Once again an extremely loaded bracket! 141 lbs features four top 8 Midwest Classic Place-winners from last season including a champion. On top of it, last year's NCAA DII champ along with five other NCAA DII All Americans will be in competition. Add in four other NCAA DII qualifiers, plus all of the others trying to make a name for themselves and you have one Hell of a tournament.
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| #1 Zack Donathan Tiffin |
Here's the man to beat. Last year's NCAA DII champion Zack Donathan. Since joining the NCAA DII ranks, Donathan's only loss thus far has been to Christian Small & Small is now up at 149 lbs. Can Donathan remain otherwise undefeated? The Midwest Classic will give us a glimpse at just how owned or not owned this weight class is as Donathan will have to go through a whole heap of top talent in order to walk out of here with a title. Thus far against the competition, he owns a 1:32 fall over John Carayiannis.
The two time All American was 4th in last year's Midwest Classic, but no doubt about it the Peacock wants more. He wants a shot at Zack Donathan and he's in an excellent position to be able to do so. Thus far in five matches against Cayden Henschel he has won four of them. 6-3, 6-1 & 6-0 decisions, he has also pinned the Ranger at 2:33. A 10-6 decision over Jeff Niffenegger, he also owns a 3:00 fall over Ethan Leake.
A Midwest Classic champion & 3rd in the D2 nation last year competing at 133 lbs, it's time to really see where Dylan Lucas stands in the 141 lbs weight class. Thus far the Broncho is 9-1 in competition, yet he has yet to face any of the top dawgs in this weight class. It'll be fun to see how he matches up with the likes of Donathan and Murty, as well as the rest of the class.
One of the most well known and talked about wrestlers in NCAA Division II wrestling, Cayden Henschel has done a great job of bringing awareness to a great area of collegiate wrestling that often gets overlooked because it isn't Division I. Truth is, NCAA Division II has a ton of great talent, a ton of great wrestling & just as exciting storylines. It's simply a matter of paying attention, and Henschel in more than one way has given the wrestling community reason to pay attention. With that said, he's still searching to really define himself as the top talent. He's one of them. Ranked #5, A Super Region V champ & 8th here last season. "One of them" isn't good enough for Henschel. He wants to be "The one." And in that case, it's time to put up or shut up. He's a title contender here at the Midwest Classic. It's a fact that he's struggled with Tate Murty as mentioned above, but he does own an 11-5 victory over the Peacock. Currently 8-0 on the season, he also owns a 3-2 tiebreaker over Joey Semerad.
Transfer Blake Mulkey currently holds the varsity position as well as the top 10 ranking at #7, but I'm telling you the Greyhounds have just as good a shot of a Midwest Classic Place-Winner with Ray Rioux as they do with Mulkey. Either way, both contend for a top 8 showing. As to Rioux, he was R12 here last year & an NCAA DII qualifier. He has the victories to backup the hype. A 6-3 decision over Henschel, he also owns a 4-0 decision over Corey Gamet, a 4-0 decision over Joey Semerad and both a 5-2 & 1-0 decision over Jeff Niffenegger.
An NCAA Division II All American in 2022, Corey Gamet missed out on last season. Now he's back and he's itching to show the collegiate wrestling world that he's in the hunt to earn another All American honor. A great start to that story would be to have a great showing here at the Midwest Classic. Thus far since making his return, he owns a 13-12 decision over Jeff Niffenegger.
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| #2 Tate Murty Upper Iowa |
The two time All American was 4th in last year's Midwest Classic, but no doubt about it the Peacock wants more. He wants a shot at Zack Donathan and he's in an excellent position to be able to do so. Thus far in five matches against Cayden Henschel he has won four of them. 6-3, 6-1 & 6-0 decisions, he has also pinned the Ranger at 2:33. A 10-6 decision over Jeff Niffenegger, he also owns a 3:00 fall over Ethan Leake.
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| #3 Dylan Lucas Central Oklahoma |
A Midwest Classic champion & 3rd in the D2 nation last year competing at 133 lbs, it's time to really see where Dylan Lucas stands in the 141 lbs weight class. Thus far the Broncho is 9-1 in competition, yet he has yet to face any of the top dawgs in this weight class. It'll be fun to see how he matches up with the likes of Donathan and Murty, as well as the rest of the class.
