Here's where all of the arguments hold the most water. If you are one of the last 8 standing by year's end NCAA Division II 157 lbs, you are an absolute stud. Matter of fact, if you're one of the final 18, you are a stud. You place in the top 6 of your region & you're top 36 over all, STILL a stud. That's how tough this weight class is. You want a presentation for why only 18 qualifiers for the DII national tournament is so ridiculous? Look no further than 157. Not only do you have an assortment of good, tough, quality wrestlers who don't qualify, you have an assortment of good, tough, quality wrestlers who didn't even place top 6 within their region. Not to mention the various schools where just making the varsity lineup is tougher than nails.
The other argument of how if A beats B earlier in the region, but then B beats A in the consolation final qualification match, A should have a chance to challenge B for a true 3rd? Yeah, that most certainly applies here at 157.
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| Nick Novak Blake Legred Colby Njos St Cloud State |
It absolutely astounds me that with as loaded as 157 lbs was last year, that Nick Novak was able to go undefeated at 27-0, winning both the Super Region V & NCAA DII titles last season. Then again, with talent like Blake Legred & Colby Njos to contend with you in the room, it's no wonder Novak is as good as he is. Legred himself had a 5-0 decision over two time DII qualifier Eric Faught & he also defeated Sean Howk 1-0. He was 5th at the Dakota Wesleyan Open. Colby Njos, was 3rd at the 2021 NCAA DII's. Last season he had a 4-0 victory over Miles Fitzgerald (an NCAA DII qualifier in 2022) in the finals of the Yellow Jacket Open.
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| Logan Bailey Indianapolis |
33-5 on the season, when it comes time to show up, Logan Bailey saves his best moves for the final dance. 3rd in the Super Region IV (2nd in '22), Logan Bailey waltzed his way right into the NCAA DII finals last season. Also an All American in '22 with a 6th place finish, it really adds to the testimony of just how incredibly ruthless the Midwest Classic is when you take into consideration that he did not place at it. (He was however a MWC place-winner in '22 with a 7th place finish).
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| Nate Smith Pittsburgh-Johnstown |
Nate Smith goes into his final season as a Mountain Cat looking to add to his already vast collection of hardware. 2nd-3rd-1st in the Super Region I, he's now earned two DII All American plaques of 8th & 5th place. 22-6 on the season last year, he was also 6th in the Midwest Classic.
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| Trent Mahoney King |
Another Louisiana native on the King roster, showing that the southern boys can scrap, Trent Mahoney put together a 36-11 record last season. 6th in the DII nation, he was 2nd at both the Super Region II & the King Open.
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| Gabe Johnson Central Oklahoma |
32-7 on the season, Gabe Johnson earned his first NCAA DII All American honor with a 7th place finish. Good reason to believe that he himself could be an NCAA DII finalist this season or even challenge for the title, is the fact that he owns two victories over Logan Bailey. One of which is a 7-3 decision. The other, a 4:51 fall. 4th at the Dan Harris Open, he was a Midwest Classic runner-up.
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| Casey Barnett Tiffin |
17-4 on the season, Casey Barnett won the Super Region III title, missing All American honors by one match. 4th at the Midwest Classic, he had a first period 2:05 fall over All American Trent Mahoney.
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| Carter Noehre Colorado School of Mines |
Carter Noehre goes into his final season of NCAA DII competition looking to become a four time Super Region VI place-winner having thus far posted finishes of 2nd-5th-3rd. Having finished one match shy of All American, he'll also be looking for his first medal there as well. Also note, that he was 8th in last year's Midwest Classic.
Also put in a word for tough backup Cody Thompson. 12-4 last season, he stuck pinner Ryan Wheeler in 6:45. He also had a 14-2 major over Logan Sanom. He was 4th at the UNK-Hospitality Open.
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| Max Kiel Belmont Abbey |
Getting hot at the right time is often what this sport is all about. That's especially true at the DII level, when there are so many worthy & only so few who get. Max Kiel got hot at the right time last year. Entered Super Region II with a .500 record & won the whole thing.
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| Ryan Wheeler Colorado Mesa |
I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if Ryan Wheeler doesn't come into this season with a huge chip on his shoulder. The man was not only 3rd in the DII nation in 2022, he was also the Gorriaran award winner. The way this guy seems to throw headlocks & bodylocks seemingly out of nowhere, I wouldn't be surprised to see him win the award again. He had 20 wins last season, 11 of them were via fall & all 11 were in the first period! When coach yells, "Work for the fall!" Ryan Wheeler listens! Two of those first period falls were over All American Nate Smith in 1:27 & R12'er Casey Barnett in 1:53. A Super Region champ in 2022, he was runner-up this past season. So not only will Wheeler look to reclaim his All American status, but he'll also be looking to reclaim the top of the podium at the Region. If that's not all, add in that having placed 7th & 3rd thus far in the Midwest Classic, he'll be going for another medal there too.
