2019-2020 149 lbs Division I Outlook

149 lbs is a fun weight class. One that puts the poise and experience of well seasoned veterans against the ready from the get go youth of some of the nations toughest freshmen and sophomores.  Plenty of juniors and seniors to make this a notch for the upperclassmen & plenty of underclassmen to just as easily make it one for the young.

AUSTIN O'CONNOR
Sophomore
NORTH CAROLINA

The ACC is continuously proving itself more and more a "wrestling conference" and  North Carolina's Austin O'Connor is leading the helm as the forerunner of the 149 lbs weight class. A title is anything but a given but he's as good as anyone else in an effort to win one.  Third at last year's NCAA's, wouldn't it be cool for ESPN & Sports Illustrated to say, "A kid from a basketball school just won a wrestling championship!"

SAMMY SASSO
Freshman
OHIO STATE 

As we make our way through the weight classes, thus far the most talented redshirt freshman, with the most legitimate shot at the NCAA title in my opinion is Ohio State's Sammy Sasso. Sasso is so good that I'm not even convinced that had he not redshirted last year, that three time All American Micah Jordan would've beaten him out for the starting spot. He wrestled Jordan to a 9-7 match last season.  The only thorn that sticks in my side when evaluating Sasso's capabilities is a strange 8-6 loss he suffered to Jacori Teemer of Arizona State.  We all have off days but it does show that Sasso is not invincible.

MATT KOLODZIK
Senior
PRINCETON 

I think even at this point, before wrestling his final season, Kolodzik is the best wrestler to ever grace a orange and black singlet of Princeton University.  5th-2nd-6th-1st, he's likely to become the first five time Midland's placewinner in Tiger wrestling history.  A two time EIWA champ, he has a chance to become the first three time in Tiger wrestling history.  A three time All american, the first four time in Tiger wrestling history.  Lastly, an opportunity to be the first Tiger to win an NCAA title since Bradley Glass in 1951. 

BROCK MAULLER
Sophomore
MISSOURI 

A native of Columbia, Mauller is one of many on the tiger wrestling team to prove that if given an opportunity the "Show me state" can show the wrestling world that it can produce some great talent. A MAC champion and sixth place finisher at last year's NCAA tournament, Mauller is a contender.

PAT LUGO
Senior
IOWA 

Always in the hunt for the team national title, Iowa relies on their full lineup to contend with the lions of Mount Nittany, the pokes of Stillwater and the Buckeyes of Columbus.  Lugo had an impressive year last season placing fourth at Midlands, third at the BIG 10's and eighth at the NCAA's.  As to a National title, I wouldn't write him off as a darkhorse.  Yet, he seems to have trouble with long and lanky.  Lost twice last season to Iowa State's Jarrett Degen.

JARRETT DEGEN
Junior
IOWA STATE 

Degen has a lot of things going for him.   He was Fifth at Southern Scuffle, the BIG 12 runner-up, seventh at the NCAA's and both the rankings and seeding committee seem to like him.  Seems to always get the nod in questionable situations. We can make romantic arguments that such things as seeds "don't matter" but they do. A good seed can often be the difference between making the finals of a conference tournament and not making the finals of a conference tournament.   The difference between being an All American and not being an All American.  Take nothing against Degen, he's going to do well regardless, but last year it was notable in more than one situation. 

JARED PRINCE
Senior
NAVY 

Arguably the best senior in NCAA Division I wrestling yet to be an All American. Just as easily referred to as the best senior yet to win an EIWA title at 3rd-3rd-2nd.  It's not going to be any easier this year, than what it has been the past three, but hopefully Prince finally punches through and places at Nationals. 

KADEN GFELLER
Sophomore
OKLAHOMA STATE 

Southern Scuffle champion, Reno Champion, Big 12 Champion.  Up until the NCAA tournament, Gfeller had himself one hell of a freshman campaign. The way I see it, if you're going to have a "crap your pants" NCAA tournament, your freshman year is the year to have it.  He's been there now, he's gotten the first time at the dance jitters out of his system. He'll be fine.  As loaded as the weight class is, I still say he'll contend for the NCAA title.

