The anticipation is driving me crazy! Are we or are we not going to have a wrestling season this year? I think we will, but waiting for a definitive answer is doing works on my anxiety. I want an answer & I want to know how exactly the season will shape up. As I sit and wait in anticipation, I see that if indeed we do have wrestling in 2020-2021, we'll see some great wrestling in the fight for varsity positions right off the bat.
Here are 26 wrestle-offs to look forward to this season
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| Iowa 184 lbs Abe Assad Vs Nelson Brands |
On paper this one seems to be in the bag for Assad. The young Hawkeye knocked out three time NCAA qualifier Cash Wilcke for the starting position last season & then defeated two of the wrestlers that Nelson Brands lost to. Yet a lot can happen in a year. It's difficult to believe that Terry Brands is doing anything less than all he can to train Nelson to earn the varsity position. Either way, the Hawkeyes look to have an All American that will contribute to what could be an NCAA Division I national team title. It's a shame there isn't room for both in the lineup.
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| Michigan 141 lbs Joey Silva Vs Drew Mattin |
A lot of wrestling fans are excited to see what Joey Silva can do on the mat & I'm one of them. However, I think it is foolish to overlook Drew Mattin in this wrestle-off. Mattin may not have the interest that the young Silva has, but he's anything but a pushover. He's a two time NCAA qualifier at 125 lbs & he had a great showing at CKLV two seasons ago. Mattin's had a year at 141, while it'll be a new experience for Silva. The adjustment alone could make the difference.
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| North Carolina State 149 lbs A.J. Leitten Vs Matt Grippi |
No doubt about it, this one is going to be a barnburner. Two guys of great talent & I highly doubt that this one is a said and done deal with one match. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see these two split time throughout the season & put into serious question within a week of the ACC tournament who will be the starter. Leitten edged Grippi at last year's Battle at the Citadel 3-2. Look for all of their matches to be close.
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| Iowa State 133 lbs Austin Gomez Vs Todd Small |
Out with an injury last season, Todd Small did a great job of filling in for Austin Gomez in the Cyclone lineup. As to common opponents & how the match will play out on paper, this one looks to easily be in the hands of Gomez. However Small was an NCAA qualifier last season & could give Gomez a better match than expected.
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| Northwestern 133 lbs Michael DeAugustino Vs Colin Valdiviez |
Eight pounds of muscle is a lot to pack on in the world of NCAA Division I wrestling, especially at the lower weight classes. The move from 125 lbs to 133 lbs can & often is a huge jump for a wrestler at this level. On paper I think a lot of fans are already counting DeAugustino as the 2020-2021 starter for the Wildcats, but I think Valdiviez will give him a Hell of a run for his money. Thus far in his career he's been an NCAA qualifier & more notably he's out wrestled his seed at the past three Midland's championships earn his way onto the award stand. He was sixth as a redshirt, placing seventh in his freshman & sophomore seasons. I look for this wrestle-off to be better than anticipated.
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| Ohio State 157 lbs Elijah Cleary Vs Quinn Kinner |
The war to wear the Scarlet & Grey of Ohio State at 157 lbs will most likely take place throughout various battles this season between Elijah Cleary and Quinn Kinner. These guys are neck & neck on the mat with similar styles & attributes. Clearly edged Kinner in a tight 4-2 decision at least year's Mat Town.
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| Ohio State 165 lbs Carson Kharchla Vs Ethan Smith |
Kharchla is one to rack up points & win by significant margins while Smith is more of a defensive wrestler who doesn't mind winning by a point or two as long as he gets his hand raised at the end. On paper it would seem that Kharchla has the upper hand due to this reason. Yet Smith can be exceptionally tough when he wants to be & he can prove himself difficult to score upon. He's been the varsity starter/NCAA qualifier the past two seasons. He'll do anything but give that position up easily.
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| Ohio State HWT Gary Traub Vs Tate Orndorff |
A transfer from Utah Valley, Tate Orndorff is being brought into Columbus, Ohio to move the Buckeyes up in the rankings & help them to place higher in both the BIG 10's & the NCAA's than what they would have without his assistance. With that said, the last person Orndorff wants to overlook this season is Traub. While this should be a victory for Orndorff, Traub has pulled off upsets in the past. Most notably Seth Nevills of Penn State.
