Augustana (SD) Vs UW-Parkside Preview (Sat 12-7)

 

We have a great dual in NCAA Division II coming up this Saturday between the #7 Augustana (SD) Vikings and the #4 UW-Parkside Rangers.  Five matches in particular stick out as "Must see" action in this battle between two D2 powerhouses. 

#1 Jaxson Rohman Vs #4 Shane Corrigan
125

Ooh, is this going to be a good one!  I said in my preseason previews that two time NCAA DII finalist Jaxson Rohman was going to have an assortment of talent looking to knock him off this season & right here, right now is one of his top challengers.  Shane Corrigan is a two time All American himself with finishes of 7th & 6th.  These two are no strangers to one another.  They've battled a total of five times on the mat, and each time has been a war.  Rohman owns 9-7, 6-4 & 7-4 decisions, whereas Corrigan owns 8-5 & 9-6 s.v. decisions. 

#6 Cael Larson Vs #4 Jalen Spuhler
149

Cael Larson finished one match shy of being an All American last season & one of the highlights of his junior year was that he defeated two-time All American Jalen Spuhler (4th & 6th in the D2 nation) twice last season by scores of 7-4 & 9-5.  Can the Viking once again overcome the Ranger?  It's said in sport that one of the toughest things anyone can do is defeat a really good opponent three times in a row.  This will be a great match. 

U.R. Connor Simmonds Vs #5 Ben Durocher
157

I noted last season & I said at the very beginning of this season that I felt that backing up Cael Larson at 149 lbs last season, Connor Simmonds was one of the best reserves in NCAA D2 wrestling.  I think win or lose this weekend, he resembles that remark when he takes on Ben Durocher who finished NCAA D2 R12 last year.  D2 has some sleepers and I believe Simmonds is one of them. 

#7 Cade Mueller Vs #3 Reece Worachek
184

Define irony.   On one side of the mat we have a three time NCAA D2 qualifier, one of the best wrestlers in NCAA D2 wrestling yet to earn All American honors.  On the other side of the mat, we have a three time NCAA D2 All American with finishes of 8th-7th-4th.  A wrestler looking to become a rare four time All American, who I believe has a shot at challenging two time D2 champ Ty McGeary.  

This will be the rubber match between these two top talents of 184 lbs.  Worachek owns a 4-2 decision, whereas Mueller owns a 3-2 tiebreaker.   A victory for Mueller would hopefully boost the Vikings confidence and propel him to finally get over that hump & earn All American honors .  A victory for Worachek would notch another high profile win on the Ranger's resume as he continues to hold his high ranking.  An important match for both of these individuals. 

#5 Max Ramberg Vs U.R. Chase Stegall
197

Might raise a few eyebrows on this one.  That's fine. Go ahead and raise your eyebrows.  Roll your eyes if you need to.  I'm predicting this to be a really good match, because I believe it will be.  I understand that we're talking about a wrestler that finished 6th in the D2 nation last year Vs a wrestler who didn't even place at Regions.  That's not lost on me.  However, I believe Chase Stegall is so much better than what he performed last season.  So much better, and it was simply a case of a nightmare tournament.  That's all.   The last time these two met, Ramberg won a wild 5-4 match.  I think once again we'll have ourselves a barnburner. 

Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational Preview - HWT (Fri Dec 6 & Sat Dec 7)

 

Let's not kid ourselves.  As of right now many (and rightly so) believe that our NCAA DI HWT battle at the end of the year will be between Gable Stevenson and Greg Kerkvliet.  A question everyone has on their mind is, is there anyone else at the HWT field who could possibly knock off one of these two seemingly unstoppable giants.  At this point in time, someone even remotely challenging Steveson is unfathomable.  Perhaps the honest question here is who is the strongest candidate for NCAA DI bronze?  I think the answer to that question will be heavily suggested here in Vegas.  

CKLV HWT will feature 15 ranked wrestlers, 5 of those wrestlers ranked in the top 10.   We have both the HWT champion from last year, as well as the 197 lbs champion from two seasons ago.  Add in three other returning place-winners plus a lot more talent looking to bring home a medal. 