Let's also remember though, that Boo Lewallen is also at this weight.  I don't see him beating out Gfeller for the spot, but he was 8th at the NCAA's in 2018.

MATT FINDLAY
Junior
UTAH VALLEY 

An NCAA blood round wrestler at 141 lbs last season. Anxious and at the moment at a loss to how he'll do at 149.  I'm going to have to see him wrestle a few matches before I make up my mind.

MAX THOMSEN
Senior
NORTHERN IOWA 

Fifth as a freshman, Thomsen has been one match shy of regaining All American as a sophomore and junior. He's been right there. Second at the Midlands, wins over both Degen and Prince. It's not like he's slipped any. What it really comes down to last season is a horrible BIG 12 tournament. I think that cost him a better draw at the NCAA's.  Talent wise, ability wise I don't feel the least bit ashamed in saying he's one of the best 149 lbs'ers in 2020. It's just that he doesn't always perform up to it.  He can also win the NCAA title. Yes, he is that good.

BRAYTON LEE
Freshman
MINNESOTA 

You know I was a big fan of Tommy Thorn. I liked Thorn a lot but I do feel that Lee will not only be an excellent replacement, I actually think he'll do a little better than him.  26-7 last year in his redshirt, defeated EIWA champion Anthony Artalona of Pennsylvania.  No run for the national title, but I do think he makes an immediate impact. 

KANEN STORR
Junior
MICHIGAN

I feel the same way about Storr than I do about Findlay.  I think the move from 141 up to 149 is a little different than the move from 125 to 133 or from 133 to 141. It's that move of lower weight to middle weight.  The height differences are usually more substantial and the style of wrestling seems to be less scrambles and a bit more physical.  I'll need to see him compete a few times at this weight class.

REQUIR VAN DE MERWE
Junior
STANFORD

Fourth at the southern scuffle and a PAC-12 championship that he'll contend for once again, Van De Merwe is an All American candidate.  Props to anyone that pronounces his name correct the first time they try.

BROCK ZACHERL
Senior
CLARION 

I suppose maybe we ought to start referring to Clarion as the "Rodney Dangerfield" team of collegiate wrestling because here's yet another Eagle wrestler that "don't get no respect."  13-2 last year including a 10-6 win over Josh Heil of Campbell and a 3-2 win over Grant Leeth of Missouri before an injury ended his season.  Placed fourth at CKLV and yet continues to be overlooked. He wrestles to his potential, he'll be remembered soon enough.

DAXTON GORDON
Senior
CAL BAPTIST 

A 2018 Division II champion and a round of twelve finisher at CKLV last year, Gordon had impressive wins over both Russell Rohlfing of Bakersfield and four time NCAA qualifier Tommy Thorn of Minnesota.  I believe he'll be the highlight for the Lancers this season.  Their first Division I NCAA qualifier, with an outside shot of being their first Division I All American.

JAROD VERKLEEREN
Sophomore
PENN STATE 

A match shy of a medal at last year's Southern Scuffle, Verkleeren will add points to the Penn State total.

JOSH MARUCA
Senior
ARIZONA STATE 

A PAC-12 runner-up last season, Maruca will battle it out with Van De Merwe and Gordon for this year's crown. Most impressive win was an 8-3 decision over Gfeller at the NCAA tournament. Adds yet another name to the immense depth of AA candidate talent at 149 lbs.

KHRISTIAN OLIVAS
Senior
FRESNO STATE 

Round of twelve at CKLV, seventh at the Midlands and sixth at the BIG 12's.  A two time NCAA qualifier, Olivas will end his career with three trips to the dance.

TANNER SMITH
Sophomore
CHATTANOOGA 

Second at last year's Southern Conference, he'll be the forerunner for this year's title. A 7-5 victory over Maruca sticks out most when examining his record.

MASON SMITH
Senior
CAMPBELL

Been anxious to watch Smith compete for Cary Kolat since transferring to Campbell, but haven't really gotten the chance to as he only wrestled four matches last season.   Went 165 lbs in 2019, after two years at 141.  Was way too small for the weight class, which I think showed in a 10-2 major decision loss to Gardner-Webb's Tyler Marinelli.  149 seems a much better fit and time will tell soon enough if it is.

