JT#1's Proposal for New Structure to NCAA DI Season (All other Divisions could follow similar)

 Here's currently what the season looks like...


We start last two weeks of October & we end on the third week of March.  

That gives us a 20 week season (1 week is off currently in between qualifiers & national tournament) 

So give or take, it approximately looks like this...

Last two weeks of October -  Lots of Opens 
First three weeks of November - Duals
Last week of November - CKLV + Duals for non CKLV participating teams
First week of December - duals
2nd week of December - Reno + Duals
3rd week of December - Duals
4th week of December/1st week of January - Scuffle/Midlands/Salute + duals for teams not participating
2nd week of January through all of February - All duals
1st week of March - Qualifiers
2nd week of March - Off
3rd week of March - National tournament

I average that out of our 80 NCAA Division I teams, most have between 15-20 duals per season.  I think a low is 12 & a high is 23 from what I've seen.  

Wrestlers if they're wrestling every match available to them are averaging between 30 to 40 matches per season.  I've seen some that have close to 50. 


This is the season as it is & with the current system we have the following problems....


Wrestlers getting hurt & injured - It is so difficult to stay healthy in a sport that last nearly half a year.  20 weeks of the grind is hard on the body. Knees, shoulders, elbows, backs, ect....it is not easy to be & stay 100%.  Which in turn leads to other issues....

Wrestlers sitting out matches - Yes, we do sometimes have coaches sitting perfectly healthy wrestlers in order to protect rankings/future seeds.  Other times though, a wrestler is being sat for health reasons.  No use going out their on a bum knee or with an injured shoulder, risking further injury.  We are wanting to keep our guys healthy for the qualifiers & the national tournament.  Yet this is posing a problem when in a dual that's supposed to feature 5 marquee matches, ends up featuring none.  


I think the season is too long and I think shortening it could help solve a lot of these issues. 

I also propose having more rest & time to recoup.  I worry a bit about losing an audience, but I don't think we would.  We already have a week in between qualifiers & the national tournament.  I don't think adding in a week here or there would effect our numbers.  Especially if we made up for it on being 100%/100% on marquee matches in our duals. 


I propose the following....

12 weeks worth of wrestling over three & a half months.  All of January, all of February, all of March, first two weeks of April. 

January all four weeks duals.  Each team has one dual per week.  

Week One of February - Major in season tournament (CKLV & Reno) 
Week Two & Week three of February - Duals at one per week 
Week four of February - Major in season tournament (Scuffle, Midlands & Salute) 

Week one of March - National duals (R1, Q's & SF's) 
Week two of March - National duals (1st & 3rd place matches) 
Week three of March - off
Week four of March - Qualifiers

Week one of April - off
Week two of April - National tournament 


My proposal would see 16 to 20 regular season matches.  Plus 1 to 3 matches for national duals.  Then the post season matches. 

I would figure that each wrestler would get between 25 to 35 matches per season.  Depending of course on W's & L's at tournaments.  


I'm with the idea that wrestling fans would rather see one dual per week featuring ALL of the #'s  Vs seeing 2 to 4 duals per week, when 1/3 of the starters are out with injuries. 

JT#1 Final Thoughts NCAA DI 157 lbs 2023

 

The Austin O'Connor Redemption 

Redemption is one of the most beautiful things one can witness in this life & it was all redemption for Austin O'Connor as he ended his final season as a Tar Heel with a 23-0 record. Injuries got the best of him last season & watching him come back as strong as he did was quite rewarding.  3rd-1st-8th-1st, I would say he goes down as one of the to ever wear the Carolina blue & white. A staple that the school that tries so hard to image itself, "basketball" is becoming just as much of a "wrestling" program. 

True Freshman Lives Up To Expectation 

There's nothing in this sport that generates more excitement and thrill than that of a phenomenal freshman. Especially if that freshman is true. Chess enthusiasts searching for Bobby Fischer ain't got jack on wrestling fans searching for Cael Sanderson.  Levi Haines may have lost in his bid for his first national title, but there's no shame in losing out to a senior with the experience & skill of O'Connor. As far as I'm concerned, Haines DID live up to his hype.  Stuck Andonian in the quarterfinals, overcame Robb in the semi-finals. The Nittany Lions have produced so many multiple time NCAA champs over the years.  I believe Haines will be no exception. 

Humphreys Finally Over the Hump 

Entering the 2022-2023 season, Josh Humphreys was one of the best yet to be an All American.  He'd been close with two R12 finishes, but he had yet to make the award stand. Watching him wrestle as well as he did, giving O'Connor his closest match & taking 3rd in style was quite rewarding. In this sport we have so much concentration & focus on those who won national titles, that we often overlook other talent. I don't know if he'll get the credit or recognition he deserves for being as dominant & ruthless from the top position as what he was. Not many can say they majored the likes of Jared Franek of NDSU.  Humphreys can. Closes out his stellar career as a Mountain Hawk with his only loss of the season to the national champ. 

Franek Earns First All American Honor 

Here's another guy that finally made the award stand after two R12 finishes.  4th in the nation, I do believe next season Franek will challenge for the NCAA title. His only two losses at the NCAA's were to Humphreys who has now graduated. The thing that makes Franek so good is that he does such a good jump of making adjustments and improvements. If he has time to really study his opponents, he can figure out a way to beat them.  Peyton Robb defeated him earlier this year & then at the NCAA's Franek turned that loss into a win. The greatest strategy one can use against the Bison is to have never wrestled him before.  Once he's wrestled you a time or two, if there's a decent amount of time, he can figure you out.  He'll challenge for the NCAA title next season.  Maybe if he wins it, he'll smile more. 

Scott Earns First All American Honor 

This guy sure is fun to watch wrestle isn't he? Wild, crazy & unorthodox, has a go for broke style that usually pays off. The sophomore is a pinner that proves he can be a danger to anyone he steps on the mat with.  5th this year with two more seasons to go. 

Three For Three? 

O'Connor & Haines may be gone, but everyone else in this All American lineup WILL (or at least they can by eligibility standards) be back next season.  Peyton Robb of Nebraska, Bryce Andonian of Virginia Tech & Will Lewan of Michigan all earned All American honor #2 this season & will be going for #3 next year.  Just goes to show you how competitive it can be. 

