Can Life Hang With North Carolina? (11-1-2021)

 I've never felt that NAIA wrestling has gotten the respect that it deserves.  I've had some long conservations on this subject with former William Penn assistant coach Ryan Groom and it seems that NAIA always takes a backseat to NCAA DIII, whenever the discussion comes up.  Sometimes it should, but other times it shouldn't.  Sometimes NAIA is as tough or even tougher than NCAA DIII, but it never gets the recognition. NCAA DIII always gets the nod, even at times when it clearly shouldn't. 

I don't expect anyone to ever compare NAIA to NCAA DII and only a fool would compare NAIA to NCAA DI.  Yet to be placed below NJCAA and CCCAA? That's just plain insulting. Severely disrespectful to the talent that the NAIA produces and what these wrestlers are capable of.  Yet, as the saying goes, prove it.  Right?  Isn't that how points are made? Put your money where your mouth is?  

I think Life later on today is doing just that as they head into Chapel Hill to take on North Carolina. By almost all accounts the Tar Heels are a top twenty team in NCAA Division I wrestling and last year's NAIA champs want to see how they can do against them. 

Do I see the Running Eagles defeating the Tar Heels?  No, but in 10 matches I tell you what I do see. I see two likely victories, two possible victories and one match that could be far closer than anyone else will care to predict.  


125 - I see NAIA Champion Brandon Orum starting things off strong for the Eagles and getting a decisive victory over his Division I opponent.  I wish that Heilmann was still at 125, so that Orum could really be tested. I don't know if anyone is going to care about a victory over Spencer Moore.  Maybe Orum could bump up to 133 to take on Hernandez, but I don't know if he has the size to wrestle competitively 8 lbs up. Nevertheless, it'll still be a win for the Eagles, putting points towards the team score.  This could even be a major decision. 

149 - I think Zach Sherman is a Darkhorse candidate for the NCAA title this season. I said as much in my North Carolina preseason preview. Do I also think that 2021 NAIA runner-up Denver Stonecheck can stay with him in a full seven minute match? Yes, I do.  Beat him? Probably not. Keep it to a decision? Yes.  If Stonecheck can go out on the mat and give Sherman Hell, I think that in itself takes words and puts them into action.  

165 - I think an experienced senior Sid Ohl can take a redshirt freshman Sonny Santiago.  I don't feel as confident about this match as I do with Orum over Moore, but I still think this ought to be a win for the Eagles. It'll be an earned victory over the California state champion and Ohl will have to earn every point he puts on the board, but he can pull it off.  

174 - Here's the real test. Can 2021 NAIA runner-up Asher Eichert defeat ranked Gavin Kane?  It's one thing for an NAIA wrestler to defeat an NCAA DI opponent, but it's a whole other to defeat one that is ranked.  Eichert is making a run at the NAIA title this season and Kane at the moment is a top 20, maybe even top 15 wrester in DI.  This win, couldn't be denied. This win, couldn't be overlooked. This win, couldn't be ignored. It's a tremendous amount of pressure but what an opportunity for Eichert, Life and the NAIA. 

197 - Here's the other test.  An even tougher one than at 174.  Can Zane Lanham, a NAIA 3rd place finisher, currently ranked 3rd in the NAIA possibly defeat Max Shaw? Shaw an NCAA qualifier last season, is currently ranked in the top 25.  This would be another huge victory for Life that doesn't have a huge probability, but it does have a chance. 


Can Life pull off four victories in this dual?  A major decision with three decisions?  That'd be 13 team points against a top 20 team in NCAA Division I wrestling.    


I think Life has an opportunity here to prove themselves and prove the NAIA worthy of the respect and recognition I know is deserved.  Let's see what happens this afternoon. 

Southeast Open Preview (11-7-2021)

 Again as I've said about the other Opens that I have previewed thus far, if teams slotted to participate bring their varsity starters we will see some great wrestling.  

125 lbs 

Contemplating probable seeds, I think we're looking at a semi-final on one side of the bracket of Glory Vs Manchio and the other side of Latona Vs Russell. McCormick who I would think would be the #5 seed out of these wrestlers has a grand opportunity to improve his stake with victories that are not out of his reach.  The Southeast Open recognizes the top 6 place-winners and I would think that sixth place slot should go to Jones. Latona won the 2020 title, but if Glory does indeed enter, it'll be difficult to repeat. 

133 lbs 

Myers is without question the favorite here to win the title, although I can see the winner between Carter and Courtney, which should prove to be a fantastic semi-final, giving him a match in the finals.  Rini from where I sit is clearly the fourth best wrestler in this bracket, but I don't see him beating any of the other three. 

141 lbs 

The probable final here is Kazimir Vs Brito, but I tell you the guy to keep an eye on Virginia redshirt freshman Dylan Cedeno.  Everyone is out to make a name for themselves, and the Cavalier took NCAA qualifier Gerardi to a tight 7-6 match last season. The two are likely to meet up again, unless one pulls off an upset or gets upset somewhere along the way. Should prove to be another exciting match. 

149 lbs 

I'm anxious to see whether they end up giving Millner the #1 seed or if they give it to Andonian. Millner was 8th in the nation last season compared to Andonian who finished one match shy of placing & in their only meeting, Millner handled Andonian rather easily in a 16-8 major decision.  However, both intermat and theopenmat have Andonian currently ranked ahead of Millner.  Not a shot from me, because I know how difficult rankings are to do.  I tried doing them exactly one time and I don't ever want to experience that nightmare again.  

