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What makes this bracket fun? Everyone in it has something to prove.
Evan Wick out last season, is thus far 4-0. Two impressive as well as dominating wins over ranked opponents Danny Braunagel of Illinois and Izaak Olejnik of Northern Illinois, he looks to prove himself as a forerunner for this year's NCAA title. With the competition he's up against, winning a CKLV title would be one Hell of a statement. Add in the fact that he now represents Cal Poly, a smaller, often ignored school always looking to be recognized, there is a lot on the line.
Shane Griffith of Stanford in his entire varsity career has only lost two matches. Keeping his loss column at 2 this weekend is going to be as much, if not more of a challenge than was winning the NCAA title last season. One of the wrestlers who owns a victory over Griffith, Julian Ramirez of Cornell, has quite a bit to prove himself. Was his 3-2 upending of last year's national champ simply a miracle fluke, or an indication of things to come from the young member of the Big Red? We'll find out this weekend.
I've said and I'll stand by it that Utah Valley's Demetrius Romero does have the ability and talent to be thought of as a contender for the NCAA title. With Wick & Griffith in the bracket a win over either is good enough to validate my feeling. Imagine wins over both.
I would imagine Cam Amine of Michigan may have a bit of a chip on his shoulder. With the addition of Nick Suriano (who to my knowledge will NOT be at CKLV) fans are now questioning where the Wolverines fit in to the team title hunt. Despite the fact that Amine was an All American last year, it amazes me the number of wrestling fans who doubt his capabilities this season. "Yeah, but..." seems to be the new phrase in town as, "Yeah, but 165 wasn't as tough last season." "Yeah, but he had a really good draw last season." Well you can "yeah, but" till the cows come home, if Amine performs on the mat, that's all that matters.
Harvard's Philip Conigliaro is one of those guys that strikes me as one to look out for as far as upsets are concerned. After years of being down the Crimson have a pretty decent team this season, but they still need that big moment, that big something to happen. Conigliaro could very well be the one to make that something happen.
With that I'll end it by saying this weight class features a lot of lower ranked as well as unranked competitors looking to make a name for themselves. Finishing top 8 year would do that.
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