Wednesday, December 22, 2021

2021 Midlands Preview 165 lbs

 



Here we go! A final that we are all looking forward to.  Iowa's Alex Marinelli who is attempting to win his fourth Midlands title and Evan Wick of Cal Poly looking to win his first. The advantage goes to Marinelli who in spite of the fact that all of his victories have been close, is currently 4-1 against the Mustang. Yet Wick is on a high and that cannot be ignored. He recently won a CKLV title, with a convincing 6-2 decision over last year's NCAA champion Shane Griffith of Stanford, who may we remind the jury knocked Marinelli out of the title run in last year's NCAA quarter-finals.  Most anticipated match of the tournament? It's one of them. 



Due to some losses this season, some fans have lost faith in 2021 NCAA runner-up Jake Wentzel of Pittsburgh, but I haven't. He's a tournament wrestler. He's not one that's going to go undefeated throughout the season & be on in every dual.  That's not him.  There have been wrestlers over the years that turn it on in high pressure situations and that's who he is.  He's proven that in the past and he could very well again this weekend. 

I have a lot of belief in the capabilities of freshman D.J. Hamiti of Wisconsin. I think the young Badger has an extremely bright future ahead and I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see him become a name everyone, everywhere is talking about after this weekend. Upending Marinelli or Wick?  I don't know if we're there yet, but getting on the award stand with some notable victories? Take it to the bank. 




Bucknell's Zach Hartman is a two-time Midlands Place-winner with a high finish to his resume and I would bet on him earning his third medal. I wouldn't at all be surprised to see Illinois' Danny Braunagel have a good tournament.  Fans can keep doubting Michigan's Cam Amine's capabilities all the want, but no bother. He'll just do as he did at CKLV when he placed 5th a couple of weeks ago & silence his doubters with a medal from the Midlands.  Izzak Olejnik of Northern Illinois took 8th at the last Midlands & Harvard's Philip Conigliaro makes another candidate for a medal.  

Iowa's Pat Kennedy could likely be Marinelli's replacement next season (or maybe someone else's depending on what weight he is for 2022-2023) and what better place to instill assuredness in the black and gold faithful than at the Midlands? Can is a word we all want to turn into will and a good showing in Chicago is the absolute best way for a backup to do exactly that. 

Others to watch out for include....

Riley Smucker of Cleveland State
David Ferrante of Northwestern
#30 Lucas Revano of Pennsylvania
Cardeionte Wilson of SIUE 
#16 Justin McCoy of Virginia 


 




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