Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational Preview 149 lbs (12/3-4/2021)

 

A lot will unfold this weekend in this weight class.  11 ranked wrestlers, 4 in the top 10, with the #1, #2, #4 and #6 all in action.  A returning champion, a returning runner-up, three returning 3rd place finishers and two other returning place-winners.  There are wrestlers that will not place in this bracket that could very well place at the NCAA's in March.  If that isn't testimony enough for why a wrestler's resume should proudly display credentials earned at CKLV, then you tell me what is. 

Some are wondering if Cornell's Yianni Diakomihalis might finish the season undefeated. I'm thinking he might not even finish the weekend undefeated. This is an insane weight class and he'll be tested more than once this weekend.  Quarters, semis, finals and maybe even before that.  He's wrestled one match thus far at 149 lbs and that was a 3-1 victory over Stanford's Jaden Abas, who he could very well meet again in this tournament. There was nothing about the win that said to me that Diakomihalis is going to own 149 lbs this season. There was nothing about the win that said to me that there was no way it could have went the other way and ended in favor of Abas. I'll eat my words if I'm wrong, but even if he does go undefeated & wins his second CKLV title, it will not be without a scare. 

I'm not even 100% confident that returning runner-up Sammy Sasso of Ohio State makes the finals. He's had a few close matches during his career including a 5-4 tiebreaker against Northwestern's Yahya Thomas.  Thomas himself is one to mention.  Among his impressive wins and impressive showings, he has a history of sometimes not performing well. It's hard to believe when you watch him at his potential, but he's not immune to being defeated or upset. 

After defeating North Carolina's Zach Sherman, you know that Nebraska's Ridge Lovett is thirsty for more. He's looking for more upsets. Looking to knock somebody off.  

Abas already mentioned, throw in Cal Poly's Legend Lamer, Michigan's Kanen Storr, and Oklahoma's Mitch Moore, I don't know how anyone could go into this bracket feeling safe. 

Michael Blockhus of Minnesota could be a guy to watch out for. Searching for his second medal, he might very well earn it through an upset or two.   

Trying to decipher who will be the top 12 when it is all said and done, I think it is among the names I have put.   It would not surprise me at all to see Cornell backup Hunter Richard finish as a low place-winner or within a match of placing.  That would not surprise me in the least bit.  Richard is a senior this year in his final season of collegiate wrestling.  It makes me thankful for a tournament like CKLV, where despite not being the varsity starter a guy like Richard still has the opportunity to showcase his talents and abilities. It is an attestation to the level of competition that is NCAA Division I wrestling. 

==== 

Johnnythompsonnum1 at the time does not and plans on never charging for content. However, I would like to extend the coverage I do for the sport and can only do so through donation. Your contributions would help in a variety of ways including but not limited to the following examples below.

To purchase a camera in order to conduct interviews with wrestlers, coaches and wrestling personnel.

To start a wrestling podcast with Dennis Doderer, a former Iowa High School state runner-up, Michigan State wrestler & writer of NYPD BLUE

To help cover the cost of travel and lodging to attend more wrestling events

To create more content to where eventually Johnnythompsonnum1 is covering all Divisions of Collegiate Wrestling.  Right now based on money, time & resource restraints Johnnythompsonnum1 is mainly NCAA DI with a bit of NAIA mixed in here and there.  I want to eventually be able to cover DI, DII, DIII, NAIA, NJCAA, CCCAA, NCWA & all of Women’s wrestling. 

If every reader of mine donated even $0.50 per month it’d be enough to achieve these goals.  So please think about making a contribution to Johnnythompsonnum1 to help me extend the collegiate wrestling coverage that I do.

Send donnation via Venmo to Stephen-Stonebraker-1

P.O. Box to send cash, check or money order coming soon.