2023 NCAA DI The Season: Maryland

 

Let's be real here for a second. The past five years haven't been all that great for Maryland Wrestling. We can be honest about that right? That's an accurate statement. There were positives last year that give reason to be optimistic about the future. The Terrapins did a good job on recruiting & I think that'll reflect with some of their redshirt freshmen this season. Only thing that doesn't make sense to me right now, is the current whereabouts of Kyle Cochran.  He most certainly has one more year of eligibility if not two. He looked outstanding various times last season & even gave Maryland a hope for an All American. I do think this will be a turning year for the program & it'd be all the more so if Cochran was back. 

125 lbs
Braxton Brown 

Among those redshirt freshman to look forward to I was speaking of, Braxton Brown is one of them. 16-5 on the season last year he had victories over Jacob Allen of Navy, Luke Werner of Lock Haven & Jace Koelzer of Northern Colorado. 

149 lbs
Ethan Miller 

26-6 on the season last year, add Ethan Miller to the list of Maryland's redshirt freshmen to look out for. Among his notable victories, Anthony White of Rutgers & a tech fall over Anthony Brito of Appalachian State. 

165 lbs
John Martin Best 

He didn't wrestle a full season last year, but I am anxious to see what he'll do when he does. Among his victories thus far, John Martin Best has bested Alex Facundo of Penn State. 

174 lbs
Dominic Solis 

An NCAA qualifier for the Terrapins last season, Dominic Solis had victories over Illinois's D.J. Shannon & Oklahoma's (Purdue's) Gerrit Nijenhuis. 

197 lbs
Jaxon Smith 

And here is the redshirt freshman I am most excited to see this season for Maryland. 23-6 on the season last year Jaxon Smith had impressive wins over Matt Correnti of Rider & Garrett Joles of Minnesota. 

HWT 
Jaron Smith 

A career plagued by injuries I was very happy to see that Jaron Smith was awarded a medical hardship for an extra year of eligibility. The 2022 NCAA qualifier was 20-15 on the season last year & will be a leader among a very young Terrapin wrestling team. 

2023 NCAA DI The Season: Harvard

 

With the continued growth & success of Princeton wrestling I am dying to see Harvard make the same leaps & bounds. If you've been reading me for a while, you know that I long for the glory days of Harvard wrestling. There was a time when we had the Jesse Jantzens, the J.P. O'Connors, the Bode Ogunwoles, & the Max Meltzers. I want to see those days again. Our society may not value academic honor anymore, but by God I do. I think it rules when schools kick ass in both the classroom & on the mat. As far as I'm concerned I think this can be the start of the rejuvenation of Harvard wrestling.  They have two on their team more than capable of All American honors this season. 

125 lbs
Beau Bayless

16-13 on the season last year at 125 lbs, Beau Bayless was one match shy of placing at CKLV & 5th in the EIWA. Anxious to see how he does eight pounds up. 

141 lbs
Michael Jaffe 

Expect the unexpected. The inconsistent & unpredictable Michael Jaffe returns for his final season as a member of the Crimson. Is NCAA qualification in store? I don't know. A second EIWA placing is definitely within his doing though.  8th in 2021, I would expect him to once again make the award stand. 

157 lbs
Trevor Tarsi 

I definitely think Trevor Tarsi can earn NCAA qualification this season. 8th in the EIWA last season he had impressive wins over Cody Bond of Appalachian State, Nick Palumbo of Sacred Heart & Parker Kropman of Drexel. 

165 lbs
Joshua Kim 

15-12 on the season Joshua Kim threw me off guard when he failed to place at the EIWA championships. Now down at 165 lbs, not only do I think he'll earn that top 8 conference showing, I think he'll prove himself an NCAA qualifier as well.  

174 lbs
Philip Conigliaro

Harvard is due for an All American, & here's one of the two Crimson who could very well achieve that status this season. An EIWA champion last season, he was 3rd in 2020.  A Mat Men Open runner-up he was 6th in the CKLV. 

