Defending the Title: 2015: Those Who Did and Those Who Did Not Defend the Title

 Ohio State's Logan Stieber makes history as he becomes NCAA Division I's fourth four time champion. 

Alex Dieringer of Oklahoma State wins title #2 of 3. 

Nick Gwiazdowski of North Carolina State wins title #2 

2015 Champion 125
Nathan Tomasello of Ohio State 

A four time state champion for Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, Tomasello had a phenomenal collegiate career for the Buckeyes.  Winning four BIG 10 titles, he won the NCAA title in his freshman year of 2015. Despite never making the finals again, Tomasello showed a tremendous amount of heart and tenacity as he battled back to 3rd place finishes in 2016, 2017 and 2018. Post college he continues to wrestle as well as coach.  He is currently at Duke. 

2015 Champion 133
Cody Brewer of Oklahoma 

A four time Missouri state champion for Oak Park high school, Brewer put together an outstanding career for the Sooners.  Finishing in 7th place in 2013 as a freshman, Brewer would take home 8th place as a sophomore. His NCAA title performance came in his junior season as he finished his career with a 3rd place showing in 2016.  Going 95-25, he turned his talents to coaching post his own career. 

2015 Champion 149
Drake Houdashelt of Missouri 

A two time state champion for Fort Zumalt West High school, Houdashelt won four MAC titles for the Tigers during his time as Missouri. Placing 6th at the NCAA's as a sophomore, Houdashelt was then 5th in 2014 as a junior. He finished off his career with the NCAA championship in 2015 as a senior.  Post graduating he stayed on at Missouri to help future Tigers to their successes. 

2015 Champion 157
Isaiah Martinez of Illinois 

Martinez came to Illinois from Lemoore High School in California.  During his time as an Illini he won four BIG 10 titles.  Winning back to back NCAA titles in his freshman and sophomore seasons of 2015 and 2016, he would finish out his Illini career with back to back NCAA runner-up finishes in 2017 and 2018.  Post college he has continued to wrestle as well as coach.  Winning World Cup Gold in 2019, he is currently a part of the Oregon State coaching staff. 

2015 Champion 174 
Matt Brown of Penn State 

When Cael Sanderson took over the job at Penn State, I knew it was only a matter of time before he produced an NCAA champion from his home state of Utah.  Brown, a three time state champion for Cyprus High School, was a three time All American for the Nittany Lions.  Taking NCAA runner-up honors as a sophomore in 2013, he was then 5th in the nation as a junior in 2014.  He ended his collegiate career with the national title in 2015. 

2015 Champion 184 
Gabe Dean of Cornell 

Gabe Dean could have as easily ended up a collegiate football star as he did a wrestling one, and luckily for us, he chose wrestling.  The Michigan state high school champion from Lowell high school, comes from a wrestling family where Dad, David was an NCAA runner-up for Minnesota and brother Max, who has already made the NCAA finals, continues his wrestling career for Cornell. 

As to Gabe, winning four EIWA conference titles, he was 3rd in the nation as a freshman in 2014.  He then won back to back NCAA titles as a sophomore and junior in 2015 and 2016.  As a senior in 2016, he finished as the NCAA runner-up.  Post college he has won two Pan-American silvers. 

2015 Champion 197
Kyven Gadson of Iowa State 

Gadson himself comes from a huge wrestling family.  Father Willie was an All American for Iowa State, as was Uncle Charlie, who along with Uncle Ken also wrestled collegiately for SUNY-Farmingdale.  During high school Gadson won two state titles for Waterloo East High School, becoming a three time BIG 12 champion for the Cyclones.  Finishing in 6th place as a sophomore in 2013, he then placed 4th in the nation as a junior in 2014.  He finished off his career with the NCAA championship in 2015.  Post college he continues to wrestle, winning World Cup Bronze in 2019. 

==== 

Stieber, Dieringer and Gwiazdowski previously mentioend 

Tomasello and Brewer did not repeat 

Martinez repeated in 2016 but did not in 2017 or 2018

Dean repeated in 2016 but did not in 2017 

Houdaselt, Brown and Gadson were all seniors 

Defending the Title: 2017: Those Who Did and Those Who Did Not Defend the Title

 First off, thank you for reading "Defending the Title."  Over the last few months this has been a fun little series to work on.  I set out asking out of all of our national champions, who all won the title as a senior? Out of the underclassmen, who was able to repeat and who wasn't?  Looking over and studying 86 NCAA DI championship brackets, I now have my answers to those questions.  

I have decided that 2017 will be the final "Defending the Title" as 2018 on, champions are still active in NCAA wrestling.  

