133 lbs is gonna be every bit as good as 125 lbs will be, as we feature 16 of the top ranked NCAA Division I wrestlers, including both the NCAA DII champion & the NCAA DII runner-up from last season! Talk about a loaded weight class!
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| #1 Gavin Quiocho Glenville State |
Gavin Quiocho made history last season by becoming Glenville State's first NCAA DII champion, but to give forth declaration for just how insanely tough the Midwest Classic is? Here he finished 7th. If that isn't a tell all for just how important the Midwest Classic is, then you tell me what is? He's thus far undefeated at 15-0 coming into these championships (as of the time this was written), and he'll have plenty to brag about if he remains undefeated by the time the Classic is said and done. We often talk about defending your ranking and defending your position in this sport, but my God, I don't know if those words ring any truer than they will for Quiocho this tournament. Against the competition he owns a 4-3 decision over Quentrevion Campbell, a 7-4 decision over Reece Barnhardt & a 5-3 decision over J.P. Homfeld. He also owns last second on the buzzer 7 minute falls over both Byron Daubert as well as Logan Robinson. A 5-2 decision over Ryan Ripplinger.
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| #2 Quentrevion Campbell Chadron State |
I'd suspect that the taste is still bitter for Quentrevion Campbell when he thinks about last year's NCAA DII finals & losing to Gavin Quiocho. Other than being the NCAA DII finals itself, I'm sure there's nothing more that Campbell would rather do than to come in here to the Midwest Classic & avenge his loss over Quiocho while taking home the championship. While needing to watch his own back for upset as he garners for revenge, Campbell thus far owns both a 7-3 decision over Reece Barnhardt & a 9-3 decision over Byron Daubert.
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| #5 Reece Barnhardt Mary |
Only a junior and already at two time NCAA DII All American and a two time Midwest Classic runner-up. Can he make his third Midwest Classic in a row? Furthermore can he win the tournament? What Reece Barnhardt has going for him is that he has absolutely owned Elijah Lusk every time he's stepped on the mat with him. 10-3 and 16-4 decisions. So things look good for the Marauder if he gets paired up with the Bearcat. We like to try and romanticize wrestling a lot with our little, "gotta wrestle everybody anyway" sayings, but truth is, seeding can strongly effect outcome. With the parity that is a part of this sport, it can make a world of difference.
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| #6 Elijah Lusk Lander |
Elijah Lusk is an interesting case. 4th in last year's championships, he comes in here the living, walking, breathing proof that Gavin Quiocho is not invincible. Lusk owns a 5-3 decision over last year's NCAA DII champ. On the same hand though, as mentioned above, he has struggled something fierce with Reece Barnhardt. Bracket placement could play a big factor here & in this particular case, getting as far away from Barnhardt as possible would be a good thing. Also only a junior and already a two time NCAA DII All American in his own right, Lusk also owns an 8-6 decision over Tommy Frezza, a 15-0 tech over Logan Robinson & a 1:20 fall over Ryan Ripplinger.
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| #7 Patrick Allis Western Colorado |
It really goes to show you just how loaded this bracket is, when we talk about another two time NCAA DII All American, this time, senior Patrick Allis. Competing at 125 lbs last season, he hasn't faced much of the competition that he'll see here at the Midwest Classic. This could very well pose within his favor, as one can often be more sneaky and clever with those with whom are unfamiliar with him. He's not completely new to the 133 lbs weight class having competed at the weight twice thus far in his career. It'll be here we get a really good glimpse of exactly where he stands.
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| #8 Gabe Hixenbaugh Montevallo |
I've been preaching for years that if southern states would simply have collegiate wrestling programs for their high school wrestlers to compete at, they'd see success. Now that Alabama has both DIII Huntington and now DII Montevallo they are seeing this premonition become a reality. Gabe Hixenbaugh as many point out originally went to Campbell, but once nearby Montevallo (less than a 20 minute drive from hometown of Alabaster) started up a wrestling team, he knew the Falcons needed a hometown hero. He's given them one. He's given the whole state of Alabama one. With the NCAA DII champ, NCAA DII runner-up, plus three other two time NCAA DII All Americans, call up make-a-wish cause that may be the exact kind of luck Hixenbaugh would need to win this bracket. However he's been consistently climbing the ladder week by week, and 11-0 in competition thus far, he may very well prove just how good he is here at the Classic. What a statement that'd be for this new southern program and what a statement it'd be for Alabama wrestling in general.