#3
Wyatt Hendrickson
Oklahoma State

If there is anyone out there that could stop Steveson or Kerkvliet from being NCAA DI finalist this year, many believe that wrestler is Wyatt Hendrickson.  The former Falcon, now a Cowboy needs to show that he can overcome the massive amount of challenge to win a CKLV title first.  4th here a year ago, he owns many impressive wins, including a 14-5 major over Nick Feldman & an 11-5 decision over Cohlton Schultz. 

#4
Yonger Bastida
Iowa State

I think some wrestling fans forget just how good Yonger Bastida was wrestling last season before injuries unfortunately got the best of him.  Not only did the future Cuban Olympic & World medalist win a CKLV title last season, he also defeated Wyatt Hendrickson by a score of 10-7.  A 13-5 major decision over Nick Feldman & a 4-3 decision of Cohlton Schultz, Bastida will look to make like a leprechaun and fiercely defend his gold. 

#5
Cohlton Schultz
Arizona State

A four time NCAA DI All American going for his fifth All American honor this season, Cohlton Schultz has more than proven that he knows how to compete at a tough tournament.  With that said, he's only competed at one CKLV championship in his career, two seasons ago, where he took 8th.  Schultz has shown that he will win most upperbody confrontations, which is exactly the situations he hopes to find himself in this weekend.  He recently pinned Isaac Trumble at the 1:04 mark. 

#6
Isaac Trumble
North Carolina State

A CKLV champion at 197 lbs two seasons ago, "Ready to Rumble" Isaac Trumble has shown that he is more than ready to tango with the 285 lbs'ers this weekend. Among his many impressive wins so far in the HWT division, he owns a 12-4 major decision over Jim Mullen. 

#8
Nick Feldman
Ohio State

Nick Feldman had himself one heck of a freshman season last year for the Buckeyes and among the many credentials he picked up along the way, a 6th place CKLV finish was one of them.  The scarlet and grey representative will look to earn another medal this tournament. 

#12
Josh Heindselman
Michigan

We haven't seen the four time NCAA DI qualifier compete for his new school of Michigan yet.  CKLV could very well be where we see Josh Heindselman make his debut.  He's looking to do a lot of "first" in his last year of collegiate eligibility and picking up a medal from these prestigious championships would be among them.  Many notable W's under his belt, what sticks out to me is that he's given Cohlton Schultz a one point match & he's taken Nick Feldman into sudden victory. 

#16 Jim Mullen Or U.R. Hunter Catka
Virginia Tech

I'm not sure who the Hokies start this weekend.  What I do know is that Jim Mullen or Hunter Catka, either way, they have a very strong candidate for a CKLV place-winner.  Mullen who recently pinned Catka in formal competition, also scored a 4:04 fall over Trevor Tinker.  Catka, who for the record has defeated Mullen in the past, also owns both a 17-3 major decision as well as a 4-1 decision over Michael Wolfgram.  He also gave Nick Feldman a 3-2 match. 

#17
Cory Day
Binghamton

A member of the not nearly credited enough Bearcat wrestling squad, Cory Day was 7th at CKLV a year ago.  He, along with other members of the Binghamton wrestling team, looks to pick another medal this weekend. 

#21
Sam Mitchell
Wyoming

In his first season competing at HWT, in his first season competing for Wyoming, the former Bull, now Cowboy looks to be among those looking for a top 8 finish this CKLV championships. 

#22
Jordan Greer
Ohio

Among the competition this weekend, Jordan Greer looks to fight for a good finish this weekend. 

#27
Lance Runyon
Northern Iowa

I tell you what, Lance Runyon has done nothing but impress, impress, impress so far in '24-'25.   No one knew quite what to think when he jumped from 174 all the way up to HWT, but he's shown that he can more than hang with the big boys.  Now it's really time to see what this Panther can do.  See what he's really made of.  Exciting, isn't it? 

#28
Luke Rasmussen
South Dakota State

Luke Rasmussen looks to battle for a good showing this weekend in Las Vegas. 