HWT 
Yaraslau Slavikouski 

Here's another member of the Crimson that could very well earn All American honors & for that matter an EIWA title this season. An EIWA runner-up in 2020, he was 4th in the Midlands in 2020. 

2023 NCAA DI The Season: Navy

 *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.”  

Things continue to improve under the leadership of Cary Kolat at Navy. A program that has challenges beyond that of many of the other teams in NCAA DI wrestling, the Midshipmen are finding ways to be competitive throughout in season tournaments such as CKLV as well as both the EIWA & the NCAA. I think six NCAA qualifiers is very doable this season.  Gone is Jacob Allen a 2021 EIWA runner-up & I am not sure on the current status of John Birchmeier a NCAA qualifier in 2021. 

133 lbs
Josh Koderhandt 

A very nice season for sophomore Josh Koderhandt last season. Going 26-10, he earned a 5th place finish at CKLV & a runner-up finish at the EIWA championships. Among his most impressive victories, he defeated Purdue's Matt Ramos on two occasions 7-0 & 7-2. 

157 lbs
Andrew Cerniglia 

A two time NCAA qualifier for the Midshipmen, Andrew Cerniglia has thus far had finishes of 3rd & 2nd in the EIWA, as well as placing 8th at the CKLV last season.  I believe this season he will challenge for both a EIWA title as well as All American honors. Among his victories a 6-5 decision of Pittsburgh's (The Citadel's) Dazjon Casto, both a 10-4 & 4-2 decision of Army's Markus Hartman & a 2:52 fall over Josh Humphreys of Lehigh. 

165 lbs
Val Park 

23-17 on the season last year, Val Park came up one match shy of a medal at CKLV & then one match shy of qualification at the EIWA championships.  I believe in what will be his final season as a Midshipmen he will prevail in both this season.  Victories to indicate potential include David Ferrante of Northwestern, Adam Santoro of Cornell & Brian Meyer of Lehigh. 

184 lbs
David Key 

A bad EIWA championships last season for David Key who was a EIWA runner-up in 2021. That happens sometimes, but nevertheless despite the disappointment at conference he still had some shining moments throughout the season.  Among his victories a 10-4 decision of Layne Malczweski of Michigan State, a 3-2 decision of Charles Small of Hofstra, a 5-2 decision of Zach Lehman of Ohio & a 3-0 decision of Max Wohlabaugh of Clarion.  

197 lbs
Jake Koser 

Senior Jake Koser goes into his senior season a two time NCAA qualifier having back to back 3rd place showings at the EIWA championships.  A match away from placing at CKLV last season, he will in contention for a medal this season. I'd also call him an All American candidate, his most impressive victory a 8-0 major decision over Cam Caffey of Michigan State. 

HWT 
 Ryan Catka OR Grady Griess

24-9 on the season, Ryan Catka looked good throughout various parts of the 21'-22' but he'll have his hands full trying to keep his spot with challenger Grady Griess also wanting a shot at the varsity. Griess had some very impressive wins last year including sticking MAC runner-up Isaac Reid of Lock Haven in 4:15 & handling Hunter Catka of Virginia Tech 7-3. 

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. 

2023 NCAA DI The Season: West Virginia

 *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.” 

 
2022-2023 looks to be a great season for the Mountaineers as I can see them sending nearly their entire squad to the NCAA championships.  Only weight that at the moment seems questionable is 197.  Other than that, they have top 33 or better talent at each weight class.  Gone is the unpredictable Caleb Rea who has decided to finish his career at Cleveland State & I am not sure of the whereabouts of Luke Karam. 

125 lbs
Killian Cardinale 

16-3 on the season, Killian Cardinale earned a runner-up finish at the Southern Scuffle & a BIG 12 championship as he fell one match shy of his second All American honor having placed 7th in 2021. This season the senior look for titles at both the Scuffle & the BIG 12 as he battles the field at 125 one of the candidates to make the NCAA finals. 