=== 

Dean Heil of Oklahoma State wins title #2

Zain Retherford of Penn State wins title #2 of 3 (wins again in 2018) 

J'Den Cox of Missouri finishes off his career as a 3 time champion 

Kyle Snyder of Ohio State wins title #2 of 3 (wins again in 2018) 

2017 Champion 125
Darian Cruz of Lehigh 

A two time state champion for Bethlehem Catholic high school, Cruz made an immediate impact for the Mountain Hawks taking 7th place All American honors in his true freshman year of 2014.  Taking a redshirt in 2015, he finished one match shy of All American honors as a sophomore in 2016.  His NCAA title performance came in his junior season of 2017, as he finished 5th in the nation as a senior in 2018.  Finishing his career with 120 victories, he continued to coach at Lehigh.  Brother Randy was a standout himself, winning an EIWA title and All American honors for Lehigh as well. 

2017 Champion 133
Cory Clark of Iowa 

A four time state champion for South East Polk high school, Clark came to the University of Iowa to do one thing and that was win a national title.  Finishing 5th as a freshman in 2015, he came ever so close the next two seasons of 2015 and 2016, finishing as the NCAA runner-up.  Blatantly refusing to leave Iowa without the gold he sought, he won the NCAA title as a senior in 2017. 

2017 Champion 157
Jason Nolf of Penn State 

A three time state champion for Kittanning high school, Nolf settled for NCAA runner-up honors in his freshman season of 2016, and it was nothing but win, win, win, win from there on out for the Nittany Lion.  Nolf was thrice the NCAA champion, winning titles in 2017, 2018 and 2019.  Post college he won Pan-American Gold. 

2017 Champion 165
Vincenzo Joseph of Penn State 

A two time state champion for Pittsburgh Central Catholic, there will forever remain a * next to the name of Vincenzo Joseph.  Winning NCAA titles back to back as a freshman and sophomore in 2017 and 2018, he finished as the NCAA runner-up in 2019.  Would he have had a fourth NCAA finals appearance, with a possible third NCAA title? The world will never know as he was robbed of his opportunity due to the tragedies of Covid-19.  Nevertheless one of the all time greats in Penn State history, Joseph now pours his knowledge into the wrestlers at Stanford. 

2017 Champion 174
Mark Hall of Penn State 

Another wrestler robbed of potential by Covid-19 was Joseph's teammate Mark Hall.  Considered by many to be the greatest High School wrestler Minnesota has ever produced, the Apple Valley product is the only wrestler in the history of the state to win six state titles.  Competing for the Nittany Lions, he won the NCAA title as a freshman in 2017, finishing as the NCAA runner-up in 2018 and 2019.  How he would have done in 2020 will forever remain a mystery.  In between his sophomore and junior seasons, he won Pan-American Gold. 

2017 Champion 184
Bo Nickal of Penn State 

Overall the state of Texas gets to claim him as he won three state titles for Allen High school, but I'm sure New Mexico wants no one to overlook the fact that he first made the state finals there as an eighth grader.  I knew if Texas ever got on board, got behind wrestling and started to put it in all of its public schools that it was only a matter of time before the lone star state produced an NCAA champion.  

Finishing as the NCAA runner-up in 2016 as a freshman, he won NCAA titles in 2017, 2018 and 2019. Post college he has continued to wrestle as well as mixed it up in MMA.  His Dad played football at Chadron State and his mother played basketball as San Diego State and later got into boxing. 

=== 

Heil, Retherford, Cox and Snyder already mentioned 

Cruz did not repeat 

Hall did not repeat, but very well could have in 2020. 

Joseph repeated in 2018, did not in 2019, and we'll never know for 2020

Nolf repeated in 2018 and 2019 as did Nickal 

Clark was a senior 



Again a big thank you for following this series. I appreciate your readership! Thank you! 

Defend The Title: 2016: Those Who Did and Those Who Did Not Defend The Title

 Illinois's Isaiah Martinez wins title #2 as does Cornell's Gabe Dean.  Oklahoma State's Alex Dieringer finishes off his career as a 3 time champion. J'Den Cox, 2014 champion who was 5th in 2015, wins title #2 of 3. 

2016 Champion 125
Nico Megaludis of Penn State 

A three time state champion Franklin Regional high school, in his first three years of collegiate competition he had done about everything other than win an NCAA title.  Taking back to back NCAA runner-up finishes in his true freshman and true sophomore seasons, he was 3rd as a true junior in 2014.  Taking a redshirt in 2015, he returned to finally get over the hump and walk out of the NCAA tournament national champion. 

