I believe that the best word to describe 197 lbs NCAA DIII '23-'24 is redemption. There were a handful of wrestlers who after having bright endings to their '22 season, didn't quite have the same fortune in '23. As was the time in ROCKY III where Balboa took the fall against Clubber Lang, I think we'll see these particular wrestlers make a comeback, landing that knockout punch at season's end.
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| Endene Massoma Wartburg |
The "football state" gridiron of Texas can claim this one for the mat. Endene Massoma, an NJCAA runner-up transfer from Iowa Lakes Community College, had nearly an unblemished record this past season. 27-1, he won both the NCAA DIII title as well as a Lower Midwest Regional title. He will look to defend both titles this season.
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| Coy Spooner USCG |
Only a junior & already a two time NCAA DIII All American, Coy Spooner is quickly forming into one of the best wrestlers the United States Coast Guard has ever produced. 5th in 2022, the two time Northeast Regional Champion was 2nd in the D3 nation last year. A 26-1 record, his only blemish was a 10-6 loss to Endene Massoma.
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| Doug Byrne Baldwin Wallace |
Here's another at 197 with an impressive resume. 33-3 on the season, Doug Byrne was 5th in the D3 nation with titles collected at both the Central Regional and the Baldwin Wallace invite.
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| Dylan Harr Johnson & Wales |
35-10 on the season, Dylan Harr finished 4th in the D3 nation & 2nd in the Northeast Regional. He was also 2nd in the Ithaca Invitational, winning a Roger Williams Invite. Behind him or perhaps even challenging him for a spot will be Tommy Wrzesien who was 20-2 on the season last year with wins over both Daniel Eckley & Spencer Fetrow.
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| Tyler Hannah UW-Platteville |
Only a junior by eligibility standards & will already be going for his 3rd Upper Midwest Regional title. Tyler Hannah, 31-8 on the season last year was 6th in the D3 nation. Among his other accomplishments, 5th in the Luther Open & 2nd at the WIAC.
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| Josh Harkless RIT |
The two time Mideast Regional bronze medalist was 8th in the D3 nation last season posting a 30-8 record. He will be backed by a tough Nick Smith who earned a 3-2 decision over Jesse Kanatzar last season.
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| Dylan Wellbaum Adrian |
Yo Adrian! You got one tough wrestler here in Dylan Wellbaum. The two time Central Regional runner-up nearly made All American last season finishing one match shy of a top 8 finish. He was 28-6 on the year.
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| Camden Farrow York (PA) |
The 2022 4th place D3 All American did miss out on his second All American honor this past season, but nonetheless, '22-'23 was still a very successful year for the Spartan. Winning titles at both the Racich Rumble & the Southeast Regional, he was 3rd at the MAC ('2nd in 22). 35-7 on the season.
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| Gage Linahon Central |
23-7 on the season, Gage Linahon enters his junior season now a two time NCAA DIII qualifier. 3rd in the Lower Midwest Regional in 2022, he was runner-up this past year. He also took 3rd at the Pointer Open.
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| Jared Voss Coe |
I would most certainly look for Jared Voss to be in the hunt for D3 All American honors this season. 3rd in both the Lower Midwest Regional as well as the Luther Invitational, he won the Coe invitational. 21 wins on the season, two were against All American Tyler Hannah. He defeated the Pioneer 6-1 & 7-4. Behind Voss in the lineup will be a tough, Mathieu Arsenault, who among other accomplishments nearly majored Tyler Thurston 8-1.
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| Parker Venz Augsburg |
Just goes to show you how loaded 197 is with All American candidates. Parker Venz, 28 wins on the season was 3rd in the Upper Midwest Regional. Winning titles at both the Augsburg Invite & the North Central Invite, he pinned All American Dylan Harr in just 46 seconds.
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| Jesse Kanatzar John Carroll |
30-10 on the season last year, Jesse Kanatzar was 3rd in the Central Regional. He also took a runner-up finish at the North Central invite.
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| James Cruz USMMA |
23-9 on the season, James Cruz nearly made All American himself last season when he finished one match shy of a top 8 finish. He was 3rd at the Northeast Regional.
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| Mauro Pellot-Vazquez Alvernia |
Mauro Pellot-Vazquez enters his junior season now a two time NCAA DIII qualifier. 28-10 on the season he earned 3rd place finishes at both the Southeast Regional & the Racich Rumble.
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| Austin Cooley Schreiner |
A guy from Texas, wrestling for a Texas school. How cool would that be for the Longhorn State if Austin Cooley were to be an All American this season? In the Regional he's in, much easier said than down, but not out of the realms of possibility. Cooley was 20-4 last season, finishing 4th at the Lower Midwest Regional. He had a 1:24 fall over two time D3 Qualifier Gage Linahon & an 8-6 decision over Upper Midwest 3rd placer Parker Venz.
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| Cameron Butka Wilkes |
You know a regional is freakin' loaded when a guy like Cameron Butka has yet to make the NCAA DIII tournament. 4th the past two seasons in a row, it wouldn't surprise me at all to see him contend for a spot in the finals this season. An MAC champ, he defeated All American Josh Harkelss 3-2 & R12'er James Cruz 8-6.