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| #5 Cayden Henschel UW-Parkside |
One of the most well known and talked about wrestlers in NCAA Division II wrestling, Cayden Henschel has done a great job of bringing awareness to a great area of collegiate wrestling that often gets overlooked because it isn't Division I. Truth is, NCAA Division II has a ton of great talent, a ton of great wrestling & just as exciting storylines. It's simply a matter of paying attention, and Henschel in more than one way has given the wrestling community reason to pay attention. With that said, he's still searching to really define himself as the top talent. He's one of them. Ranked #5, A Super Region V champ & 8th here last season. "One of them" isn't good enough for Henschel. He wants to be "The one." And in that case, it's time to put up or shut up. He's a title contender here at the Midwest Classic. It's a fact that he's struggled with Tate Murty as mentioned above, but he does own an 11-5 victory over the Peacock. Currently 8-0 on the season, he also owns a 3-2 tiebreaker over Joey Semerad.
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| #7 Blake Mulkey or U.R. Ray Rioux Indianapolis |
Transfer Blake Mulkey currently holds the varsity position as well as the top 10 ranking at #7, but I'm telling you the Greyhounds have just as good a shot of a Midwest Classic Place-Winner with Ray Rioux as they do with Mulkey. Either way, both contend for a top 8 showing. As to Rioux, he was R12 here last year & an NCAA DII qualifier. He has the victories to backup the hype. A 6-3 decision over Henschel, he also owns a 4-0 decision over Corey Gamet, a 4-0 decision over Joey Semerad and both a 5-2 & 1-0 decision over Jeff Niffenegger.
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| #8 Corey Gamet Lake Erie |
An NCAA Division II All American in 2022, Corey Gamet missed out on last season. Now he's back and he's itching to show the collegiate wrestling world that he's in the hunt to earn another All American honor. A great start to that story would be to have a great showing here at the Midwest Classic. Thus far since making his return, he owns a 13-12 decision over Jeff Niffenegger.
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| #9 Jeff Niffenegger Mercyhurst |
The 2023 Super Region I rookie of the year enters the Midwest Classic having placed 7th in the NCAA DII championships last season. He will now look to place within the top 8 in DII's toughest in-season tournament of the year. Against the competition he owns a 13-6 decision over Joey Semerad.
If you're looking for a plausible bracket buster, here you go. Grayston DiBlasi, a two time NCAA DII qualifier was 7th at last year's Midwest Classic. The unorthodox one, with the ability to pin at anytime for any position is one of the most dangerous wrestlers in this bracket. He stuck Tate Murty in 6:28 & it took him all of 46 seconds to stick Cayden Henschel. He also owns a 6:29 fall over Ethan Leake, as well a 7-6 decision. When it comes to darkhorses, call it by Rolling Stones or call it by Garth Brooks, DiBlasi is about as wild as they get.
An NCAA DII qualifier in 2022, Ethan Leake is now a senior looking to recapture that glory from two seasons ago. What a statement it'd be for his resume to finish within the top 8 here at the Midwest Classic. A 6-4 sudden victory over Grayston DiBlasi helps to reiterate that possibility.
The name may be Peace, but he'll give you a war every time he steps out on to the mat. Currently 9-1 on the season, Peace owns both 9-5 decision over John Carayiannis & a 4:35 fall over Kaleem Heard.
In my opinion, little is better than a good story of redemption. John Carayiannis is a two time NCAA DII All American, but thus far in '23-'24 he's had a few set backs & he's slipped in the rankings. No better time than the present, at NCAA DII's best in-season tournament of the year to totally redeem himself. An 8-5 decision over Cayden Henschel & a 12-8 decision over Jeff Niffenegger speak for themselves. He also owns a 12-0 major over Sean Johnson.
The American International transfer is looking to make his first real statement since transferring to Glenville State. The Midwest Classic presents itself an awesome opportunity.