2016 Champion 133
Nahshon Garrett of Cornell 

A two time California state champion for Chico high school, Garrett won four EIWA conference titles competing for the Big Red.  Finishing 3rd in the nation as a freshman in 2013, he was then the NCAA runner-up as a sophomore in 2014.  As a junior he finished in 5th place.  The NCAA title would come to him in his senior season of 2016.  From a rather athletic family, sister Kandi was an All American for California and brother Isaac is a professional Ballet dancer. 

2016 Champion 141
Dean Heil of Oklahoma State 

A four time Ohio state champion for St. Edward high school, Heil competed collegiately for Oklahoma State.  Earning 4th place All American honors as a freshman in 2015, he won back to back NCAA titles in his sophomore and junior seasons of 2016 and 2017. Unfortunately Heil would finish one match shy of All American status as a senior in 2018.  Post college he continues to wrestle while coaching at Campbell where his younger brother Josh still competes.

2016 Champion 149 
Zain Retherford of Penn State 

Winning state titles for both Line Mountain and Benton high schools, Retherford started for the Nittany Lions as a true freshman, finishing 5th in the nation at the 2014 NCAA championships.  He then took a redshirt in 2015, returning to absolutely dominate the field his last three years of competition.  Winning three BIG 10 titles and three NCAA titles in 2016, 2017 and 2018.  Post college he won World Cup bronze in 2019. 

2016 Champion 174 
Myles Martin of Ohio State 

A three time Maryland state champion for McDonogh high school, Martin's NCAA title came in his freshman season of 2016.  He was 5th in 2017 as a sophomore, 2nd in 2018 as  junior and 3rd in 2019 as a senior. 

2016 Champion HWT
Kyle Snyder of Ohio State 

It's not often we talk about standout wrestlers from Maryland, but yet here's another one.  A three time state champion for Our Lady Council high school, Snyder is the youngest wrestler to even win two junior World medals from the United States.  As a freshman in 2015, Snyder finished as the NCAA runner-up.  He then won his first of three NCAA titles in 2016 as a sophomore, winning an Olympic Gold medal that summer.  I really thought with being an Olympic Gold medalist that the potential of being beaten again in college, would set itself up to be one of the greatest upsets of the modern era.  I was laughed at when I proposed that question at a press conference meeting. Nevertheless I still think it was  a huge deal when Adam Coon of Michigan defeated him in a dual meet two years later.  Not everyone wins Olympic Gold after their sophomore year of college.  Snyder went on to win two more NCAA titles in 2017 and 2018.  His international career continues to blossom as we speak.  Winner of 6 Pan-American Golds, he also has two Golds, 1 silver and 1 bronze in the World Championships.  Recently this summer he was the Olympic Silver medalist. 

==== 

Martinez, Dieringer, Dean and Cox previously mentioned 

Heil repeated in 2017 but did not in 2018 

Martin did not repeat 

Retherford and Snyder both repeated in 2017 and 2018 

Megaludis and Garrett were both seniors 

Defending the Title: 2013: Those who Did and Those Who Did Not Defend the Title

 Due to Wells Fargo arena not being a big enough arena and Des Moines not exactly being a "hot spot" for tourism, I doubt we ever see the NCAA championships back in Iowa.  Something needs to said though for how welcoming and prepared Des Moines was in 2013 though. The bars, the restaurants, the hotels..Hell even the local gas stations welcomed wrestling fans from all across the United States. They were prepared for NCAA wrestling and the entire city embraced it. More than I can say for some of the other host cities I've been to. Have a lot of positive to say about a lot of them, but when you attend an NCAA championships & the bar owner a block away says, "Had no idea this was going on" trying to justify not having the extra help, there's absolutely no excuse. For that reason alone, I feel need to praise Des Moines, Iowa for being a phenomenal host. 

Logan Stieber of Ohio State wins title #2 of 4.  

Jordan Oliver of Oklahoma State finishes off his career as a two time champion. 

Kyle Dake makes history by becoming our third four time NCAA champoin. 

Ed Ruth and teammate Quentin Wright win their second titles 

Tony Nelson of Minnesota wins his second title. 

2013 Champion 125
Jesse Delgado of Illinois 

In an earlier post, I talked of how Joe Gonzales of Bakersfield voiced his opinion of who might be missing out at the collegiate level because of the elimination of the 118 lbs weight class. While Jesse Delgado still had an outstanding career at 125 lbs, I have to question if he's one of the ones that would have absolutely flourished at 118.  Nevertheless, Delgado came to Illinois originally slated to compete for Cal Poly in college, having been a four time California place-winner for Gilroy High School going 3rd-3rd-Champion-4th.  Competing for the Illini he was 7th as a freshman in 2012, following it up with back to back titles in 2013 and 2014.  Unfortunately injuries would get the best of Delgado in his senior season when he had to default out of the NCAA championships. 

