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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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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
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