We have a two time NCAA DII champion returning among four other All Americans in a weight class where wrestlers seem to get hot at the right time. If '23-'24 resembles '22-'23 then it's a real possibility that come Regions we'll see some notable upsets. The other piece of business that makes this weight class one to pay attention to is that so many of these wrestlers had disappointing ends to their seasons last year. Most certainly a time for reclamation.
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| Josiah Rider Adams State |
The #1 question as we head into '23-'24 is if anyone can challenge two time NCAA DII champion Josiah Rider as he goes for his third title. 27-3 on the season last year, only one of those losses was to DII competition. He'll be the favorite until proven otherwise.
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| Wyatt Turnquist Northern State |
Here's a guy that got red hot at last year's DII national championships. The two time Super Region V bronze medalist dropped a decision to eventual champ Josiah Rider & then plowed through the consolation bracket to collect a DII bronze medal. Having lost twice earlier in the season to Jalen Spuhler, he won the consolation final rather decisively by a 10-5 decision.
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| Jalen Spuhler UW-Parkside |
31-9 on the season, Jalen Spuhler finished 4th in the DII nation & 2nd at the Super Region V. Within his ongoing feud with Wyatt Turnquist, he defeated the wolf by scores of 4-3 & 3-2 tiebreaker. Among his other accomplishments last season, he won the Pointer Open, finishing 7th at the Midwest Classic.
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| Jacob Ealy Pittsburgh-Johnstown |
In the final stages of the effect that COVID-19 on the world of sports, Jacob Ealy has an opportunity to end his career a 5 time NCAA DII qualifier. He also at 8th-3rd-5th, has the opportunity to become a four time NCAA DII All American. It should be noted that while he was not able to keep Josiah Rider from winning his second NCAA DII title last year, he did keep the Grizzly from winning a Midwest Classic title as he defeated him 4-3, before winning the title himself.
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| Devan Moore Newberry |
27-14 on the season, Devan Moore had to avenge some losses in order to win the Super Region II title. He also had to avenge another loss at the NCAA DII's, plus pull off what was perhaps the biggest upset of the tournament when he knocked off Joseph Bianchini in the bloodround to become an All American. 8th in the DII nation last season, he will look for another All American honor this year.
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| Joseph Bianchini St Cloud State |
After finishing as the NCAA DII runner-up in '21 & 3rd in '22, I honestly thought that Joseph Bianchini would be the one to challenge Josiah Rider in the finals of last year's national championships. Instead, heartbreak would ensue as Bianchini was upset, finishing one match shy of All American honors. As much of a headache as COVID-19 has been, I am thankful for it, because the story doesn't end, it continues for Bianchini. Not only does he have the opportunity to as Harry Dunne would say, "Totally Redeem himself!" BUT he also has the opportunity to become a five time Super Region V champion. If that happens, we've gotta get T-shirts that read "5 for V." A 7-2 decision over Wyatt Turnquist & avenging his only in-season loss with 4-3 win over Jalen Spuhler, that's a real possibility.
Not to be overshadowed by Bianchini, the Huskies also have a very tough Cameron Riggs at 149 lbs as well. 2nd in the Yellow Jacket Open, he was 3rd at the Dakota Wesleyan Open.
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| Jacob Simpson West Liberty |
The Florida native put together an impressive 25-8 record last season, winning a Super Region III title & finishing one match shy of DII All American honors.
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| Phillip Sims Quincy |
You know I love new wrestling programs & you know I love it when new wrestling programs have some of their first successes. How awesome was it to see Sims win a Super Region IV title for the Hawks last season? He nearly made All American as well as he finished one match shy of a top 8 finish.
8th in the DII nation in 2022, Darick Lapaglia has thus far been 3rd & 2nd in Super Region IV the past two seasons. As he looks to return to the All American top 8, he will also be going for his third Midwest Classic medal this season, as he already has 6th & 5th place finishes on his resume. 23-7 on the season, he had a 3:34 fall over All American Jalen Spuhler & an 8-4 decision over All American Devan Moore.
14-9 on the season, Jack Tangen made the Super Region II finals.
27-6 on the season, Dallas Wilson was 3rd in the Super Region II. Not only will he look for his second NCAA DII qualification, but results suggest that he will also hunt for All American honors this season. He owns a 7-2 victory over All American Devan Moore, an 8-0 major decision over Jack Tangen & a 9-4 decision over R12'er Jacob Simpson. 8th in last year's Midwest Classic, he will also be going for medal #2 at DII's toughest in-season tournament.
