11 ranked wrestlers & not only six returning DII All Americans, but the top 6 returning DII All Americans for the Midwest Classic at 174 lbs. I have argued for years that the national tournament is in a lot of ways, another tournament and that it shouldn't be the end all of how we judge someone's overall career. I think a bracket like this helps to illustrate that point. I highly doubt that they finish 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 exactly as they did at last year's NCAA DII's & their is even a chance that some returning All Americans may not even place at this tournament. A further testimony as to the significance of placing at the Midwest Classic.
Unlike 165 lbs which I felt was pretty wide open, I think 174 lbs is an open and shut case as far as who will walk away the champion. I'm not saying that I don't think DII Champ Abner Romero of Lindenwood will have some close matches, because I think he will. He'll be challenged on the mat, but in the end he always finds a way to win. The former CCCAA champion of Fresno City makes a case for the toughness that is often ignored in California community college wrestling. One can feel pretty comfortable in predicting Romero to win here.
Does NCAA DII Runner-up Trevor Turiff of Minnesota State-Mankato meet Romero in the finals here at the Midwest Classic? I think he has the best odds, but I wouldn't count out Daniel Beemer of Ashland who was 3rd at the DII's or Joshua of McKendree who was 4th either. The last two times Beemer and Jones met on the mat, the match was decided in a low scoring 3-1 decision, both won by Beemer, once needing overtime.
Brock Biddle of Pittsburgh-Johnstown was 6th at the DII's last season & it'll be interesting to see how he ends up here.
While I don't see Andrew Sams of Indianapolis defeating Romero, I will say that I feel that he is one of the Greyhounds best hopes of making the finals. It is always rewarding to see wrestlers do well at tournaments hosted by their team & I think Sams has a good shot of having an outstanding tournament. He's beaten Beemer twice in the past, has a win over Jones and he's undefeated against Biddle. Sams was 5th at last year's DII's & a runner-up showing at the Midwest Classic would verify that he has the ability to make the DII finals this season.
Note that Ryan Fidel of Colorado Mesa and especially Job Ayala of UW-Parkside are two of the best seniors in NCAA DII wrestling that have yet to even qualify for the NCAA DII tournament. Ayala, a Texas native has had to deal with some injuries over his career, but has proven what he is capable of with a solid 6-2 decision over Sams. I think for either one of these guys to come in here and take a top 8 showing is making one Hell of a statement, especially if they upset their way to a high placing. In the sport of wrestling we have an unfortunate habit of sometimes giving up on wrestlers way too soon. Throwing in the towel long before their careers are said and done. As Rocky Balboa says, "It ain't over till it's over" and both Fidel and Ayala could easily prove that.
Look for Caleb Spears of Newberry, Trever Begin of Mercyhurst and Max Bruss of Mary to all fight for top 8 placings as well.
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