BIG XII 2020 Preview = 165 lbs

The irony of this weight class is rather astonishing.  Allocating the top four, one of the wrestlers that should be seeded rather high is Randy Meneweather III of Air Force.  A senior who despite having a mediocre career up to this point, without NCAA qualification, carries a 23-5 record on the season looking to have what could result in a BIG XII title.

On the other hand you have three time NCAA qualifier Austin Matthews of Northern Colorado, who might place in the top eight, but will most likely be seeded outside of it.  Meneweather pinned Matthews in the last match of the regular season in ten seconds. I find that ironic.

I also find it ironic that the 2019 157 lbs BIG XII champion Chase Straw of Iowa State enters the tournament with a losing record. The move up to 165 lbs has not been kind to him, although he has had some highlights.  I don't see him based on the previous results on the year coming out of nowhere to win a second title, but I think he is capable of sneaking into the top four.

Nick Kiussis of West Virginia at an 11-11 record, 0-5 in the BIG XII, like Matthews will not be slotted to place in the top eight, yet imagining him sneaking onto the award stand is feasible.

I predict a Travis Wittlake Oklahoma State Vs Andrew Fogarty North Dakota State final but as mentioned before wouldn't be at all surprised to see Meneweather win one for the Falcons.

How I would seed?

#1 Travis Wittlake freshman Oklahoma State
#2 Andrew Fogarty senior North Dakota State
#3 Randy Meneweather III senior Air Force
#4 Cole Moody freshman Wyoming
#5 Tanner Cook freshman South Dakota State
#6 Chase Straw senior Iowa State
#7 Ricky Padilla senior Fresno State
#8 Austin Yant sophomore Northern Iowa