And again, a reminder that to my understanding Iowa & Northern Iowa starters will be at the Soldier Salute and Iowa State starters will be at the Southern Scuffle. Who knows if that will be the actual situation or not, but it makes the most sense if you go based off of official schedules.
That out of the way, the race for a HWT Midlands title is among the most exciting of the tournament. As far as I'm concerned we have four legit title contenders & a darkhorse among them. The other three spots on the award stand will be a war & we'll get to see some of the best of our heavy artillery.
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| #4 Cohlton Schultz Arizona State |
The Sun Devil started the season off the heavy favorite to win this year's HWT NCAA title, but then proved himself to be more vulnerable than originally thought at CKLV. Now he has a chance to redeem himself & show how dominant he can be here at the Midlands. It will be as challenging as was Vegas. Against the competition he owns an 18-5 major over Jacob Slinger.
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| #5 Lucas Davison Northwestern |
Another title contender for this year's Midlands title will be Northwestern's very own Lucas Davison. The slimmest HWT in the nation may also very well be the strongest as uses his Colossus like strength to overcome opponents much bigger & heavier. 3rd here in 2019 he owns three victories over Luke Luffman 3-1, 3-2 & 10-4. A 14-0 major of Colton McKiernan, he teched McDermott 16-0, with a 4-3 decision over Trent Hillger.
I've spoke a lot about Harvard's commitment to return to their year's of glory & what a step in that direction it would be for Yaraslau Slavikouski to win this year's Midlands title. It's definitely a possibility for the Crimson. He owns a 5-3 decision over Davison & he also defeated Cenzo Pelusi by scores of 4-1 & 4-2. He was 4th here in 2019.
There are times when the Badger looks like he could hang with just about anyone & other times, well he doesn't. The sole two time Midlands place-winner in this bracket (8th in 18' & 3rd in 19') he will be going for his third medal. I'd say he has an outsider's shot at that medal being gold. A 3-0 victory over Slavikouski, he's defeated Luffman three times. A 1:08 fall, a 10-2 major & a 4-0 decision. Other victories include a 10-2 major over Slinger, a 6-3 decision over McDermott & a 3-0 decision over Ben Goldin.
This year's Midlands championships is full of an assortment of darkhorse candidates to win an individual title & Luke Luffman is one of those candidates. Although he's lost some pretty ugly matches to Hillger, he's also defeated the Badger a couple of times. A 4-3 t.b. & a nicely controlled 6-0 decision. He also owns two victories over Jacob Bullock, 11-3 & 5-4. Other wins include an 8-3 decision over McKiernan, a 3-2 tiebreaker over Goldin & a 7-2 decision over McDermott.
The Iowan turned New Jerseyan is having his best season yet. Currently 10-0 on the year, he has an 11-5 decision over Goldin and a 5-3 decision over Travis Stefanik.
I talk about unlocked potential from time to time on JT#1 & if the HWT class has unlocked potential it is Colton McKiernan of SIUE. The Michigan native started his career off strong with a 20 plus win season & a spot in the MAC finals as a freshman. Yet the ride has been anything but smooth since then. He's always had it within him but it hasn't been until right now that he's started to release it. He's 12-1 on the season as he's earned a top 25 ranking. Earning a medal here at the Midlands is just what the doctor ordered. Let's see if he can fill that prescription. He owns a 2:56 fall over Bullock.
Another wrestler in the hunt for a top 8 showing here at the Midlands will be Ben Goldin. The Quaker owns a 6-4 s.v. over McDermott & both a 7-5 & 2-1 win over Bullock.
When you take into consideration all of the obstacles and roadblocks that Diplomat wrestling is up against, it really puts it into perspective how amazing it is when they put a wrestler on the award stand at a prestigious tournament like the Midlands. Cenzo Pelusi I would say is one of their best bets. He's kept it close with Slavikouski a couple of times & he owns a 3-1 s.v. over Michael Wolfgram.
I've talked a lot about the positive changes that are going on at Indiana & Jacob Bullock is a part of those changes. He's one of many Hoosiers who will fight for a top 8 showing this Midlands. Among his wins of note, a 9-1 major over McDermott.
Unranked competition that will fight for a top 8/top 12 showing this Midlands?
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| #7 Yaraslau Slavikouski Harvard |
I've spoke a lot about Harvard's commitment to return to their year's of glory & what a step in that direction it would be for Yaraslau Slavikouski to win this year's Midlands title. It's definitely a possibility for the Crimson. He owns a 5-3 decision over Davison & he also defeated Cenzo Pelusi by scores of 4-1 & 4-2. He was 4th here in 2019.
