Soldier Salute (Friday Dec 29th-Saturday Dec 30th) Preview = 133 lbs

 

#11
Cullan Schriever
Iowa

Cullan Schriever was a Soldier Salute champion last season & he looks to repeat as champion this year.  Defeating Columbia's Angelo Rini 4-2 in last year's finals, he recently defeated the Lion again 9-6 sudden victory.  There's no guarantee that the two will meet again, as this bracket looks to have quite a bit of talent, but should they, it'll be another good match between the two. 

#12
Angelo Rini
Columbia

When I was growing up my Dad always told me that one of the toughest things to do in sports was to beat someone good three times in a row.  That's exactly what Cullan Schriever might have to do if he is to meet Angelo Rini again this weekend. I spoke earlier in my 125 lbs preview of how Columbia has been on the right path for quite sometime & how now is the time to start seeing the fruit of that labor. If Rini could come in here and win a Soldier Salute in Hawkeye territory, what a roar that'd be for the Lions.  Among his wins against the competition, has an 8-3 decision over Julian Farber. 

#14
Derrick Cardinal
South Dakota State

Finishing with an 11-15 record last year, it is more than apparent the leaps & bounds Derrick Cardinal has thus far made this season.  Currently at 10-4, he was most impressive at Cliff Keen Las Vegas, taking a 6th place finish at what many believe to be the toughest in-season tournament in NCAA Division I. Could he potentially knock off Schriever, Rini or potentially both? Good question.  I think if not, he is most certainly one of our strongest candidates for 3rd.  Against the competition he has an 8-3 decision over Julian Farber, a 5:00 fall over Garrett Ricks & a 5-3 decision over Tyler Wells. 

#15
Julian Farber
Northern Iowa

Every tournament has one of those wrestlers that you might not always count on, but you know better than to ever count out.  This tournament? This Weight? That wrestler is Julian Farber of Northern Iowa. Can't say consistency is his strong point, but getting hot from time to time & wrestling very well under certain circumstances certainly is.  Could I see him coming in here, catching fire & setting the black ablaze in an inferno of purple?  Yeah, I could. When Farber is on, he's on & he can wrestle extremely well when he's on. With that said, he's not always on & he does have noticeable losses to those ranked above him. 

U.R.
Garrett Ricks

Garrett Ricks has had some good wins thus far in his career.  A 3-2 decision over Derrick Cardinal being one of them. There's a good chance that he could score a few more here at the Soldier Salute. 

B.U.
Brody Teske 
Iowa

Looking to earn back the starting spot in the Hawkeye lineup as well as a Soldier Salute title will be Brody Teske. He had a bit of a slip up Vs Iowa State, but that was yesterday's news & a lot can change between then & now. Having been a Hawkeye fan since 1991, it isn't always verbatim, but we usually know who is gonna start BIG 10's by Midlands.  Since Iowa no longer does the Midlands, we now look to the Soldier Salute to be our indicator. A lot is riding on the line for Teske, as well as for Schriever this tournament. 

B.U.
Jace Rhodes
Iowa

I don't see Jace Rhodes coming in here and stealing the varsity spot from underneath Schriever or Teske, but I do think he'll come in here and demonstrate just how deep the depth is at Iowa concerning 133 lbs. He looked good at the Luther Open, against some of the best NCAA Division III had to offer & now he'll get an opportunity to test himself against some good DI competition. 

Tyler Wells
Minnesota

The true freshman has looked pretty good thus far into his rookie season as a Golden Gopher.  A 7-2 record, he won the Bison Open back in November, scoring a 19-4 technical fall over Derrick Cardinal in the process.  Ironically enough, two weeks later he lost to Cardinal in the dual meet.  Just another example of how crazy this spot can be.  With that noted, Wells is definitely a candidate for a top 8 finish here in Coralville.