#29
Michael Wolfgram
West Virginia 

Here's a guy that I've felt from day one has never wrestled to his true potential.  I think Michael Wolfgram is capable of so much more than what we've seen of his thus far in his career.  He's shown us glimpses before.  He's defeated Cory Day in the past by an 11-2 score.  He also always wrestles Josh Heindselman very close, including defeating him twice by scores of 3-2 & 3-1.  I'd really like to see Wolfgram let loose and have a great CKLV.  He's more than capable of it. 

#30
Trevor Tinker
Cal Poly

Trevor Tinker is among the talent that will be contending for a top 8 finish this CKLV championship.  He's pulled off some big wins in the past & will need to do so again to earn a medal. 

#32
Ashton Davis
Cornell

The Big Red has a lot of young talent they are wanting to show off this weekend, and Ashton Davis is one of them.  

R.S.
David Szuba
Rider

David Szuba is currently redshirting for the Broncos this season, so it's highly unlikely that we'll see him in action this weekend.  However, if for someone reason he is in competition, he is certainly among the medal candidates.  Many notable wins in his career thus far, one of them is a 13-1 major decision over Jordan Greer. 

Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational Preview - 197 lbs (Fri Dec 6 & Sat Dec 7)

 

We have 16 ranked wrestlers here at 197 and five of those 16 are ranked within the top 10.   We also have 5/6 (explained later on) returning place-winners.  Should be some really good wrestling. Let's take a look at the participants. 

#1
A.J. Ferrari
 Cal State Bakersfield

The rankings say that he is and he'll tell you himself that he's #1.  This will be the first big test for the 2021 NCAA DI national champion since making his return to collegiate wrestling.  He plans on bringing home gold a lot this season & that plan starts here in Vegas. 

#3
Jacob Cardenas
Michigan

Looking to dethrone A.J. Ferrari & bring home the Vegas gold for himself, will be Jacob Cardenas.  4th here a year ago, the former Big Red, now Wolverine, has done a pretty job of separating himself from the rest of the pack.  While he's had a few closer matches, for the most part, out of who he'll see here he's won either by major decision or rather decisive decision.  

#8
Zach Glazier
South Dakota State

While Ferrari & Cardenas are the obvious favorites for the 197 lbs final, Zach Glazier getting hot and pulling off an upset wouldn't surprise me.  The former Hawkeye, now Jackrabbit gave Ferrari a 1 point match, that was later overturned into a disqualification in his favor.  He also owns a 4-1 decision over Luke Surber, and both 8-2 & 16-6 victories over Luke Geog. 

#9
Trey Munoz
Oregon State

Here's another guy I think might end up surprising Ferrari and/or Cardenas.  Competing at 184 lbs, Trey Munoz was 8th here two seasons ago & a match from placing last year.  3rd in the NCAA DI nation, he is again proof of how incredibly tough this tournament can be.  I'm anxious to see what he can do this weekend. 

#10 Luke Geog or U.R. Seth Shumate
Ohio State

99.9% positive the starter for the Buckeyes here will be Seth Shumate.  Have little doubt about that.  Simply like to point out that if this were a tournament where a team could have more than one wrestler at a weight, Shumate would add depth to the bracket.  He's had some nice wins thus far in his career, including a 7-6 decision over Evan Bates. 

As to Geog, the sophomore looks to earn his first CKLV medal this weekend. An 11-7 decision over Andy Smith will give him confidence heading into this weekend. 

#11 Andy Smith Or U.R. Sonny Sasso
Virginia Tech

Remember earlier when I said there were 5/6 returning place-winners, and I would later explain what the 5/6 meant?  Well, here is your explanation.  Both Andy Smith and Sonny Sasso are returning CKLV place-winners.  Smith was 6th two seasons ago & Sasso was 6th last year.  As to who will get the nod this tournament?  You'd think with the current ranking, Smith would, but I don't know if it'll be that easy of a decision or not.  Smith certainly has clout.  R12 at last year's NCAA DI tournament, he owns an 8-2 decision over Nick Stemmet & most impressive, he owns a 4-1 s.v. over Zach Glazier.   