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| #10 Trent Hillger Wisconsin |
There are times when the Badger looks like he could hang with just about anyone & other times, well he doesn't. The sole two time Midlands place-winner in this bracket (8th in 18' & 3rd in 19') he will be going for his third medal. I'd say he has an outsider's shot at that medal being gold. A 3-0 victory over Slavikouski, he's defeated Luffman three times. A 1:08 fall, a 10-2 major & a 4-0 decision. Other victories include a 10-2 major over Slinger, a 6-3 decision over McDermott & a 3-0 decision over Ben Goldin.
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| Redshirt Luke Luffman Illinois |
This year's Midlands championships is full of an assortment of darkhorse candidates to win an individual title & Luke Luffman is one of those candidates. Although he's lost some pretty ugly matches to Hillger, he's also defeated the Badger a couple of times. A 4-3 t.b. & a nicely controlled 6-0 decision. He also owns two victories over Jacob Bullock, 11-3 & 5-4. Other wins include an 8-3 decision over McKiernan, a 3-2 tiebreaker over Goldin & a 7-2 decision over McDermott.
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| #23 Boone McDermott Rutgers |
The Iowan turned New Jerseyan is having his best season yet. Currently 10-0 on the year, he has an 11-5 decision over Goldin and a 5-3 decision over Travis Stefanik.
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| #25 Colton McKiernan SIUE |
I talk about unlocked potential from time to time on JT#1 & if the HWT class has unlocked potential it is Colton McKiernan of SIUE. The Michigan native started his career off strong with a 20 plus win season & a spot in the MAC finals as a freshman. Yet the ride has been anything but smooth since then. He's always had it within him but it hasn't been until right now that he's started to release it. He's 12-1 on the season as he's earned a top 25 ranking. Earning a medal here at the Midlands is just what the doctor ordered. Let's see if he can fill that prescription. He owns a 2:56 fall over Bullock.
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| #26 Ben Goldin Pennsylvania |
Another wrestler in the hunt for a top 8 showing here at the Midlands will be Ben Goldin. The Quaker owns a 6-4 s.v. over McDermott & both a 7-5 & 2-1 win over Bullock.
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| #31 Cenzo Pelusi Franklin & Marshall |
When you take into consideration all of the obstacles and roadblocks that Diplomat wrestling is up against, it really puts it into perspective how amazing it is when they put a wrestler on the award stand at a prestigious tournament like the Midlands. Cenzo Pelusi I would say is one of their best bets. He's kept it close with Slavikouski a couple of times & he owns a 3-1 s.v. over Michael Wolfgram.
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| #32 Jacob Bullock Indiana |
I've talked a lot about the positive changes that are going on at Indiana & Jacob Bullock is a part of those changes. He's one of many Hoosiers who will fight for a top 8 showing this Midlands. Among his wins of note, a 9-1 major over McDermott.
Unranked competition that will fight for a top 8/top 12 showing this Midlands?
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| U.R. Michael Wolfgram West Virginia |
When you see someone as talented as Michael Wolfgram outside of the top 33, it really gives testimony to just how insanely tough NCAA DI wrestling is this season. A big, massive HWT who knows how to use his size & weight to his advantage, don't be surprised if the Mountaineer pulls off a few upsets to a top 8 finish.
The Panthers have two talents that could very well have a good showing here at the Midlands. Pitzer hasn't competed much yet this season, but the true freshman is for real. He enters the Midlands, he could open up a lot of eyes. Slinger is also very tough in his own right. Notable victories include an 8-5 decision over McDermott & an 8-7 decision over Bullock.
Right behind Bullock in the Hoosier lineup is Jacob Kamisnki. He owns a 3-1 victory over Stefanik.
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| U.R. U.R. Dayton Pitzer Jake Slinger Pittsburgh |
The Panthers have two talents that could very well have a good showing here at the Midlands. Pitzer hasn't competed much yet this season, but the true freshman is for real. He enters the Midlands, he could open up a lot of eyes. Slinger is also very tough in his own right. Notable victories include an 8-5 decision over McDermott & an 8-7 decision over Bullock.
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| U.R. Jacob Kamiski Indiana |
Right behind Bullock in the Hoosier lineup is Jacob Kamisnki. He owns a 3-1 victory over Stefanik.
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| U.R. Travis Stefanik Princeton |
I think thus far the three time NCAA qualifier at 184 lbs has found life up to 100 lbs heavier to be a bit more of a challenge. He's dropped some really close matches, that in turn could have potentially been wins. If the Tiger can pull off a few upsets, he'll be within the rankings. Midlands is as good of a place as any to show up.
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