Like a Magician Waiting In The Wings 

I'll tell you the guy that few will be thinking about & few will be worried about but they SHOULD be.  Vinny Zerban of Northern Colorado.  He's a guy that I predict will do some big things next year. Why? Well, for one tenacity.  Was in the pigtail match & worked his way all the way to the R12.  His only losses were to champ O'Connor & 4th place Franek.  Along the way knocks off Anthony Artalona of Penn, Jacob Wright of Wyoming & Jason Kraisser of Iowa State.  Let's also add in the little fact that of Haines two losses on the season? Zerban was the other one.  

JT#1 Final Thoughts NCAA DI 149 lbs 2023

 

Yianni Diakomihalis Joins Rare Group of Four Timers 

My heart slowed down a few beats as we got ready for the 149 lbs final.  After watching what happened to Baterdene Boldmaa of Doane & after the travesty of what happened to Spencer Lee of Iowa, "guarantee" was the last thing going through my mind as Diakomihalis stepped out on to the mat.  For one, he had already been upended earlier in the season by Austin Gomez of Wisconsin.  Secondly he was going against a very worth opponent in Sammy Sasso of Ohio State.  7 minutes at times can go by extraordinarily quick, but in this case the minutes seemed to turn to hours.  I felt a since of relief when the match ended and the score was in favor of Diakomihalis.  There were three wrestlers this season who were going for their fourth national title.  I don't think anyone would have ever thought that only one of them would achieve it.  A congrats to Diakomihalis.  He deserved it. 

Sasso Will Enter '24 as one of the Best Yet to Win An NCAA Title 

Now a two time NCAA finalist, Sammy Sasso of Ohio State has to be one of the best if not the best wrestler in the nation going into '23-'24 yet to win an NCAA title.  It'll be anything but a shoe-in for him & be every bit as challenging as it ever has been. 

Shayne Van Ness Dominates Through The BackSide 

I said this about Beau Bartlett at 141 lbs & now I'll say it about Shayne Van Ness.  So many look so strongly to PSU's success through the championship side of the bracket, but those in route of the bronze contributed to the team title as well.  I was in particularly impressed with SVN.   He turned a 3-2 loss to Paniro Johnson of Iowa State into a 14-8 victory & he had impressive wins over both Caleb Henson of Virginia Tech & Kyle Parco of Arizona State. 

YES!!!!!! YES!!!! YES!!!! 

I was completely distraught when Micky Phillippi of Pittsburgh lost in the R12 to finish out his collegiate career R12-R12-R12-R12 at the NCAA's.  I kept thinking to myself, "Dear gawd, don't you do it too Murin."  There's so much more to this sport than what you do or don't do in the last three days of it, but even then I so badly wanted to see him finally make the award stand.  He didn't matters any keeping the score so friggin' close, but when that buzzer finally sounded, he had 3 points and his opponent had two.  I've seen a lot of satisfying moments in the sport of wrestling now that I've been watching it for 30 years. I don't know if any have topped this one yet.  You watch a guy lose three times in a row in the bloodround & then finally on his fourth try, FINALLY he wins, it's hard to top that.  I do think he was good enough to have came back & taken 3rd, but I was just happier than a pig in shit that he got to stand on the award stand.  Very gratifying moment for me as a wrestling fan. 

I repeat, THERE ARE MORE THAN THREE DAYS 

I have followed Yahya's father on Twitter for quite some time.  I know the disappointment felt when he came up one match short of his second All American honor. Yet, look at what all he DID do this season & frankly over the entire course of his career. This season alone included 3rd place at CKLV & winning a Midlands title.  The Midlands title included a 4-3 victory over three time All American Kyle Parco.  Yeah, the last three days of the season didn't go for him the way he wanted, but many other days of the season did. I may die on that hill alone, but there I shall stand. 

Two Of The Top Contenders in '24...one went 2-2 & the other 1-2 in '23

I don't know if everyone realizes just how insanely tough 149 lbs was this season.  Take into account that Austin Gomez of Wisconsin went 2-2 & Paniro Johnson of Iowa State went 1-2. That should give you some indication.  Both of these guys had the talent to be NCAA champs this year & both will contend for the NCAA title next season.  I'll back up my statement with the following facts. 

Let's take a look at Gomez.  Injuries slowed him down quite a bit this season, but still....a 9-3 win over our four timer Diakomihalis.  6-3 over Van Ness & 5-3 over Murin.  He'll be one of the roadblocks standing in Sasso's way, no doubt about it. 

As will be Johnson.  The freshman Cyclone had his first year of varsity hiccups but I imagine they'll all be ironed out by next season. A BIG 12 champion he defeated Gomez 9-4 & also had victories over Murin, Van Ness & Brock Mauller of Missouri.  He said he planned on winning an NCAA title & I think he will.  He might even next season.  

JT#1 Final Thoughts NCAA DI 141 lbs - 2023

 

Alirez Crowned Northern Colorado's First NCAA DI Champion 

Any time there is a first in this sport, it helps the sport to grow.  Ever since transitioning from NCAA Division II to NCAA Division I, Northern Colorado had yet to crown an NCAA champion (they have 7 at the DII level).  Andrew Alirez winning the NCAA DI title was not only huge for himself & Northern Colorado but also a huge for collegiate wrestling in general. I've said many times that I feel Colorado is an underrated & often overlooked wrestling state. A national champion from Colorado, wrestling for a Colorado school helps to illustrate that point. 

Real Woods Proves Himself To be Real Good, Real Asset, Real Hope For Iowa 

The Iowa Hawkeyes have had tremendous luck with transfers in recent times.  Edinboro transfer Pat Lugo proved himself to be a valuable asset as did Drexel transfer Austin DeSanto. Now Real Woods a transfer of Stanford has stepped in for the Hawkeyes & proved to be a tremendous asset.  A Soldier Salute champion, a Big 10 Champion & an NCAA runner-up he kicked ass all season, often earning bonus points for his team.  As Spencer Lee, Max Murin & Jacob Warner are lost due to graduation (technically eligibility being up) Brands & Co will really rely on Woods to be a leader this upcoming season.  He seems more than up for the task. 