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| Virginia Tech 125 lbs Sam Latona Vs Joey Prata |
It seems whenever anyone has plans to overlook, write-off or forget about Joey Prata he more than shows up to be seen & remembered. His entire career thus far as a Hokie has been "not supposed to" but yet he has. The varsity spot is far from Latona's. He'll have to earn it.
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| Stanford 149 lbs Jaden Abas Vs Requir Van Der Merwe |
Do I believe that Abas has the talent & ability to be an NCAA champion for the Cardinal? Yes, I do. He's extremely gifted & it what unfortunately could be the final year of Stanford wrestling, I do believe he could win a national title. With that said, I think one of his greatest test will come at the beginning of the season in his own wrestling room against teammate Requir Van Der Merwe. When comparing the two, Abas easily handled Lane Stigall 10-4 while RVDM lost 8-2. Yet against Matt Grippi, Abas lost 8-3, while RVDM won 10-3. This will be an interesting match-up.
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| Lehigh 149 lbs Jimmy Hoffman Vs Luke Karam |
This is a rather unique situation. Against common opponents, Karam has fared better than Hoffman but in head to head competition it was Hoffman who edged Karam 1-0 when the two met at least year's Wilkes Open. As with some of the other wrestle-offs I've already mentioned, this one most likely won't be settled till shortly before the EIWA tournament.
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| Missouri 125 lbs Cam Valdiviez Vs Dack Punke |
Based on common opponents & how things will play out on paper, this one looks to be in the bag for Valdiviez but as dangerous as Punke can be, this one isn't over until the buzzer sounds. Punke is what some refer to as a "under the lights" wrestler who when placed under the right conditions can perform better than expectation.
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| Cornell 149 lbs Yianni Diakomihalis Vs Hunter Richard |
I'm not kidding myself here. I don't think Richard stands much of a chance at pulling off the biggest upset of the start of the 2020-2021 season by knocking off Diakomilhalis for the starting position of the Big Red. Yet I feel he'll give Diakomihalis a better match than anyone wants to currently dare dream. He won't lay down and just let Diakomihalis have the spot. He took Matt Kolodzik to a 4-3 match last season & he'll make Diakomihalis earn every point he puts on the board.
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| Cornell 157 lbs Colton Yapoujian Vs Adam Santoro |
Truth to be known I'd like to add Fredy Stroker into this equation, but I think that ship has already sailed. While I'd love to realistically believe Stroker has a legit shot in his final year of eligibility at this point I conclude it is nothing more than wishful thinking. The battle at 157 lbs for the Big Red will be between Colton Yapoujian & Adam Santoro. Last season Yapoujian defeated Santoro in a decisive 10-5 decision. Yet two seasons ago, it was Santoro who came out victorious 5-1.
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| Cornell 184 lbs Max Dean Vs Jonathan Loew |
Much like the situation at 149 lbs, their is a clear favorite here. 2019 NCAA finalist Max Dean returns off of a redshirt to reclaim his position at 184 lbs. Standing in his way is Jonathan Loew. Loew was a 26 match winner last season, qualifying for the NCAA's with many notable wins. One of which was 16-10 over Dylan Wisman, who owns a 7-6 victory over Dean.
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| Rutgers 125 lbs Nick Suriano vs Nic Aguilar |
In route to a third NCAA finals appearance & a second NCAA title it is difficult to imagine anyone standing in the way of Nick Suriano as he moves back down to the 125 lbs weight class. However, he will indeed have competition & one of those in line will be teammate Nic Aguilar. I see a major decision in favor of Suriano, but Aguilar should be noted as one of the best backups in the country.
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| Northern Iowa 125 lbs Brody Teske Vs Kyle Biscoglia |
As much parity as their is in collegiate wrestling, I know better than to put to much stock into one common opponent. Teske lost 6-0 to Drew Hildebrandt, while Biscoglia defeated Hildebrandt 2-0. The old saying, "Don't count your chickens before they hatch" applies here as I think some are already looking forward to Teske being the starter in his new home. I don't think it'll be that easy. If anything I give the nod to Biscoglia.
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| Virginia 165 lbs Cam Coy Vs Jake Keating |
Ironically enough both Coy & Keating have both defeated Ben Anderson & both have lost to Ben Anderson for whatever that is worth. This one is a toss up.