2013 Champion 141
Kendric Maple of Oklahoma 

Another testimony as to why their should be NCAA Division I wrestling in the state of Kansas, Maple came to Oklahoma after winning two state titles for Wichita Heights High School. During his time as a Sooner, his NCAA title came in his junior season of 2013.  He was 4th as a sophomore in 2012 and 8th as a senior in 2014.  Also a three time BIG 12 champion, Maple coached at Nebraska post college. 

2013 Champion 157
Derek St John of Iowa 

A two time state champion for Iowa City West High school, St John was a standout during his time as a Hawkeye.  Finishing in 4th place as a freshman in 2011, he made the NCAA finals as a sophomore in 2012. His NCAA title would come as a junior in 2013.  He finished 5th in the nation as a senior in 2014.  He is currently a part of the Iowa State coaching staff. 

2013 Champion 174
Chris Perry of Oklahoma State 

Leprechauns don't stash as much gold as what you'd find if Chris Perry's family kept all of their awards in the same place. A national title for Uncle Lee Roy, two for Uncle John, four for Uncle Pat, two for brother Mark, plus all of the other state, Big 12 and BIG 10 titles, it might be enough to back up the United States Currency.  Then Chris of course adds his own.  A four time state champion for Stillwater high school, after finishing a match shy of All American status as a freshman in 2011, he was 3rd in in 2012. He then won back to back NCAA titles in 2013 and 2014. 

=== 

Stieber, Oliver, Dake, Ruth, Wright, and Nelson Previously mentioned 

Delgado repeated in 2014 but not in 2015 

Maple and St John did not repeat 

Perry repeated 

Defending the Title: 2012: Those Who Did and Those Who Did Not Defend the Title

 2010 champion Matt McDonough of Iowa wins title #2 as Kyle Dake of Cornell wins title #3 of 4 & Michigan's Kellen Russell finishes off his career as a two time champion. 

2012 Champion 133
Logan Stieber of Ohio State 

With Pat Smith of Oklahoma State being our first & Cael Sanderson of Iowa State being our second, little did we know that our third and fourth four time NCAA Division I champions would be wrestling at the same time.  As eventual four time champion Kyle Dake of Cornell won his third NCAA title, Logan Stieber of Ohio State won his first.  The four time state champion out of Monroeville High school would also win four BIG 10 titles during his career as well.  Repeating as NCAA champion in 2013, 2014 and 2015, he ended his time as a Buckeye with a record of 119-3.  Post college he had success on the international scene winning World Gold in 2016, following it up with Pan-American Bronze and World Cup Silver in 2017, and World Cup Gold and Pan American Gold Gold in 2018. 

2012 Champion 149
Frank Molinaro of Penn State 

Coming to Penn State from Southern Regional high school, Molinaro earned four All American honors for the Nittany Lions.  Placing 8th as a freshman in 2009, he was 5th in the nation as a sophomore in 2010.  He made the NCAA finals as a junior in 2011, capping off his career as the NCAA champion as a senior in 2012.  Post college he won Pan-American bronze and gold, as well as World Cup Silver and Gold.  Coaching at a variety of schools, he's spent time at Virginia Tech, Arizona State, Penn State and Rutgers. 

2012 Champion 165
David Taylor of Penn State 

It's gotta kill an Ohioan when one of their own competes for the Nittany Lions, but nevertheless that is the case with four time state champion David Taylor who came to Penn State from Graham high school.  Going 134-3 sporting the blue and white, two of his losses were in the NCAA finals.  He finished as the NCAA runner-up in his freshman & junior seasons of 2011 and 2013, winning titles in 2012 and 2014.  Post college he has put together a rather overlooked international resume.  While 2021 Olympic Gold is fresh in the minds of the wrestling community, Taylor also has World Gold, two World Cup Golds and three Pan-American Golds. 

2012 Champion 174
Ed Ruth of Penn State 

During high school Ruth competed for both Susquehanna high school in Pennsylvania as well as Blair Academy in New Jersey where he won state titles.  Earning 3rd place All American honors as freshman in 2011, it was nothing but pure domination for there on out for the Nittany Lion.  He was thrice NCAA champion in 2012, 2013 and 2014.  Post college he quickly earned the art of Jiu-jitsu earning Pan-American Silver and Bronze in that sport in 2017 and 2018.  He has since made a career in MMA. 

2012 Champion 184
Steve Bosak of Cornell 

During a time of multiple two, three and four time state champions, Bosak sticks out in particularly as he never won a state title during his prep years. Competing for State College Area high school in Pennsylvania, he was twice a Pennsylvania state runner-up before coming to Cornell.  A rocky start battling injuries, he soon overcame them as he finished in 4th place at the 2011 NCAA championships as a sophomore.  The NCAA title came Bosak's way in his junior season of 2012, as he finished 3rd in 2013 as a senior.  He won 126 matches for the Big Red. 

