As to NCAA Division III wrestling, I find HWT to be the most peculiar of the weight classes. I'm usually at least somewhat good on predicting, but those that tip the scales at anything at or below 285 lbs really threw me for a loop last year. Those I thought would All American or in the least, for sure make the national tournament didn't. There were a lot of surprises last season. I'll be anxious to see if this season is as unpredictable as was last.
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| Jack Heldt Wabash |
There aren't many safe bets you can place in regards to NCAA Division III wrestling in the HWT division. If there be a place where you can relax a little & feel rest assured, it may very lie within Jack Heldt. The two time NCAA DIII finalist won a national title last season going 40-0. It wasn't just 40 wins either. It was 32 by fall. You read that right. He won 100% of his matches and 80% of them were by fall. Out of those falls, 28 of them were in the first period. I mean imagine that, 70% of his matches didn't even get out of the first period. Now anything is possible. In this sport, you watch it long enough you come to realize that. However, even in the matches that did go the distance, not a single offensive point was scored against him.
2nd at the 2021 NCWA, 4th in the D3 nation in 2022 & 3rd this past season, Tyler Kim enters his final season of competition looking to end it as a four time All American. Going 37-2 on the year, he collected gold medals in nearly every other tournament he competed in. This included winning titles at the Upper Midwest Regional, The Luther Invite, the Augsburg Invite & the North Central Invite. A quick mention to backup Jagger Schack who among his victories, defeated D3 R12'er Daniel Skold twice.
As a Criminal Justice major, maybe the first suspect he ought to investigate is himself. According to the rankings, he came in to both the Lower Midwest Regional & the NCAA DIII national tournament & "stole spots." All kidding aside, Darryl Aiello is an excellent tournament wrestler, who pulls a Clark Kent switcharoo into a Superman when all is laid down on the line. He came out of nowhere to take a runner-up finish at the Lower Midwest Regional. Then at the national tournament he loses first round & worked his way all the way back up to 4th! Rankings/seeds, I wouldn't pay them much attention when Aiello takes to the mat. He's always game.
As I sit and ponder if anyone can even remotely challenge Jack Heldt this year, I can just imagine Donovan King with his hand held high in the air yelling, "me!!" King gave Heldt what was arguably his closest match last season that ended in a 5-2 score. Perhaps it is the Comet who can figure out a way to penetrate what at the moment seems to be the impregnable force that is Heldt's defense. 30-5 on the season, King is a two time D3 All American with finishes of 2nd & 5th, as well as a two time Central Regional runner-up.
In a discussion with a friend the other day, we were talking about which of the military academies produced the best wrestlers. For good reason, I said if you look at credentials, accomplishments & overall success, it's difficult to argue with the United State Coast Guard. Speaking contemporarily, here is yet another Bear that could potentially end his career a four time All American. Only a sophomore, he was 2nd in the Northeast Regional & 7th in the D3 nation last year. He also won a Roger Williams invitational.
31-11 on the season, Michael Douglas took a runner-up finish at the Upper Midwest Regional & an 8th place finish at the NCAA Division IIII championships. Also a runner-up at the WIAC, he was 5th at the Augsburg Invite.
My heart went out to RayShawn Dixon at the D3 championships last season. He sticks Darryl Aiello in the first round & then loses a heartbreaking 9-8 decision to Jake Peavey in the bloodround as Aiello works his way back to 4th. I can only imagine how hard that is to swallow. I can also imagine how motivating that could be too. There is plenty of reason to think that Dixon will make a statement this year. For starters, he also defeated three time All American Tyler Kim last season 4-3. A 34-5 record, he won the Pete Willson Invite, taking 2nd at the ODAC & 3rd at the Southeast Regional.
24-10 on the season, Evan Anderson was 3rd at the Northeast Regional, coming within one match of NCAA DIII All American honors. He had a 6-3 victory over All American Carl Digiorgio.
The two time Lower Midwest Regional place-winner (5th & 3rd) made his first NCAA DIII tournament last year & fell one match short of being an All American. 21-10 on the season, he was also 6th at the Pete Willson invitational. Behind him in the lineup will be a tough Josh Woodrey, who among his victories last season, had a 3-1 decision over Robby Bates.
22-13 on the season, Matt Werts was 3rd at the Central Regional.
30-10 on the season, Nate DeGroff was 2nd at the Mideast Regional.