I tell you what I will criticize though.  The fact that Alex Madrigal can't catch a break.  That kid is against the wind no matter what direction he heads. He first gets shafted by his own athletic director at Old Dominion, when the wrestling team is unjustifiably discontinued and it seems no matter what he does or who he beats, he is always overlooked and underrated. I get that he's moving up to 149 from 141 and that he missed last season due to injury.  BUT....some publications don't even think he'll finish out the season as one of the top 33? Give me a break!! He's a two time NCAA qualifier and he'll silence his doubters the same way this season that he has in seasons past.  I can't figure it out.  He's a psychology major, maybe he knows why when disrespect gets handed out, he always gets a healthy helping.  Upsetting Andonian or Millner, or maybe even both?  If he's 100% and ready to go, I don't see why not.  History proves that Millner is susceptible to upset and everyone else is fair game. 

With that said, I'm anxious to see if Virginia enters both Verkleeren and Spencer.  Might as well. This is an open after all.  I was hoping to get to see a battle between the two, but it didn't happen at the wrestle-offs.  Maybe it'll happen here.  I hope so.  As I said in my Virginia Cavalier preseason preview, I give a slight edge to Verkleeren but I'm anxious to see how it turns out.   I would think Keller takes the sixth place slot. 

157 lbs 

I would think that Keating having a 10-4 victory over Monday would take the #1 seed here, with either Monday or Brady taking the #2 seed, with the other at #3.  I think Bond would be the obvious #4 seed. As to the rest, I think this bracket presents an opportunity for the likes of Berkovich, Segura and Sanderlin to put themselves on the map and show that they are indeed contenders for NCAA qualification this season.  Throughout the years the Wildcats haven't had a large number of place-winners during in-season tournaments. It'd be a great step for the program. 

165 lbs 

McCoy is the obvious #1 seed here.  Thus far in his career he already owns two victories 7-4 & 5-2 over Formato.  The question is, between Formato and Cuomo who to put at #2 and who to put at #3.  I'm not sure if it makes much if any difference at all, as the two ought to have a classic in the semi-finals. I think asking Chishko to upset any of these two guys is probably asking for too much, but to place as high as fourth or at least within the top 6 I think is very doable.  

174 lbs 

Is Lewis healthy? Is Lewis 100%? Is Lewis going to be as effective at 174 lbs as he was at 165?  These are all fair questions and if he enters the Southeast Open, I believe we'll get our answers. These aren't the types of mid-term exams that he'll face later in the season such as Carter Starocci of Penn State or Mike Kemerer of Iowa, but I'd call Flitz, Marcelli and/or Patrick pop quizzes worth studying for. 

Speaking of Marcelli and Patrick, since when did Patrick become chopped liver? It seems everyone everywhere has already noted Marcelli as the Cavaliers' starter without giving any consideration to Patrick and I fail to see why.  It's nothing against Marcelli, but I think Patrick has more than earned his place as a contender to start for the navy blue and orange.  Like with Verkleeren and Spencer, this was a wrestle-off I was hoping would take place, but didn't.  I can easily see this being the 3rd place match & I can even see Patrick upsetting Flitz into the finals. Not that hard to conceive considering he already owns a 9-6 victory over him.  (For the record Flitz has also beaten Patrick by a score of 6-2).  

184 lbs 

Bolen is the favorite here, although I am excited to see what will happen in a likely finals match between him and Stefanik, should both enter the tournament. I said earlier in my George Mason preseason preview that I felt that Kyle Davis could open up some eyes this season & I believe that the Southeast Open gives him an opportunity to due that. Already owning a 10-6 victory over Battista, he's easily in the hunt for 3rd place.  Brown hopefully gives VMI another place-winner. 

197 lbs 

If you're doing an over/under on the Southeast Open, your safest bet in naming a champion is Aiello.  The Cavalier may very well be the best senior in the nation yet to All American and if he's not, he's at least one of them.  The question here is, who will be his finals opponent? I wanted to put a word in for Stan Smeltzer of Virginia Tech, but he isn't even on the roster anymore.  Teammate Howard has a legitimate shot at making the finals as does Stith and Mousaw.  A lot will come down to seeding.  

HWT 

HWT at the Southeast Open doesn't look to be real loaded, but what it does provide us with, is the first of what should be many meetings between Miller and Traxler this season. Of course Deonte Wilson of North Carolina State & Brandon Whitman of North Carolina will have something to say about this, but Miller Vs Traxler could very well end up being the ACC finals come March.  If both enter the tournament, it'll give fans in attendance a treat in the final match of the tournament. 

Clarion Open Preview (11-7-2021)

 As I said in regards to the Michigan State Open, these early season opens, if all varsity starters attend, have the ability to be very fun and very exciting.  A lot of great wrestling to potentially take place at the Clarion Open. 

125 lbs 

Where to start? A lot to say about this potential bracket and the answers it could provide if all varsity starters show up to compete.  For one, it could let us know where Girard stands. A healthy Willy Girard is as tough as anyone & a contender to win the title.  Yet we all know that an unhealthy Girard and a healthy Girard are two completely different people.  I've called Dylan Ryder one of the best wrestlers in all of NCAA DI to not qualify for the NCAA championships in 2019, 2020 and 2021.  That's three years straight, he's been #34 or close to it as far as I'm concerned by year's end.  The EIWA isn't going to be any easier this year than it has been in year's past, so he might as well rack up those important victories. The more the merrier and what better place to start than the Clarion Open?  The target will be brightly painted on the back of All American Killian Cardinale who I would imagine takes the #1 seed on Saturday.  I'll say similar things for Werner that I said for Ryder, and the real culprit to watch here is Colton Camacho.  I had three time NCAA qualifier Gage Curry penciled in as Pittsburgh's starter, but Camacho made it look easy as he handled Curry in a 6-1 decision in the Panther wrestle-off.  He continues to wrestle like that, he'll continue to open up eyes.   If all six of these guys I have pictured enter the tournament, I'll bet they end up being our top six place-winners. 

133 lbs 

If Phillippi enters the tournament, he ought to walk through this bracket.  The real question is, who will be his finals opponent? If it were up to me I'd give the #2 seed to Allen and the #3 seed to Spann, which I think could turn out to be a pretty good semi-final matchup.  Look for Rhone and Newell to also be place-winners within the top 6. 