2012 Champion 197
Cam Simaz of Cornell 

Simaz came to Cornell from Michigan where he won three state titles for Allegan high school.  Competing for the Big Red, Simaz finished 8th in the nation as a freshman in 2009. He then took back to back 3rd place finishes in 2010 and 2011, finishing off his career as the NCAA champion in 2012.  He coached at South Dakota State post college. 

2012 Champion HWT
Tony Nelson of Minnesota

A two time state champion from Cambridge-Isanti, Nelson won three BIG 10 titles for Minnesota during his time as a Golden Gopher. Finishing in 7th place at the 2011 NCAA's as a freshman, he went on to win back to back NCAA titles in his sophomore and junior seasons of 2012 and 2013. He finished off his career as the NCAA runner-up in 2014.  He stayed on at Minnesota post college to coach. 

=== 

McDonough, Russell and Dake Previously mentioned 

Stieber went on to repeat three more times to become DI's fourth four timer 

Bosak did not repeat 

Taylor did not repeat in 2013 but did in 2014 

Nelson repeated in 2013 but not in 2014 

Ruth repeated 

Molinaro and Simaz were both seniors 

Defending the Title: 2011: Those Who Did and Those Who Did Not Defend The Title

 Kyle Dake of Cornell wins title #2 of 4 as Nebraska's Jordan Burroughs, champion in 2009 returns off a redshirt to win his second NCAA title. 

2011 champion 125
Anthony Robles of Arizona State 

One of the most inspirational wrestlers the world of collegiate wrestling has ever seen, despite being born without a leg, Anthony Robles achieved what some would have deemed impossible.  A two time state champion in high school, Robles won three PAC-12 titles for the Sun Devils.  Finishing one match shy of All American status as a freshman in 2008, he was 4th in 2009 as a sophomore and 7th in 2010 as a junior. He'd end his career as an NCAA champion in 2011, accumulating 122 victories.  Post college he has been apart of the announce team for the NCAA championships. 

2011 Champion 133
Jordan Oliver of Oklahoma State 

A three time Pennsylvania state champion for Easton Area high school, Oliver had a standout career competing for the Cowboys.  4th in the nation as a freshman in 2010, he won his first NCAA title as a sophomore in 2011. A controversial call in the NCAA finals as a junior in 2012, he finished as the runner-up, coming back in 2013 to win his second NCAA title.  

2011 Champion 141
Kellen Russell of Michigan 

A three time New Jersey state champion for Blair Academy, Kellen Russell went 134-12 for the Wolverines, winning four BIG 10 titles.  A match away from placing as a freshman in 2008, he finished 7th in the nation as a sophomore in 2009.  Taking a redshirt in 2010, he came back to win back to back NCAA titles in 2011 and 2012.  Post college he returned to Michigan to coach. 

2011 Champion 157
Bubba Jenkins of Arizona State 

During his prep years Jenkins competed for both Cox high school and First Colonial High school winning a Virginia state title. He began his collegiate career at Penn State where he finished as the NCAA runner-up in 2008 as a sophomore.  In 2009 a back injury caused him to go 0-2 at the NCAA championships. Being at odds with the Penn State coaching staff, Jenkins did not compete in the 2010 season, transferring to Arizona State, where in his final year of eligibility in 2011 he would win the NCAA title.  Jenkins then got into the world of MMA, where he is known as the "Bad Man." 

2011 Champion 174 
Jon Reader of Iowa State 

Reader came to Iowa State from Michigan where he was a three time state champion for Davison High School. As a freshman in 2008 he finished 7th in the nation.  As a sophomore in 2009 he finished 4th.  Later that summer he won Pan-American Silver and looked poised to have a great junior season.  Unfortunately though he'd face some hiccups, failing to place at the 2010 NCAA championships. 2011 would be a year of redemption as he not only one the NCAA title, but he did so in an undefeated season.  Post college he has coached at the college level, South Dakota State and Wisconsin being two of them. 

2011 Champion 184
Quentin Wright of Penn State 

I watched Quentin Wright compete at an All Star even in high school where he lost his match. I told my friend a former backup at Michigan State that of everyone we watched at the even that night, Wright would turn out to have one of the best collegiate careers of all of them. At the time my friend looked at me like I was crazy and we made a dollar bet.   A two time state champion for Bald Eagle Area, Wright took 6th in the nation as a true freshman in 2009.  After redshirting in 2010, he won his first NCAA title in 2011. Finishing as the NCAA runner-up in 2012,he came back to win his second title in 2013.  I sat next to my Michigan State friend at the 2013 championships. After Wright won his title, he reached into his pocket, pulled out a dollar and said to me as he handed it my way, "How did you know Wright was gonna turn out as good as he did?"  Two reasons.  A, the guy had an unbelievably positive attitude and B, I could tell how coachable he was.  Those are usual phenomenal combinations. 

