2023 NCAA Division III The Season: Castleton

 

Vermont is definitely not a state we bring up very much when discussing wrestling but I'm telling you this small little college just 7 miles east of the New York border has pretty tough team. Two of their top wrestlers from last season did graduate in Northeast Regional runner-up/NCAA DIII R12 Cooper Fleming as well Chance LaPier who was 5th at the Northeast Regional. However, they do return an All American and have an overall lineup that is more than capable of seeing Regional place-winners at nearly every weight. 

125 
Kaya Bogle 

The Massachusetts native went 25-9 last season & will definitely compete hard throughout duals, tournaments and the regional this season. 

133 lbs
Michael Gonyea 

Going 38-8 last season, Michael Gonyea took a 5th place finish at the Northeast Regional. He is definitely a contender for NCAA Division III qualification this year. 

141 lbs
James Rodriguez 

The leader of the Spartan team this season will be junior James Rodriguez who earned an 8th place All American finish at the NCAA Division III championships after placing 3rd at the Northeast Regional. He will look to win a Regional title this season & earn his second top 8 finish at the national tournament. 

149 lbs
Nicholas Roeger 

The New Hampshire native went 32-14 last season capturing a 6th place finish at the Northeast Regional. While not a guarantee, I would put him in the running for an NCAA Division III qualification this season. Such a small # of the wrestlers in NCAA DIII make it to the national tournament, but he's among those that could. 

157 lbs
Logan Dubuque 

I was a little surprised when Logan Dubuque fell out of the top 8 at the Northeast Regional last season, but he lost two really close matches that kept him off of the award stand. I am pretty positive that will not be the case this season & we will see him earn a Regional medal. 

165 lbs
Michael Angers 

Like Gonyea, I would place Angers who took 5th at the Northeast Regional on a 32-9 record last season as one who is more than capable of earning NCAA DIII qualification this year. 

184 lbs
Alex Richards or Sampson Wilkins 

I think this will be one of the better wrestle-offs at the NCAA Division III level for this upcoming season.  A very tough sophomore Vs a very tough junior.  Richards, a native of New York went 32-8 last season as Wilkins one of the few actual Vermont representatives went 34-11. Whoever wins this matchup will for sure contend for a top 8 showing within the Regional. 

197 lbs
Haven Tatarek

Replacing a talent like Chance LaPier will not be easy but I think Haven Tatarek will fill in nicely. 

HWT 
Shea Garand 

The Massachusetts native went 30-14 last season in route to a 7th place finish at the Northeast Regional. He we look to earn a second Regional medal this season. 

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