The Southeast Regional was so loaded last season that it was inevitable that someone really good wasn't going to make it to D3's. The two time D3 qualifier, finished one match shy of a third qualification last season with a 4th place finish. 26-5 on the season he earned his third medal at the MAC. Thus far 1st-4th-2nd, he will look to win an MAC title this year as well as challenge for the Regional title.
29-15 on the season, Logan Painter was 4th in the Central Regional. He actually defeated Matt Werts early on in the tournament 5-4, but then lost to him in the match to qualify 2-0 s.v.
A Scholar All American for the Blue Jays, Dylan Waller came within one match shy of NCAA DIII qualification with a Mideast Regional 4th place finish last season. Winning the Racich Rumble, he was runner-up at the Messiah Open. On the year, a 7-3 decision over All American Carl Digiorgio.
5th & 4th thus far in the Northeast Regional, Michael Filieri went 21-9 last season.
184 to HWT is quite the jump, but it didn't seem to phase Chase Melton any last season. 29-7 on the season he won the WIAC & finished 4th at the Upper Midwest Regional. On the season he defeated All American Michael Douglas 3-2.
The 2021 NCWA champion finished one match shy of NCAA qualification last season when he finished 4th at the Lower Midwest Regional. Another example of defeating an opponent earlier in the tournament & then losing to him in the qualifying match. He defeated Daniel Skold who would go on to finish R12 at the D3's 2-0, but then lost to him for 3rd place 3-2. He also earlier in the season had a 2-1 win over All American Darryl Aiello.
24-10 on the season, Mason Sprinkel was 5th at the Northeast Regional & 4th at the Roger Williams Invitational. A 3:36 fall over Mideast Regional runner-up Nate DeGroff.
The 2022 NCAA 6th place All American fell a hair short of another D3 qualification last season when he finished 5th in the Lower Midwest Regional. 34-9 on the season he had a runner-up finish at the North Central Invite, taking bronze medals at both the Pointer Open & the Pete Willson Invitational.
I'm anxious to see who takes the starting spot for the Britons this season. C.J. Krum 21-7 last season was 5th at the Central Regional. Owen Miller, was an NCAA DIII qualifier in 2022 with a 3rd place finish at the Central Regional. Officially Krum pinned Miller in 5:25 for 5th place at the Pointer Open last season.
30-11 on the season, Caleb Burkhart took 5th place finishes at both the Southeast Regional & the MAC.
27-4 on the season, Jacob Barnes was 5th at the Upper Midwest Regional.
28-10 on the season, Jake Pine was 5th at the Mideast Regional.
20 wins on the season for Thomas Blackwell, as he placed 6th at the Central Regional, 4th at the Trine Invitational & 8th at Pete Willson.
The sophomore went undefeated up until the Northeast Regional where he finished in 6th place. A 13-2 record.
Powell didn't take to the mat much last season, but he took to it enough to capture a 6th place finish at the Mideast Regional.
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| Tyler Kim Augsburg |
2nd at the 2021 NCWA, 4th in the D3 nation in 2022 & 3rd this past season, Tyler Kim enters his final season of competition looking to end it as a four time All American. Going 37-2 on the year, he collected gold medals in nearly every other tournament he competed in. This included winning titles at the Upper Midwest Regional, The Luther Invite, the Augsburg Invite & the North Central Invite. A quick mention to backup Jagger Schack who among his victories, defeated D3 R12'er Daniel Skold twice.
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| Darryl Aiello Dubuque |
As a Criminal Justice major, maybe the first suspect he ought to investigate is himself. According to the rankings, he came in to both the Lower Midwest Regional & the NCAA DIII national tournament & "stole spots." All kidding aside, Darryl Aiello is an excellent tournament wrestler, who pulls a Clark Kent switcharoo into a Superman when all is laid down on the line. He came out of nowhere to take a runner-up finish at the Lower Midwest Regional. Then at the national tournament he loses first round & worked his way all the way back up to 4th! Rankings/seeds, I wouldn't pay them much attention when Aiello takes to the mat. He's always game.
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| Donovan King Olivet |
As I sit and ponder if anyone can even remotely challenge Jack Heldt this year, I can just imagine Donovan King with his hand held high in the air yelling, "me!!" King gave Heldt what was arguably his closest match last season that ended in a 5-2 score. Perhaps it is the Comet who can figure out a way to penetrate what at the moment seems to be the impregnable force that is Heldt's defense. 30-5 on the season, King is a two time D3 All American with finishes of 2nd & 5th, as well as a two time Central Regional runner-up.