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| #9 Tommy Frezza Central Missouri |
A dangerous pinner, I would look for Tommy Frezza to challenge for a medal at the Midwest Classic & I wouldn't put it past him to pull off an upset somewhere along the way. He already owns a 2-1 decision over Allis. As to wins via fall, he owns a 1:45 fall over Logan Robinson, a 3:57 fall over Peter Rolle & a 3:00 fall over Caden Howard. Other notable wins include an 8-3 decision over J.P. Homfeld & a 13-0 major over James Anderson.
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| #10 Jason Henschel Northern State |
Another tough former NJCAA wrestler who is now kicking ass and taking names at the NCAA Division II level. Last season competing for Pratt, Jason Henschel took runner-up honors at the NJCAA tournament. This season he's currently ranked #10 as he looks to earn Midwest Classic top 8 honors. This will be a great test to see where exactly he stands amongst some of the very best in NCAA DII wrestling.
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| #14 Byron Daubert Pittsburgh Johnstown |
An NCAA DII qualifier for the Mountain Cats last season, Byron Daubert will look to challenge for a top 8 finish at this year's Midwest Classic.
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| #15 Logan Robinson UNC-Pembroke |
Logan Robinson marks yet another NCAA DII qualifier from last year who will be in the hunt for a top 8 showing here in Indianapolis. The Brave currently stands at 9-2 (at the time this was written) on the season.
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| #16 Ryan Ripplinger McKendree |
Ryan Ripplinger has thus far had Super Region IV finishes of 4th & 5th, just narrowly missing out on NCAA DII qualification. This year he yearns to get over the hump and earn that qualification. Earning a top 8 finish at the Midwest Classic would not only help his ranking, thus potentially helping his seeding at the Super Region IV. Not to mention what'd do for his confidence. He owns both a 6-2 decision over J.P. Homfeld & a 6-1 decision over James Anderson.
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| #17 Matt Chi UW-Parkside |
Matt Chi has looked the best he's ever looked as he currently holds a 17-2 (at the time this was written) record. Coming off of winning a Jim Koch Open title, I would say that he's more than prepared for the Midwest Classic. A 10-5 decision over Ryan Ripplinger, he also owns a 9-3 decision over J.P. Homfeld.
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| #18 J.P. Homfeld Maryville |
Consistency hasn't been a great friend to J.P. Homfeld, but when he gets cooking, he can sometimes get real hot. A match away from a top 8 showing here last year, all it would take is a streak of getting hot for a few matches & suddenly Homfeld would be in the game. Rankings be what they are he's defeated Ryan Ripplinger 7-4 & he pinned him in a minute in another match. He also owns a 2-1 decision over Matt Chi. Not to mention an 8-3 decision over James Anderson & a 10-4 decision over Caden Howard.
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| #19 Peter Rolle Central Oklahoma |
Peter Rolle, now a senior, has spent the bulk of his career as a backup to other Broncho greats, including All American Nate Keim last year at 141 lbs. Biding his time, he is now a varsity starter & down at 133 lbs. In a world where impatience is king, what a treat it'd be to see Rolle really have a great Midwest Classic. Easier said than done amongst this vast field of competition, but not impossible. he owns both a 6-5 decision over James Anderson & an 11-2 major over Caden Howard.
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| #20 Jimmy Anderson Ouachita Baptist |
It'd most certainly take a couple of upsets, but Jimmy Anderson stands a shot at bringing home a top 8 finish for the Tigers. The sophomore currently stands at 17-5 for the season (at the time this was written).
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| U.R. Caden Howard Drury |
An unranked wrestler potentially making the Midwest Classic award stand? Well, let's just say this. 133 lbs hasn't been as kind to Caden Howard as he was probably hoping it'd be. Nevertheless he was an NCAA DII qualifier & he did finish one match shy of placing here last year competing at 125 lbs. Sometimes it takes guys a while to adjust and really find their grove in a new weight class. Perhaps that groove might be found here in Indianapolis.
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