Bronze Helped To Get that Gold Too, Don't Fool Yourself 

When looking at Penn State's 2023 Team title a lot of folks concentrate hard on the championship titles won by Starocci & Brooks, with the 2nd place finishes of Bravo-Young, Haines & Kerkvliet.  They were important, extremely important, but so were the 3rd place finishes of Beau Bartlett & Shayne Van Ness (which we'll talk about later).   Bartlett stepped it up a notch & wrestled extremely well, including knocking off Cole Matthews of Pittsburgh, whom many thought might win the tournament. 

Future Canadian Great Lachlan McNeil Shines In First NCAA Tournament 

North Carolina redshirt freshman Lachlan McNeil had himself an outstanding tournament. Taking champion Alirez to a 6-4 decision he defeated Dylan D'Emilio of Ohio State & Brock Hardy of Nebraska in route to an eventual 4th place finish. Don't quote me on this, but I don't think the Tar Heels have ever had a four time All American.  McNeil could very well become the first. Absolutely love seeing North Carolina that prides itself so highly as being a "basketball school" have so all this success in wrestling. 

Parker Filius Earns His Moment 

I was very happy to see Parker Filius end his career at Purdue as an All American.  A hard-nosed wrestler, his R12 match was a lot of fun to watch.  In many ways the match with Casey Swiderski of Iowa State could have gone either way, but it was as if Filius said to himself, "Nope, this is my moment & it won't be taken from me" as he grabbed hold of Siwderski and flipped him over to his back.   Of all the All Americans here, he is the only one who doesn't return next year.  

7 returning All Americans from 2023, scary thought huh? 

Cole Matthews IS Still A threat to the 2024 141 lbs NCAA title 

Other than Zeb Miller & at times Britt Malinsky, I'm probably the only wrestling fan on planet earth that looks at the NCAA tournament as one of our tournaments, not the only one.  I understand its significance and importance, but full heartedly disagree with the inclination that it is the "only" tournament that "truly matters."  I think that mindset is such a load of bull.  I don't mind it being "the most" important tournament, but to treat it as if it is all that matters is ridiculous and foolish.   

I mean think about it for a second.  In a six month season, would you really have the audacity to say that Cole Matthews didn't have a tremendous year, just because 3 days of it didn't go his way? A Midlands title, an ACC title, ending the season with a 21-3 record including a win over McNeil.  As we head into the future & look at plausible 2024 NCAA champs, his R12 finish will somehow mess with the memories of many as his name will be left out in the early discussions. By late December everyone will suddenly remember him again.  That's a prediction I'll stand by. 


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JT#1 Final Thoughts NCAA DI - 133 lbs 2023

 

Arujau Steals The Show With Unbelievable Performance 

I had it in the back of my head (and I alluded to it in numerous articles) that if anyone could stop Roman Bravo Young Vs Daton Fix part III it'd be Vitali Arujau of Cornell. Never in a million years did I think he'd do it in the fashion he did though. I thought maybe a sudden victory or a tiebreaker.  The idea of majoring Daton Fix 11-3 & then turning around and damn near majoring RBY 10-4 was the furthest thing from my mind.  If he wrestles anything at all like he did this tournament, he'll have an undefeated season next year in route to his second NCAA title. 

RBY & Fix end Careers as Four Time All Americans, as McGee Proves He Should Have Been a Part Of the Conversation All Along 

I spent a lot of time this season wondering what would happen when RBY & Daton Fix met up again. Low & behold, it didn't happen.  RBY ends a stellar career at Penn State going 8-1-1-2 & Fix ends his stellar career as a Cowboy 2-2-2-4.  The other major surprise here was fellow senior Michael McGee of Arizona State showing that he too was a threat as he took RBY into overtime & defeated Fix 2-1.  McGee ends his career a three time All American 6-4-3. As I said when talking about Cardinale of West Virginia, I just can't figure out Old Dominion.  The Athletic Director there must be mentally incompetent. That's all I can figure. 

One Redshirt, One True, Freshmen Show Off Youthful Talent Of The BIG 10 

As Arujau will graduate next year, the future of 133 lbs in '25 & '26 could very well belong to the BIG 10.  Redshirt freshman Aaron Nagao of Minnesota  & true freshman Jesse Mendez of Ohio State both had phenomenal runs at the NCAA's this year.  Nagao placing 5th & Mendez placing 6th.  This could be a future NCAA finals. 

Arujau's Competition? 

Already looking ahead into the '23-'24 season one of the biggest questions that we will have is, "Who will challenge Arujau?"  Well, what I can tell you is that Arujau suffered exactly one loss this season & it was to this man, Sam Latona of Virginia Tech.  May I also add that as Arujau dominated throughout the NCAA bracket, his closest match was an 8-5 decision over Latona. Latona ended up in 7th place after losing a 1-1 tiebreaker to Mendez in the consolation quarter-finals. 

Improvements Lead Orine To All American Status 

Figuring out your competition & learning how to turn close losses into wins is absolutely vital to getting yourself to the next level.  Orine did that this season & that is what lead him to an ACC title & an NCAA All American honor. 

Micky Phillippi Makes History As First Ever to Finish R12 Four Times 

Dan Marino of the Miami Dolphins would much rather have the history books read that he was a Super Bowl champion, but instead they read that he is among the best to never win a Super Bowl.  Phillippi no doubt, would much rather have earned an All American honor, but instead the history books will read that he is among the best to never be an All American.  As far as I'm concerned R12-R12-R12-R12 speaks for itself.  He made the finals of the ACC tournament 5 times, 2nd at both CKLV & Matmen & 3rd at the Southern Scuffle.  Not to mention he had wins over All Americans in every season that he competed. A career mark of 107-24.  


Finishing up my thoughts on 133, I would expect Lucas Byrd 5th in '21 & '22 who was R12 this year to come back with a vengeance next season.  I also think that Zach Redding of Iowa State & Kyle Biscoglia of Northern Iowa is a feud that is only going to get better.  As always more I could say, but this is already long enough as it is. 