Among those looking for a top 8 finish here at the Midwest Classic will be Joey Semerad of McKendree.
If you're looking for a surprise & you're wanting to put your $$ down on someone who could "potentially come out of nowhere" I might suggest to you Cole Thomas of Thomas More. A transfer from UT-Chattanooga, the four time Kentucky High School State champ is currently 11-0 on the season. Now I've been wrong before, but I say the only reason he isn't currently ranked higher, is because he has yet to face anyone ranked above him. Again, I could be way off here, but if you're looking for a talk of the tournament, Thomas is a good bet.
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| #10 Grayston DiBlasi Colorado School of Mines |
If you're looking for a plausible bracket buster, here you go. Grayston DiBlasi, a two time NCAA DII qualifier was 7th at last year's Midwest Classic. The unorthodox one, with the ability to pin at anytime for any position is one of the most dangerous wrestlers in this bracket. He stuck Tate Murty in 6:28 & it took him all of 46 seconds to stick Cayden Henschel. He also owns a 6:29 fall over Ethan Leake, as well a 7-6 decision. When it comes to darkhorses, call it by Rolling Stones or call it by Garth Brooks, DiBlasi is about as wild as they get.
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| #12 Ethan Leake Chadron State |
An NCAA DII qualifier in 2022, Ethan Leake is now a senior looking to recapture that glory from two seasons ago. What a statement it'd be for his resume to finish within the top 8 here at the Midwest Classic. A 6-4 sudden victory over Grayston DiBlasi helps to reiterate that possibility.
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| #13 Isham Peace Lander |
The name may be Peace, but he'll give you a war every time he steps out on to the mat. Currently 9-1 on the season, Peace owns both 9-5 decision over John Carayiannis & a 4:35 fall over Kaleem Heard.
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| #14 John Carayiannis Belmont Abbey |
In my opinion, little is better than a good story of redemption. John Carayiannis is a two time NCAA DII All American, but thus far in '23-'24 he's had a few set backs & he's slipped in the rankings. No better time than the present, at NCAA DII's best in-season tournament of the year to totally redeem himself. An 8-5 decision over Cayden Henschel & a 12-8 decision over Jeff Niffenegger speak for themselves. He also owns a 12-0 major over Sean Johnson.
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| #15 Sean Johnson Glenville State |
The American International transfer is looking to make his first real statement since transferring to Glenville State. The Midwest Classic presents itself an awesome opportunity.
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| #16 Joey Semeard McKendree |
Among those looking for a top 8 finish here at the Midwest Classic will be Joey Semerad of McKendree.
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| #17 Cole Thomas Thomas More |
If you're looking for a surprise & you're wanting to put your $$ down on someone who could "potentially come out of nowhere" I might suggest to you Cole Thomas of Thomas More. A transfer from UT-Chattanooga, the four time Kentucky High School State champ is currently 11-0 on the season. Now I've been wrong before, but I say the only reason he isn't currently ranked higher, is because he has yet to face anyone ranked above him. Again, I could be way off here, but if you're looking for a talk of the tournament, Thomas is a good bet.
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| #19 Braydon Mogle Northern State |
You know me and talking up former NJCAA superstars who are now doing well at four year institutions. Braydon Mogle was 5th in the NJCAA last season for Northeastern & now he's looking to do great things for the Wolves. Performing well here at the Midwest Classic would be another notch in the cap for the talented Wolf.
I said that there would be those looking to make a name for themselves in this bracket & Mason Myers is one of them.
Among all of the talent in this bracket, I gotta be asinine for including an unranked wrestler in my write-up but call me crazy, I could see Kaleem Heard pulling off an upset here in the Midwest Classic. Afterall, he was R12 here last season.
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| #20 Mason Myers Pittsburgh Johnstown |
I said that there would be those looking to make a name for themselves in this bracket & Mason Myers is one of them.
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| U.R. Kaleem Heard Limestone |
Among all of the talent in this bracket, I gotta be asinine for including an unranked wrestler in my write-up but call me crazy, I could see Kaleem Heard pulling off an upset here in the Midwest Classic. Afterall, he was R12 here last season.
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