141 lbs 

Like teammate Phillippi I expect Matthews to pretty much walk in and walk out with the title here as he owns a 4-0 decision over Rea and a 13-4 major decision over Manley, who should prove to be his toughest competition within the bracket.  An upset over Matthews would be huge for either Manley or Rea, but I just don't see it happening.  Rea is a pinner, who has gotten more than one ranked opponent on his back in the past, and could again.  I can see either one of these guys in the finals against Matthews. 

149 lbs 

I would think that since Karam owns a head to head 4-0 victory over Moore, that he would take the #1 seed, but in the case that some rankings have Moore ahead of Karam & that it is his home tournament, he may take the #1 seed instead. Regardless of who is #1 and who is #2, Moore Vs Karam is a likely finals.  I'd like to see a good performance out of Gaxiola.  Third place is definitely within his grasp, but I wouldn't dare look over Komara or Kemerer either.   

157 lbs 

I'm anxious to see how this bracket ends up being seeded. If I were in charge, here is how I would seed the bracket. 

#1 - Hornfeck
#2 - Cerniglia 
#3 - Heller 
#4 - Carida
#5 - Barton 
#6 - Cleary 
#7 - Petite 
#8 - Elfvin 

Rebuttal? Criticism? I expect it. I welcome it, but you better bet I have a case for my position.  Even though Heller won the EIWA title to Cerniglia's 3rd place finish, I give Cerniglia the nod ahead of Heller, due to Heller having a 7-2 loss to Carida and a 5-0 loss to Hornfeck.   Hornfeck in relation, also owns a 7-5 victory over Barton, thus why with his notable victories here I give him the #1 seed.  I put Heller ahead of Carida, as the last time they met, Heller won 5-0.  Many wouldn't be happy with me seeding Barton as low as #5, but I'm not putting Barton ahead of Hornfeck who already proven he can beat him.  Carida defeated Petite twice in 3-1 victories, as Cleary defeated Petite 8-3.  Does your head hurt yet?  Maybe not how you would seed the bracket, but I feel comfortable in my decision. 

With that said, it's likely to work out nothing like I have seeded it in my head.  I do feel that as of today Alex Hornfeck deserves more recognition and credit than what he's thus far received.  I can see a lot of things happening in this bracket.  

165 lbs 

At first glance it would look as if Wentzel is in the same position as Phillippi and Matthews. He's a returning NCAA finalist and most rankings have him pretty high. He most certainly should take the #1 seed entering this tournament. I too think he should win this tournament but that last thing I'd do is snooze on Hall.  Of all of the returning NCAA finalists from last season, I would say Wentzel's road to be the rockiest with the most amount of barriers. Hall will be a pothole he'll want to avoid. Look for Stamm to take 3rd place honors and I'd like to think Ho at home would be his consolation finals opponent.  Wrestling in front of a home crowd, I hope to see to his advantage. No reason at all he shouldn't place top 6, but he's lost more than once when he shouldn't have. 

174 lbs 

If you read over my preseason review of Hofstra you know that I believe that Heller can win an EIWA title this season. Along the way Scott Joll of West Virginia should the two meet up in the finals, will be a good test.  They have two common opponents in Jacob Oliver of Edinboro and Thomas Flitz of Appalachian State.  Joll lost to Oliver 16-12, whereas Heller lost technical fall to Oliver, but then turned around and defeated him 10-4.  Joll defeated Flitz 14-9 where Heller lost to him 12-4.  Parity as it often does comes into play here. 

184 lbs 

It's pretty black and white as to who should get the #1 seed here.  I think Key with a 4-2 victory over Wohlabaugh and a fall over Small more than proves he deserves that distinction.  As to who gets the #2? Now that's more of a gray area. Regardless of how seeds end up, I think we will see some hardnosed wrestling in the quarterfinals and in the semi-finals.  Small, Harvey, McCracken and Wohlabaugh all look to further themselves and wins over one another will do just that.  A runner-up showing here or even going further into an upset over Key will do all of these guys a world of good this season. 

197 lbs 

Very little in NCAA Division I wrestling is straightforward but this weight class seems to be.  Again treating this as if all of the varsity starters show up to compete.  NCAA runner-up Bonaccorsi ought to rip through this bracket as if it were tinfoil.  I think Smith is the obvious choice for the #2 seed, seeing that he defeated Koser 13-9 and stuck Rogers in 2:42.  I think that puts Koser as the #3, having a 4-2 victory over Rogers.  Feldkamp has a fall over Rogers himself, which I think would give him the #4 seed.  So there you have it in how I not only think they should be seeded, but how I think they will finish up in the placings. 

HWT 

I don't think he'll get it, but I do think that Zach Schrader of Maryland deserves to be the top seed here. Head to head, he defeated Knighton-Ward 6-3 and he defeated Birchmeier 4-3.   Personally I would put ZKW at #2, Birchmeier at #3, Bagoly who owns a 4-2 victory over Wolfgram at #4, Wolfgram at #5 and finally Cahill at #6.   I have a feeling that current rankings will play more into seeding than head to head results, so I could see Schrader as low as #4.  I would hope they wouldn't put him any lower than that, but who knows. Regardless if he is given a lower seed, I see him upsetting his way through the tournament to a title.  A positive not only for him, but for Maryland in general. 

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Clarion could have made it easier on themselves by inviting teams of lesser caliber but they know as well as anyone does that in order to improve you have to face that competition.  If Pittsburgh brings a full lineup along with Navy and West Virginia that poses for some tough brackets.  

Matches to Watch as Purdue Takes on Drexel and Rider (11-6-2021)

 The Boilermakers head east to take on the Dragons of Drexel and the Broncs of Rider this Friday.  Quite a few exciting matches to look forward to. Let's take a look.  