COLSTON DIBLASI
Senior
GEORGE MASON 

Two seasons at 157 and at 165 last year, I think moving down to 149 lbs may be the best thing to ever happen to DiBlasi.  He's a daring grappler whose arsenal involves high risk maneuvers. If he can keep his strength and his conditioning after making the cut, those flamboyant moves are going to have a greater percentage of payoff than they ever did at 157 or 165.  The Patriots haven't had an All American since Mark Finacchio took eighth in 1995. DiBlasi is their best shot in 2020.

RUSSELL ROHLFING
Senior
BAKERSFIELD 

Inconsistency is a word I use to describe a handful of wrestlers, but I know of none that fit the definition better than Rohlfing.  At times I watch him and I think to myself, "That guy is going to be an All American."   Other times I watch him and I think, "Will he place at the PAC-12's?"   Van De Merwe, Gordon, Maruca...none of these guys are out of his league. Yet at this point, I'd have to place him fourth in the conference.  He beat Degen 7-5 sudden victory and then lost to him 14-3.  He also owns a 10-9 win over Lugo.  The only thing certain about Rohlfing, is that with him, nothing is certain.

HENRY POHLMEYER
Senior
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE 

Eighth at the Midlands and fifth at the BIG 12's, Pohlmeyer had wins over both Thorn and Thomsen last season. Seems to live and die by the fall quite a bit. A darkhorse All American.

WIL GIL
Junior
FRANKLIN AND MARSHALL

If Gil were staying at 141, I'd feel a lot better about predicting him as an NCAA qualifier this season. He also started off last season at 149 and went down to 141.  So he might end up doing that again.  Even if he doesn't, I do think he will qualify for the NCAA's. 

YAHYA THOMAS
Sophomore
NORTHWESTERN 

Shane Oster might also be the starter for the wildcats at this weight but I think Thomas takes the spot this season. I think last year it was simply a matter of adjusting to the new weight class and it taking more time than expected.  A great sign that Thomas is ready for 149, is taking Lugo into the tiebreakers before dropping a tight 2-1 decision. 

LUKE KARAM
Junior
LEHIGH 

Health.  That's what it comes down to for Lehigh's Luke Karam.  Health.  A 2018 NCAA qualifier, no doubt in my mind if healthy he'll also make the 2020 tournament.  He just needs his health to cooperate.

SAM KRIVUS
Senior
VIRGINIA 

A three time NCAA qualifier at 141 lbs, even up a weight there's no reason to think that Krivus won't end his career as a four timer.

ZACH MOORE
Senior
WEST VIRGINIA 

Moore has yet to qualify for the NCAA tournament, but I think he can in his final year of eligibility.

BRENT MOORE
Junior
VIRGINIA TECH 

Out with an injury last season, it seems everyone for got about ole Brent and put all of their focus into brother Mitch.  I think they'll remember Brent soon enough.  Another of the many moving up from 141, he owns an 8-0 win over Rohlfing for whatever that's worth.

ALEC OPSAL
Senior
AIR FORCE 

More of a long shot but Opsal did have victories over both four time NCAA qualifier Thorn and two time NCAA qualifier Ryan Blees of Virginia Tech last season. Like many Air Force wrestlers, as more than an upset or two within in his grasps. He wouldn't be the first to punch his ticket to the NCAA's by knocking off a few ranked opponents at the BIG 12's.

JOHN MILNER
Sophomore
APPALACHIAN STATE 

I don't think he's going to take the wrestling world by storm or anything, but I do think with Matt Zovistoski moving up to 157, he adds another NCAA qualifier to the mix for the Mountaineers.


Thirty one, which means there are still two slots open for NCAA qualification.   Looking over all 80 rosters I'm sure I probably overlooked someone I shouldn't have, but this is what I came up with.  Funny, seeing that I see both the battle for All American and the war for the NCAA title each having a fair share of names.