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| Gage Bernall Lander |
15-7 on the year, Gage Bernall made the NCAA DII tournament with a 3rd place finish at Super Region III after finishing one match shy of qualification in 2022. Being one match shy of All American status, perhaps this year he'll make All American.
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| Devin Bahr Northern State |
I suppose it wouldn't be fair to say that the Wisconsin transfer seemed to come out of nowhere last year, as he did already have wins over Cody Hicks & Miles Fitzgerald, but nonetheless, I doubt I was the only one who was shocked when he made the Super Region V finals. Ended up finishing 8-6 on the year.
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| Jace Fisher Newman |
22-9 on the season, the Kansas native qualified for his first NCAA DII championships with a 2nd place finish at the Super Region IV. He was 4th in the Region in 2022.
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| Eric Faught Upper Iowa |
23-8 last year, Eric Faught will be going for his third NCAA DII qualification & his fourth Super Region V medal this season. Thus far he has been 3rd-6th-3rd in the Region.
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| Jack Haskin Lake Erie |
15-9 on the season, an NCAA DII qualifier, Jack Haskin has thus far been 4th & 3rd in the Super Region III. On the year, he had an 11-3 major decision over Trent Mahoney.
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| Ben Durocher UW-Parkside |
I'll pretty much say the same thing about Ben Durocher that I said about him last season. He's got the tools & the talent to be not only an NCAA DII qualifier, but also a DII All American. He's simply in an incredibly tough Region & thus far he's been just shy of qualification with 5th & 4th place Super Region V finishes. 21-7 on the season he stuck R12'er Casey Barnett in 2:46 & he defeated DII qualifier Eric Faught 3-1 s.v. A match shy of a top 8 finish at the Midwest Classic, he'll look to earn a medal there as well.
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| Logan Sanom Findlay |
An up & down season for Logan Sanom last year, but I'd say the pros outweighed the cons overall. 16-13 on the year, he was one match shy of NCAA DII qualification with a 4th place finish at the Super Region III. On the season he defeated qualifier Jack Haskin twice. Once with a 5:34 fall during the regular season & then again at the Region with a 6-4 s.v. However, in the consolation final, Haskin defeated him. May I repeat myself.....this is when, where & why there should be a true 3rd challenge.
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| Jake Nicolosi Mount Olive |
It wouldn't surprise me that much if Jake Nicolosi moved back up to 165 lbs this year, seeing that he finished 2nd in the Super Region II there in 2022 & he was 4th at 157 last year. He was also R12 in 2022 as well. Nevertheless at the time being, he's listed at 157.
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| Ryan Wilson Western Colorado |
14-7 on the season, the Idaho native was 4th at Super Region VI. He could face possible challenge from Walker Heckendorf for the spot. Although the two didn't meet offically last season, in '21-'22, Wilson won a 9-4 decision.
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| Donavan Whitted Maryville |
The Texas native went 15-4 on the season last year, coming within one match of NCAA DII qualification with a 4th place finish at the Super Region IV. They call him Houdini & that might be because his duck under is magic when he's able to execute it. He scored a 4-2 victory over NCAA DII finalist Logan Bailey on the season.
Like Jake Nicolosi, Miles Fitzgerald seemed to fare better at 165 in '22, than what he did at 157 last year. Compare a 21-7 record, with a Super Region V finish of 2nd, to a 18-14 record with a 5th place Super Region V finish. Wouldn't be surprised to see him go back up to 165, but for now writing about him as a 157.
Been a roller coaster of ups & downs for Max Stedeford thus far in his collegiate career. On the plus side, he's been close to NCAA DII qualification twice with 4th & 5th place Super Region I finishes. I believe he has a real shot at a top 3 showing this year.
22-13 on the season, it was great start for Noah Korenoski who finished 5th at the Super Region II. Runner-up at the Pembroke Classic, he had both a 7-6 win over All American Trent Mahoney & a 3-1 win over R12'er Gage Bernall.
Another example to add to the testimony of just how competitive this weight class is. Logan Bailey, who was 2nd in the DII nation? He was 3rd in the Super Region IV. Do you know who beat him earlier in the tournament? Jaylon Otero by a 3-1 decision, who himself ended up taking 5th. Messes with your head doesn't it? Overall Otero was 23-12 on the year.
