157 lbs will be very competitive. Competitive to win. Competitive to make the finals. Competitive to earn a top 8 finish. Competitive to finish within the top 12. A lot of talent in this bracket.
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| #1 Quincy Monday Princeton |
It's very likely that last year's NCAA runner-up will receive the *1 seed & if he doesn't, I can't see him being given anything lower than *2. A favorite to win the Midlands title, it'll be anything but a cakewalk. He'll be challenged throughout the whole tournament. 2 & 3 overall against Josh Humphreys, he owns both an 8-6 & 11-5 win. Undefeated against Will Lewan, his victories are 3-2, 4-1 & 6-3. An 11-6 decision over Peyton Robb, he also owns a 9-6 decision over Anthony Artalona. He was 3rd in these championships in 2019.
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| #2 Peyton Robb Nebraska |
One of our title contenders here will be Peyton Robb. The All American Husker is currently undefeated with a 13-0 record. Among his victories against the competition he has a 5-2 decision over Austin O'Connor, a 3-1 decision over Dazjon Casto & a 17-11 decision over Garrett Model. While it is likely he'll take the *1 or *2 seed, he'll too be challenged throughout the tournament.
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| #5 Austin O'Connor North Carolina |
As of the right here and right now, Austin O'Connor is thought of as one of the top dawgs at 157 lbs. At one time he was thought of as THE top dawg. A three time All American he was 3rd as a freshman, winning an NCAA title in what is now known as his first junior season. His second junior season, injuries saw him slip to an 8th place finish. He wants that top distinction again, & in many ways, that can start here at the Midlands. He owns a 4-3 victory over Humphreys & a 6-4 victory over Josh Keating. Other wins include a 12-4 major over Corbyn Munson, & an 18-8 major over Trevor Chumbley. He's also defeated Model twice by scores of 13-5 & 5-2. Earning a medal would be his third Midlands placing as he was 7th in 2017 & 2nd in 2019.
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| #6 Josh Humphreys Lehigh |
He's one of the best in the nation yet to All American & as far as I'm concerned the two time NCAA R12'er can win this Midlands tournament. He owns an 8-5 decision over Robb & believe it or not, he owns three victories over Monday (13-8, 7-0 & 5-4). He pinned Casto in 3:48. A hammer from the top position, there's no one in this bracket he can't beat.
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| #10 Will Lewan Michigan |
I think it's fair to also call Will Lewan a title contender here. He owns two victories over Robb himself, including a 3-1 s.v. & a 4-3 decision. Other wins include a 5-3 decision over Model & an 8-1 decision over Peter Pappas.
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| #14 Trevor Chumbley Northwestern |
If Trevor Chumbley wants a medal from his home tournament, he's gonna have to earn it. The competition for a top 8 showing will be extraordinarily fierce. Barring upset, injury or the fact that for whatever reason they don't compete here, I think I've already named five of our top eight place-winners. This only leaves three spots left. Chumbley most certainly contends for one of them. He owns a 5-2 decision over Keating.
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| #15 Anthony Artalona Pennsylvania |
In many ways Anthony Artalona is in the same boat as is Humphreys. A two time NCAA R12'er, he has the tools to be an All American this season. What he needs now is a positive experience at the Midlands & knocking off a higher ranked wrestler or two, would be part of that experience. He owns a 3-2 decision over Model & a 3-1 s.v. over Pappas. He was 6th here in 2019.
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| #16 Garrett Model Wisconsin |
Year after year, season after season, Garrett Model keeps getting better and better. While so many seem to let the disappointment of losses keep them from growing on a mental level, Model has trekked right along improving little by little. Now here he is one of the top 20 wrestlers in the nation. Placing at the Midlands tournament, I would think could possibly propel him into the top 12. If not, what it will do is up his confidence, and help him throughout the rest of the season. Tough, tough bracket, hut he's capable of a top 8 finish.
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| #22 Dazjon Casto Pittsburgh |
Dazjon Casto had one heck of a run at last year's NCAA Championships. Knocking off returning champion O'Connor 8-2, he finished one match shy of being an All American. The Midlands championships gives him an opportunity to show the wrestling world he was for real & his 2022 NCAA tournament run was far more than a miracle performance. He has a tall, rocky, rough and cold mountain to climb in order to do so, but he's capable of a strong finish here in Chicago. He also owns a 4:18 fall over Keating.
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| #26 Jake Keating Virginia |
I personally believe that Jake Keating is better than 26th in the nation, but in a sport like wrestling, beliefs are out & results are in. You gotta perform. He's capable of a top 8 finish. He owns a 10-4 decision over Monday as well as a 6-5 decision over Casto & a 12-8 decision over Model.
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| #31 Corbyn Munson Central Michigan |
Another wrestler capable of having a good finish here is Corbyn Munson. While he has wrestled O'Connor in the past, this will be his first time meeting the other top competition within the bracket.
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| #32 Alex Hornfeck West Virginia |
The Mountaineer owns a 7-3 decision over Pappas & will be a contender for a top 12/8 finish.
Unranked talent that could make a splash?
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| U.R. Peter Pappas George Mason |
If you read my stuff often, you know that I'm a big fan of Peter Pappas & the story he's currently living at George Mason. He was 2-5 last season & he's currently 13-1 on the year. His only loss thus far is a sudden victory he faced against Artalona in the finals of the Keystone Classic. In order to finish top 8 here, Pappas is gonna have to wrestle his ass off, but he is capable of it. He owns an 8-5 victory over Model.
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| U.R. Marcus Robinson Cleveland State |
In the search for outta left field, came outta nowhere results, if 157 is gonna have one, I predict that it'll be Marcus Robinson. He's a tournament wrestler who has made the MAC finals twice & pulling off an upset or two is his speciality.
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