The Hilltoppers lost some tremendous talent from last season due to graduation. Among those now gone, three time NCAA Division II All American/Two Time Champion Cole Laya who won back to back titles in 21' & 22'. Four time All American Tyler Warner who won national titles in 19' & 21', placing 7th in 18' & 4th in 22'. Three time NCAA Division II finalist Connor Craig who won a title in 19'. Logan Kemp who despite injuries throughout his career still qualified for nationals four times & earned an 8th place finish. Also gone is 21' qualifier Chase Morgan & Christian Rivera who finished one match from qualifying last season. When I say the Hilltoppers lost some talent from the 22'-23', I mean it. On the same hand though, West Liberty returns some top talent & as a top program often does they will continue to recruit as well as develop talent.
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| 141 lbs Marcus Jean-Baptiste |
Now that Tyler Warner has graduated, I see Marcus Jean-Baptiste taking over the starting role at 141 lbs. Baptiste was 4th in the Super Region III in 2021, finishing one match shy of NCAA Division II qualification. He should be a qualifier for the Hilltoppers this season.
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| 149 lbs Jordan Watters OR Alec Cook |
Jordan Watters finished out the season at 12-5 with a runner-up finish at the Super Region III & a NCAA Division II qualification. Providing himself as an excellent backup will be Alec Cook who won 15 matches on the season. Perhaps now that Christian Rivera has graduated, one of these two talents may move up to 157 lbs.
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| 174 lbs Ty McGeary |
One of the top returnees from last season for the Hilltoppers will be Ty McGeary. In a 27-2 season the junior took home titles at both the Mountain East Conference tournament as well as the Super Region III. He was 3rd in the nation at the NCAA Division II Championships earning All American status.
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| HWT Francesco Borsellino |
Another standout wrestler for the Hilltoppers, Francesco Borsellinio is also a star defensive lineman on the football team. An All American in 2021 with a 7th place finish at the NCAA DII's, he won a Super Region III title as well as a Mountain East Conference title this past season.
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