2011 Champion 197 
Dustin Kilgore of Kent State 

One of the best wrestlers the Golden Flashes have ever produced, Kilgore came to Kent State from Berea High school where he was 3rd-champion-2nd in his last three years of high school.  Winning four MAC titles, he was 7th in the nation as a sophomore in 2010, winning the NCAA title as a junior in 2011.  Taking an Olympic redshirt in 2012,he came back in 2013 to finish as the NCAA runner-up.  He won 178 matches during his collegiate career. 

2011 Champion HWT
Zach Rey of Lehigh 

A two time New Jersey state champion for Hopatcong High school, Rey had an outstanding career for the Mountain Hawks.  Finishing 3rd in the nation as a sophomore in 2010, his national title performance could come in his junior season of 2011. He finished as the NCAA runner-up in 2012.  Post college he won Pan-American gold in 2013, 2014 and 2015. 

==== 

Dake and Burroughs previously mentioned 

Russell repeated 

Neither Oliver or Wright repeated in 2012, but both repeated in 2013 

Kilgore and Rey did not repeat 

Robles, Jenkins and Reader were all seniors 









 

Defending the Title: 2010: Those Who Did And Those Who Did Not Defend The Title

 Iowa State's Jake Varner wins his second NCAA title to end his Cyclone career a two time champion.  2008 champion Brent Metcalf of Iowa won his second NCAA title. 

2010 Champion 125
Matt McDonough of Iowa 

A three time state champion from Linn-Mar high school, McDonough won the NCAA title as a freshman in 2010. Finishing as the NCAA runner-up as a sophomore in 2011, he'd once again win a national title as a junior in 2012. A testimony to how detrimental and unfair injuries can be, a back injury severly hampered him his senior season of 2013 as he finished one match shy of All American status. Despite this unfortunate end to his collegiate career, he is, as he should be, still considered one of the best Hawkeyes of all time.  He coached at various levels post college and now runs the McDominate Wrestling Academy. 

2010 Champion 133
Jayson Ness of Minnesota 

Some blue chippers don't even know where they want to wrestle in May of their senior year of high school.  Others have a clear idea by the time they're in high school.  Jayson Ness knew all the way back when he was a little kid in elementary school that one day he was going to be a Golden Gopher.  The original thought was that since his Dad was a hockey player, that Ness would gravitate towards the ice. Yet when winter rolled around, he found himself better suited for the mat, or at least after a while he did. In his first year of youth wrestling, he wrestled 16 matches. He lost 15 of them.  Yet it wasn't too long after putting in the work, that Ness began to win matches. Earning two state titles for Bloomington-Kennedy high school, he had a standout career for Minnesota.  

As a freshman in 2007, Ness placed 5th.  He followed it up with NCAA runner-up honors in 2008 as a sophomore and a 3rd place finish as a junior in 2009.  Making the NCAA finals again as a senior in 2010, down by 3 points it looked as if he'd once again after to settle for a runner-up performance. Yet the motto at Minnesota has always been, "If there is time on the clock, there is time to score" and Ness lived by that motto. With mere seconds left to go, Ness nailed a takedown and back points to win the NCAA title. 

2010 Champion 141 
Kyle Dake of Cornell 

I've been following collegiate wrestling for 30 years. Albeit, as a little kid in 1991 I wasn't as passionate or fixated as I am now, but one thing is for certain. I can recall the 100+ years war between Pennsylvanians and Ohioans over who produces the best talent.  Seems that with the daily battles their is always someone from New Jersey wanting to chime in their two cents. What doesn't make sense to me is why there aren't more New Yorkers making a case for who comes out of their state. If Jersey has a right to voice their opinion, I'd think producing talent like Jesse Jantzen and Troy Nickerson gives New York some credibility too.  If anyone, Kyle Dake does. 

A two time state champion for Lansing High School, Dake became the third four time NCAA Division I champion & the first to win all four titles at different weight classes. He won at 141 as a freshman in 2010, 149 as a sophomore in 2011, 157 as a junior in 2012 and at 165 as a senior in 2013.  I'll emphasize my opinion on putting more emphasis on other tournaments during the season, by noting that Dake did not win four EIWA titles. He finished as the EIWA runner-up in 2011.  