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| Carl Digiorgio USCG |
In a discussion with a friend the other day, we were talking about which of the military academies produced the best wrestlers. For good reason, I said if you look at credentials, accomplishments & overall success, it's difficult to argue with the United State Coast Guard. Speaking contemporarily, here is yet another Bear that could potentially end his career a four time All American. Only a sophomore, he was 2nd in the Northeast Regional & 7th in the D3 nation last year. He also won a Roger Williams invitational.
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| Michael Douglas UW-La Crosse |
31-11 on the season, Michael Douglas took a runner-up finish at the Upper Midwest Regional & an 8th place finish at the NCAA Division IIII championships. Also a runner-up at the WIAC, he was 5th at the Augsburg Invite.
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| RayShawn Dixon Ferrum |
My heart went out to RayShawn Dixon at the D3 championships last season. He sticks Darryl Aiello in the first round & then loses a heartbreaking 9-8 decision to Jake Peavey in the bloodround as Aiello works his way back to 4th. I can only imagine how hard that is to swallow. I can also imagine how motivating that could be too. There is plenty of reason to think that Dixon will make a statement this year. For starters, he also defeated three time All American Tyler Kim last season 4-3. A 34-5 record, he won the Pete Willson Invite, taking 2nd at the ODAC & 3rd at the Southeast Regional.
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| Evan Anderson NYU |
24-10 on the season, Evan Anderson was 3rd at the Northeast Regional, coming within one match of NCAA DIII All American honors. He had a 6-3 victory over All American Carl Digiorgio.
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| Daniel Skold Augustana (ILL) |
The two time Lower Midwest Regional place-winner (5th & 3rd) made his first NCAA DIII tournament last year & fell one match short of being an All American. 21-10 on the season, he was also 6th at the Pete Willson invitational. Behind him in the lineup will be a tough Josh Woodrey, who among his victories last season, had a 3-1 decision over Robby Bates.
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| Matt Werts Baldwin Wallace |
22-13 on the season, Matt Werts was 3rd at the Central Regional.
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| Nate DeGroff RIT |
30-10 on the season, Nate DeGroff was 2nd at the Mideast Regional.
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| Palmer Rodenhaber Alvernia |
The Southeast Regional was so loaded last season that it was inevitable that someone really good wasn't going to make it to D3's. The two time D3 qualifier, finished one match shy of a third qualification last season with a 4th place finish. 26-5 on the season he earned his third medal at the MAC. Thus far 1st-4th-2nd, he will look to win an MAC title this year as well as challenge for the Regional title.
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| Logan Painter Ohio Northern |
29-15 on the season, Logan Painter was 4th in the Central Regional. He actually defeated Matt Werts early on in the tournament 5-4, but then lost to him in the match to qualify 2-0 s.v.
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| Dylan Waller Elizabethtown |
A Scholar All American for the Blue Jays, Dylan Waller came within one match shy of NCAA DIII qualification with a Mideast Regional 4th place finish last season. Winning the Racich Rumble, he was runner-up at the Messiah Open. On the year, a 7-3 decision over All American Carl Digiorgio.
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| Michael Filieri Springfield |
5th & 4th thus far in the Northeast Regional, Michael Filieri went 21-9 last season.
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| Chase Melton UW-Eau Claire |
184 to HWT is quite the jump, but it didn't seem to phase Chase Melton any last season. 29-7 on the season he won the WIAC & finished 4th at the Upper Midwest Regional. On the season he defeated All American Michael Douglas 3-2.
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| Wyatt Wriedt Loras |
The 2021 NCWA champion finished one match shy of NCAA qualification last season when he finished 4th at the Lower Midwest Regional. Another example of defeating an opponent earlier in the tournament & then losing to him in the qualifying match. He defeated Daniel Skold who would go on to finish R12 at the D3's 2-0, but then lost to him for 3rd place 3-2. He also earlier in the season had a 2-1 win over All American Darryl Aiello.
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| Mason Sprinkel Norwich |
24-10 on the season, Mason Sprinkel was 5th at the Northeast Regional & 4th at the Roger Williams Invitational. A 3:36 fall over Mideast Regional runner-up Nate DeGroff.
