time NCAA qualifier wants to end his career as an All American this season & for the second weekend in a row, he's going toe to toe with one of the NCAA DI title contenders.  He wasn't able to score this last weekend against A.J. Ferrari, but he did prove that his wrestling has gotten better.  The last he and Ferrari met, Ferrari whipped him 16-3.  This past weekend, Ferrari had to earn each of his points & the score was only 5-0.  That's a major sign of improvement.  To upset Buchanan is a tall order.  Probably too tall of an order.  To score on him though?  Earn a takedown? Get a reversal.  In the least create some great scrambles?  I think that's possible.  

Colorado Mesa Vs Menlo Preview (Sat Nov 9)

 

The community of wrestling sure likes hypotheticals.  We love to sit down and debate back and forth over who's better.  Which level of wrestling is superior to the other.  Is DII better than NAIA or is NAIA better than DII?  Most of the time these conversations are nothing more than opinion.  Pure speculation.  However, every once in a while, we get to put on our lab coats and test out our hypothesis.  This is one of those times.  Colorado Mesa is a tough DII team that returns seven NCAA DII qualifiers.  Menlo has a super tough team as well.  We're going to see DII & NAIA go head to here. 

Oran Huff Vs Jeremiah Steele
133

Oran Huff was an NCAA D2 qualifier for the Mavericks last season, placing 2nd at the Super Region VI.  Jeremiah Steele was an NAIA qualifier, with a 3rd place showing at the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC).  Should be a good match. 

Ryan Wheeler Vs Kanai Tapia
157

Here's where the bets be made.  Where we really get to see NCAA DII test itself against the NAIA and vice versa.  Ryan Wheeler didn't compete last season, but he was 3rd in the D2 nation back in '22 & he's been 1st & 2nd within Super Region VI.  Kanai Tapia is an NAIA title contender this season.  3rd in the NAIA last year & also a Missouri Valley Invite champ.  Bragging rights are on the line in this one. 

Gus Dalton Vs Max Zamora
174

Here we have an NCAA DII R12'er taking on a 7th place NAIA All American.  Gus Dalton Vs Max Zamora should be a good one.  

Jason Bynarowicz Vs Isaiah Morales
184

In my opinion one of the toughest things to do in wrestling is comeback after a loss at Regions and take 3rd place.  Qualification is on the line, and depending on where you lost on the championship side of the bracket, you have to win at least two really tough matches in order to take home that bronze medal and punch yourself a ticket to DII nationals. It show a tremendous amount of courage, strength, character and guts. Four of the returning Mavericks did just that last year, including Jason Bynarowicz.  That type of mental toughness could prove to be the difference here against Menlo.  They'll certainly need it against the likes of Isaiah Morales.  A CCC champ last season, he was a hair short of being an NAIA All American.  

Gabe Carranz Vs Hunter James
197

An NCAA DII qualifier/Super Region VI runner-up Vs an NAIA qualifier/CCC 4th placer. Again, pure tenacity on the line here.  Who wants it more? Who's going to show up and wrestle?  D2 Vs NAIA, and we're going to see it this Saturday! 

Maryville Vs Central Oklahoma Preview (Sat Nov 9)

 

As we head into week three of the collegiate wrestling season, we have a good dual between Maryville & Central Oklahoma this Saturday in NCAA Division II.  Four matches stick out in particularly & we'll now take a look a them. 

Shaun Muse Vs Evan Binder
133

You can read the expression of anger on Evan Binder's face in this photograph.  We didn't see a whole lot out of Shaun Muse last year, but in the handful of times we did get to see him compete, he pinned Binder in 0:34 seconds.  Huge win for the Broncho, as Binder would go on to place 2nd at Super Region IV & get within a match of naming himself an All American.  Was it a fluke? Did Muse simply catch Binder off guard and put him on his back?  Was it legit?  Was Muse showing us that he'll be a Super Region title contender and AA material himself?  Lots of plausible outcomes in this one.  "Vengeance by mine" may very well sayeth the Binder.  Looking very forward to this one. 

Kody Ketchum Vs Dylan Lucas
141

Here we have the Super Region IV bronze medalist taking on the Super Region IV gold medalist.  The last time these two met, it was a 2:14 fall over Dylan Lucas over Kody Ketchum. Lucas an All American in 2023, came up short of another medal last year.  I'm sure that has his fire going.  I think this match goes the distance this year though.  I don't see it ending in the first period again. 

John Gholson Vs Garrett Wells
184

On paper, you'd think that a Super Region IV champ, 6th in the DII nation would just destroy a Super Region IV 5th place-winner.  Not the case.  The last time the two met, Wells had to work hard, picking & choosing his shots in a 5-0 win.  I say Gholson is capable of giving him an even better match than that.  Wells is super talented, even the type that could win an NCAA DII title, or at least be in contention for it by season's end.  On the same hand though, Gholson is a wrestler of pure grit.  Those kinda guys make you wrestle all 7 minutes, make you earn each point you get. 

Jeremiah Larson Vs Emmanuel Skillings
197

Seth Duckworth recently said on Twitter that a wrestler being ok with being a backup for a while, before he got his opportunity was a rarity in wrestling.  Well, maybe it is, but one who did was Emmanuel Skillings.  Behind one of the best 197'ers in DII ever, Dalton Abney, last season, Skillings more than showed us he was going to be an excellent replacement for Abney, as he placed 7th at a very tough Midwest Classic.  Among the W's he picked up last year, two were against Larson in a 12-3 major decision & a 9-8 decision.  On the same hand though, Larson handed Skillings a 16-7 major decision loss, so we have a bit of back & forth going on here.  Larson for the record was 4th at last year's Super Region IV.