Post college Dake has had success on the international scene.  Winning World Gold in 2018 and 2019, this year he won Olympic Bronze and Pan-American Gold. 

2010 Champion 157
J.P. O'Connor of Harvard 

A four time New York state champion for Oxford Academy, J.P. O'Connor's goal was to be the first four time All American in Crimson history.  The goal looked more than attainable as he placed 5th at the NCAA championships as a freshman in 2007 and 6th as a sophomore in 2008.  Yet in the round to place vs Cal Poly's Chase Pami, he lost out on his bid for his third All American honor, losing in a tiebreaker.  O'Connor could no longer be Harvard's first four time All American. He needed to find a new goal. Harvard had produced two NCAA champions in the past, but neither one of them had gone undefeated during the season. Chip Harkness had lost matches during his 1938 championship season and 2004 Champion Jesse Jantzen suffered one loss that season going 38-1.  O'Connor's goal was to go undefeated his senior season of 2010. Entering the NCAA finals with a record of 34-0, only one thing stood in his way.  Chase Pami of Cal Poly, the exact same guy who kept O'Connor from his goal of being a four time All American. This time O'Connor would not be denied his goal as he upended Pami 6-4 to win the national title & end his season a perfect 35-0. 

2010 Champion 165
Andrew Howe of Wisconsin 

A three time Indiana high school state champion for Hanover-Central, Howe made the NCAA finals as a true freshman in 2009.  As a true sophomore he won the NCAA title in 2010. As a true junior, he placed 3rd at the NCAA's in 2011.  Taking an Olympic redshirt in 2012, he would take an official redshirt in 2013.  Returning in 2014 for his final season, he transferred to Oklahoma, where he finished as the NCAA runner up. 

2010 Champion 174
Jay Borschel of Iowa 

Throughout the history of the NCAA championships, there have been a handful of times where high school  teammates (other than brothers) have both won NCAA titles in the same season.  Like McDonough, Borschel wrestled for Linn-Mar high school where he won four NCAA titles. Missing out on his freshman season due to transfer rules when he went from Virginia Tech to Iowa, Borschel had a strong season in 2008 placing 3rd at the NCAA's as a sophomore.  In 2009, he'd suffer a hiccup finishing one match shy of All American status. He came back better than ever as a senior in 2010, finishing off his collegiate career as the NCAA champion.  A record of 98-10, he would later coach at Northwestern. 

2010 Champion 184
Max Askren of Missouri 

The younger brother of four time finalist/two time champion Ben Askren, the hopes and hype for Max Askren were at an all time high when he entered the NCAA championships as a freshman in 2007. Minus a defensive fall he suffered, he had been dominant all season, with the expectation of winning the NCAA title. He found out in a hurry how cruel and unforgiving the NCAA tournament can be when he ended up going 0-2. Falling out of favor with the critics who had now given up hope on him, he recovered with a 7th place finish as a sophomore in 2008 and a 5th place finish as a junior in 2009.  Even though his doubters voiced their opinions loud and clear, Askren paid no attention as he silenced them all in winning the NCAA title as a senior in 2010.  

2010 Champion 2010
David Zabriskie of Iowa State 

A New Jersey state champion for High Point Regional, Zabriskie was one match shy of All American status as a freshman in 2007.  Placing 6th as a sophomore in 2008 & 5th as a junior in 2009, his NCAA title run came in his senior season of 2010. He ended his collegiate career with an overall record of 116-22.  He later won Pan-American Bronze in 2013, as he coached at Colorado School of Mines.  A reenactment specialist for the film Foxcatcher Zabriskie has helped coach MMA fighters and he had a tryout with the Cleveland Browns. 

==== 

Varner and Metcalf  previously mentioned 

McDonough did not repeat in 2011 or 2013, but did repeat in 2012 

Dake repeated in 2011, 2012 and 2013

Howe did not repeat 

Ness, O'Connor, Borschel, Askren and Zabriskie all seniors 

Defending the Title: 2009: Those Who Did and Those Who Did Not Defend The Title

 J Jaggers of Ohio State ended his career as a two time champion, as Northwestern's Jake Herbert 2007 champion returned to also end his career as a two time champion. 

2009 Champion 125
Troy Nickerson of Cornell 

Surpassing Jesse Jantzen's four New York state titles while in high school, Troy Nickerson won 5 representing Chenago Falls High School where he put together a career record of 217-6.  Competing for the Big Red, he made an immediate impact as a true freshman in 2006 making the NCAA finals.  As a true sophomore he would take 3rd at the NCAA championships in 2007.  A redshirt in 2008, he'd return in 2009 to win the NCAA title as a junior.  His senior season a shoulder injury kept him from being 100%, but he still managed to battle back to take 4th place All American honors.  He graduated with a record of 97-8.  Post college he was an assistant for a while at Iowa State and is the head coach at Northern Colorado. 