JT#1 Final Thoughts NCAA DI -125 lbs 2023

 The season started in late October & here we are mid March approximately 6 months later.  As I have been for the last 21 years of following this sport as closely as I do, I am a bag of contradicting emotions. I won't lie. A part of me is relieved the '22-'23 season is over. I have a girlfriend, a dog & a gym that I have neglected far too many times this year to watch or write about wrestling. Not that it was any different last year, not that it'll be any different next year. The other part of me, only a day removed from the '22-'23 season already gung-ho for the '23-'24 season. 

Final thoughts?? Where to start? What all to say?  

Well....here goes nothing...

...But Still A Champ Off of It 

This is the elephant in the room so I might as well address it. It was all supposed to end in a blaze of glory.  Spencer Lee was supposed to win his fourth NCAA title & cement himself in the rare, elite group of Pat Smith, Logan Stieber, Kyle Dake, Cael Sanderson & what would eventually be Yianni Diakomihalis. Yet life doesn't always work out the way that it should. Things that are supposed to happen, don't always happen. In a season full of a ton of huge upsets, it was only poetic that the biggest upset of the year (and one of the biggest of all time) happen at the NCAA tournament. 

And you know what bothered me most about Lee getting upset? 

Yes, I was heartbroken for him. I was heartbroken for the Iowa wrestling program. Since the years of Gable one of the only things left to check off for the Hawks was to get their first four timer. Iowa's done just about everything there is to do in this sport, but they hadn't done that yet. That wasn't what bothered me the most though.   Here's what did...

I saw a ton of people that felt Lee's pain. Tons of fans that were distraught, depressed and broken as a result of watching their hero fall.  I saw a ton of people who aren't Iowa fans celebrate in unison, those who love the upset, and of course the psychopaths who just plain rejoice in the hopes and dreams of a young man falling apart.  You know what I didn't see much of though?  I saw very, very, very few people that were actually happy for Matt Ramos of Purdue.   For so few it wasn't about Ramos winning, it was about Lee losing. I'm not sure if that is so much a reflection of the wrestling community as it is a reflection of society in general. 

As to Ramos' victory, I sure hope that it benefits the Boilermaker program. Tony Ersland is one of my all time favorite Hawkeyes & I love seeing him have success as the head coach of Purdue. Having a wrestler on your team that stopped a three timer from becoming a four timer is making quite the statement.  Showing that you as a coach have the ability to help lead your wrestlers to what was otherwise thought of as an impossible task. I would like to see this help Ersland on the recruiting front. 

Speaking of Ramos, do you want to have your mind blown?  At the BIG 10's Michael DeAugustino of Northwestern had a heyday with him. Defeated him 9-1 major decision.  At the NCAA's, of course Ramos takes 2nd as DeAugustino goes 1-2.  Just goes to show you how crazy and unpredictable this sport truly is. 

My last thoughts concerning Lee are that I have no idea why he decided to medical forfeit to 6th place. That was his decision and his business.  What I will say though is that I saw how one fan on a wrestling group said that he thought that Lee's decision to not wrestle was best because to wrestle for anything less than 1st place would be a waste.  What a stupid take. I sure hope that wasn't what was going through Lee's head.  I can't imagine for a second that it would be.  He's way too much of a class act, a hero, a teammate, a man...to have that mentality.  What I will remember most about this moment as the years become decades, the skin becomes wrinkled and the hair becomes gray, is that Lee came out and signed autographs for his young fans. That he came out and supported his teammates.  That he stood on the award stand with his head up.  The true measurement of a person is not what you see them do in victory, but instead what you see them do in defeat. Be it international wrestling and/or coaching we're gonna see Lee on top again. Make note of that. 

Princeton Crowns Fist Champion Since 1951 

Princeton wrestling has been on the rise for quite sometime & what a treat it was to see the Tigers crown an NCAA champion! Love seeing these tough academic schools have success on the mat. Get er done in the classroom! Get er done on the mat! 6th-2nd-1st, a three time All American, two time finalist, one time national champion. 

Brandon Courtney Closes Out Stellar Career A Three Time All American 

2nd-6th-3rd, what a career it was for Brandon Courtney.  The lightweight will go down as one of the best Sun Devils in recent history. To think, Arizona State isn't losing a thing as they already have 14-0, CKLV champ Richard Figueroa waiting in the wings. Figueroa has already proven what he's capable of next season, including a 3-2 victory over Ramos.  You know it's funny I had a fan get all bent out of shape with me because I mentioned the importance of having good workout partners in the room with you & how having someone push you for the starting spot is only going to make you better. It's the truth.  Courtney knows that, as do tons of other wrestlers who duke it out in the room everyday.  

Young Bald Eagle Soars High At the NCAA Championships 

He showed us glimpses and previews throughout all of '21-'22, and this year we got to see the young bald eagle really spread his wings and fly.  Only a sophomore, the career of Anthony Noto looks very bright. Wouldn't at all be surprised to see him challenge for a national title in the seasons to come. 4th this year. 

Wrestled Like He Was Out of His Mind 

One of the most rewarding parts of '22-'23 for me was watching Liam Cronin of Nebraska compete this year.  I used this particular photo of him for good reason.  Since the beginning of his career I always knew that he had it within him to do great things.  Yet between injuries and something mental that was holding him back, it just wasn't happening.  Then suddenly it finally clicked.  In my opinion the turning point for him was at CKLV, when after an early round loss, he came back with a vengeance to take 3rd.  It was all up hill from there. Makes the BIG 10 finals & takes 5th at the NCAA's.  Awesome freaking awesome. 

Freshman Hokie With Great Run To All American Honors 

A great tournament for Eddie Ventresca of Virginia Tech. Knocks off the BIG 12 champ, & two two time All Americans in route to a 7th place finish. Like Courtney knows about Figueroa, Ventresca knows about Cooper Flynn.  The outright World Wars he's had with him on the mat helped to make him a better wrestler. No doubt about it.  Wouldn't at all be surprised to see Ventresca end up a four time All American. 

Killian Cardinale Overcomes Setbacks To Secure Second All American Honor 

If you're an overall wrestling fan, you have to be impressed with Killian Cardinale of West Virginia. Battling injuries and setbacks all season, he was able to overcome it all in order to secure a second medal from the NCAA championships.  A fierce competitor who always gave it Hell on the mat, he's one that I'm gonna really miss watching compete next year. I just wish someone would please tell me why Old Dominion didn't want someone as awesome as he is.  Makes absolutely no sense. 

