Another exciting weight class for the Midwest Classic we have eight ranked wrestlers and four returning All Americans including both last year's NCAA DII runner up and 2019's NCAA DII champion. In terms of drama and emotion, could likely be the most theatrical bracket.
Despite what the rankings say as of now or the plausible seedings, I think the guy to go with here is Tiffin's Nick Mason. A 2019 NCAA DII champion, the 5th year of varsity eligibility granted to wrestlers as a result of COVID-19 changes his ending from a tragic one into one of triumph. Having to miss the 2020 DII's due to the Coronavirus, Mason entered the 2021 NCAA DII tournament undefeated when the unthinkable happened. He lost his first match. Tragedy would strike again when he lost his second match. The returning NCAA DII champion, a senior, failed to place. All seemed over until it was announced that he would get another opportunity, another shot to redeem himself. Thus far this season Mason has 10 victories, 5 of which have been by fall, 4 in the first period. In his three losses, two have been to Division I opponents. I dare not take away anything from the incredibly tough competition that Mason will have to face in this bracket but it is hard to stop a man on a mission.
Two of his toughest opponents are going to be Dalton Abney NCAA DII runner-up of Central Oklahoma and Donnie Negus of Colorado Mesa who took 5th at DII's last season. Depending on how seeding goes, a plausible semi-final match between Abney and Negus is bound to be good. Abney snuck by Negus 2-1 last season.
I think the rest of our place-winners 4th through 8th will be as pictured, although I'm not 100% positive what order they'll finish in. Lake Erie's Chris Droege and Indianapolis's Derek Blubaugh have split, each defeating one another 7-2. That'll be a rematch worth watching.
If you are looking for a sleeper, look no further than Darius Parker of Lander. The Florida native knows how to take just about anyone to the edge & simply needs to take those close matches and figure out a way to win them. He took Abney into the tiebreakers and he gave Droege a heck of a scare in a 9-8 loss.
Two of his toughest opponents are going to be Dalton Abney NCAA DII runner-up of Central Oklahoma and Donnie Negus of Colorado Mesa who took 5th at DII's last season. Depending on how seeding goes, a plausible semi-final match between Abney and Negus is bound to be good. Abney snuck by Negus 2-1 last season.
I think the rest of our place-winners 4th through 8th will be as pictured, although I'm not 100% positive what order they'll finish in. Lake Erie's Chris Droege and Indianapolis's Derek Blubaugh have split, each defeating one another 7-2. That'll be a rematch worth watching.
If you are looking for a sleeper, look no further than Darius Parker of Lander. The Florida native knows how to take just about anyone to the edge & simply needs to take those close matches and figure out a way to win them. He took Abney into the tiebreakers and he gave Droege a heck of a scare in a 9-8 loss.
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