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| Robby Bates North Central |
The 2022 NCAA 6th place All American fell a hair short of another D3 qualification last season when he finished 5th in the Lower Midwest Regional. 34-9 on the season he had a runner-up finish at the North Central Invite, taking bronze medals at both the Pointer Open & the Pete Willson Invitational.
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| C.J. Krum Owen Miller Albion |
I'm anxious to see who takes the starting spot for the Britons this season. C.J. Krum 21-7 last season was 5th at the Central Regional. Owen Miller, was an NCAA DIII qualifier in 2022 with a 3rd place finish at the Central Regional. Officially Krum pinned Miller in 5:25 for 5th place at the Pointer Open last season.
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| Caleb Burkhart Wilkes |
30-11 on the season, Caleb Burkhart took 5th place finishes at both the Southeast Regional & the MAC.
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| Jacob Barnes Linfield |
27-4 on the season, Jacob Barnes was 5th at the Upper Midwest Regional.
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| Jake Pine SUNY-Oneonta |
28-10 on the season, Jake Pine was 5th at the Mideast Regional.
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| Thomas Blackwell John Carroll |
20 wins on the season for Thomas Blackwell, as he placed 6th at the Central Regional, 4th at the Trine Invitational & 8th at Pete Willson.
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| Liridon Leka Johnson & Wales |
The sophomore went undefeated up until the Northeast Regional where he finished in 6th place. A 13-2 record.
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| Chris Powell Elmira |
Powell didn't take to the mat much last season, but he took to it enough to capture a 6th place finish at the Mideast Regional.
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| Damari Dancy Eli Pannell Wartburg |
We have two very tough HWTs when looking over the Knight's lineup. Damari Dancy was 6th at the Lower Midwest Regional last season with a 4-2 victory over All American Mike Douglas. Eli Pannell had his own win over an All American as well as eh stuck Darryl Aiello in 6:28.
30-11 on the season, Austin Williams was 6th in the Southeast Regional. An Ithaca Invitaional champion, he also won the Baldwin Wallace Invite, taking 5th at the Racich Rumble & 6th at the MAC.
Brett Schoenherr enters his senior season of wrestling now a two time Upper Midwest Regional place-winner. 5th in 2022, he was 6th this past year. 30-13 on the season, he was also 7th at the Luther Invite & 4th in the WIAC. He recorded a 3-2 victory over All American Michael Douglas.
It almost seems like a good ole shootout in a classic western starring John Wayne more so than it does an excellent wrestle-off. The names are Quick & West, and as far as I'm concerned, both haven proven themselves to be contenders in the Lower Midwest Regional & All American candidates. Quick surprised me with his 7th place finish at the Regional last year. On the season he went 23-8 with runner-up finishes at both the Pointer Open & the Luther Invite. He was 3rd at Augsburg. Among his wins, he defeated three who placed above him, included All American Darryl Aiello 3-2.
West, a powerhouse in his own right had a series of notable wins among his 25 victories last year. He defeated Brett Schoenherr twice by scores of 2-1 & 3-0. He defeated NCAA D3 qualifier Matt Werts twice as well by scores of 3-0 & 3-1 s.v. He also defeated D3 R12'er Daniel Skold 3-1 s.v.
Quick & West didn't wrestle one another last season but in '21-'22, Quick won both a 3-1 & 3-2 decision.
15 wins on the season, Gary Powell finished 7th at the Central Regional.
29-9 on the year, Reid Garrison finished 7th at the Northeast Regional.
7th at the Southeast Regional, Matt Majoy went 21-9 on the season. 4th at the Messiah Invite, where he really stood out was at the ODAC. He won a title with an impressive 3-1 decision over Rayshawn Dixon.
27 wins on the season for Shelby Jones who finished 7th at the Upper Midwest Regional, while taking 5th place finishes at both the Pete Willson Invite & the WIAC.
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| Austin Williams Delaware Valley |
30-11 on the season, Austin Williams was 6th in the Southeast Regional. An Ithaca Invitaional champion, he also won the Baldwin Wallace Invite, taking 5th at the Racich Rumble & 6th at the MAC.
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| Brett Schoenherr UW-Platteville |
Brett Schoenherr enters his senior season of wrestling now a two time Upper Midwest Regional place-winner. 5th in 2022, he was 6th this past year. 30-13 on the season, he was also 7th at the Luther Invite & 4th in the WIAC. He recorded a 3-2 victory over All American Michael Douglas.