You know what?  Things didn't end for Eric Barnett of Wisconsin or Patrick McKee of Minnesota the way he would have liked for them to have.  Still had a great season, even if it didn't end in All American honors. 

Barnett was a Midlands champ, defeating Courtney 6-2 in the finals. He may have missed out on AA #3 this season, but he'll be back next year to try again.  Same goes for Pat McKee of Minnesota & as mentioned earlier DeAugustino.  


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133 last thoughts of the '22-'23 season coming your way soon! 

JT#1's Final NCAA DI Predictions for 2023

 This may very well be the toughest I have ever seen an NCAA Division I championships. The 165 lbs bracket, perhaps the toughest I have ever seen.  These are my final predictions for the season.  Top 12 each weight. 

125
1. Spencer Lee Iowa
2. Patrick Glory Princeton
3. Liam Cronin Nebraska
4. Brandon Courtney Arizona State
5. Michael DeAugustino Northwestern
6. Eric Barnett Wisconsin
7. Matt Ramos Purdue
8. Patrick McKee Minnesota
R12 Brandon Kaylor Oregon State
R12 Stevo Poulin Northern Colorado
R12 Killian Cardinale West Virginia
R12 Joey Prata Oklahoma

133
1. Roman Bravo Young Penn State
2. Daton Fix Oklahoma State
3. Vitali Arujau Cornell
4. Michael McGee Arizona State
5. Micky Phillippi Pittsburgh
6. Lucas Byrd Illinois
7. Sam Latona Virginia Tech
8. Dylan Ragusin Michigan
R12 Cody Phippen Air Force
R12 Chris Cannon Northwestern
R12 Jesse Mendez Ohio State
R12 Brody Teske Iowa

141
1. Andrew Alirez Northern Colorado
2. Real Woods Iowa formally of Stanford, :) 
3. Cole Matthews Pittsburgh
4. Clay Carlson South Dakota State
5. Brock Hardy Nebraska
6. Parker Filius Purdue
7. Lachlan McNeil North Carolina
8. Beau Bartlett Penn State
R12 Michael Bergeland Minnesota
R12 Dylan D'Emilio Ohio State
R12 Mosha Schwartz Oklahoma
R12 Tom Crook Virginia Tech

149
1. Yianni Diakomihalis Cornell
2. Yahya Thomas Northwestern
3. Austin Gomez Wisconsin
4. Sammy Sasso Ohio State
5. Kyle Parco Arizona State
6. Paniro Johnson Iowa State
7. Max Murin Iowa
8. Brock Mauller Missouri
R12 Quinn Kinner Rider
R12 Doug Zapf Pennsylvania
R12 Mitch Moore Oklahoma
R12 Caleb Hensen Virginia Tech

157
1. Austin O'Connor North Carolina
2. Levi Haines Penn State
3. Jared Franek North Dakota State
4. Josh Humphreys Lehigh
5. Peyton Robb Nebraska
6. Bryce Andonian Virginia Tech
7. Anthony Artalona Pennsylvania
8. Ed Scott North Carolina State
R12 Chase Saldate Michigan State
R12 Kendall Coleman Purdue
R12 Cobe Siebrect Iowa
R12 Jacob Wright Wyoming 

165
1. David Carr Iowa State
2. Keegan O'Toole Missouri
3. Shane Griffith Stanford
4. Quincy Monday Princeton
5. D.J. Hamiti Wisconsin
6. Mikey Caliendo North Dakota State
7. Cam Amine Michigan
8. Julian Ramirez Cornell
R12 Izzak Olejnik Northern Illinois
R12 Matt Olguin Oregon State
R12 Peyton Hall West Virginia 
R12 Justin McCoy Virginia 

174
1. Carter Starocci Penn State
2. Mekhi Lewis Virginia Tech
3. Mikey Labriola Nebraska
4. Ethan Smith Ohio State
5. Demetrius Romero Utah Valley
6. Dustin Plott Oklahoma State
7. Nelson Brands Iowa
8. Peyton Mocco Missouri
R12 Jackson Turley Rutgers
R12 Mickey O'Malley Drexel
R12 Bailee O'Reilly Minnesota
R12 Chris Foca Cornell

184
1. Aaron Brooks Penn State
2. Parker Keckeisen Northern Iowa
3. Trent Hidlay North Carolina State
4. Trey Munoz Oregon State
5. Matt Finesilver Michigan
6. Travis Wittlake Oklahoma State
7. Hunter Bolen Virginia Tech
8. Tate Samuelson Lehigh
R12 Abe Assad Iowa
R12 Gavin Kane North Carolina
R12 Kaleb Romero Ohio State
R12 Marcus Coleman Iowa State

197
1. Michael Beard Lehigh
2. Bernie Truax Cal Poly
3. Nino Bonaccorsi Pittsburgh
4. Isaac Trumble North Carolina State
5. Max Dean Penn State
6. Rocky Elam Missouri
7. Tanner Sloan South Dakota State
8. Ethan Laird Rider
R12 Braxton Amos Wisconsin
R12 Jake Warner Iowa
R12 Owen Pentz North Dakota State
R12 Zac Braunagel Illinois

HWT
1. Mason Parris Michigan
2. Greg Kerkvliet Penn State 
3. Tony Cassioppi Iowa
4. Wyatt Hendrickson Air Force
5. Lucas Davison Northwestern
6. Trent Hillger Wisconsin
7. Cohlton Schultz Arizona State
8. Colton McKiernan Southern Illinois Edwardsville
R12 Grady Griess Navy
R12 Yaraslau Slavikouski Stanford
R12 Zach Elam Missouri
R12 Sam Schuyler Iowa State 

JT#1's Final Thoughts 2023 NCAA DIII

 

What a great season NCAA DIII wrestling was. A tough year full of some great wrestling. Here are my final thoughts on each weight class. 

JT#1's Final Thoughts On 125 

Wrestling searches high as it searches low for the next Cael Sanderson all the time & at the DIII level, I suppose we're always looking for our next Marcus LeVasseur.  We may have very well found him.  Joziah Fry of Johnson & Wales is only a freshman.  43-0 an NCAA DIII champion who doesn't look to be stopped any time soon.  

