2023 NAIA The Season: St Thomas

 

The Bobcats crowned their first NAIA qualifier in only their second season on the mat & under the tutelage of head coach Jake Patacsil, a former All American at Purdue, there will be many other firsts as the years progress. I think St Thomas is capable of qualifying up to three wrestlers to the NAIA championships this season and having a wrestler that can contend for both All American honors as well as a spot in the conference finals. 

141 lbs 
David Pierson

Finishing 4th at the Mid South Conference South (MSCS) tournament last season, sophomore David Pierce strikes me as one who could possibly be an NAIA qualifier for the Bobcats this season. 

174 lbs
Michael Abidin 

Taking 3rd place at the MSCS last season, Michael Abidin became the first Bobcat to qualify for the NAIA championships. He went 2-2.  I believe that he'll make more history this season in his final year of collegiate wrestling. A chance to become the Bobcat's first two time qualifier, their first MSCS finalists and perhaps even their first All American. 

184 lbs
Jessiah Garcia-Contreras 

Senior Jessiah Garcia-Contreras strikes me as another wrestler who could potentially qualify for the NAIA championships this season. He finished 3rd in the conference last season with a respectable record.