2023 NCAA DI The Season: Minnesota

 *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.”  

First and foremost I don't know if we'll ever seen another HWT like Gable Steveson ever again. 90-2 during his collegiate career with two NCAA titles & both PAN-AMERICAN as well as Olympic Gold while he was still in college. The jury is out, but even if he's not THE greatest HWT of all time, he is certainly one of them. WWE, Hollywood, Professional football, more international success, whatever he does it certainly won't be quiet. We'll be hearing about him & his triumphs for a long time to come. 

As to the 22'-23' Golden Gophers I think we're looking at a great team. Only question mark at this time as far as I'm concerned is HWT.  From 125-197, I think we're looking at 9 NCAA qualifiers regardless of who starts. 

125 lbs
Pat McKee

There's something about Minnesota 125'ers and the post season. Bobbe Lowe, Zach Sanders & now Pat McKee. During the season you may see them take some lumps, but once we get into the post season, it's show time. At 74 wins, I think he's forseeable that McKee might reach win #100 this season. The junior has earned All American status twice thus far in his career with a 3rd place finish in 2021 & a 5th place finish this past year. A Southern Scuffle champion this past year as well, I wouldn't put making the NCAA finals past him. He's very capable of it. 

133 lbs
Aaron Nagao OR Vance Vombaur OR Jake Gliva 

Anyway you slice it, regardless of who wins the varsity spot, we're looking at a very good wrestler at 133 lbs for Minnesota.  I know a lot already have their minds made up that it'll be Aaron Nagao. He's more than proven himself already with a very impressive 2nd place showing at last year's Southern Scuffle. Impressive wins over Codi Russell of Appalachian State, Kellyn March of North Dakota State & Corey Cabanban of Iowa State.  However, it's way too soon to count out Vance Vombaur. He was pretty impressive himself last season going 13-3. Wins over Kyle Biscoglia, Julian Farber, Jack Wager & Jack Skudlarczyk, one thing is for sure, he'll probably win if you send him out there against Northern Iowa. Let's also not forget about Jake Gliva, who can be tough when he wants to. He has a 5-3 victory over Vombaur. 

141 lbs
Jake Bergeland OR Marcos Polanco 

Senior Jake Bergeland was very impressive last season. 23-9 on the season he captured a 7th place finish at CKLV, a 3rd place finish at the BIG 10's & a 7th place finish at the NCAA's. He really stepped it up a notch & wrestled his heart out.  With that said, he's still gonna have to earn his position this season, as a hungry Marcos Polanco an NCAA qualifier himself in 2021 will be challenging him for the spot. Bergeland owns an official victory over Polanco 6-4 s.v. 

149 lbs
Michael Blockhus 

I spoke of how much Jake Bergeland impressed me last year with his improvements. I can potentially see the same thing out of Michael Blockhus this season.  A two time CKLV place-winner, 6th in 2020, 8th this past season, he has proven his ability to wrestle well in high pressure situations. 149 is no easier this year than it was last, but hey this is NCAA DI wrestling, you're always going to be among the very best. 

157 lbs
Brayton Lee 

If there's anything I hate in collegiate wrestling it is injuries. I hate injuries with a passion. Hated, hated, hated seeing Brayton Lee go out last season with an injury. Hate that. An All American with a 6th place finish, I would place Lee in the category for potential NCAA Champion. A CKLV champion he has wins over Jared Franek of NDSU, Kaleb Young of Iowa, Peyton Robb of Nebraska, Will Lewan of Michigan, Kendall Coleman of Purdue and Jarrett Jacques of Missouri. NCAA title contender? If he's 100%? You bet your wild donkey. 

165 lbs
Andrew Sparks OR Cael Carlson 

In all of the great wrestle-offs that we will witness this season, this is one of my favorites. 2021 NCAA qualifier Andrew Sparks Vs 2022 NCAA qualifier Cael Carlson, who was also 3rd in the Southern Scuffle. The last time these two met in an official match, Sparks took a 5-3 decision. This will be a great match. 

174 lbs
Bailee O'Reilly 

Two time NCAA qualifier Bailee O'Reilly I think is capable of some big things in his final season as a Golden Gopher. He looked exceptionally tough at last year's Southern Scuffle capturing a 3rd place finish. I wouldn't put earning All American honors past him. 

184 lbs
Isaiah Salazar 

An NCAA qualifier for the Gophers last season, Salazar went 15-7 on the season. Still has three seasons of eligibility left. 

197 lbs
Michial Foy OR Garrett Joles 

Senior Michial Foy earned 16 victories last season & earned NCAA qualification. Among his wins his most impressive was a 9-3 victory over Tanner Sloan of South Dakota State but he had other impressive wins including a 5-2 victory over Garrett Hoffman & a 5-1 victory over Jaron Smith. I could see him at this point being a darkhorse All American. With that said, he'll have to over come Garrett Joles for the starting spot first. Joles was able to stick Owen Pentz of North Dakota State last season. When you pin a guy known for pinning, that's saying something.