Hosted by Virginia Tech, the Southeast Open looks to be another season opener with some excitement. From a bird's eye view, the beginning battles for what could prove to be just shy of half a year wars between conference foes of both the ACC and the Southern Conference. An opportunity for those currently unranked to position themselves into the top twenty.
125 lbs
The only ranked wrestler at this eight is Virginia Tech's Korbin Myers. I'm anxious to see if the Hokies wrestle him or backup Joey Prata. Either one should place in the top six. Fresman Joey Melendez of North Carolina will get to show us first hand where he stands. I look for Dack Punke of Missouri, who I feel should be ranked to show us why. What interest me here most is the potential battle between Campbell's Korbin Meink and Chattanooga's Fabian Gutierrez, what will most likely be this year's final at the Southern Conference.
133 lbs
Nothing sticks out to me too much here. I think #14 Noah Gonser of Campbell wins this one without much, if any scare.
141 lbs
Another look at what could be a Southern Conference final come March. Two time SoCon champion Chris Debien of Chattanooga currently ranked #20 and #14 Josh Heil of Campbell. In regards to the ACC North Carolina's Zach Sherman who finished third at last year's Midlands is currently unranked. He'll have a chance to see where he stands against #18 Mitch Moore of Virginia Tech.
149 lbs
A chance to see #1 Austin O'Connor of North Carolina vs #2 Brock Mauller of Missouri? I doubt it. I just can't see with coaches worried about rankings and seedings, allowing us a marquee match of that caliber this early. There will be other exciting things happening here though.
As of right now Mason Smith of Campbell currently ranked #19 in the nation is the frontrunner for a SoCon title. Yet I'm anxious to see if perhaps unranked Tanner Smith of Chattanooga might give him more of a challenge than initially thought.
You also have George Mason's Colston DiBlasi here as well. Like the three bears who found one porridge too cold and another porridge too hot before finding the one that was just right; I think DiBlasi is in the same situation. 149 was too much of a cut and he wasn't big enough for 165. I think 157 is just right for him and I think he'll prove that to us here.
I'm also anxious for the return of Brent Moore of Virginia Tech. He showed a lot of promise at 141 lbs a couple of years ago. Anxious to see how he does at 149.
157 lbs
A battle of the wills could potentially take place between #16 Jarrett Jacques of Missouri & #17 B.C. LaPrade of Virginia Tech. Austin Kraisser of Campbell marks himself as one itching to get into the rankings and we could see rematch wrestle-off between A.C. Headlee & Josh McClure of North Carolina. Headlee won 10-6 recently.
165 lbs
As of right now it looks like #4 Daniel McFadden of Virginia Tech has this one in the bag but I think it'll be more challenging on the mat than it is on paper. Kennedy Monday of North Carolina is much better than his current #16 ranking. He's capable of upsetting McFadden. Then there's also #17 Nick Kiussis of West Virginia as well. Look for unranked Quentin Perez of Campbell to perhaps pull off an upset as well.
174 lbs
#10 Connor Flynn of Missouri will take the #1 seed here but he'll have his hands full with both #16 Devin Kane of North Carolina and #17 Neal Richards of VMI. Richards is the best shot for a Keydet All American since Leslie Apedoe who placed sixth in 1999. Wins over both Kane and Flynn, which he is capable of doing help him to get closer to that goal.
184 lbs
A finals match here looks to be between #9 Hunter Bolen of Virginia Tech and #14 Dylan Wisman of Missouri. However Missouri may wrestle Canton Marriott, one of the best backups in the country instead. Or they might even wrestle both. Another interesting story that could possibly unfold is that between Campbell's Andrew Morgan and Chattanooga's Dominic Lampe, both of whom are gunning for this year's SoCon title.
197 lbs
The only ranked wrestler here right now is #14 Noah Adams of West Virginia but I'm not sold on him winning the championship. I think both Wyatt Koelling of Missouri and Stan Smeltzer of Virginia Tech could prove to be worthy challengers.
HWT
I think by year's end Jere Heino of Campbell currently ranked #8 in the nation will cement himself as an NCAA title contender. I do believe he is that good. We'll get a glimpse of whether he is or he isn't against #11 Zach Elam of Missouri.
Like the Michigan State open, not all of these matches are going to take place. Yet I think quite a few of them do. Last year's Hokie Open, which is essentially the same tournament with a different name had quite a few exciting matches. I think this year's tournament will too.
No comments:
Post a Comment