2023 NCAA Division III The Season: North Central

 

Another top team in NCAA Division III wrestling, The Cardinals of North Central are a mixture of youth & upperclassmen that look to have another outstanding season. Gone is two time NCAA Division III champion Cody Baldridge as four qualifiers return, three of which were All Americans and one of which was a national champion. Recruiting locally, nearly all of the top returnees are from Illinois. 

133 lbs
Robbie Precin 

2022 National champion, 2021 NCAA Division III runner-up Robbie Precin has lost exactly twice in his varsity career while winning 85 matches. While nothing is a guarantee in this sport if going undefeated is your thing, Precin is your man. He didn't lose a match last season & he's likely not to lose a match this season either. 

141 lbs
Javen Estrada 

Sophomore Javen Estrada had himself a very respectable freshman season last year going 24-5 on the season, taking runner-up honors at the Lower Midwest Regional. He will look to win a region title this season & earn his first All American honor. 

149 lbs
Alex Villar 

Junior Alex Villar put together an impressive 37-7 record last season capturing a fourth place finish at the NCAA Division III championships. He will look to earn a second top 8 finish this season. 

157 lbs
Cole Cervantes 

A bit of a disappointment to last season's end for Cole Cervantes. Earning All American honors of 8th in 2021, he finished one match shy of qualification last year when he took 4th in the Lower Midwest Regional. A 26-9 record, he will look to reclaim his status as a top 8 wrestler this season. 

165 lbs
Payton Geigner

Ups and downs for Payton Geigner in his freshman campaign as a Cardinal which saw 27 wins against 16 losses and a 5th place finish at the Lower Midwest Regional. As have so many on the North Central team, his improvements should show throughout the season. A high probability he'll be an NCAA Division III qualifier this year. 

174 lbs
Joey Jens 

Another sophomore who was but a hair from qualifying for the NCAA Division III championships last year as a freshman. Going 30-10 overall, Jens finished 4th in the Lower Midwest Regional. A tremendous upside, he too will fight hard for qualification this season. 

HWT
Robby Bates 

Junior Robby Bates had himself a very nice season last year. A 32-12 record, the only losses that weren't going to turn into wins were the lopsided ones against foreseeable NCAA Division III champion Kaleb Reeves of Coe. Other than Reeves, I think Bates is capable of beating anyone, and could possibly make the NCAA Division III finals this season.  

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