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| Cullen Quick Walter West Luther |
It almost seems like a good ole shootout in a classic western starring John Wayne more so than it does an excellent wrestle-off. The names are Quick & West, and as far as I'm concerned, both haven proven themselves to be contenders in the Lower Midwest Regional & All American candidates. Quick surprised me with his 7th place finish at the Regional last year. On the season he went 23-8 with runner-up finishes at both the Pointer Open & the Luther Invite. He was 3rd at Augsburg. Among his wins, he defeated three who placed above him, included All American Darryl Aiello 3-2.
West, a powerhouse in his own right had a series of notable wins among his 25 victories last year. He defeated Brett Schoenherr twice by scores of 2-1 & 3-0. He defeated NCAA D3 qualifier Matt Werts twice as well by scores of 3-0 & 3-1 s.v. He also defeated D3 R12'er Daniel Skold 3-1 s.v.
Quick & West didn't wrestle one another last season but in '21-'22, Quick won both a 3-1 & 3-2 decision.
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| Gary Powell Mount St. Joseph |
15 wins on the season, Gary Powell finished 7th at the Central Regional.
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| Reid Garrison USMMA |
29-9 on the year, Reid Garrison finished 7th at the Northeast Regional.
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| Matt Majoy Washington & Lee |
7th at the Southeast Regional, Matt Majoy went 21-9 on the season. 4th at the Messiah Invite, where he really stood out was at the ODAC. He won a title with an impressive 3-1 decision over Rayshawn Dixon.
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| Shelby Jones UW-Whitewater |
27 wins on the season for Shelby Jones who finished 7th at the Upper Midwest Regional, while taking 5th place finishes at both the Pete Willson Invite & the WIAC.
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| Kyle Emery Adrian |
Kyle Emery finished 8th at the Central Regional.
The Georgia native was 25-10 on the season, placing 8th in the Lower Midwest Regional.
Believe it or not, this big ole guy is also a running back on the football team. Jacob Feese was 8th in last year's Southeast Regional championships.
15 wins on the season, Lucas Wuestefeld was 8th in the Northeast Regional.
I was rather shocked when Ka'Ron Lewis didn't place at the Lower Midwest Regional last season, especially considering that he had such a good Pete Willson placing 4th. Adds to the testimony of how tough these Regionals truly are. Lewis was 22-10 on the season.
Anxious to see who ends up starting for the Spartans this season between Shea Garand & Abbas Abdulrahman. Garand with 21 wins on the season, defeated Mason Sprinkel 4-3 & Michael Filieri twice by scores of 9-4 & 7-2. Abdulrahman, 20 wins on the season defeated Sprinkel 10-7 and placed 3rd at Roger Williams. Head to head, officially Garand owns a 4-2 decision over Abdulrahman.
22 wins on the season, Harper won the Millikin Open & had an 8-2 win over NCAA D3 R12'er Daniel Skold.
16 wins on the season William Ogbebor defeated Mike Filieri 3-1.
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| Jack Haury Huntingdon |
The Georgia native was 25-10 on the season, placing 8th in the Lower Midwest Regional.
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| Jacob Feese King's |
Believe it or not, this big ole guy is also a running back on the football team. Jacob Feese was 8th in last year's Southeast Regional championships.
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| Lucas Wuestefeld WPI |
15 wins on the season, Lucas Wuestefeld was 8th in the Northeast Regional.
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| Ka'Ron Lewis Ozarks |
I was rather shocked when Ka'Ron Lewis didn't place at the Lower Midwest Regional last season, especially considering that he had such a good Pete Willson placing 4th. Adds to the testimony of how tough these Regionals truly are. Lewis was 22-10 on the season.
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| Shea Garand Abbas Abdulrahman Castleton |
Anxious to see who ends up starting for the Spartans this season between Shea Garand & Abbas Abdulrahman. Garand with 21 wins on the season, defeated Mason Sprinkel 4-3 & Michael Filieri twice by scores of 9-4 & 7-2. Abdulrahman, 20 wins on the season defeated Sprinkel 10-7 and placed 3rd at Roger Williams. Head to head, officially Garand owns a 4-2 decision over Abdulrahman.
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| Cam'Ron Harper Aurora |
22 wins on the season, Harper won the Millikin Open & had an 8-2 win over NCAA D3 R12'er Daniel Skold.
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| William Ogbebor Roger Williams |
16 wins on the season William Ogbebor defeated Mike Filieri 3-1.
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