Made a promise at the beginning of last year that in the '23-'24 season JT#1 would start doing coverage of NJCAA wrestling! Seems fairly straightforward. Two year programs. If you were a freshman last season, then you're a sophomore this season. If you were a sophomore last season, you are moving on to a four year school to finish up your last two years of eligibility. Unfortunately, it isn't that simple.
Some of last year's freshmen will be redshirting this season. Then with the whole COVID-19 ordeal, some of last year's 'sophomores' will still be back.
So with that said, take it easy on me if some of these guys listed are redshirting or have already moved on to a four year school!
And of course, unintentionally I'll probably leave off a few names that belong on the list. If so, mention their names. The more the merrier.
Now....
The top returnees in NJCAA wrestling '23-'24 197 lbs!
NOTES
2023 NJCAA Champ Brett Mower of Iowa Western is headed to Oregon State
2023 NJCAA Runner-up Ibrahim Ameer is competing for Drexel
2023 NJCAA Michael Gasper of Clackamas who was 3rd last season is at Little Rock
I'm not sure on the status of Austin Suess who was 8th for Southwest Virginia last season
Isaiah Laguna NJCAA R12 last season is now at Sioux Falls
I'm under the impression that Geoff Freeman of NEO is HWT this season
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| John Lovett Iowa Central |
The Georgia native came up north & showed the southern boys can scrap! An excellent season for the Triton as he finished 4th in the NJCAA nation.
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| Jayshon Hines Northwest Kansas Tech |
The New York native made a huge splash for the Mavericks last season taking 5th place honors at the NJCAA championships.
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| Talmage Carman Western Wyoming |
Another top returnee at 197 NJCAA will be Utah native Talmage Carman, who was 6th in the NJCAA nation last year.
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| Hunter Hall Carl Albert State |
Also a standout on the baseball field for the Vikings, Carl Albert took NJCAA All American honors of 7th last season.
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| Brad Whitright North Idaho |
The Cheyenne, Wyoming native will look to earn All American honors this season after coming up one match short last year.
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| Drew Fox NIACC |
Not 100% sure if Drew Fox will be back this season or not, but with COVID-19, I think he will get an extra season in the NJCAA. Rather include someone who isn't going to be back than exclude someone who is. With that said, what an improvement Drew Fox made from '21-'22 to '22-'23! He only won one match his first season & then nearly makes NJCAA All American status last year! Now that's listening to your coaches & making improvements!
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| Zavione Willis Iowa Lakes |
The Louisiana native had himself a pretty solid season last year. An NJCAA qualifier, he was 3rd in the North Central District & 4th at the York Open. Behind him in the room is a very tough Josiah Bundt who will challenge him for the starting spot.
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| Kaden Glass Pratt |
Glass was an NJCAA qualifier for the Beavers last year.
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| Kanden Young Cowley |
4th in the South Central District, Kanden Young was an NJCAA qualifier last season.
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| Josh Wright Patrick & Henry |
Wright was an NJCAA qualifier for the Patriots last season.
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| Isaiah Chuckwu Joliet |
Chuckwu was an NJCAA qualifier for the Wolves last season.
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| Manny Mejia Harper |
A runner-up at the Midwest District, Manny Mejia was an NJCAA qualifier last season.
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| Dakota Veltman Muskegon |
A Conference champion for the Jay Hawks last season, Dakota Veltman was 4th in the Great Lakes District qualifying for the NJCAA championships.
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| Martin Prieto Rochester Tech |
Also a talent on the gridiron, Martin Prieto was an NJCAA qualifier for the Yellow Jackets last season.
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| Christian Slack Snow |
Slack was an NJCAA qualifier for the Badgers last season.
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| Vinny Patierno Southwestern Michigan |
Patierno was an NJCAA qualifier for the Roadrunners last season.
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