It makes me sick to my stomach. Only four spots left here at 133 lbs. As far as I'm concerned, there are seven worthy candidates. That means that three of the talents I list here will not be going to the NCAA DI championships.
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| #3 Evan Frost Iowa State |
Might as well put a stamp on it & put it in the outgoing mail, cause this one is as good as delivered. 6th in the DI nation last season, earned his second runner-up finish at CKLV, and he's ranked #3. 18-4 on the year, a 5-0 win over Ethan Oakley, a 6-3 decision over Kurt Phipps & an 11-3 major over Derrick Cardinal. What happened to Evan Frost is that he fell victim to the "once a year huge win" that Kade Moore pulls off every season. That's all. The Cyclone will be going to the DI championships. Take it to the bank.
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| #8 Tyler Knox Stanford |
Might as well consider this one a guarantee too. 24-6 on the year, Knox unfortunately finished 4th in an ACC bracket that took the top 3. 5th in CKLV & a Midlands Champion, the redshirt freshman has plenty of victories to make his case. 15-10 over BIG 10 runner-up Drake Ayala, 5-3 over Zeth Romney, 5-0 over Jacob Van Dee, 9-6 over Ivy League champ Ryan Miller, 10-3 over Dylan Shawver & 9-1 over Kai Orine.
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| #18 Tyler Wells Minnesota |
Tyler Wells is certainly a worthy candidate for NCAA DI qualification. The Golden Gopher was one match shy of being an All American last year. Owns an 8-2 decision over EIWA champ Kurt Phipps, a 3-2 decision over Braxton Brown & a 6-3 decision over Kade Moore.
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| #20 Reece Witcraft Oklahoma State |
A true team player, Reece Witcraft is the kinda guy you like to see succeed. He's been through the thick and think with the Cowboys, and while many others would have transferred out, he stuck it through with his team. And speaking of his team, Oklahoma State sure could use him as they duke it out with Iowa in a battle for the silver trophy. A two-time NCAA DI qualifier, his performance at CKLV is his greatest asset. 4th, he defeated Jacob Van Dee 8-1 & Derrick Cardinal 10-3. He also owns a 6-3 decision over Kade Moore.
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| #21 Cleveland Belton Oklahoma |
Can we call it Bedlam? I say this because I'm very confident that 3/4's of our Wildcards here are going to be Evan Frost, Tyler Knox & Tyler Wells. It's that #4 slot that I'm pondering about, and as luck would have it, it's between a Cowboy & a Sooner.
Witcraft is one spot ahead of Belton in the rankings, but I seriously doubt that's going to hold much water. Witcraft owning the head to head with a 5:43 fall however is likely to spell out the difference. Nonetheless Belton was one match shy of NCAA DI All American honors last year, and he owns a 4-1 win over Sean Spidle & an 11-5 decision over Kade Moore.
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| #23 Ethan Berginc Army |
A two-time NCAA DI qualifier, Ethan Berginc has been 4th-3rd-3rd within the EIWA. Unfortunately, I believe a 5-1 loss to Kyle Waterman is going to keep him out of the dance this year. Most certainly one of the best at 125 to DNQ if that is the case. Owns both a 9-6 decision & a 2:25 fall over SOCON champ T.K. Davis & owns a 4-1 s.v. over Anthony Noto who just won his fourth MAC title. 25-6 on the year.
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| #33 Markel Baker Northern Illinois |
A worthy candidate, I have a feeling Markel Baker is unfortunately going to make JT#1's "Best of 2025 not to qualify" list. Only four spots available & again we have seven wrestlers fighting over those spots. The Husky owns a 7-6 decision over Zeth Romney.
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