At the same time though, Sasso owns both an 8-4 decision and a 2:49 fall over Nick Stemmet. Plus he owns a 13-5 major decision over Evan Bates.  So which of these two talented Hokies is competing this weekend, and who is watching from the stands?  Either way, Virginia Tech has a wrestler that will strongly be contending for another CKLV medal. 

#12
Luke Surber
Oklahoma State

I've said it multiple times throughout my write-ups from 125 through 184, that I think the story of this particular Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational could very well be how David Taylor leads his Cowboys through his first real test at a major tournament as head coach.  Luke Surber has been looking extraordinarily tough thus far this season.  A match away from placing last season, a recent 5-0 shutout over Trey Munoz suggest that Surber wants to finish a heck of a lot higher than R12 this tournament.  Surprises at every weight class lie ahead, perhaps he's the one at 197. 

#16
Wyatt Voelker
Northern Iowa

I commented earlier this season when Northern Iowa wrestled South Dakota State that I could see the vast improvements of Wyatt Voelker on the mat.  He looked bigger, stronger & to have more confidence in himself and his technique.  He turned what was a 12-3 major decision loss to Zach Glazier, into a 4-3 competitive match.   I just got through saying I thought that Luke Surber might end up being the surprise here at 197. Well I'll say the same for Voelker & I'll also add that Voelker owns a 6:32 fall over Suber. 

#17
Joey Novak
Wyoming

8th at CKLV last season, there is plenty of reason to believe that Joey Novak will end this weekend as a two-time place-winner.  He owns both a 10-8 decision over Wyatt Voelker & a 5:58 fall over Luke Geog. 

#20
Christian Carroll
Iowa State

I've talked a lot about the unofficial yearly traditions that happen season in and season out without fail.  Ever since I've been following the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational, every tournament has had at least one freshman (if not more) get super hot and have a great run through the tournament.  We haven't seen a lot out of Christian Carroll yet, but we've seen enough of him to suggest that he could very well be that particular freshman.  He owns an 11-7 victory over Nick Stemmet. 

#21
Nick Stemmet
Stanford

Anxious to see how Nick Stemmet ends up doing this weekend.  He was 7th here a year ago & looks to collect another medal.  Among his victories he owns a 14-7 decision over Joey Novak & an 11-5 decision over Andy Smith. 

#24
Evan Bates
Northwestern

An NCAA DI qualifier for the Wildcats last season, Evan Bates will be among those looking for a good finish in Vegas this weekend. 

#25
Mikey Dellagatta
Cornell

A lot of super tough freshmen in this weight class, but truth of the matter is, so far they are rather untested.  Such is the case with Mikey Dellagatta.  A lot of hope and potential for the young Big Red, perhaps we'll see it unfold this weekend. He does own a 9-6 win over Christian Knop.

#26
Camden McDanel
Nebraska

Haven't seen much out of Camden McDanel yet in his collegiate career either.  This could pose in favor of the Husker & allow him to have a breakthrough tournament this weekend. 

#30
Christian Knop
North Carolina State

Biding his time, as an extremely tough back up for the Wolfpack the past four seasons, Christian Knop is finally getting his time as a varsity starter.  What a reward it'd be if he were to capture a medal this weekend.  A statement for those who stay loyal to programs and wait for their turn.  Knop owns a 5:00 fall over Sonny Sasso. 

#33
Payton Thomas
Navy

Another of the talented freshmen that 197 lbs has to offer, and again, we have yet to see much out of Payton Thomas.  And again, CKLV provides an opportunity to showcase his skills. 

U.R. 
Austin Cooley
West Virginia

If there is an unranked wrestler in this weight class that could come alive and earn a top 12 or even a top 8 finish, I believe that wrestler is Mountaineer Austin Cooley.  Inconsistent he's had some valuable wins in the past and very well could garner some again this weekend. 

Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational Preview - 184 lbs (Fri Dec 6 & Sat Dec 7)

I tell you what this is a rather strange weight class. I think when it comes to the upper half the podium, things are rather cut and dry.  We have our champion contenders, those that will fight for 3rd, and our likely battle for 5th.  Things get a little fuzzier when we start considering who will be wrestling in the 7th place match & likely candidates for that R12 finish.  I wouldn't be the least be surprised if after this weekend the rankings are a huge cluster, that will take days to sort through.  If opportunity exist for the lower ranked and even the non-ranked, it is here at 184 lbs.  