2009 Champion 133 
Franklin Gomez of Michigan State 

Born in the Dominican Republic, his family relocated to Puerto Rico after a series of unfortunate events. It was here that Gomez first discovered wrestling. As a foreign exchange student he wrestled in New Jersey for a while, but found his greatest success at Brandon High School in Florida where he won a state championship.  Gomez found out in a hurry how unforgiving NCAA wrestling can be as he was highly rated all season in 2007 as a freshman, yet failed to qualify for the championships after a poor performance at the BIG 10's.  He came back strong in his sophomore season, capturing 3rd place at the NCAA championships.  His NCAA title came in his junior season of 2009.  He'd once again finish 3rd as a seniorin 2010.   Post college, representing Puerto Rico, Gomez has been very successful on the international scene.  At the Pan-American level he has earned two bronze, three silvers and two golds. He has also earned World Silver. 

2009 Champion 149 
Darrion Caldwell of North Carolina State 

A three time New Jersey state champion for Rahway high school, the one thing that you could never call a Darrion Caldwell match during his time at North Carolina State was boring.  An extremely exciting wrestler that often lay it all on the line, Caldwell was one match shy of placing as a true freshman in 2007. He would place 5th in 2008 as true sophomore, winning the NCAA title as a true junior in 2009.  Redshirting in 2010, he hurt his shoulder in a skateboarding accident. It was an injury that hampered him throughout the 2011 season. Although he was able to capture his fourth ACC conference title, the shoulder injury ended up getting the best of him and he had to default out of his final NCAA tournament.  He later got into MMA where he was known as "Wolf" where he captured a Bellator championship. 

2009 Champion 157
Jordan Burroughs of Nebraska 

A state champion for Winslow Township in New Jersey, Burroughs had about the worst draw a wrestler could ask for at the NCAA championships his freshman season of 2007. He drew Dustin Schlatter of Minnesota in the championship side of the bracket and then in the consolations he had to face Matt Storniolo of Oklahoma. Nevertheless he didn't let this phase him as he finished a strong 3rd in 2008. Winning the NCAA title as a junior in 2009, Burroughs took a redshirt in 2010, coming back for NCAA title #2 as a senior in 2011.  Internationally speaking, Burroughs is one of the most decorated American wrestlers ever and he has yet to announce retirement.  Among Olympic Gold this also includes 7 Pan-American Golds, 4 World Golds, 3 Bronze, and one Gold, two Silver and one Bronze in the World Cup. 

2009 Champion 165
Jarrod King of Edinboro 

Between battling injuries and Oklahoma not being a good fit, it was prematurely stated by some that the younger brother of Matt King, a two time All American at Edinboro, unfortunately wasn't going to pan out to be as good as his brother. It's amazing what a change of scenery and being granted a 6th year of eligibility due to medical hardship can do.  The two time state champion from Connellsville Area high school transferred to Edinboro and in 2009 won the NCAA title. Granted the extra year of eligibility he had another outstanding season for the Fighting Scots, this time placing 3rd.  He ended his collegiate career with an overall record of 103-16. 

2009 Champion 174 
Steve Luke of Michigan 

A three time Ohio state champion for Perry High school, Luke had a standout career competing for the Wolverines. After placing 6th in the nation as sophomore in 2007,he was the NCAA runner up in 2008, ending his career as NCAA champion in 2009. 

2009 Champion 197
Jake Varner of Iowa State 

A two time California state champion for Bakersfield high school, Varner was a two time NCAA runner-up in his freshman and sophomore seasons of 2007 and 2008.  Winning his first NCAA title as a junior in 2009, he'd repeat again in 2010. Post college Varner won Pan-American Gold and World Bronze in 2011, earning an Olympic Gold medal in 2012. 

2009 Champion HWT
Mark Ellis of Missouri 

A state champion out of Raymore-Peculiar high school, Ellis didn't seem a likely candidate for the NCAA title when he won his junior season of 2009.  As a freshman in 2007 he went 1-2 at the NCAA's, finishing one match shy of All American honors as a junior in 2008.  As a senior in 2006, he finished 6th in the nation.  Post college Ellis coached at Grand Canyon State and was also a director of Fellowship of Christian Athletes.  His sister Johnna coached women's basketball at Henderson State. 

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Jaggers and Herbert previously mentioned 

Nickerson, Gomez, Caldwell, King and Ellis did not repeat 

Burroughs took a redshirt and then came back to win title #2 

Varner repeated 

Luke was a senior