2023 NCAA Division III The Season: Stevens Tech

 

The Ducks had an extremely good team last year winning the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC)  team title, the Southeast Regional team title & finishing 5th at the NCAA tournament. They only lose one wrestler from last season, Brett Kaliner a three time All American (3rd in 19' & 3rd in 21' ) who won the national title last year. While his loss will be felt, if others in the lineup step up, the Ducks should have just as good of a showing in 23' as they had in 22'. 

125 lbs
Akhil Vega 

An NCAA Division III qualifier in 2020, Vega slipped to a 7th place finish at the Southeast Regional this past season. A MAC runner-up, he will look to regain his qualification status in what will be his final season as a Duck. 

133 lbs
Luke Hoerle

An NCAA Division III qualifier in 2021 as a freshman, Luke Hoerle missed out on qualification #2 by one match last season. Going 23-11 he was 4th in the Southeast Regional. 

141 lbs
Kyle Slendorn 

Kyle Slendorn had a fantastic season last year as a junior as he earned his third NCAA DIII qualification and his second All American honor. A MAC champion & a Southeast Regional champion he once again took 4th place at the national tournament. This season he should contend for a spot in the NCAA DIII finals. 

157 lbs
Hunter Gutierrez

An MAC runner-up this past season, Hunter Gutierrez was one match shy of NCAA Division III qualification when he finished 4th at the Southeast Regional. He went 29-10 on the year. 

165 lbs
Harrison Hinojosa or Nick Boggiano 

I believe we will have ourselves a tough wrestle-off at 165 lbs. Harrison Hinojosa went 20-12 on the season last year as freshman earning a 6th place finish at the Southeast Regional.  Boggiano a NCAA DIII qualifier in 2021 was 17-5, earning a 3rd place finish at the MAC championships.  Among his notable wins Scott DeFex and Garrett Cornell. 

174 lbs
Stefan Major or Joel Martsinovsky 

You'd think being as good as Stefan Major, having won the MAC title & the Southeast Regional title while placing 7th at the NCAA Division III championships that you wouldn't have to worry about losing your spot. Yet he will be challenged as he was last season by Joel Martsinovsky.  Thus far Major has won all meetings, but they have all been close. A 5-2, a 7-5 & a a 3-2 decision. Many times a wrestler is often as good as he is because of how hard he is being pushed in the room. This classic example here. 

184 lbs
Frank Medina 

Frank Medina is another Duck who finished one match shy of NCAA Division III qualification last season. He was a runner-up at the MAC championships posting a 27-12 record. 

=== 

I think it's a realistic as well as a fair expectation to think that everyone listed here could be an NCAA Division III qualifier. I am curious to see if maybe there might be some weight adjustments. You have very good wrestlers at 165 & 174, so is there a chance that maybe some might move up a weight in order to make room for more talent in the starting lineup?  Don't know, but I am anxious to find out. 

==== 

If you enjoy Johnnythompsonnum1 & would like to see further coverage of your favorite college wrestling teams and college wrestlers please consider donating to Johnnythompsonnum1. Thus far generous donations have allowed me to purchase a camera & I hope to further my ability to cover more events and grow the coverage I do for wrestling. Send donation via Venmo to Stephen-Stonebraker-1