Monday, December 26, 2022

2023 Southern Scuffle Preview = 125 lbs

 


It'll be warmer in Chattanooga than what it'll be in Coralville or Evanston, that's for sure! We have a great tournament ahead of us here as one of our most southern Division I schools host. Let's take a look at 125 lbs. 

#4
Patrick McKee
Minnesota 

The 2021 Southern Scuffle champion returns to defend his title, as he will also most likely take the *1 seed. Patrick Mckee, who is also a two time All American, owns two victories over Trevor Mastrogiovanni by scores of 4-1 & 9-1.  He's also defeated Noah Surtin, 15-8. 

#10
Matt Ramos
Purdue


The move down to 125 lbs from 133 has been quite lucrative for the Boilermaker.  Carrying a 14-2 record into the Scuffle, Matt Ramos recently rook runner-up honors at CKLV. While he hasn't faced any of the competition he'll see here yet, he will be a favorite to make the finals. 

#12 
Trevor Mastrogiovanni
Oklahoma State

Another contender for this year's Southern Scuffle title will be Cowboy Trevor Mastrogiovanni.  He's already proven he can beat last year's champion, as he owns a 10-6 victory over McKee.  He's also defeated Surtin 4-2 & he owns three victories of Kysen Terukina (4-2, 6-4 s.v. & 19-1 t.f. ) 

#14
Noah Surtin
Missouri 


A match away from earning All American honors last season, Noah Surtin was 4th at the Southern Scuffle championships. He is looking to put himself in the All American candidate line & a great showing here at the Scuffle would do just that. Along with a 9-6 victory over Mastrogiovanni, he's defeated Terukina by scores of 2-1 & 5-3 s.v. 

#16
Stevo Poulin
Northern Colorado 


Freshman sensation Stevo Poulin continues to make a name for himself in the collegiate ranks as he carries a 13-0 record into the Southern Scuffle. As he's faced some good competition thus far, the Scuffle will give him a chance to really test himself against some really stiff competition. We'll get to see where he stands amongst the likes of McKee, Mastrogiovanni, Surtin & Ramos. 

#17
Kysen Terukina
Iowa State 

As Dresser & Co continue to renovate and redecorate the Cyclone program, I have been impressed with how much improvement Kysen Terukina has made. Had this been last year's tournament, I wouldn't have predicted him to be within the top 8. This year? I'd be very surprised if he doesn't place.  Among the native Hawaiian's victories a very notable 2-1 decision over Mastrogiovanni. 

#24
Braxton Brown
Maryland 

It's been very heartwarming and rewarding as a collegiate wrestling fan to see so many programs making a gallant effort to improve their wrestling teams. Maryland is one of them & that effort is reflected in a wrestler like Braxton Brown. 5-0 on the season, he's looked sharp with two majors & two pins.  He has a 7-0 victory over Logan Ashton. 



#29
Nico Provo
Stanford 

Another freshman who is looking pretty good this season is Nico Provo who currently carries a 9-2 record. He owns a 10-6 victory over Drew West. 



As to the unranked talent in this bracket?? 

U.R.
Caleb Smith
Appalachian State 


Already a two time 5th placer (19' & 21') you'd be better off trying to remove fish caught in between a conscious great white's teeth than you would be trying to keep Caleb Smith off the award stand. The Mountaineer has often wrestled his best at this very tournament. He owns both an 8-5 victory over McKee & a 12-3 major over Brown. 

U.R. 
Logan Ashton
Chattanooga 

There's something about wrestling on your mats in front of your crowd.  It'd take wrestling at his very best, but as Chattanooga superfan George McIntyre likes to say, "Ashton can be in any match he chooses to be in."  He'll be a contender for a top 12 finish for sure & may even sneak his way into the top 8. 

U.R.
Drew West
Gardner Webb 

The West boys seem to all have in common the fact that they always make you regret overlooking them.  While he seemed to struggle while at Northern Illinois, he's looked better than he has ever looked since the transfer to Gardner Webb. 14-5 on the season, I wouldn't put it past the now Runnin' Bulldog to pull off an upset or two. 


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