If We Would Have Had CKLV: How I would have seeded

 The Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational is one of the most exciting in season tournaments that has been held for over forty years. While the Midlands & Southern Scuffle are two other favorites, in recent times, CKLV has proven itself to be the toughest tournament next to the NCAA championships. In some regards, it has even be tougher.  

With that said, COVD-19 has prevented us from enjoying a tournament in 2021. As I sift through the twitter & facebook pages of fellow wrestling fans I know that it is rather depressing to know we are currently missing one of our favorite events.  

I can't help but wonder how this season's tournament would have shaped up.  Who all would have attended? Would there have been any major upsets? There has been every other season.  Who are the unknowns, wanting to make a name for themselves? Who are the forgotten & shelved ready to say, "I'm still here baby!"  It's one of those "test" tournaments coaches prepare their wrestlers for. 

I decided to look over last year.  Results, rankings, end of the year stats & do my best to seed the tournament accordingly.  I have nothing or no one other than myself in doing this little undertaking, so yes, mistakes are bound to happen. I believe I have everyone at the right weight class & I believe that I involved teams that would have attended this 2020-2021 season tournament.  If wrong I apologize.  


Here's how I would have seeded


125 

1 Vito Arujau Cornell
2 Devin Schroeder Purdue
3 Brandon Courtney Arizona State
4 Alex Mackall Iowa State 
5 Jakob Camacho North Carolina State
6 Jack Medley Michigan
7 Sam Latona Virginia Tech
8 Pat McKee Minnesota
9 Malik Heinselman Ohio State
10 Alex Thomsen Nebraska
11 Cole Verner Wyoming 
12 Lucas Rodriguez Edinboro 

NOTE: If Joey Prata instead of Sam Latona for the Hokies, I seed him #10 knocking everyone else down. 

133

1 Stevan Micic Michigan
2 Montorie Bridges Wyoming
3 Ridge Lovett Nebraska
4 Mosha Schwartz Northern Colorado
5 Taylor Lamont Utah Valley
6 Michael DeAugustino Northwestern
7 Todd Small Iowa State
8 Louie Hayes Virginia
9 Jack Skudlarczyk Northern Iowa
10 Jarrett Trombley North Carolina State
11 Anthony Madrigal Oklahoma
12 Dylan Koontz Ohio State 

NOTE: If Austin Gomez instead of Small for the Clones, I think seedings stay about the same. Or I'd keep them the same anyway, switching out Small for Gomez. 

141 

1 Yianni Diakomihalis Cornell
2 Dom Demas Oklahoma
3 Ian Parker Iowa State
4 Chad Red Nebraska
5 Mitch Moore Oklahoma
6 Michael Blockhus Northern Iowa
7 Tariq Wilson North Carolina State
8 Joey Silva Michigan
9 Josh Portillo Nebraska-Kearney
10 Collin Gerardi Virginia Tech
11 Brian Courtney Virginia
12 Jake Ryan Cal Poly 

NOTE: If Cole or Drew Mattin for Michigan instead of Silva, I'd put them in the Everyone moves up a spot from #11 on up.  Ryan stays at #12 & whichever Mattin @ #11. 

149 

1 Sammy Sasso Ohio State
2 Brayton Lee Minnesota
3 Jarett Degen Iowa State
4 Kanen Storr Michigan
5 Andrew Alirez Northern Colorado
6 Griffin Parriott Purdue
7 Yahya Thomas Northwestern
8 Hunter Richard Cornell
9 Daton Spencer Virginia
10 Jaron Jensen Wyoming
11 Brent Moore Virginia Tech
12 A.J. Leitten Fresno State

157 

1 Ryan Deakin Northwestern
2 Hayden Hidlay North Carolina State
3 David Carr Iowa State
4 Kendall Coleman Purdue
5 Jacori Teemer Arizona State
6 Peyton Robb Nebraska
7 Jared Franek North Dakota State
8 Justin Thomas Oklahoma
9 Colton Yapoujian Cornell
10 Jacob Wright Fresno State
11 Justin McCoy Virginia
12 Carson Brolsma Minnesota 

165 

1. Mekhi Lewis Virginia Tech
2 Thomas Bullard North Carolina State
3 Carson Kharchla Ohio State
4 Philip Conigliaro Harvard
5 Cam Amine Michigan
6 Emil Soehnlen Purdue
7 John Blankenship Northern Colorado
8 Bailey O'Reilly Minnesota
9 Bernie Traux Cal Poly 
10 Cam Coy Virginia
11 Bubba Wilson Nebraska
12 Andrew Yant Northern Iowa 

174 

1 Mikey Labriola Nebraska
2 Kaleb Romero Ohio State
3 Demetrius Romero Utah Valley
4 Anthony Valencia Arizona State
5 Anthony Mantanona Oklahoma
6 Sam Colbray Iowa State
7 Dan Bullard North Carolina State
8 Justin Oliver Edinboro
9 Andrew McNally Kent State
10 Hayden Hastings Wyoming
11 Robert Patrick Virginia
12 Jackson Hemauer Fresno State

184 

1 Myles Amine Michigan
2 Max Dean Cornell
3 Hunter Bolen Virginia Tech
4 Trent Hidlay North Carolina State
5 Louie DePrez Binghamton 
6 Taylor Venz Nebraska 
7 Rocky Jordan Ohio State
8 Marcus Coleman Iowa State
9 Alan Clothier Northern Colorado
10 Max Lyon Purdue
11 Owen Webster Minnesota
12 Darrion Roberts Oklahoma 

197 

1 Eric Schultz Nebraska
2 Ben Darmstadt Cornell
3 Jay Aiello Virginia
4 Kordell Norfleet Arizona State 
5 Greg Bulsak Clarion
6 Tanner Sloan South Dakota State
7 Lucas Davison Northwestern
8 Jacob Holschlag Northern Iowa 
9 Jake Woodley Oklahoma
10 Chase Singletary Ohio State
11 Jelani Embree Michigan
12 Dom Ducharme Cal State Bakersfield 

NOTE: If Jonthan Loew instead of Darmstardt, I'd put Loew at #8, moving everyone else down a #. 


HWT 

1 Mason Parris Michigan
2 Tate Orndorff Ohio State
3 Yaraslau Slavikouski Harvard
4 Gannon Gremmel Iowa State
5 Brian Andrews Wyoming
6 A.J. Nevills Fresno State
7 Cohlton Schultz Arizona State
8 Carter Isley Northern Iowa
9 Christian Lance Nebraska
10 Dalton Robertson Northern Colorado
11 Brandon Metz North Dakota State
12 Jon Borst Virginia Tech