125 lbs  - Devin Schroder Vs Antonio Mininno 

Schroder takes the advantage going into this matchup, but the quick and at times unpredictable Mininno can use his speed to perhaps catch Schroder off guard. Look for this to be a strategical and tactical match on Schroder's part, picking and choosing his attacks in a controlled decision. 

149 l bs - Kendall Coleman Vs Parker Kropman 

This will be the matchup of the dual.  Looking very, very forward to this match.  Both of these guys have the ability to get down right tough when they need to and if the dual is on the line when this showdown takes place, we could see some pretty good action. Coleman will be the aggressor as Kropman will lay back looking for an opportunity to strike.  A chess match of offense Vs counter-offense.  This will be a good one. 

165 lbs - Gerritt Nijenhuis Vs Evan Barczak 

Barczak doesn't mind keeping matches close. He's not real flashy or fancy.  If a one point win can get the job done, good enough.  I'm not sure if that type of strategy will work against Nijenhuis though. Their only common opponent is Ricky Stamm of Hofstra. Nijenhuis pinned Stamm, whereas Barczak lost to him by sudden victory & defeated him in a tiebreaker.  

174 lbs - Emil Soehnlen Vs Mickey O'Malley 

EIWA champion hopeful O'Malley on paper looks to have this one in the bag, but I put this match down as one to keep an eye on because among his inconsistency & ugly losses, Soehnlen sometimes seems to pull rabbits out of his hat.  The guy has talent and ability to be down right tough when he wants to be and you never know when or where he's going to turn it on.  As of right now, picking O'Malley and picking O'Malley is a comfortable win. Simply stating that if Soehnlen gives him a match or even pulls off the upset, it won't leave ole JT#1 in shock. 

141 lbs - Parker Filius Vs Quinn Kinner 

Another match I'm looking forward to, Filius Vs Kinner could turn out to be the match of the night. This is a coin flipper, and if these guys meet more times this season, however this match goes could end up completely different than how match #2 does.  I see a low scoring match, won by 1-3 points either way. 

184 lbs - Max Lyon Vs George Walton 

As we all do, I'm sometimes known to give some guys too much credit as I give others not enough.  I suppose that's the nature of being a fan.  Lyon is very tough, but I can't help but think as big and strong as Walton is, that he might be able to give Lyon a match.  Not seeing the upset, but if Walton were to pull it off, it'd put him on the radar where he is otherwise being overlooked. 

197 lbs  - Thomas Penola Vs Matt Correnti 

Of all the matches written about thus far for Purdue's duals on Friday, this is the only one that has already taken place.  Penola defeated Correnti via sudden victory 6-4. I see a similar outcome when the two meet up this weekend.   

The Battle At The Citadel Preview (11-6-2021)

 Looking over the teams that will compete at this year's Battle At The Citadel, if we're talking varsity starters and full lineups there could potentially be some great matchups.  Thus far, the following possibilities excite me. 

Potential 125 lbs Finals 
Cody Phippen of Air Force Vs Benny Gomez of Presbyterian 

If both of these guys enter the tournament, this is the finals I have predicted. Should prove to be a rather exciting match as both wrestlers have a chip on their shoulder with something to prove.  Phippen is one of the absolute best wrestlers in the nation yet to make it to the NCAA tournament. He's proven that with valuable wins the past two seasons. Gomez is looking to become Presbyterian's first NCAA Division I qualifier and possibly their first SOCON champion.  A win over the other bodes well for either one of this guys.  

Potential 133 lbs Finals
Sid Flores of Air Force Vs Jake Rotunda of The Citadel 

It could also be Jared Van Vleet instead of Sid Flores, but either way, this presents a great potential for Jake Rotunda to garner a notable victory on his home turf during his home tournament.  On paper, both Van Vleet and Flores have Rotunda beat, but upsets happen.  What better time & what better place to nail an upset than your own invitational? 

Potential 197 lbs Finals 
Kayne Hutchison of Air Force Vs Kaden Russell of Duke 

If you follow Duke Blue Devil wrestling you know that everything they do is uphill and against the wind. No scholarships and little to no help from the administration.  Allowed varsity status, a place to compete and a place to practice. That about sums it up.  Any and all accomplishments that Duke has on the mat should be noted.  I think the Blue Devils have potential to crown 3 champs here at The Citadel.  I don't see either of the Finesilvers, Josh or Matt having any trouble at all securing their titles.  Russell on the other hand will see challenge from Hutchison. Still going with Russell in this matchup, but I wouldn't dare overlook Hutchison. 

Potential HWT Finals
Wyatt Hendrickson of Air Force Vs Michael McAleavey of The Citadel 

Like Rotunda, McAleavy has the opportunity to gain a huge upset in route to winning his home tournament. His chances aren't nearly as good at Rotunda's, but they're still there. Hendrickson at the moment is on another level, an All American hopeful.  With that said, in the least McAleavey wrestling in front of his home crowd should still give Hendrickson a match. 


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There you have my thoughts on the tournament. It's not the Midlands or Cliff Keen, but there will still be a fair amount of good, exciting wrestling to watch at The Battle of The Citadel this weekend.  

Johnnythompsonnum1's 2021-2022 Tentative Wrestling Schedule

 Very excited for the wrestling season!  Plan to make it to 14 events this season.  Let's hope mother nature cooperates and no major snow storms! 

Saturday November 6th @ Super 8 Invitational in Platteville, Wisconsin (UW-Platteville) 10 a.m. 

Friday November 19th  Princeton @ Iowa (Iowa City) TBD

Saturday November 20th  Coe Invitational (Cedar Rapids) 9 a.m. 

Saturday November 27th Oregon State @ Iowa (Iowa City) TBD

Friday December 10th Grand View @ St. Ambrose (Davenport) 6 p.m. 

Friday January 7th Minnesota @ Iowa (Iowa City) TBD

Sunday January 9th Purdue @ Iowa (Iowa City) TBD

Saturday January 15th Cliff Keen Mike Duroe Invitational hosted by Cornell  (Mt. Vernon) 9 a.m. 

