Before I really start diving into our main players here at 157, I gotta say the unknown variables here really make a huge difference. I honestly thought we might not ever see Paniro Johnson compete again & he showed up recently at the Oppenheim Invitational at the beginning of the month. Him being here or him not being here makes a world of difference. From the wrestling perspective, well duh, it obviously gives us another title contender. From the fan experience? I can't say anyone is showing up specifically to watch Johnson wrestle, but what I can say is that he's a wrestler that fans want to see compete. A lot of fans have moaned and groaned about pro wrestling throughout the decades & here is where pro wrestling has the upperhand on collegiate wrestling. If Hulk Hogan was gonna be on the show, he was on the marquee & the people knew he was gonna be there. Here we have Paniro Johnson, one of the most popular and recognized wrestlers in all of collegiate wrestling & all we know is that Iowa State is going to be bringing some wrestlers here. When do we find out whether Johnson is one of them or not? We find out the day of the tournament. That don't cut it for me. One of the many ways in which wrestling is wrestling's own worst enemy. We should be better than this. Johnson potentially against Franek? This should be known way ahead of time & this should be advertised and promoted as a means of getting people excited for a great tournament like this one. Rant over...
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| #2 Jared Franek Iowa |
Thus far undefeated, Jared Franek has proven to be an excellent addition to the Hawkeye lineup. It's very plausible he keeps that 0 in tact in the L column after this tournament is a said and done thing. Cael Swensen has given him a 1 point match in the past, but that is more of a reflection of Franek's comfortableness within a close match than it is anything else. The Hawkeyes kept a lot of Soldier Salute titles at home last year & they plan to again this year. Franek being one of them.
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| R.S. (?) Paniro Johnson Iowa State |
I don't know if redshirt is the official status of Paniro Johnson or not. I also don't know if out of those that Iowa State will be brining to Coralville, if he is one of them or not. What I do know, is that if Johnson does show up, he is a title contender. Against Franek I would think the strategy would be to speed the match up & keep a high pace. Constantly attack & to have Franek on the defense the entire time. Whereas Franek would want to slow the pace down. Get the early score & frustrate Johnson. If the two are to meet, I see the match going one of those two ways.
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| #11 Michael Blockhus Minnesota |
As we imagine a final between Franek & Johnson, it isn't lost on me that Michael Blockhus is a title contender in his own right. An All American for the Golden Gophers last season, he'll obviously be seeded behind Franek, but I don't know who would be *2/*3 between him and Johnson if Johnson does indeed show up to compete. I suppose either way, it doesn't matter much, cause if all works out it is our semi-final regardless of who is *2 & who is *3.
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| #18 Cael Swensen South Dakota State |
Cael Swensen a Soldier Salute title contender? Maybe. As previously stated he does have a one point, 3-2 match with Franek. He also took Blockhus into sudden victory before dropping a 7-4 decision to him. It's one thing to keep matches close with those ranked above you, but it is another thing to defeat them. He was one match shy of All American honors last season, & I think he's still sorta in that category of R12. A win over Franek, Johnson or Blockhus would put him into the next category of AA caliber. Obviously beating more than one of them, even more so. A Soldier Salute runner-up last season, he owns a 7-2 decision over Robert Weston.
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| B.U. Cobe Siebrecht Iowa |
A starter for Iowa last season, Siebrecht qualified for the NCAA championships & had a fair number of quality victories last season. I don't see him coming in here and getting the spot back from Franek, but it's very plausible that he come in here and pick up some good wins to a respectable placement. I mentioned this earlier in previous weight classes that I would hope that this year's Salute gives out more awards, than just for first place. I feel the tournament as mentioned previously is on par with RENO, as it slowly edges its way for more of a Midlands or Scuffle feel. It's not just the wrestling that gives it that feel. It is also the presentation. Hoping there's an award stand this year & anxious to see if there is. If there is, Siebrecht will be one of the people standing on it.
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| U.R. Ryder Downey Northern Iowa |
Coach Schwab has a lot of good young talent on his team & Ryder Downey is one of them. He's not currently ranked at the moment, but I wouldn't be surprised if he makes the rankings soon enough. Franek, Johnson, Blockhus, Swensen...is the freshman Panther picking up any wins here? I don't know. I also don't know if a win over Siebrecht would mean anything to those who do rankings or not. It'd still be a great win either way, as would any of the rest of them. Owns a 3-0 win over teammate Robert West.
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| B.U. R.J. Weston Northern Iowa |
R.J. Weston is another tough, young wrestler on the Panther squad who will not only be fighting for a top 8 showing here in Coralville, but who will also be in contention for the varsity spot on the purple and gold.
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| B.U. Cameron Steed Missouri |
Brock Mauller will graduate (or in this day in age better said, "run out of eligibility") at the end of this season. No doubt about it at all Cameron Steed will fill in as an excellent replacement in '24-'25. I think he'll showcase as to while he'll be an excellent replacement here at the Salute. Guys got a lot of skills and a lot of talent & I think he'll be one of our top 8 here in Coralville.
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