Tuesday, August 23, 2022

2023 NCAA Division II The Season: Indianapolis

 


Second in the Midwest Classic, 2nd in the Super Region IV & 6th in the NCAA Division II, the Greyhounds of Indianapolis made up of almost entirely wrestlers from Indiana, once again prove that although the Hoosier state claims basketball as their sport, they have a good representation of wrestling talent. The Greyhounds return seven NCAA Division II qualifiers, four of which were All Americans & two of which were DII finalists. We're looking at a very, very good team. 

133 lbs
Breyden Bailey OR Chase Wilkerson 

I don't know if either one of these two talents have the ability to go down to 125 lbs or not, but if they do, then the Greyhounds have a probability of sending an entire squad to the NCAA Division II tournament this season. Bailey, a Scholar All American, was 3rd in the Super Region IV last season, going 19-7 on the year. Wilkerson, was 5th in the Super Region in 2020. 

141 lbs
Ray Rioux 

Ray Rioux had himself a pretty respectable freshman season last year going 15-11, placing 5th at the Super Region IV.  You know being in a room full of the talent that is the Greyhound practice room, he's bound to improve and get better. 

149 lbs
Logan Bailey 

Another Bailey on the team, Logan Bailey goes into his junior season now a two time NCAA Division II qualifier, who was 6th in the nation last season after posting runner-up finish at the Super Region IV. He was also 7th in the Midwest Classic. 36-8 on the year. 

157 lbs
Dawson Combest

Dawson Combest enters his junior season a two time All American. 7th in NCAA Division II last season, he was 4th in 2021.  3rd-2nd-3rd so far in the Super Region IV, he will look to earn both a Region title & a third All American honor this season. 

165 lbs
Jack Eiteljorge 

Two time Region champion Jack Eiteljorge, went 20-8 on the season & also placed 4th at the Midwest Classic. He will look to win a third Region title & contend for NCAA Division II All American honors this season. 

174 lbs
Andrew Sams 

The sole foreigner on the team, Ohio native Andrew Sams will contend for an NCAA Division II title this season. An NCAA Division II runner-up last season, he was 5th in the nation in 2021. A 31-5 record, he also won the coveted Midwest Classic championship. 

184 lbs
Gleason Mappes 

An NCAA Division II qualifier in 20' & 21', Gleason Mappes missed out on a third qualification last season when he finished 4th at the Super Region IV. He will look to reclaim qualification status in what will be his final season as a Greyhound. 

197 lbs
Derek Blubaugh 

Only a sophomore, Derek Blubaugh went 30-7 on the season last year, collecting silver medals everywhere he went. Second in the Midwest Classic, he was 2nd as the Super Region IV & 2nd at teh NCAA Division II Championships. It seems he can figure out and beat absolutely everyone other than Central Oklahoma's Dalton Abney. Abney has proven to be his Achilles heel. Abney as of right now, is the only thing standing between Blubaugh and an NCAA DII title. 

HWT
Cale Gray 

Another tough sophomore for the Greyhounds, Cale Grey went 21-10 on the season last year collecting a 4th place finish at the Midwest Classic & a runner-up finish at the Super Region IV. 




















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