Soldier Salute (Friday Dec 29th-Saturday Dec 30th) Preview = 184

 

#1
Parker Keckeisen
Northern Iowa

There are so few guarantees, sure shots or safe bets in collegiate wrestling. Especially at this level. With the probability of upset & the unreal amount parity, it is so hard to go into any situation feeling comfortable about a proposed outcome.  They are few and far between.  Yet here is one.  I'm not sure if Doug Schwab is resting his varsity & only sending backups or if he's wrestling his varsity.  What I am sure of, is that if Parker Keckeisen wrestles, he walks out holding what I consider to be one of the coolest looking championship medals in all of wrestling period.  In the same breath though, I do think there are a couple of wrestlers here that will give him a respectable match.  I simply think he's gonna show why he's arguably the best wrestler (NCAA DI credential wise, show me anyone better) yet to win an NCAA title & why he's currently ranked #1. 

#8
Isaiah Salazar
Minnesota

One of the guys I know can keep it close with Keckeisen is Minnesota's Isaiah Salazar. How do I know? Cause he's already given him a 3-2 match.  The Golden Gopher who was one match shy of being an All American last season also owns a 7-2 decision over Gavin Kane, a 10-3 decision over Sean Harman & a 12-0 major decision over Berge Bennett. 

B.U.
Colton Hawks
Missouri 

I was talking it over with another coach recently on Twitter and the fact of the matter is, some fans have no clue how tough some of these backups are. No clue as to how good they are and how talented they are. Case in point = Colton Hawks of Missouri.  Now the Tiger has never beaten Keckeisen, but he's given him some good matches.  Keeping the score 3-2 & 7-5 in two of their meetings I think is saying that you're a pretty damn good wrestler, even if you aren't currently the starter.  If that's not enough, Hawks also may I add owns an 11-5 win over Salazar as well as a 6-2 win over Gavin Kane.  He's the problem though, he also has some odd losses, albeit some of them ugly too.  For the record he also has a 5-4 win over teammate Sean Harman, who is another tough backup on the Tiger squad. 

#17
Gavin Kane
North Carolina 

An All American for the Tar Heels last season, Gavin Kane I'm sure would love to avenge his losses to either, if not both Salazar and Hawks in route to making the finals.  The last he met with Keckeisen, the score was 13-3 in favor of the Panther. Not an easy loss to turn around into a win, but what a story it'd make if he did. 

R.S.
Max McEnelly
Minnesota

Max McEnelly is currently redshirting for the Golden Gophers and so far he's having himself a Golden season. Bison Open, Daktronics Open & Cougar Clash, he's three tournaments into his collegiate career so far, and he's won all three tournaments. A 7-4 win over Sean Harman & more notably a 23-6 technical fall over Hawks suggest that he's going to be really good. I know I'm anxious to see him compete here. 

U.R. 
Berge Bennett
South Dakota State

A runner-up here last year, the road back to the finals should this bracket be as loaded as it has the potential to be will be a tough haul for the Jackrabbit. Evidence that is capable, is a 5-4 decision over Hawks. 

U.R.
David Key
Navy

This is a loaded bracket. I think I've made that pretty clear. In terms of placing within the top 8, and being on the higher end rather than the lower end, one is gonna have to earn their position.  David Key is a wrestler who has good days and bad days.  A senior, he's been this way his entire career.  Could I see him coming in here and having one of his good days? Yes, I could.  I've seen Coach Cary Kolat have a mental effect on wrestlers, to where if he can get into their heads, they can do just about anything. Key can be really tough when he wants to be. 

B.U.
Sean Harman
Missouri 

Another tough wrestler in the Tiger lineup, I'd look for Sean Harman to be among our 8 place-winners here at the Salute.