Bailey Gimbor ended up having to medical forfeit to 6th place at Super Region I, but up until that unfortunate end, he had a very nice freshman campaign. 13-4 overall, he stuck Max Stedeford in 4:52.
27-8 on the season, the Florida native was 5th in Super Region III & 7th at the Midwest Classic. As he contends for his second MWC medal, he'll also be in the hunt for NCAA DII qualification. A 4-3 win over Super Region II champ Max Kiel & a 5-2 victory over R12'er Carter Noehre more than suggest that.
17 wins on the season, including a 6:33 fall over two DII qualifier Ryan Wheeler, Cyruss Meeks was 5th in Super Region VI.
15 wins on the reason, Sean Howk was a win away from a top 8 Midwest Classic showing & 6th in the Super Region V.
Tristan Pugh took some lumps last season, but he also handed a few out himself. 6th in Super Region III, he had an 8-5 victory over Super Region II champ Max Kiel.
In a weight class sure to be full of some great wrestle-offs, here is another one. Cody Hicks, 17 wins on the season was 6th in the Super Region VI & 3rd in the Dakota Wesleyan Open. Cason Lindsey, 9 wins on the season, had a 9-4 victory over Sean Howk. He was 6th at the Dakota Wesleyan Open & 2nd at the UNK Hospitality Open.
Of the best wrestlers who didn't place top 6 within their Region last season, I would most certainly count Rasheen Vereen among them. A Super Region II runner-up in 2022, he unfortunately had to medical forfeit out of the tournament last year. Nevertheless, he still managed an 8-5 victory over All American Trent Mahoney, a 3-2 victory over R12'er Gage Bernall & a 7-3 decision over Super Region II champ Max Kiel.
One of the things I love about DII wrestling is it the only opportunity in all of American collegiate wrestling where I get the opportunity to talk about our one & only Canadian program. Just so happens that the particular wrestler I'm mentioning is also Canadian. The Albertan put together 15 wins last season, including a 1:18 fall over Super Region II champ Max Kiel.
12 wins on the season, Jonah Smith had two that stuck out in particularly. A 6:29 fall over qualifier Jack Haskin & a 10-5 win over Cale Hoskinson.
Got another battle for varsity here between two talents. J.D. Culp had both a 5-4 victory over All American Gabe Johnson as well a 3-2 win over Sean Howk. 5th at the UNK-Hospitality Open, he was 2nd at the Dan Harris Open. Conner Johnston, 18-4 on the season, had a 5:57 fall over Cyruss Meeks.
3rd at the UNK-Hospitality open, Briar Reisz had a 6-4 victory over DII qualifier Jace Fisher & a 2-1 win over Sean Howk.
26-9 on the season, Drake Hayward had a 7-5 victory over DII qualifier Eric Faught, a 10-5 victory over Cyruss Meeks & a 3-2 victory over Sean Howk.
Notable wins on the season for Noah Villarreal include a 13-7 victory over DII qualifier Eric Faught, a 3:46 fall over Donavan Whitted & a 11-1 major decision over Max Stedeford.
Injuries have hampered Brody Lamb throughout most of his career but nevertheless in a handful of times in which we have seen him compete, he defeated Cyruss Meeks 7-2 & an 11-9 decision over R12'er Carter Noehre.
15 wins on the season, NIck Carbone defeated Max Stedeford twice by 8-6 & 8-2 decisions. He also defeated Logan Sanom 4-0.
17 wins on the season, a 4-0 win over Noah Korenski.
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| Miles Fitzgerald Augustana (SD) |
Like Jake Nicolosi, Miles Fitzgerald seemed to fare better at 165 in '22, than what he did at 157 last year. Compare a 21-7 record, with a Super Region V finish of 2nd, to a 18-14 record with a 5th place Super Region V finish. Wouldn't be surprised to see him go back up to 165, but for now writing about him as a 157.
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| Max Stedeford Mercyhurst |
Been a roller coaster of ups & downs for Max Stedeford thus far in his collegiate career. On the plus side, he's been close to NCAA DII qualification twice with 4th & 5th place Super Region I finishes. I believe he has a real shot at a top 3 showing this year.
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| Noah Korenoski Coker |
22-13 on the season, it was great start for Noah Korenoski who finished 5th at the Super Region II. Runner-up at the Pembroke Classic, he had both a 7-6 win over All American Trent Mahoney & a 3-1 win over R12'er Gage Bernall.