Friday January 21st  Utah Valley @ Northern Iowa (Cedar Falls) West Gym 7 p.m. 

Friday January 28th Penn State @ Iowa (Iowa City) TBD 

Saturday February 5th Wisconsin @ Iowa (Iowa City) TBD

Friday February 11th  Iowa State @ Northern Iowa (Cedar Falls) McLeod Center 7 p.m. 

Saturday February 19th HOAA Championships (Oskaloosa) William Penn 9 a.m. 

Friday/Saturday March 11th/12th  NCAA DIII's (Cedar Rapids) 11:00 a.m. 

2022: The Preseason: Bellarmine Knights

 I can remember being a 15 year old kid that used to spend my time on wrestling message boards  & all of the negativity that wrestling fans had when it came to collegiate wrestling, in particularly, the growth of it in the south. Pessimistic attitudes back in 2001, 2002, 2003 and so on of a combined bitterness of all the programs that we have lost over the years and an unshakable assurance that we'd never see a resurgence. 

It's one of the reasons I am so Hell bent on celebrating new programs in the south and making sure that when a program from our past returns, fans are aware of it.  I DO NOT like the term resurrected and Jason Bryant has asked that I no longer use the word reinstated, so we've found moderation in the term restored. 

First it was NCAA Division I wrestling in Arkansas and now it's NCAA Division I wrestling in Kentucky!

I am so excited and happy about DI wrestling & collegiate wrestling in general being in Kentucky.  It gives kids in Kentucky an opportunity to wrestle at home + it gives more options for kids from nearby Ohio & Illinois. 
   
Transitioning into DI status, the Knights are not eligible for post-season competition until the 2024-2025 season.   

Even though they won't be competing in the SOCON championships or the NCAA's, I still think we'll see some positives out of the Knights this season. 

125
Brandon Lucas
Junior
Record: 43-47 

Lucas fared pretty good at the NCAA Division II level, making the R12 in 2019.  I think we'll see some top 33 victories out of Lucas this season as he continues to adjust to NCAA DI competition. 

165
Eric Beck
Senior
Record: 71-44

In my estimation Beck is about the best wrestler on the Knight's squad and as luck would have it, he's also the one with the toughest in-conference competition.  William Formato of Appalachian State, R.J. Mosley of Gardner Webb, Drew Nicholson of Chattanooga & Dazjon Casto of The Citadel. If he can garner a victory over any of these opponents, that might earn Beck the distinction of being the first Knight to be ranked in the more popular wrestling websites/magazines. 

174
Devan Hendricks
Sophomore
Record: 29-13

Another tough grappler on the Knight's roster, I can see some good things coming out of Hendricks this season as well. 

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No NCAA qualifiers this season for the fact that Bellarmine is not yet eligible to compete in the post season.  We will see how the team does in some competitive duals, the Cougar Clash & the Southern Scuffle however. 

MEAC Wrestling Making A Comeback?

 In the announcement of Morgan State wrestling being restored 25 years after being discontinued, Flowrestling wrote in a recent article, "Over the course of the next five years, HBCUW will launch wrestling programs and begin endowments at six HBCUs."  This could mean an assortment of schools in an assortment of places, but it's not a stretch to think that it could mean teams in the MEAC. 

What does this mean for NCAA Division I wrestling?  Well, for one, it would mark the first time in the history of NCAA DI wrestling where wrestling was restored at a Conference where it had been previously dropped. Over the years we've seen a lot of conferences, regionals and qualifiers dismember, but we've never seen one reinstate.  ECWA (Eastern Collegiate Wrestling Association), CAA (Colonial Athletic Association), ER (Eastern Regional), WR/WWC (Western Regional/Western Wrestling Conference) & EWL (Eastern Wrestling League) are all conferences/regionals/qualifiers that I have seen discontinue during my lifetime.  MEAC wrestling began in the 1971-1972 season, having their final tournament in the 1994-1995 year, accumulating 23 tournaments.   

Now what many are not aware of is that while the MEAC is NCAA Division I today, during the time it had wrestling, it was NCAA Division II.   

Today the MEAC is made up of eight teams, with Morgan State having already restored its program, that leaves six more teams, with one being the odd man out.  At this point I'm going to guess the school not looking at getting a wrestling program would be North Carolina Central for the simple fact that they have never had a varsity wrestling program.  All of the other programs currently in the MEAC at one time had wrestling.  

Not going to inundate you a million facts about each program, but I do want to give a quick rundown of each program. 

Morgan State 

Morgan State was a powerhouse in NCAA Division II wrestling.  Along with winning 13 MEAC titles, they also won 3 CIAA titles.   At the Division II level they had 14 wrestlers earn 27 All American honors, including 4 individual titles.  Keep in mind that this was during the days where DII champs and DII runner-ups and occasionally NCAA DII 3rd place finishers were invited to the DI championships.  Morgan State had 19 wrestlers earn 33 NCAA DI qualifications, 4 of which earned DI All American status.  Not bad for a team that was only an official DI program its last two years competition.  For the record Morgan State also produced one NAIA All American and one Midlands Place-winner.   At the DII level, Morgan State placed in the top 10 at the NCAA tournament 5 times, with a high of 4th place in 1984.  

South Carolina State 

The Bulldog wrestling program remains a bit of a mystery for me.  I've found pictures and information on head coaches over the years, but one thing completely dumbfounds me. They did very well at the MEAC tournament in 1979, 1980, 1981 and 1982, but I cannot find any information about their wrestlers competing in the NCAA Division II tournament.   According to sources I have found, the program was discontinued after the 1987-1988 season.  While I've found a lot of information on a lot of programs we no longer have, still have quite a few question marks regarding SCSU wrestling.  