133 lbs
Cole Manley 

From Virginia Tech to Lock Haven to West Virginia the career of Cole Manley hasn't turned out as one would have hoped but IT. AIN'T. OVER. YET.   He's still got one more season left & A LOT can happen in a single season. Thus far he's earned some impressive victories.  A 7-4 victory over All American Devan Turner of Oregon State. A 4-3 victory over Jaret Lane of Lehigh. A 7-1 victory over Richie Kohler of Rider & a 14-2 major of Mosha Schwartz of Oklahoma. He also owns a 5th place finish from 2020 at the Southern Scuffle.  A BIG 12 medal & an NCAA qualification? I believe so. 

141 lbs
Jordan Titus OR Jeff Boyd 

20-7 on the year, I would expect some good things out of Jordan Titus this season, if he makes the varsity.  Challenging him in what should be an excellent wrestle-off will be sophomore Jeff Boyd, 16-16 on the year at 149 lbs. He had an impressive showing at the Southern Scuffle, earning an 8th place finish. 

149 lbs
Sam Hillegas 

A top 8 BIG 12 finish & a NCAA qualification for Virginia Tech transfer Sam Hillegas? I believe so.

157 lbs

Alex Hornfeck OR Caleb Dowling 

8th at the Southern Scuffle, junior Alex Hornfeck finished one match shy of NCAA qualification.  Among his victories last season, he beat 2021 All American Wyatt Sheets 7-1.  It wasn't the first time he beat the Cowboy either, he also owns a 6-3 victory as well.   He will be challenged for the varsity position by Caleb Dowling who has victories over Nick Delp of Bucknell as well as Trevor Elfvin of Clarion.  Should be a good wrestle-off. 

165 lbs
Peyton Hall 

Still only a sophomore by COVID-19 standards, Peyton Hall is well on his way to being one of the greatest Mountaineers of all time. Thus far A runner-up at the BIG 12's as well as the Southern Scuffle, he was 8th in the nation this past year.  

174 lbs 
Dennis Robin OR Scott Joll 

Here's another good wrestle-off to look forward to for West Virginia.  Dennis Robin an NCAA qualifier this past season went 13-7 with some impressive victories.  Pinning Joel Devine of Iowa State in the first period, he defeated Tristan Wills of Little Rock 9-6 & Sam Wolf of Air Force 4-2.  Scott Joll 16-7 on the season, was one match shy of placement at the Southern Scuffle. 

184 lbs
Anthony Carman 

17 wins on the season last year, Anthony Carman was R12 at the Southern Scuffle with notable wins over David Key of Navy & Cade King of South Dakota State. 

HWT
Michael Wolfgram 

I definitely feel that Michael Wolfgram has the talent & ability to become an All American before his career is all said & done. He simply needs to hone in on his skills & work on his weaknesses. The guy has a lot of strengths, including incredible size & well...strength.  20-11 on the season, he defeated Brandon Metz of North Dakota State twice & he also owns a win over Owen Trephan of North Carolina State.

2023 NCAA DI The Season: Binghamton

 *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.”  

It amazes me how much history is going to be made this wrestling season. Among the many great things we'll see, Binghamton has the chance to crown their first four time EIWA champion. Along with this amazing milestone, I see the Bearcats qualifying at least six to the NCAA championships.  Gone is four time EIWA place-winner & two time NCAA qualifier Joe Doyle.  I'm not sure of the current status of Zack Trampe, a two time NCAA qualifier who I believe has another year of eligibility left. 

125 lbs
Micah Roes 

An NCAA qualifier in 2021, Micah Roes took a 4th place finish at the EIWA championships. He will once again contend for NCAA qualification this season. 

133 lbs
Anthony Sobotker

15-14 on the season last year I believe Anthony Sobotker can not only earn a top 8 EIWA finish this season but also make the NCAA championships. Impressive wins include falls over Sammy Alvarez of Rutgers & Anthony Mininno of Drexel as well as a 5-4 decision of Purdue's Matt Ramos. 