19-10 on the season, the now two time Super Region I place-winner (4th in '22 & 3rd last year) qualified for the NCAA DII wrestling championships.
14 wins on the season, Austin Fietz qualified for the DII championships with a runner-up finish at the Super Region III.
I spoke earlier of wrestlers getting hot by season's end & Evan Davis was one of them. Entering Super Region III with a 6-5 record, he worked his way to a 3rd place NCAA DII qualification. He will be challenged by Luke Wymer. Despite not competing much last season, he was an NCAA DII qualifier in 2021 & he defeated All American Devan Moore 17-2 technical fall.
I don't know if any other sport hits the highs & lows to the extremes that wrestling does. Man's oldest sport has a way of making you feel you're on the top of Olympus Mons, but it can also make you feel like you're at the very bottom of Challenger Deep. Craig Cook went into last year's Super Region I a three time qualifier, looking for his fourth qualification. It didn't happen. COVID-19, should he take the extra year of eligibility, gives way for vindication. 20-8 on the season, Cook had 5-0 decision over R12'er Jacob Simpson & an 8-0 major decision over DII qualifier Tommy Nichols.
26-6 on the season, the Georgia native missed out on his second NCAA DII qualification by a nose hair in a tight 4-3 loss to Dallas Wilson. Now 3rd & 4th in his first two Super Region II's, he won the Pembroke Classic & finished one match shy of a medal at the Midwest Classic. He had a 3-1 s.v. over Super Region II runner-up Jack Tangen.
30-10 on the season, Caleb Meunier finished one match shy of NCAA DII qualification with a 4th place finish at Super Region V.
With a Super Region IV 4th place finish, Jackson Hoover, 22-9 on the year, finished one match shy of NCAA DII qualification.
11-21 overall on the season, I would say that Mason Kleinberg got hot at the Super Region III, avenging some losses in route to a 4th place finish.
24 wins on the season, Matt Kaufmann was 5th in Super Region III & 4th in the King Open.
14 wins on the season, Connor Simmonds was 5th in Super Region V. On the season he had a 5-2 decision over DII All American Jalen Spuhler.
23-7 on the season, Colton Stoneking was 5th in Super Region V.
14 wins on the year, Tyler Pepe was 5th at the Super Region V.
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| Darick Lapaglia Central Missouri |
8th in the DII nation in 2022, Darick Lapaglia has thus far been 3rd & 2nd in Super Region IV the past two seasons. As he looks to return to the All American top 8, he will also be going for his third Midwest Classic medal this season, as he already has 6th & 5th place finishes on his resume. 23-7 on the season, he had a 3:34 fall over All American Jalen Spuhler & an 8-4 decision over All American Devan Moore.
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| Jack Tangen Lander |
14-9 on the season, Jack Tangen made the Super Region II finals.
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| Dallas Wilson Mount Olive |
27-6 on the season, Dallas Wilson was 3rd in the Super Region II. Not only will he look for his second NCAA DII qualification, but results suggest that he will also hunt for All American honors this season. He owns a 7-2 victory over All American Devan Moore, an 8-0 major decision over Jack Tangen & a 9-4 decision over R12'er Jacob Simpson. 8th in last year's Midwest Classic, he will also be going for medal #2 at DII's toughest in-season tournament.
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| Tommy Nichols American International |
19-10 on the season, the now two time Super Region I place-winner (4th in '22 & 3rd last year) qualified for the NCAA DII wrestling championships.
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| Austin Fietz Lake Erie |
14 wins on the season, Austin Fietz qualified for the DII championships with a runner-up finish at the Super Region III.
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| Evan Davis Luke Wymer Ashland |
I spoke earlier of wrestlers getting hot by season's end & Evan Davis was one of them. Entering Super Region III with a 6-5 record, he worked his way to a 3rd place NCAA DII qualification. He will be challenged by Luke Wymer. Despite not competing much last season, he was an NCAA DII qualifier in 2021 & he defeated All American Devan Moore 17-2 technical fall.
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| Craig Cook Millersville |
I don't know if any other sport hits the highs & lows to the extremes that wrestling does. Man's oldest sport has a way of making you feel you're on the top of Olympus Mons, but it can also make you feel like you're at the very bottom of Challenger Deep. Craig Cook went into last year's Super Region I a three time qualifier, looking for his fourth qualification. It didn't happen. COVID-19, should he take the extra year of eligibility, gives way for vindication. 20-8 on the season, Cook had 5-0 decision over R12'er Jacob Simpson & an 8-0 major decision over DII qualifier Tommy Nichols.