Norfolk State 

Norfolk State was another program that was very respectable at the NCAA DII level.  Winners of a CIAA title in 1977, they had 10 wrestlers earn 13 All American honors before being discontinued after the 1997-1998 season. What killed Spartan wrestling?  The dismemberment of the MEAC hurt a lot, but it was the move up to NCAA Division I that really hurt the program.  

The community of Norfolk needs a major college wrestling program again.  10 minutes to the south in Chesapeake you have Great Bridge High School one of the most storied and successful high school wrestling programs not only in Virginia, but in the entire United States.  They may not be the perennial powerhouse they once were, but they could still use a place close to home to compete at.  Old Dominion dropping wrestling was an absolute travesty.  Norfolk State restoring their program would be a very positive thing for the community, the school and the sport. 

Maryland Eastern Shore 

UMES wrestling was short lived being discontinued after the 1988-1989 season, but they were around long enough to produce an NAIA All American.  Wrestling would be a great addition to the athletics at UMES. They recently added a women's beach volleyball team, which now has women's sports outnumber men's 10 to 6.   Adding both men's and women's wrestling programs would put the numbers at 11 to 7.  

Howard 

Winners of six CIAA team titles, Howard produced 9 wrestlers who earned 12 NCAA Division I qualifications.  Led by Wade Hughes, a coach that was determined to turn the program into a winning one, the program was discontinued after the 2001-2002 season. Ironically enough in a year of producing one of their only two-time Eastern Regional champions. Why did Howard wrestling end?  More or less because athletic director Norrell Thomas didn't want it, stating that wrestling (along with baseball) took up too much space on campus, overcrowding what could be more space for the other athletics on campus.    

At the time of discontinuation, Howard was beginning to slowly but surely come into their own with Hughes leading the way.  Being in the Eastern Regional wasn't helping matters. At the time while their would occasionally be a runner-up awarded a Wildcard entry into the NCAA tournament, you almost had to win a title in order to qualify.    Today with the new qualification system, we'd see more wrestlers from such a qualifier make it through to the championships.  Thomas stated, "a lack of success" in justification for dropping the program.   Of course he turned a blind eye to the reasons (many of which he himself was responsible for) why  Howard struggled, but if indeed Howard is one of the programs that Flowrestling meant in the above statement, that wouldn't be a problem anymore would it?   

With American right there in Washington D.C. and nearby George Mason, scheduling would not be a program at all for the Bison.  It makes sense to restore the program. 

Delaware State 

There is no varsity college wrestling in the state of Delaware.  None, zero, nada.  When Delaware State dropped wrestling after the 2008-2009 season, college wrestling left the state.  Now, no one is going to pretend that Delaware produces an enormous amount of high school talent.  Nevertheless they do from time to time.  It'd be nice if those kids had a place to wrestle at home, if they so chose to.  During the time Delaware State had wrestling they had 9 wrestlers earn 11 NCAA qualifications.   Again a program hampered by being in the Eastern Regional, the new qualification system in the MEAC conference would help to alleviate those issues.  College wrestling, especially NCAA DI wrestling in a state that currently has none, would be huge for Delaware as well as the sport of wrestling. 

Coppin State 

A 15-20 minute drive across town for Morgan State, a restoration of wrestling at Coppin State makes a lot of sense.  From what I have been able to gather on the history of the program, it was around for a period of 10-15 years.  During that time the Eagles produced 9 NCAA DI qualifiers.  

Wrestling making a comeback as an official sport of the MEAC would be huge.  College wrestling back in the state of Delaware? Huge.  A major college wrestling program back in an area that has produced some of the best high school wrestlers in the history of this country? Huge.  Now, don't get me wrong, I more than welcome wrestling getting started at North Carolina Central too. I'm simply guessing that of the 7/8 teams in the MEAC, it is the 1/8 not currently being considered. 


If indeed this IS what is within our future, what else could this mean for the sport of wrestling? 

Well, maybe this is a utopian idea at the moment, but perhaps wrestling being reinstated in the CIAA?  The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, a DII conference at one time did sponsor wrestling.  Many of the schools in the CIAA at one time had wrestling.  These include....

Elizabeth City State 
Lincoln (PA) 
Virginia State 
Winston Salem State 
Livingstone 

All of which would be great additions back into NCAA Division II wrestling.   


As of right now, Morgan State, Allen University & Arkansas Baptist are the only HBCU schools to offer varsity wrestling.   Of all of the many HBCU schools that offer varsity athletics, at the present time, only three of them have varsity wrestling. 

UPDATE: We actually have four.  I was just reminded that Bluefield State recently added varsity wrestling as well.  

It's obvious that is going to change in the years to come. Morgan State restoring their program is only the beginning.  Not sure if the programs I mentioned ARE going to be the six new programs we see in the next five years or not.  Nevertheless if they are or if they are not, we are still going to have six programs in five years that we do not have today.    

With women's wrestling sanctioned at the varsity level and the commitment of the HBCUW, along with the NWCA and the likes of Mike Moyer, I think collegiate wrestling's future is brighter than it has ever been before. 

Everyone and their dog keeps on talking about restoration of wrestling in the SEC.  I wrote an article on SEC wrestling back in September of 2017 and four years later it is still one of my most popular articles.  The idea of the SEC ever sponsoring wrestling again is absolutely insane, but you know what?  I never thought the MEAC would sponsor wrestling again either.  Now I do.  

2022: The Preseason: Lock Haven Bald Eagles

 Since arriving at Lock Haven, Scott Moore & staff have done a tremendous job of getting the most out of their wrestlers.  This has included performing well at the EWL's, the MAC's and the NCAA's. Examples include getting Ronnie Perry into the NCAA finals and Kyle Shoop onto the NCAA award stand.  I think this will be a rebuilding year for Lock Haven, but nevertheless they should still have some highlights. 