149 lbs
Ryan Anderson 

Former NCAA DIII wrestler Ryan Anderson had a pretty respectable 14-8 record last season in his first attempt at NCAA DI wrestling. 6th in the EIWA, he had impressive wins over both Thomas Deck of Army & Matt Kazimir of Columbia. 

174 lbs
Brevin Cassella 

Sophomore Brevin Cassella earned his fist NCAA qualification last season with a 5th place finish at the EIWA championships. His most impressive win, a 9-0 major decision of Columbia's Josh Ogunsanya. 165 all of last year, this season he bumps up to 174. 

184 lbs
Jacob Nolan 

Two time NCAA qualifier Jacob Nolan will go for his third qualification this season. 20-15 on the season last year, he was 4th in the EIWA. 

197 lbs
Louie DePrez 

The leader of the pack, Louie DePrez has a golden opportunity this season to become the Bearcats first four time EIWA champion. Along with this outstanding milestone, he will also be looking for his second All American honor, having placed 8th in 2021. 5th-6th-7th at the CKLV he'll be looking for a fourth medal there & with 3rd & 1st place finishes thus far as the Southern Scuffle, add another title he may win there. 96 victories thus far, he'll go well beyond win #100. 

HWT 
Cory Day 

13-8 on the season, Cory Day will be looking for another EIWA top 8 finish as he finished in 8th place last year. 

2023 NCAA DI The Season: Appalachian State

 *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.”  

While the competition will always be tough, I can honestly see the Mountaineers completely owning the SOCON in the lower & middle weights this season. If Appalachian State were to take home individual SOCON titles from 125 through 165 it would not surprise me at all.  While the upper-weights aren't near as tough, Appalachian State has it going on in the first six weight classes.   Gone is three time SOCON champion Codi Russell who also had Southern Scuffle finishes of 5th & 6th.  Thomas Flitz, a three time SOCON finalist who finally won a title last season.  I also am not sure of the whereabouts of 2021 SOCON champion Anthony Brito. 

125 lbs
Caleb Smith 

I would definitely say that Caleb Smith is the front-runner for a SOCON title this season at 125 lbs. 24-8 on the season, the sophomore has thus far taken two 5th place finishes at the Southern Scuffle. 

133 lbs
Sean Carter 

It'll be a battle to over come Chattanooga's Brayden Palmer, who owns a 3-1 tiebreaker win over him, but 2021 SOCON champion Sean Carter is definitely in the discussion for title #2 this season.  15-7 on the year last year, he was 7th at the Southern Scuffle in 2020. 

141 lbs
Heath Gonyer

25-9 on the season, a match away from placing at the Southern Scuffle, Heath Gonyer was a SOCON runner-up.  In battles thus far with Campbell's Shannon Hanna, he's lost tight sudden victory & tiebreaker decisions. It'll be fun to see how the war between them unfolds this season. 

149 lbs
Jonathan Millner 

What a list of opportunities that lie ahead for senior Jonathan Millner.  Thus far 8th & 6th in the nation, he has the opportunity to become the Mountaineers first ever three time NCAA DI All American. Thus far a three time SOCON champion, he has the opportunity to become the Mountaineers first ever four time SOCON champion.  92 varsity wins thus far, an opportunity to surpass 100.  With all of these accomplishments thus far, he was also 4th in the Southern Scuffle in 2020. 

157 lbs
Cody Bond 

19-8 on the season last year, Cody Bond a SOCON champion in 2021, was a SOCON runner-up last year. I'd look for him to add title #2 this season. 

165 lbs
Will Formato 

Two time NCAA qualifier Will Formato has thus far been 3rd the past two seasons in the SOCON championships. A record of 4-2 overall vs Gardner Webb's R.J. Mosley, I would think that will be our final this season, favoring Formato.  23-8 on the season he also had an impressive 4th place finish at the Southern Scuffle.