15 ranked wrestlers, four in the top 10.  5 returning place-winners. 

#2
Parker Keckeisen
Northern Iowa

A career record of 102-5, and among the many credentials he has to his name, Keckeisen already owns CKLV finishes of 2nd & 1st.  While stranger things have happened in this sport, I can't see anyone upending the Panther in his quest for another title.   He owns two 14-5 major decisions, as well as a 12-6 decision over likely *2 seed Dustin Plott. 

#3
Dustin Plott
Oklahoma State

3rd here a year ago, Dustin Plott looks to meet Parker Keckeisen in the finals of this CKLV championships, although he could face some challenge in the route to getting there.  Bennett Berge has taken him into sudden victory before. 

#4
Bennett Berge
South Dakota State

As said above, Bennett Berge has taken Dustin Plott into sudden victory before, so it is very likely that the Jackrabbit could challenge the Cowboy for a spot in this year's finals.  A tournament wrestler, Berge recently suffered a tough loss to Max McEnnelly when South Dakota State dualed Minnesota.  For some such a loss might be a setback going into this weekend.  For Berge, I think it'll equate more to that of awakening a sleeping Giant. 

#5
Silas Allred
Nebraska

Speaking of sleeping giants, perhaps here is our darkhorse.  Silas Allred has taken back to back CKLV finishes of 5th place competing at 197 lbs.  Now he's at 184.  What's he capable of at this weight?  We find out this weekend.  Viva Las Vegas!

#8
Chris Foca
Cornell

I am really anxious to see how Chris Foca does this tournament.  He took back to back CKLV 3rd place finishes in a row, and then last year he went 1-2.  It makes it hard to know what to feel or what to say.  A part of me thinks this guy could be exactly who we see in the finals against Keckeisen, actually giving the Panther a run for his money.  We'll see. 

#13
Dylan Fishback
North Carolina State

7th at CKLV a year ago, Dylan Fishback returns looking to capture medal #2 and place himself higher on the award stand. 

#14
Evan Bockman
Iowa State

As I've seen many times, wrestling is a sport about proving yourself and reproving yourself over and over again. You consistently have to show the community who you are and what you're made of, every time you step out onto the mat.  Evan Bockman is a two time CKLV place-winner.  He has finishes of 8th & 4th, but last year, he came up one match shy of earning a third medal. Now he's at a new school, competing at a new weight class.  He looks to earn that third medal that eluded him last year.  

#15
Ryder Rogotzke
Ohio State

Ryder Rogotzke will be our starter for the Buckeyes this tournament as Rocco Welsh is currently redshirting.  I have to include Welsh in the write-up though, because I want to emphasize that if he were in the bracket, the opportunity for the lower ranked and unranked wouldn't be as high as what it's going to be.  Welsh hasn't competed much at 184 lbs, but a 7-2 decision over Jaden Bullock is enough evidence for me.    As to Rogotzke, he can be downright mean on the mat when he wants to be.  He manhandled Jaden Bullock last year in a match 21-0 technical fall. 

#16
T.J. Stewart
Virginia Tech

I normally don't say much when it comes to the rankings.  I try not to criticize too much. Why? Because I know I wouldn't do any better and I don't have any issue at all with admitting that.  There is so much parity in wrestling.  So much back and forth.  I agreed to do rankings exactly once in my life, and I will never do them again.  It's one thing to do a thankless job for little to nothing. It's a whole other to do a job where people act like hooligans for a job that pays little to nothing. 

So I get how difficult the job of rankings can be, but I can't help but say I feel T.J. Stewart is criminally underrated at #16.  I get that he's 0-2 right now, and that one of those losses was pretty ugly, but still, I think #16 is too low.  It amazes me what some wrestlers are forgiven for and what some wrestlers are not. 

I digress. The point I'm making here, is that I think T.J. Stewart is far better than #16.  Do I see him knocking off Keckeisen?  No, but I do see him way outwrestling that ranking and his probable seed.  He owns both a 7-2 & 8-5 decision over Dylan Fishback and he owns a 3-2 decision over Chris Foca. 

