Tuesday, December 21, 2021

2021 Midlands Preview 141 lbs

 





We have ourselves a triple threat to the Midlands title here.  Iowa's Jaydin Eierman, Michigan's Stevan Micic and Rutger's Sebastian Rivera.  This will be Eierman's first Midlands tournament since transferring to Iowa two seasons ago & he'll want to win one for the Hawks as Micic competes in his first Midlands in 7 years, looking for his second medal and his first title.  Rivera will be going for title #2 and medal #4.  Micic owns a 10-4 decision over Rivera & neither Micic or Rivera have ever faced Eierman. 



Do I see anyone beating the top three here? No, I don't.  I think in whatever order it is, Eierman, Micic, Rivera, they finish 1st-2nd-3rd here. I repeat, whichever order it is.  With that said, I do think that Dylan Duncan of Illinois takes a notable 4th place finish though.  Upsets can and will happen, but I feel pretty confident in predicting that out of the Illini. 




Who will be our other place-winners?  Again, the door is wide open.  Dresden Simon of Central Michigan is a likely candidate having a high ranking and having placed here before.  On paper per ranking it may not seem as likely to see Army's Corey Shie back on the award stand, but that's what this tournament is all about. For nearly 60 years that is exactly what has happened season after season. Guys come in that you least expect and have tremendous tournaments. Shie is one of many more than capable, as is Parker Filius of Purdue and many others. 

A guy I would really like to see place here is Franklin & Marshall's Wil Gil. I've talked about this in previous posts, but wrestling for a small school like Franklin & Marshall, a guy like Gil isn't going to get any favors. He's gonna have to have his resume built up with some quality wins and placings if he wants serious consideration at the EIWA for NCAA qualification. A top 8 finish here would do him a world of good. 

Others to look for here include...

#18 Darren Miller Bucknell
#22 Cole Matthews Pittsburgh
#23 Cayden Rooks Indiana
#25 Lawrence Saenz Cal Poly 
#30 Carmen Ferrante Pennsylvania
#32 Joe Zargo Wisconsin
#33 Saul Ervin SIUE
Shanna Hanna Campbell
Gabe Willochell Edinboro
Cole Mattin Michigan
Dylan Cedeno Virginia 



#3 in NAIA Ryan Moore
Thomas More 

You want a guy that no one is going to say anything about or expect anything out of, that could very well end up placing? Look no further than Thomas More's Ryan Moore. The Cornell transfer owns a win by fall over MAC runner-up Marcus Robinson of Cleveland State as well as an 8-0 major decision over EIWA champion Malyke Hines of Lehigh. If he were to sneak into the top 8, he would be the Saints first Midlands medalist. 


Javen Estrada of North Central #2 in NCAA DIII is another small school wrestler who could have a good tournament here. 


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