2023 NCAA DI The Season: Lock Haven

 *NOTE* - I want to make it clear what this is and what this is not.  What this is NOT is an overview of the entire team. What this is, is a who’s who preview of THIS season 2022-2023. Meaning that I am going to talk about the starters who I feel will have an impact THIS year. Those who will win big matches in duals. Those who will earn placings in major tournaments like CKLV, RENO, MIDLANDS, MATMEN INVITE, SOUTHERN SCUFFLE, CONFERENCES & NCAA’s.  In some cases a weight class will have multiple talented wrestlers. I will note that & I will also be making posts later on about the best wrestle-offs to look forward to this season.  Then after that is determined I will make post later into the season of who our best backups are in the nation.

This post will NOT include redshirts. Those who are redshirting this season will be included in a separate post entitled “22’-23’ Best Redshirts.” 

 
Under the leadership of Coach Moore the Eagles of Lock Haven continue to be on the rise. I can see as many as eight of the white & crimson making the NCAA championships this season. A young team, not a single senior on the roster, making headway for a bright future.  Gone is Ben Barton who ended his collegiate career with conference titles in both the SOCON & the MAC. Also gone is Luke Werner who despite losing his varsity position last season, still have an impressive collegiate career over all.  A runner up in the EWL & a MAC 3rd place finisher he placed twice at the Southern Scuffle with finishes of 4th & 2nd.  Cole Manley has transferred to West Virginia. 

125 lbs
Anthony Noto 

Only a sophomore Anthony Noto had an outstanding freshman season last year going 31-3 on the year, winning a MAC title. While surpassing the likes of Cary Kolat may be a tall order, I look for Noto to be one of the best Eagles of all time by the time his career is said & done. 

133 lbs
Gable Strickland 

Missing out on NCAA qualification last season, I believe Gable Strickland, another tough sophomore will make the dance this year.  19-13 on the season he was 3rd at the MAC, with impressive wins over Malyke Hines of Lehigh & Cole Rhone of Bloomsburg. 

149 lbs
DaShawn Farber 

An NCAA qualifier last season, DaShawn Farber really came alive by year's end. A 4:37 fall over Clarion's Brent Moore, he had a 5-1 decision of Anthony Cheloni of Northern Illinois & a 3-2 decision of Alec Hagan of Ohio. 

157 lbs
Avery Bassett 

24-9 on the season, Lock Haven picks up George Mason transfer Avery Bassett. The Sophomore was 7th in the MAC last year, with an impressive 6-4 sudden victory over Nick Palumbo of Sacred Heart. 

165 lbs
Ashton Eyler 

An MAC runner-up last season, I believe Ashton Eyler will challenge for the MAC title this year. 31-11 on the season, he holds victories over Caleb Fish of Michigan State, Joe Grello of Oklahoma, Riley Smucker of Cleveland State, & Kolby Ho of Clarion. 

174 lbs
Tyler Stoltzfus 

22-14 on the season, Tyler Stoltzfus was 7th at the MAC championships last season. 

184 lbs
Colin Fegley

6th in the MAC last season, sophomore Colin Fegley had many impressive victories that suggest he will contend for NCAA qualification this season.  Among his wins, DeAndre Nassar of Cleveland State, Ethan Ducca of Edinboro & Zach Lehman of Ohio. 

HWT 
Isaac Reid 

An MAC runner-up this past season, I believe Isaac Reid will be the front-runner for an MAC title this season. 27-6 on the year, he had victories over Virginia Tech's Quinn Miller, Iowa State's Sam Schuyler & Oklahoma's Josh Heindselman.