I think I would have to conclude 197 lbs to be my favorite weight class in the NAIA. For one we have two of the toughest wrestlers in the NAIA duking it out, both looking to win a second national title, as both also look to claim their fourth All American honor. It'll be really fun to see if anyone else will be able to knock either of them off, keeping from the NAIA finals. All in all, 7 All Americans return from last season, with three R12'ers right behind them. This weight class is insanely tough.
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| Owen Braungardt Grand View |
One of the two NAIA national champions returning at this weight, Owen Braungardt won his title last season, having placed 5th in '20 & 3rd in '21.
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| Zane Lanham Life |
There to challenge Braungardt will be 2022 NAIA national champion Zane Lanham who was 2nd in the nation last season, having captured 3rd in 2021.
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| Brad Antesberger Doane |
As mentioned, as we go into the '23-'24 season, we have to ask ourselves, is there anyone out there who could possibly challenge Braungardt or Lanham for a spot in the NAIA finals? If I had to pick anyone to knock off one of the 197 lbs Kings, I'd wager Brad Antesberger. A two time NAIA All American in his own right, he's thus far been 4th & 3rd in his career.
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| Malachi Karibo Baker |
A match shy of All American honors in 2022, Malachi Karibo was able to secure his spot on the award stand last season with a 4th place finish. A two time Heart of American runner-up, he won the Missouri Valley Invitational last season.
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| Nathan Critchfield Indiana Tech |
Nathan Critchfield was one of the tough freshman among this crazed weight class last season. He was able to manage a 5th place finish at the NAIA championships.
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| Tucker Tomlinson Ottawa |
The Brave was only 12-6 on the season last year, but he made it count when he needed to. A KCAC champion, he was 7th in the NAIA nation.
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| Elijah Hynes Central Methodist |
Only a sophomore this season, Elijah Hynes was 3rd in the Heart of America & 8th in the NAIA nation last year.
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| Andrew Herrera Southern Oregon |
Finishing one match shy of All American honors last season, Andrew Herrera goes into his final season having placed 4th in the Cascade Conference.
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| Garavous Kouekabakilaho Grand View |
As teammate Owen Braungardt attempts to win his second national title, it is a real possibility that teammate Garavous Kouekabakilaho could join him on the award stand. Only a sophomore, he already owns titles at both the Luther Hill Open as well as the Grand View Open, taking 3rd at the Missouri Valley Invitational.
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| Carl Hansen Montana State Northern |
Here's a guy that has been steadily improving season after season. A losing record as a freshman, to a 3rd place Cascade Conference showing & a R12 NAIA finish last year as a junior. Perhaps his final season will end in All American honors.
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| John Schuttler Graceland |
A two time Heart of America place-winner with finishes of 6th & 4th, John Schuttler will go for another top finish this season. He was also 5th last year at both the Coe Invitational & the Luther Hill Open.
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| Branson Bottorff William Penn |
The Statesmen goes into his junior season having placed 5th at the Heart of America last season.
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| Jay Smith Eastern Oregon |
One of the many talents that prove why the Evergreen State would do itself a favor by providing more collegiate wrestling opportunities, Jay Smith has thus far been 2nd & 5th in the Cascade Conference as he enters his senior season. 5th at the Missouri Valley Invitational & 4th at the Grand View Open, he was an Eastern Oregon Mountaineer Open champion last year.
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| Jacob Potts Vanguard |
Entering his sophomore season, Jacob Potts was 6th in the Cascade Conference last season.
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| Greyson Stevens Campbellsville |
A transfer of Northern Illinois University, Greyson Stevens won a Mid-South Conference title for the Tigers last season.
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| Levid Rodriguez Campbellsville |
Finishing runner-up at the Mid-South Conference right behind teammate Stevens was Levid Rodriguez. The sophomore also had an impressive 3rd place showing at the Life Open.
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| Jared Tracey Keiser |
Jared Tracey goes into his sophomore season having finished as the Appalachian Athletic Conference runner-up last season.
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| Kelvin Coker Texas Wesleyan |
Coker goes into his final season as a Ram having won a conference title last season.
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| Kaleb Lind Northwestern (IA) |
Kaleb Lind had runner-up finishes both at the York Open & within the GPAC last season.
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| Carter Kroll Lourdes |
The Gray Wolf finished an impressive 4th at the Missouri Valley Invitational last season.
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| Gus Davis Grand View |
I suppose I could say the same for Life, but in all seriousness, Grand View should hold a tournament with just their wrestlers, to determine varsity starters. They are legitimately "just that deep" in every weight class, 197 included. Having already mentioned two Vikings at our second heaviest weight, let me now mention a third. Gus Davis who was 3rd at the Luther Hill & 7th at the Missouri Valley Invitational.
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| Liam Swanson Providence |
The Argonaut was 2nd at the Spokane Open last season.
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| Kyle Scott Rochester |
Senior Kyle Scott was champion at the Patriot Open last season.
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