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| Navy 125 lbs Logan Treaster Vs Aslan Kilic |
Under the new leadership of Cary Kolat it won't take long before Navy is in the hunt for the EIWA team title. He took Campbell from a team that few mentioned or discussed & made them into a Southern Conference powerhouse. It's only a matter of time before he does the same at Navy.
Among his squad are some talented wrestlers fighting it out for the varsity position. 125 lbs will be between Logan Treaster and Aslan Kilic. Kilic took seventh at the Southern Scuffle two seasons ago & Treaster placed fourth last year.
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| Navy 133 lbs Casey Cobb Vs Jacob Allen |
Another fight for the varsity position at Navy will be at 133 lbs between Casey Cobb & Jacob Allen. The odds are in favor for Cobb who has increasingly gotten better every season. With that said Allen will still give him a good fight for the spot.
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| 165 lbs Ohio Colt Yinger Vs Nick Vestal |
For the past couple of seasons I have felt that Nick Vestal would be an NCAA qualifier but he's always been in a fight for the varsity position. Last season he was in a fight for the 157 lbs position with Zac Carson & this season he'll be duking it out with Colt Yinger. Whoever wins this match should be an NCAA qualifier this season.
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| Lock Haven 125 lbs Luke Werner Vs TyShawn White |
Werner had a standout season last year for the Eagles going 30-5 & despite getting upset in the quarter-finals, coming back to take a very strong third place finish at the MAC. He's more than capable of winning a conference title this season, but his stiffest competition looks to be from Clarion transfer TyShawn White. Werner lost to Jake Ferri twice by decisions of 5-3 & 9-5 while White manhandled Ferri 18-9. Werner dropped a 10-6 decision to Eric Bartos, while White destroyed him 16-5. These lopsided margins don't always tell the whole story in collegiate wrestling, but they do provide substance. It's a shame that Cole Manley at 133 lbs wasn't big enough for 141 & that one of these two guys wasn't big enough for 133. With that type of talent in the room, it's difficult to accept that one of these guys is gonna sit.
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| Army 197 lbs Bennett Paulson Vs J.T. Brown |
For the past three years these guys have been going back and forth on the mat & this season will be no different. Bennett owns 14-5 & 13-8 victories over Brown, while Brown owns 7-5, 6-4 & 3-1 sudden victory decisions over Bennett. Both of these guys will contend for medals at the Midlands championships & either is capable of being an EIWA finalist.
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| Army HWT Ben Sullivan Vs Bobby Heald |
Another great wrestle-off that will take place in West Point will be at HWT between Ben Sullivan and Bobby Heald. Heald fared better at the Midlands placing eighth to Sullivans 2-2 record. Yet come EIWA's, it was Sullivan who started for the Black Knights. In head to head competition Sullivan defeated Heald 2-0 at the Patriot Open. This one will be decided throughout the season.
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| Fresno State 174 lbs Jackson Hemauer Vs Brandon Martino |
An NCAA qualifier in 2019, Jackson Hemauer looks to claim a second NCAA qualification in 2021, but first he'll have to claim the varsity position at 174 lbs for the Bulldogs. Standing in his way will be Brandon Martino. Look for a tight match that will be decided by a point or two.
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| Air Force 125 lbs Cody Phippen Vs Sidney Flores |
Last season Sidney Flores started off strong making an assortment of statements. He won the Wyoming Open with a solid victory over Jace Koelzer & then finished as the runner-up at the Appalachian State open. He looked poised to wrestle well at the BIG 12 championships & earn an NCAA qualification. Yet when the BIG 12's came around, Flores was nowhere to be found & in his place was Cody Phippen who had yet to wrestle a match on the season.
Despite not wrestling since March of 2019, Phippen came out of nowhere to defeat Jay Schwarm of Northern Iowa 4-2 in the first round & Christian Moody of Oklahoma 10-3 in the quarter-finals. He'd lose in the semi-finals & then drop a 5-4 match to Schwarm. He'd end his day with a 2-0 victory over McGwire Midkiff.
That's how good Phippen wrestled only wrestling five matches last season. It makes one wonder how good he'll be with more experience.
Can he knock Flores out for the starting spot? Time will tell.
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