Matter of fact this weight class is unusually young.  Runner-up Jacob DeCatur of Baldwin Wallace (champion last season) is by technical standards still only a sophomore.  Christian Guzman of North Central (3rd) & Jake Craig of Southern Maine (5th)? Both only freshmen.  Could see an assortment of future four time All Americans.  Of course, much easier said than done. 

JT#1's Final Thoughts on 133

Robbie Precin of North Central I don't see ever getting beat again.  2nd in 2021 & a national champion last year, he won his second national title.  Unless he gets hurt, injured or sick, I think winning a third title with an undefeated record is inevitable. He's just that good.  

I think both Dalton Rohrbaugh of York (PA) & Tyler Fleetwood of UW-Eau Claire are now both done with their careers. Could be wrong about that as COVID-19 has made knowing someone's eligibility about impossible.  If not for Precin, I think either one of these guys could have been a national champ.  Rohrbaugh this year's runner-up was third in the nation last year. 

Felt for Andrew Perelka of John Carroll who was a runner-up last season finishing one match shy of earning another AA.  While things didn't end his way, let's keep in mind he was runner-up at DIII's toughest in-season tournament the Pete Willson Invite. Was also surprised to see Joey Pins of Wartburg miss out on the award stand after placing 3rd at the 2021 NWCA & 8th last year.  I believe he has another year left & should come back strong next season. 

JT#1's Final Thoughts 141

Sam Stuhl of Augsburg really came out of nowhere didn't he? Or least in my opinion he did.  3rd at the Upper Midwest Regional, he just absolutely refused to lose here. Avenged his loss to Ethan Harsted of Wheaton to take the title. 

Rewarding to see Domenic Difrancescantonio of TCNJ make the award stand.  Was hoping to see Zayren Teukina of Wartburg do a bit better. Not a knock, just know that if this tournament were to be held multiple times in the same season, he might have won one of them.  Great career for the Knights as he was 2nd last season.  

JT#1's Final Thoughts 149

Was really hoping to see five time NCAA DIII qualifier Kris Rumph of Wartburg make the award stand again. An NWCA runner up in 2021, he was 5th in the D3 nation last year.  Just missed out on a third AA this time with an R12 finish. Again, a great career. 

As to the rest of my thoughts as the 2023 season has now ended.  Every All American to my understanding was an underclassmen who WILL be back next season. Just goes to show how tough 149 will be!

JT#1's Final Thoughts 157 

I believe the career of Tyler Shilson of Augsburg is now said and done. 3rd-3rd-2nd, without a doubt he has to be one of the best of recent times to never win a D3 title.  Jake Deguire of Springfield really impressed me this tournament.  A first round loss & then PINS his way all the way back to third.  I say this young man may very well challenge Nolan Hertel of UW-La Crosse for a title next season. 

JT#1's Final Thoughts 165 

Like everyone else, I was hooked on the story of brother Vs brother as Nathan Lackman of Rhode Island College took on Matt Lackman of Alvernia for the D3 title. From what I have seen this has a chance to happen AGAIN next season. I believe both have a year of eligibility left. 

The other story here was that of Jordan Hardrick of Ohio Northern.  A story that moved me to tears. Hardrick spoke of how he missed out on making the award stand at the state championships his senior year of high school. How he felt at that moment of disappointment. Brings me back 19 years ago to my senior year of high school & how it all ended for me. To see him all these years later on the award stand with his medal. My gawd, does it get any more rewarding than that? 

JT#1's Final Thoughts 174 

What an incredibly tough weight class this has turned out to be.  Could very well see a four time & two three time AA's crowned next season. Thus far Wartburg's Zane Mulder is 2nd-4th-1st, Seth Brossard of UW-La Crosse is 7th-3rd & Stefan Major of Stevens is 7th-5th.  Tough group of guys & both Jared Stricker of UW-Eau Claire (2nd) & Charlie Grygas of Oswego (4th) are back next year too. 

JT#1's Final Thoughts 184 

I believe Jaritt Shinhoster of UW-Whitewater & Shaen Liegel of Loras are both done with their careers or they both have a season left. Not sure. Wish this information were a little more concrete & easier to come by. Either way they are either two of best wrestlers in NCAA DIII still or they were.  Either will miss watching both compete or I look forward to again watching them next season. 

Same with Mahlic Sallah of Roanoke who became his school's first ever two time All Ameican.  Also a Pete Willson champ. 

JT#1's Final Thoughts 197

Joziah Fry is in good company. While not undefeated, Massoma Endene of Wartburg did win an NCAA DIII title as a freshman this season with 27-1 record. His only loss? Ben Kawcyznski of UW-La Crosse who didn't even place at the Upper-Midwest Regional.  If that isn't testimony as to how tough D3 wrestling is, then nothing is. 

JT#1's Final Thoughts HWT 

I've talked about it enough that everyone who knows me knows that I wanted to see Kaleb Reeves, a fellow Sigourney Savage win the D3 national title this season.  Yet I knew going into the finals that handing Jack Heldt of Wabash what would have been his only loss of the season was going to be a tall order.  Nonetheless at 3rd-3rd-2nd Reeves ends his collegiate career as the best wrestler to ever come out of my high school at the college level.  He's also one of the best to ever wrestle for Coe.  Per wrestlestat he has 70 career falls, but according to his Dad, he may actually have even more.  70 alone is an impressive figure. To think he may have more. 

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As always could add 10,000 more thoughts but gotta at least try and keep it condensed.  Season is over & I've been telling myself the last month that I'm actually looking forward to it.  Been way too neglectful of the gym lately as I've been doing so much coverage of wrestling.  Got a girlfriend, a dog & a cat that need more of my time too.  So I really am looking forward to a break.  One more tournament with DI's coming up.  Yet a small part of me as it always is, is sad that it's about over.  A bigger part of me already ready for next season to start. 

JT#1's Final 2023 NCAA Division II Thoughts

 

First off I want to say that attending the NCAA Division II wrestling championships this past weekend was the first time I have done so. Over the years I have attended many NCAA DI championships, an NCAA DIII championships & an assortment of other duals & tournaments. These DII's were a blast & I discovered a few things that I found quite interesting.