#18
Jaden Bullock
Michigan

I mentioned earlier that Jaden Bullock lost a 21-0 technical fall to Ryder Rogotzke, right?  Here's another fact about that match.  Bullock later avenged that loss & turned it into an 8-7 victory.  That takes GUTS.  To take an L of that magnitude & turn it into a W, shows a level of intestinal fortitude that few men on this planet have.  5th at last year's CKLV championships, Bullock also owns a 9-6 s.v. over Dylan Fishback. 

#19
Will Ebert
Binghamton

Sometimes a change of scenery is all you need.  Last year Will Ebert ended his season with a 14-15 record competing at 174 lbs.  6 weeks into the '24-'25 season competing at 184, he finds himself the #19 wrestler in the nation.  He'll look to improve upon that ranking this weekend. 

#26
James Rowley
Purdue

Talk about a guy that REALLY turned things around from last year...  James Rowley ended '23-'24 with a 9-19 record!  Now he's wrestling well enough to have a #26 ranking.   Among those fighting for a strong finish here in Vegas this weekend. 

#29
Ross McFarland
Hofstra

It's been a while since Hofstra has had a highlight, such as would be a place-winner at CKLV.  We're talking wrestling exceptionally well, pulling off a few upsets and pretty much having a miracle run...but if there's any member of the Pride that can do so, it's Ross McFarland. 

#31
Isaac Dean
Rider

Define irony.  Here I am speaking of another wrestler who ended '23-'24 with a losing record that is now ranked in the '24-'25 season.  Isaac Dean was 13-14 last year & this year heads into Las Vegas looking to see what he can accomplish at NCAA DI's toughest in-season tournament. 

#32
Daniel Williams
Navy

15-15 on the season last year, Daniel Williams is another wrestler who finds himself ranked in the top 33 of NCAA DI at 184 lbs in '24-'25.  He'll look to contend this weekend in Vegas. 

U.R. 
Nick Fine
Columbia

Do I think there are going to be some unranked wrestlers here at 184 lbs pulling off some upsets this weekend?  Uh...yeah, you bet your Francis The Talking Mule I do!  If I were in Las Vegas and one of the tables read, "184 DI wrestling" THAT is where I'm sitting down and THAT is where I'm placing my bets.  Among the unranked that is very capable of making some noise?  Nick Fine.  Fine already owns a 3-2 tiebreaker over Jaden Bullock & he took Isaac Dean into the tiebreakers before dropping a 2-1 decision. 

U.R. 
Aziz Fayzullaev
Arizona State

I can't pronounce the guys' name, but I can say that I think the former NJCAA champion is capable of doing a lot of great things for the Sun Devils this season.  I think he's capable of a top 8 finish here, and I'm very confident that he's capable of top 12 finish.  If nothing else, I think he at least picks up enough valuable wins this weekend to garner himself ranking within the top 33 of NCAA DI. 

U.R. 
Ian Bush
West Virginia

Want another unranked wrestler who could make some noise this weekend?  How about Ian Bush?  The Mountaineer recently pulled off an 8-5 s.v. over Gavin Kane.  That ought to suggest what he is capable of this weekend. 

U.R. 
Ethan Ducca
Wyoming

You really wanna talk, "Where in the heck did he come from?" potential?  One of those wrestlers that is completely off the radar that could potentially come in here and open up some eyes with a handful of upsets?  Look no further than Ethan Ducca.  Here's a guy that could weasel his way into the quarter-finals or find himself in the bloodround if he were to have the right type of draw.  For what it is or isn't worth, Ducca owns a 4-1 victory over Zane Lehman...


Speaking of Lehman...

R.S.
Zane Lehman
Ohio 

I would for sure count Zane Lehman in as one of the place-winner contenders for this year's CKLV, as he was R12 at these championships last year.  However Lehman is currently redshirting for the Bobcats.  I realize redshirt rules and competing has different rules than what it used to, but I'm pretty sure we won't be seeing him in action this weekend.