125
Luke Werner
Senior
Record: 90-31
NCAA: 20'NQ
EWL: 19'2nd
MAC: 20'3rd, 21'5th
SOUTHERN SCUFFLE: 19'4th, 20'2nd 

I have mixed feelings on Werner and I'll tell you why.  For one, I do feel that by all means he should be a three time NCAA qualifier at this point in his career.  In 2019, he finished a respectable runner-up in the EWL, having had a respectable season finishing 4th at the Southern Scuffle.  Entitled to my opinion, I think he got shafted when at large bids were handed out.  In 2021, he was a victim of circumstance.  Lock Haven was not released to compete until the very last minute & after having not wrestled all season he was thrown into the MAC championships.  Had he had a full season he would have qualified.   

Now here's the thing.  Werner has some very notable wins.  He stuck NCAA runner-up Brandon Courtney of Arizona State & he owns a 4-2 decision over 7th place All American Killian Cardinale.  

Yet here's the other thing...he could finish as low as 5th again at the MAC championships.. Werner is 0-5 against Willy Girard of Bloomsburg.  Even though the Husky has been injured as of late & not 100% that is till a difficult deficit to overcome.  Then Werner is 0-1 vs Logan Heil of Cleveland State and 1-2 against Jake Ferri of Kent State.  I can't ignore these results.  Nevertheless, I also can't ignore that Werner has the ability to wrestle very well at times too.  Honestly, anywhere on the award stand 1st through 5th I can see Werner at the MAC.  I also think he's a Dark Horse All American. 

141
Cole Manley 
Junior
Record: 49-19
SOUTHERN SCUFFLE: 20'5th 

Manley has yet to qualify for the NCAA's & the embodiment of his best work has thus far been at 133.  Having such a short season last year, it's not fair to evaluate him at 141 lbs yet.  If he does as well at 141 as he did at 133, we'll see an NCAA qualifier. 

157
Ben Barton 
Senior
Record: 50-34
NCAA: 19'NQ, 21'NQ
SOCON: 19'1st, 21'2nd 

Campbell transfer Ben Barton will contend with Central Michigan's Johnny Lovett and SIUE's Justin Ruffin for the MAC title this season. 

165
Caleb Clymer
Sophomore
Record: 18-11

If Clymer can take some of these close 1, 2 & 3 point losses and turn them into wins, I can see him qualifying for the NCAA championships. It also wouldn't hurt to have more victories like the 2-1 decision he claimed over two time NCAA qualifier Colston DiBlasi of George Mason. 


==== 

In a rebuilding time I think sending 4 to the NCAA's with one, maybe two on the team contending for an MAC title is pretty respectable. 

125 - Dark as in D-A-R-K horse All American
133 - DNQ
141 - NQ
149- DNQ
157 - NQ
165 - NQ
174 - DNQ
184 - DNQ
197 - DNQ
HWT - DNQ 

2022: The Preseason: Maryland Terrapins

 Maryland didn't have any top 8 place-winners at the BIG 10's last season, but should put two on the award stand this season, both of which will contend for NCAA qualification. 

197 
Jaron Smith
Senior 
Record: 31-33

Plagued by injuries throughout his career, I will at least in partial blame an inability to stay healthy in regards to both his losing record & his lack of credentials thus far.  Nevertheless, if Smith can go the entire season healthy, he should qualify for the NCAA championships.  Thus far in his career he has many notable wins.  Among pinning NCAA qualifiers Stephen Loiseau of Drexel & Lucas Davison of Northwestern, Smith also has wins over Matt Wroblewski of Illinois, Kellan Stout of Pittsburgh and Jake Koser of Navy. 

HWT
Zach Schrader
Senior
Record: 73-46

Began his career at West Virginia, then transferred to California Baptist and will now compete in his final season for Maryland. Like Smith, no guarantees for NCAA qualification but does have history that concludes that he is more than capable of being top 33 by year's end.  Notable victories include a 4-3 win over John Birchmeier of Navy and a 6-3 victory over Zachary Knighton-Ward of Hofstra. 

=== 

125- DNQ
133 - DNQ
141 - DNQ
149 - DNQ
157 - DNQ
165 - DNQ
174 - DNQ
184 - DNQ
197 - NQ
HWT - NQ


I really hope to see Smith and Schrader punch through to the NCAA's this season. 

2022: The Preseason: Southern Illinois-Edwardsville

 I knew when Jeremy Spates took over as head coach of the Cougar program that it would only be a matter of time before SIUE had individuals competing for conference finals appearances and conference championships within the MAC.  I also think within due time, the Cougars will have NCAA All Americans.  Not sure if it will happen this season or not, although they do have one wrestler that does stand an outsider's shot at making the award stand.  Look for as many as 4 NCAA qualifiers this season. 

133 
Aaron Schulist
Sophomore
Record: 5-4

With victories over two time NCAA qualifier Bryce West of Northern Illinois & Drew Marten of Central Michigan, I would think Schulist will add like victories to his resume this season and qualify for the NCAA championships. 

141
Saul Ervin
Sophomore
Record: 28-28
NCAA: 21'NQ
MAC: 21'4th 

Ervin has a bit of good fortune on his side this year as he enters the 2021-2022 season.  With Missouri moving back to the BIG 12, that takes Allan Hart out of his way & MAC runner-up McKenzie Bell of Rider will be taking a redshirt.  While I don't see Ervin beating Dresdon Simon of Central Michigan, who he is 0-3 against, he can beat anyone else. An MAC runner-up finish is foreseeable. 

157
Justin Ruffin
Junior
Record: 53-25
NCAA: 19'NQ, 20'NQ
MAC: 19'4th, 20'4th 
MIDLANDS: 20'7th 

If healthy, I think Justin Ruffin has a very, very good shot at winning an MAC title this season.  He'll have Johnny Lovett of Central Michigan to contend with, as well as Ben Barton of Lock Haven but both are winnable matches.  I also think that while it'll require an upset or two, Ruffin IS capable of All American honors. 