Take this however you want to take it because I mean it in each and every single way it can be meant...Central Oklahoma fans are the Iowa fans of NCAA Division II 

The sportsmanship at this level is very impressive. You see some good sportsmanship at the DI level, but here at the DII level I saw it in nearly every single match. These guys wrestled with the same intensity & fierce competitiveness, but kept their class, respect and dignity once that whistle blew.  The entire tournament I only saw a handful of unsportsmanlike conduct.  Matter of fact, two of the four incidents I saw were from the same wrestler.  On the other hand, I couldn't count the number of times I saw absolute class on the mat & tremendous sportsmanship.  It truly moved me. It was awesome. 

JT#'s Final Thoughts 125 lbs 

What a final it was between Brandon Garcia of Adams State & Jaxon Rohman of Augustana (SD).  We could very well see this battle again in the future as both gentlemen are only sophomores. To really illustrate just how tough NCAA DII wrestling is, Rohman was actually 2nd in Super Region V, losing to Shane Corrigan of UW-Parkside who ended up 7th this tournament. 

Wrestling as I've said many times is such an emotional sport. I know Cole Laya of West Liberty wasn't wanting to close out his phenomenal career with a 6th place finish, so my heart went out to him a little. Yet, look at his amazing career.  A five time NCAA DII qualifier, earning All American honors five times.  3rd-1st-1st-6th, with 100 career victories.  Very impressive. 

Also felt for Studd Morris of Central Oklahoma a bit.  Whole team goes to the NCAA DII's and everyone but him brings home a medal.  Had to be disappointing but still was there for his teammates cheering them on throughout their medal matches. He's got another season left if my calculations are correct. Another shot to bring one home next year. 

JT#1's Final Thoughts 133 lbs 

Talk about your million dollar moment. Gavin Quiocho not only becomes Glenville State's first All American, but also their first NCAA DII National Champion!! If that don't feel like a million, then it has to feel like a billion.  Defeated Quentrevion Campbell of Chadron State, who kicked ass at the NJCAA level for a while & who's doing it now at the NCAA DII level.  I believe Quiocho is only a sophomore & Campbell is a junior. So we'll see both of these guys in the future. 

I've said many times throughout the 22 years I've been writing about collegiate wrestling that one of my absolute favorite things to see in this sport is when a senior who never has, finally does.  Eric Bartos of Mercyhurst has been to the nationals four times & came within a match of being an All American last year.  To see him finally break through & earn that 4th place AA was pretty cool. 

JT#1's Final Thoughts 141 lbs 

Lot's of thoughts on 141 lbs as throughout the season it was one of my favorite weight classes in NCAA DII wrestling.  Zack Donathan of Tiffin truly makes the case for why wrestling programs should be scoping the NJCAA's for recruits doesn't he? The former Ellsworth community college standout is now taking names at the NCAA DII level. A national champion. 

If I had to pick my very favorite NCAA DII wrestler, I can narrow it down to two. One of them is Christian Small of Lake Erie. What a class act, that proves you can be an absolute fierce on the mat, while being heroic off of it. I hope to see him win a national title in his remaining two seasons. 

At the beginning of the season I called Nate Keim of Central Oklahoma to be of all the DII wrestlers the best to never make the NCAA DII tournament & the best yet to All American.  8th-2nd-6th at the Midwest Classic (NCAA DII's toughest in-season tournament) it was like, "Dude at least make it to the dance this year."  What a phenomenal ending it was to his career.  Winning a Super Region IV title over nemesis Peter Kuster of Drury & then beating him again for 3rd place at the NCAA DII's! 

Who would have thought that the 15th (yes 15th) & final meeting between Keim & Kuster would have ended the way that it did?  Never in a million years would I have ever though that a defensive fall would be the way this epic feud came to an end.   What a career it was for Kuster too.  A two time All American with 7th & 4th place finishes.  A two time Midwest Classic runner-up.  

Cayden Henschel of UW-Parkside had a rough tournament but what was truly disappointing was watching some fans act like jackals & hooligans at his demise. Screaming at him, "those youtube videos sure helped you out this time!" & other stupid things.  Hope those same fans show up the next two seasons when Henschel has worked out the jitters & nerves and lives up to expectation. 

JT#1's Final Thoughts 149 lbs 

 Wrestlers, coaches & fans talk all the time about "peaking at the right time" & I have to say that I feel as I also felt last season, that Adams State does a very good job with this.  Of the five NCAA DII qualifiers that they had, two of them finished as national champions & another took 3rd. Josiah Rider was very dominant this tournament, winning DII title #2 with a major & two falls. To think, he still has another season left. 

Pretty cool seeing Jason Hanenberg make the finals for Western Colorado. A R12 last year, was hoping to see him make the award stand, did so in fashion. 

Probably the most shocking thing to happen this tournament, at least in my opinion was Joey Bianchini of St Cloud getting beat out.  I was NOT expecting this to happen at all.  An NCAA DII runner-up in 2021, he was 3rd last year.  He's got another season left, wouldn't be surprised if he challenges Rider for the national title. 

Last thoughts via 149, is I really hope to see Jacob Ealy of Pittsburgh-Johnstown become a four time All American next year. 8th-3rd-5th thus far. 

JT#1's Final Thoughts 157 lbs 

Both NCAA DII champ Nick Novack of St Cloud State & NCAA DII runner-up Logan Bailey of Indianapolis are both only sophomores!  Wow, huh?  Could definitely see this match a couple of more times! 

I am really gonna miss watching Noah Hermosillo of Adams State. A phenomenal technician who could literally readjust his style of wrestling if his original game plan wasn't working. Watching him wrestle reminded of Rocky II when Mick makes Rocky fight right handed & then has him switch left.  His speed, quickness & explosiveness were fun to watch. 6th in 2021, a national champion last year & this year takes 3rd avenging his earlier loss to Dom Means of Gannon.  Was always a pleasure to watch on the mat. 

JT#1's Final Thoughts 165 lbs 

I once read an interview with Scott Rechsteiner (better known by his professional name Scott Steiner) where he talked about a turning point in his wrestling career that helped lead him to success. He won a Michigan high school state title as a junior, placing 3rd as a senior.  Then he made the BIG 10 finals three seasons in a row, taking 6th at the NCAA DI tournament his senior year.  It was advice that he took to heart that made the difference.  That advice?  "Wrestle every match as if it were your last." 