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| Jaylon Otero Ouachita Baptist |
Another example to add to the testimony of just how competitive this weight class is. Logan Bailey, who was 2nd in the DII nation? He was 3rd in the Super Region IV. Do you know who beat him earlier in the tournament? Jaylon Otero by a 3-1 decision, who himself ended up taking 5th. Messes with your head doesn't it? Overall Otero was 23-12 on the year.
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| Bailey Gimbor Kutztown |
Bailey Gimbor ended up having to medical forfeit to 6th place at Super Region I, but up until that unfortunate end, he had a very nice freshman campaign. 13-4 overall, he stuck Max Stedeford in 4:52.
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| Cale Hoskinson Notre Dame (The real one in Ohio) |
27-8 on the season, the Florida native was 5th in Super Region III & 7th at the Midwest Classic. As he contends for his second MWC medal, he'll also be in the hunt for NCAA DII qualification. A 4-3 win over Super Region II champ Max Kiel & a 5-2 victory over R12'er Carter Noehre more than suggest that.
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| Cyruss Meeks CSU-Pueblo |
17 wins on the season, including a 6:33 fall over two DII qualifier Ryan Wheeler, Cyruss Meeks was 5th in Super Region VI.
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| Sean Howk SWMS |
15 wins on the reason, Sean Howk was a win away from a top 8 Midwest Classic showing & 6th in the Super Region V.
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| Tristan Pugh Glenville State |
Tristan Pugh took some lumps last season, but he also handed a few out himself. 6th in Super Region III, he had an 8-5 victory over Super Region II champ Max Kiel.
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| Cody Hicks Cason Lindsey Fort Hays State |
In a weight class sure to be full of some great wrestle-offs, here is another one. Cody Hicks, 17 wins on the season was 6th in the Super Region VI & 3rd in the Dakota Wesleyan Open. Cason Lindsey, 9 wins on the season, had a 9-4 victory over Sean Howk. He was 6th at the Dakota Wesleyan Open & 2nd at the UNK Hospitality Open.
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| Rasheen Vereen UNC-Pembroke |
Of the best wrestlers who didn't place top 6 within their Region last season, I would most certainly count Rasheen Vereen among them. A Super Region II runner-up in 2022, he unfortunately had to medical forfeit out of the tournament last year. Nevertheless, he still managed an 8-5 victory over All American Trent Mahoney, a 3-2 victory over R12'er Gage Bernall & a 7-3 decision over Super Region II champ Max Kiel.
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| Magnus McCrackin Simon Fraser |
One of the things I love about DII wrestling is it the only opportunity in all of American collegiate wrestling where I get the opportunity to talk about our one & only Canadian program. Just so happens that the particular wrestler I'm mentioning is also Canadian. The Albertan put together 15 wins last season, including a 1:18 fall over Super Region II champ Max Kiel.
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| Jonah Smith West Liberty |
12 wins on the season, Jonah Smith had two that stuck out in particularly. A 6:29 fall over qualifier Jack Haskin & a 10-5 win over Cale Hoskinson.
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| J.D. Culp Conner Johnston Central Missouri |
Got another battle for varsity here between two talents. J.D. Culp had both a 5-4 victory over All American Gabe Johnson as well a 3-2 win over Sean Howk. 5th at the UNK-Hospitality Open, he was 2nd at the Dan Harris Open. Conner Johnston, 18-4 on the season, had a 5:57 fall over Cyruss Meeks.
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| Briar Reisz Nebraska-Kearney |
3rd at the UNK-Hospitality open, Briar Reisz had a 6-4 victory over DII qualifier Jace Fisher & a 2-1 win over Sean Howk.
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| Drake Hayward Minnesota State Mankato |
26-9 on the season, Drake Hayward had a 7-5 victory over DII qualifier Eric Faught, a 10-5 victory over Cyruss Meeks & a 3-2 victory over Sean Howk.
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| Noah Villarreal McKendree |
Notable wins on the season for Noah Villarreal include a 13-7 victory over DII qualifier Eric Faught, a 3:46 fall over Donavan Whitted & a 11-1 major decision over Max Stedeford.
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| Brody Lamb Chadron State |
Injuries have hampered Brody Lamb throughout most of his career but nevertheless in a handful of times in which we have seen him compete, he defeated Cyruss Meeks 7-2 & an 11-9 decision over R12'er Carter Noehre.
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| Nick Barbone Ashland |
15 wins on the season, NIck Carbone defeated Max Stedeford twice by 8-6 & 8-2 decisions. He also defeated Logan Sanom 4-0.
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| Gage Shetley Emmanuel |
17 wins on the season, a 4-0 win over Noah Korenski.
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