HWT
Colton McKiernan
Junior
Record: 46-26 
NCAA: 19'NQ
MAC: 19'2nd, 20'7th, 21'6th 

As a freshman McKiernan had more of a "go for it" attitude and I think it served him well.  Since, he's become more timid and conserved on the mat & I don't think that it has been in his best interest.  The guy is a pinner, capable of putting top talent on their backs and sticking them.  He proved that by sticking BIG 12 champ Gannon Gremmel of Iowa State as well as Zach Elam of Missouri.  Within the MAC,  he's not beating Matt Stencel of Central Michigan.  Ethan Laird of Rider is redshirting. Even though he is 0-1 vs both Jon Spaulding of Edinboro and John Earnest of Ohio, both of those matches are winnable.  If he goes out and just wrestles, not worrying about the outcomes, there's no reason to believe that he can't take home a runner-up or 3rd place MAC finish this season. 


==== 


125 - DNQ
133 - NQ
141 - NQ
149 - DNQ
157 - Darkhorse All American
165 - DNQ
174 - DNQ
184 - DNQ
197 - DNQ
HWT - NQ 

2022: The Preseason: Davidson Wildcats

Davidson is one of those teams that you can't help but want to see successful.  It's a small itty bitty school, less than 2,000 students located in the South.  When everyone else around has dropped wrestling like flies, Eastern Carolina, Elon, North Carolina A&T, Wake Forest and UNC-Greensboro, Davidson has stood solid.  Wildcat wrestling has been around & been a part of the Southern Conference since the 1937-1938 season.  

11 SOCON champions over the past 84 years, it is almost 100% certain that the only way a Wildcat is getting through to the NCAA tournament is if he wins a conference title.  Matter of fact, the only Wildcat to ever make the NCAA championships that did not win an SOCON title, was Ian Kaplan in 1999, a SOCON Runner-up that season. 

I want to be positive about Wildcat wrestling, but I also have a duty to be honest.  I don't see the Wildcats having any SOCON title contenders.  I do however, see one wrestler I think can have a decent showing at the SOCON this season & in the years to come, perhaps become the Wildcats first three time NCAA qualifier.  The hiring of Ty Eustice, former NCAA runner-up of Iowa will make a positive difference and I believe it will first be reflected on the wrestler I speak of below. 

157
Bryce Sanderlin
Freshman
Record: 4-2 

He's not beating Cody Bond of Appalachian State & maybe thinking Runner-up status is Utopian as well, but a 3rd place finish in the SOCON? I think that's possible.  I think that's doable. 

2022: The Preseason: Northern Illinois

 Throughout the early 00's, the Huskies of Northern Illinois were rather competitive within the MAC crowning champions and runner-ups, while sending 3-6 wrestlers to the NCAA's every year with an All American or two.  Slipping off for a period of time, they continue to reestablish their former status.  This year should rather good for the Huskies as they have the potential to crown 3 MAC champions, 1 MAC runner-up and an individual that could potentially win an NCAA title. 

133
Bryce West
Junior
Record: 64-40
NCAA: 19'NQ, 21'NQ
MAC: 19'3rd, 20'7th, 21'5th
MIDLANDS: R12 

Based on how he has fared thus far against MAC competition, I see West once again finishing about 5th in the conference, but that should again, be good enough for NCAA qualification.  Stands a decent shot of bringing home a medal at Midlands. 

149
Anthony Cheloni
Junior
Record: 55-24
NCAA: 21'NQ
MAC: 21'3rd 

I think Brent Moore of Virginia Tech is out of Cheloni's league, but there isn't anyone else in the MAC that he can't beat.  I think a runner-up showing at the MAC championships is very doable for Cheloni.  Like West, he contends for a medal at Midlands. 

165
Izzak Olejnik 
Sophomore
Record: 40-18
NCAA: 20'NQ, 21'NQ
MAC: 20'2nd, 21'2nd
MIDLANDS: 20'8th 

After two MAC runner-up finishes the past two seasons, I believe Olejnik has a very good shot at winning an MAC title this season.  Within the NCAA a 6-5 victory over Jake Keating & defeating Illinois' Danny Braunagel twice by scores of 7-5 & 6-1 stick out.  It should also be noted that he took Arizona State's Anthony Valencia into sudden victory.  

174
Mason Kauffman
Junior
Record: 52-40
NCAA: 21'NQ
MAC: 21'4th 

A fun feud to watch this season will be between Kauffman and Edinboro's Jacob Oliver who went back & forth last season with Kauffman winning a 3-1 sudden victory and Oliver winning a 3-1 sudden victory and a 5-4 tiebreaker.  The two should battle one another for the MAC title. 

184
Brit Wilson 
Junior
Record: 87-18
NCAA: 19'NQ, 20'NQ, 21'6th
MAC: 19'2nd, 21'1st, 21'1st
MIDLANDS: 19'3rd 

184 lbs is plain and simple a tough freakin' weight class.  As Wilson looks for his third MAC title, I will say that he's also a darkhorse shot at the NCAA title.  Ironically enough the only time he seemed to be out of a match last season was against Oklahoma State's Dakota Geer who defeated him 6-0.  Yet Geer was manhandled by Louie DePrez of Binghamton and Wilson defeated DePrez 7-1.  So go figure.  Isn't parity fun?  A 3-1 loss to Trent Hidlay of North Carolina State & a bad shot that turned what would have been a 6-5 loss into an 8-5 loss to Northern Iowa's Parker Keckeisen.  These seem like fixable mistakes to me, so yes Wilson's name remains on the list for those who contend for the NCAA title at 184 this season. 

=== 

All things considered I think that 5 NCAA qualifiers, with four in the MAC finals, three with a good shot at MAC titles is a rather good showing for the Huskies.  Assistant coach Dominick Moyer & I were in the same kid's club for many years & I love seeing the program grow with him helping to lead them.  The real test will be at Midlands, which should be an indicator to where the Huskies are and where they'll end up.