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| Jake Piccirilli UNC-Pembroke |
26-6 on the season, the Georgia native missed out on his second NCAA DII qualification by a nose hair in a tight 4-3 loss to Dallas Wilson. Now 3rd & 4th in his first two Super Region II's, he won the Pembroke Classic & finished one match shy of a medal at the Midwest Classic. He had a 3-1 s.v. over Super Region II runner-up Jack Tangen.
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| Caleb Meunier Minnesota State Mankato |
30-10 on the season, Caleb Meunier finished one match shy of NCAA DII qualification with a 4th place finish at Super Region V.
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| Jackson Hoover Indianapolis |
With a Super Region IV 4th place finish, Jackson Hoover, 22-9 on the year, finished one match shy of NCAA DII qualification.
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| Mason Kleinberg Findlay |
11-21 overall on the season, I would say that Mason Kleinberg got hot at the Super Region III, avenging some losses in route to a 4th place finish.
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| Matt Kaufmann Notre Dame (OH) |
24 wins on the season, Matt Kaufmann was 5th in Super Region III & 4th in the King Open.
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| Connor Simmonds Augustana (SD) |
14 wins on the season, Connor Simmonds was 5th in Super Region V. On the season he had a 5-2 decision over DII All American Jalen Spuhler.
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| Colton Stoneking Fairmont State |
23-7 on the season, Colton Stoneking was 5th in Super Region V.
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| Tyler Pepe Belmont Abbey |
14 wins on the year, Tyler Pepe was 5th at the Super Region V.
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| Daniel Magana Colorado Mesa |
Filling in for the Mavericks also at 141 & 157 throughout the season, Daniel Magana took 5th place honors at the Super Region VI last year.
A Super Region II runner-up in 2022, Demetri Teddlie was 6th this past season. More a reflection of the toughness of Super Region II more than anything. 17 wins on the season, the Louisiana native defeated NCAA DII qualifier Evan Davis 6-3.
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| Demetri Teddlie King |
A Super Region II runner-up in 2022, Demetri Teddlie was 6th this past season. More a reflection of the toughness of Super Region II more than anything. 17 wins on the season, the Louisiana native defeated NCAA DII qualifier Evan Davis 6-3.
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| Kibwe McNair Kutztown |
Kibwe McNair didn't take to the mat much last season, but he took to it enough to capture a 6th place finish at the Super Region I.
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| Caleb Fritz Bluefield State |
Entering the Super Region III with a 4-9 record, an upset here & an upset there, Caleb Fritz made history by becoming the Big Blue's first Region place-winner with a 6th place finish. He also just as importantly made history by becoming the first wrestler in Bluefield State history to make academic All American.
Minot, Minot, why not Minot? From Minot, Kelby Armstrong competing for Minot State was 6th in the Super Region V.
Finishing the R12 at the 2022 NCAA DII championships, Leo Mushinsky came up a little short of a top 6 showing at last year's Super Region 5. Also a match away from a top 8 showing at the Midwest Classic he had 16 wins on the season. Two of which were a 6-3 win over R12'er Jacob Simpson & a 3-1 win over Matt Kaufmann.
13 wins on the season for Peacock Ethen Doty, one of which was a 4-2 decision over DII qualifier Tommy Nichols.
An NCAA DII qualifier in 2022, I have reason to think Matt Zuckerman will once again contend for qualification in 2024. On the season he had 3-1 s.v. over DII qualifier Austin Fietz & he also defeated Matt Kaufmann 5-2.
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| Kelby Armstrong Minot State |
Minot, Minot, why not Minot? From Minot, Kelby Armstrong competing for Minot State was 6th in the Super Region V.
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| Leo Mushinsky Mary |
Finishing the R12 at the 2022 NCAA DII championships, Leo Mushinsky came up a little short of a top 6 showing at last year's Super Region 5. Also a match away from a top 8 showing at the Midwest Classic he had 16 wins on the season. Two of which were a 6-3 win over R12'er Jacob Simpson & a 3-1 win over Matt Kaufmann.
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| Ethen Doty Upper Iowa |
13 wins on the season for Peacock Ethen Doty, one of which was a 4-2 decision over DII qualifier Tommy Nichols.
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| Matt Zuckerman Tiffin |
An NCAA DII qualifier in 2022, I have reason to think Matt Zuckerman will once again contend for qualification in 2024. On the season he had 3-1 s.v. over DII qualifier Austin Fietz & he also defeated Matt Kaufmann 5-2.
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