And boy oh boy did Chase Luensman of Upper Iowa & Hunter Mullin of Western Colorado do just that.  People talk sometimes about how, "Wrestling isn't meant to be entertaining."  Well, I guess these two missed the memo because they had THE BEST match of the finals! What an exciting, exhilarating performance both of these guys put on. 

Then to think, Luensman was 3rd at the Super Region V.  Super Region V champion Shane Gantz of UW-Parkside who was 2nd in the DII nation last year, ended up not placing.  This is why I am so vocal on seeing & treating other accomplishments with the honor & prestige they deserve. Yes, winning a national title is the pinnacle & I'm not trying to dilute that in the slightest.  But you know what?  Winning a Super Region V title is a pretty gawd damned glorious event in its own right & so is winning a Midwest Classic title.  Which may I add, Gantz defeated Luensman for.  So yeah, I still say Shane Gantz had a great 2022-2023 season & I won't be convinced different just because it didn't end in an All American honor. 

JT#1's Final Thoughts 174 lbs 

This one was quite emotional for me as a wrestling fan too.  Austin Eldredge closes out a fantastic career as Loper going 4th-4th-national champion.  His 12-4 finals win was much, much closer & competitive than the score indicates & he wrestled an extremely smart match to take home the title. 

Abner Romero.  Whew...what a wild ride his collegiate career was. To see everything that he's been through & to see him overcome all of it, was quite inspiring.  Starts off at Old Dominion, where the program is discontinued. Then goes to Fresno City to compete in the CCCAA. Goes to Lindenwood, wins an NCAA DII title & then they announce the move to NCAA DI status. If that's not enough, gets injured and has to miss out on the 2021-2022 season.  Son of gun huh?   School drops wrestling, other school moves up to DI & then you get hurt.  Sometimes life challenges us & it sure as heck challenged Romero.   To see him make a comeback this year & make his second NCAA DII finals appearance was nothing less than absolutely courageous.  

It was also rewarding seeing Max Bruss of Mary on the award stand. A hardnosed grinder who goes out there and goes to work. 

JT#1's Final Thoughts 184 lbs 

Heeding my own advice, I remind myself that a wrestler is so much more than what he did or didn't do at the national tournament.  Nevertheless my heart did break a little when Brock Biddle of Pittsburgh-Johnstown fell short of the award stand. A five time qualifier he was 4th in '19 & 6th in '21.  Among his other notable accomplishments, a two time Midwest Classic place-winner, 5th this season & 3rd in '21.    
Also very cool to see Logan Hall of Lander, who was R12 last year, make the finals & what a redemption it was for Daniel Beemer of Ashland to come back and take 3rd once again, after being 3rd in 2021. 

JT#1's Final Thoughts 197 lbs 

Dalton Abney is just unreal. The Broncho is so dominant and has an unmatchable intensity. It seems like he's been around as Squint from The Sandlot would say, "FOR-EV-ER" but low & behold he STILL has another season left!!! I wonder sometimes if Ryan Vasbinder regrets transferring from McKendree to Michigan State.  To see Abney go from losing 9-0 to then beating Dominic Murphy of St Cloud was amazing. Then he defeats Derek Blubaugh of Indianapolis who beat him 7-1 earlier this season for the national title! 

Now let me let you in on something even more mind blowing.  Abney, Blubaugh, Murphy then also Tereus Henry of Fort Hays State, Matt Kaylor of Mary, Logan Kvien of McKendree & Kash Anderson of Colorado Mesa.   They are ALL back next season.   If Abney is able to win a third national title with all of this returning talent, I think he already deserves MOW.  

Was sad to see Anderson Salisbury of Colorado School of Mines miss out on his third AA.  8th in '21, he was 7th in '22.   A three time Midwest Classic place-winner 4th-7th-4th. 

JT#1's Final Thoughts HWT 

I'd be lying to you if I told you I didn't have mixed feelings on Shawn Streck of Central Oklahoma.  Overall though, I was happy to see him have such a great tournament.  Winning the national title & then having the loudest moment of the night when he proposed to his future wife. It was quite rewarding. 

Jared Campbell of Glenville State upset me a little bit. Not showing up to accept his NCAA runner-up honors didn't sit well with me.  I'm sure he and his coaches don't care what I think, nor should they.  Yet, this is my blog & on it I shall give my opinion.  I'm sure he was disappointed as he wanted to win the national title so bad.  Yet there was way, way, way, way, way more to be proud of than there was to be disappointed in. He was the second All American ever for his school.  He was the second ever national finalist for his school.  Take some pride in that man.  You earned it. You deserved it.  "I lost the national title"  No my friend, you made the NCAA DII finals, one of the hardest things to do in the sport of wrestling, period.  I wish I would have gotten to see you accept your silver medal.  

Now with that said, I'm really lost on Campbell's eligibility. He's been around forever & all tournament they kept on saying he was only a sophomore.  Only a sophomore!?!?!?!? Seriously!?!?  If so, I'd like to know the story behind why he still has so much eligibility left.  I'm glad, but very confused by it. 

Now, remember how I said earlier that Christian Small of Lake Erie was one of my two favorite wrestlers in DII wrestling?  Wonder who the other one is?  Darrell Mason of Minnesota State Mankato.  I love watching him wrestle.  Ran into him and told him that I loved watching him compete, I was happy to see him win a national title in '22 & take 3rd this season & that I was gonna miss watching him.  He informed me that he has another season left & that I could watch him earn his third AA next year.  I was very happy to hear that. 

Last thoughts?  Lee Herrington has the opportunity to be a rare four time AA at HWT next year.  4th-5th-7th so far.   

Also hope to see La'Ron Parks of Notre Dame (The real one in Ohio, not that pile of rubbish in Indiana) to make AA next year.  Came close with an R12 finish. 


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As always could say more, but I have to watch myself as I have a habit of rambling sometimes.  Love this sport & am very happy that the last couple of seasons I have increased my viewership of this level of wrestling.  It's a lot of fun.