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| Gabriel Zierden Concordia (MN) |
Perhaps even better testimony to how incredibly tough these regionals can be is Gabriel Zierden of Concordia (MN). 2nd at the 2021 NCWA, he has just missed NCAA DIII qualification the past two seasons with back to back 4th place Upper Midwest Regional finishes. 27-8 on the season he was runner-up at the Augsburg Invite taking 3rd place honors at Pete Willson.
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| Darby McLaughlin WNE |
25-11 on the season, Junior Darby McLaughlin enters '23-'24 now a two time Northeast Regional place-winner with finishes of 6th & 4th. He was also 6th at the Ithaca Invite last season.
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| Jaedyn Harris McDaniel |
30-7 on the season Jaedyn Harris enters his junior season now a two time Mideast Regional place-winner. 6th in 2022, he was 4th last season.
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| Ben DePrest Ohio Northern |
25 wins on the season, Ben DePrest finished 5th in the Central Regional.
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| Keevon Berry Centenary |
7th & 5th the past two seasons in the Mideast Regional, Keevon Berry enters his junior season having posted 20 wins last year.
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| Tyler Thurston Dubuque |
An Academic All American for the Spartans last season, Tyler Thurston posted 18 wins on the year. 5th at the Lower Midwest Regional & 2nd at he Coe Invitational, he defeated D3 Qualifier Gage Linahon via fall in 2:39 & D3 R12'er Dylan Wellbaum 6-4.
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| Gable Crebs Lycoming |
The 2022 NCAA D3 7th place All American was injured at the MAC last season & I believe that had an effect on his overall performance. Nonetheless he did come back strong to finish 5th at the Southeast Regional. He also won a Washington & Jefferson invite.
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| Spencer Fetrow Roger Williams |
27-10 on the season Spencer Fetrow was 6th at the Northeast Regional & 3rd at the Roger Williams Invite.
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| Daniel Eckley Delaware Valley |
Pretty eventful season for Daniel Eckley. 6th in the Southeast Regional he earned his second 2nd at the MAC & he also finished 2nd at the Racich Rumble. Among his victories, most impressive, a 0:54 fall over Southeast Regional champ Camden Farrow.
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| Sam Melton UW-Eau Claire |
24 wins on the season for the now two time Upper Midwest Regional place-winner. 7th & 6th the past two seasons, he was also 4th at the Roger Williams invite & 6th at the WIAC.
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| Mason Custer Trine |
17 wins on the season, Mason Custer was 7th in the Central Regional.
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| Treyten Steffen Jackson Brinker Cornell (IA) |
Here's what I believe will be a good wrestle-off. Treyten Steffen was 21-12 on the season last year, producing a 7th place finish at the Lower Midwest Regional. Jackson Brinker 23-9, had a 9-3 win over Sam Melton. Steffen did pin Brinker at the Mike Duroe Invite.
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| Rich Fronheiser King's |
17 wins on the season, Rich Fronheiser was 7th at the Southeast Regional.
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| Peyton Smith Concordia (WI) |
7th in the Upper Midwest Regional, Peyton Smith had 15 wins on the season.
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| Jackson Punzell Wheaton |
Quite the season for Jackson Punzell. Picked up a title at the Messiah open, as he was 4th in the North Central Invite & 5th at Pete Willson. He enters this season having posted back to back 8th place finishes at the Upper Midwest Regional.
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| Montgomery Mills Westminster |
20-4 on the season, Montgomery Mills won a Millikin Open title & finished 8th at the Lower Midwest Regional.
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| Caden Friedt Wabash |
15 wins on the season for Caden Friedt who placed 8th at the Central Regional.
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| Ben Kawcyznski UW-La Crosse |
If you asked me to give you the best wrestler in NCAA DIII wrestling who did not place at Regionals last season, my answer hands down is Ben Kawcynski. He really threw me for a loop when he failed to make top 8 at the Upper Midwest Regional. I mean, I had him picked as one of my All Americans. For good reason too. 23-6 on the season, the 2022 D3 R12'er was the only wrestler to hand D3 champ Endene Massoma a loss with a 2-1 victory. He also took it to qualifier Jared Voss 16-8. A WIAC champ in 2022, he was 3rd this past season. It just goes to show you how unforgiving these Regionals can be. There is absolutely no room for error. You can not have a bad day here. Anxious to see how Kawcynski bounces back.
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| Jeremy Mazzella Ithaca |
Jeremy Mazzella, who competed at HWT last season, to my understanding will be going down to 197 this season. 22 wins on the season he was 8th at HWT.
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| Matt Kelly Gabe Rodrigues NYU |
The Violets are not hurting for talent at 197. Matt Kelly an NCAA DIII qualifier in 2022 was 3rd at the Northeast Regional that season. This season he went 10-2 as he defeated All American Josh Harkless 10-4, James Cruz 3-2, Spencer Fetrow 6-3 & Darby McLaughlin 2-1. Gabriel Rodrigues 16-8 on the year, was 7th at the Northeast Regional.
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| Haven Tatarek Castleton |
23 wins on the season, Haven Tatarek was 8th at the Northeast Regional.
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| Brock Monford North Central |
The 2021 4th place NCWA All American didn't take to the mat much last season, but he took to the mat enough to take a 7th place finish at the Pete Willson Invitational. Among his 7-3 record, wins over Peyton Smith & Sam Melton.
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| Evan Danowski UW-Whitewater |
20 wins on the season, Evan Danowski was 5th at the WIAC.
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