When you follow wrestling as intensely as I do, you get to know the wrestlers from an observational standpoint pretty well. I suppose it's no different than when a football, basketball or baseball player finishes their final game of their final season. You thank them for their efforts & you recognize what it was that they accomplished. I know in the sport of wrestling, more often than not, it just sorta ends. You win or lose your final match, and then that's it. What I want to do in my final posts of the 2023-2024 season, is give a proper farewell to all those who have used up their eligibility.
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| Zac Blasioli Millikin |
I got to watch Zac Blasioli compete quite a few times over the past two seasons. He struck me as a very non-nonsense, serious type of wrestler. Textbook, by the strict definition of it technique. 96 career wins, 23-5 overall in his final season. A two time Lower Midwest Regional runner-up, he finished out his career with 5th & 6th place showings at the D3 national championships.
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| Joey Lamparelli Muhlenberg |
You know my heart sank when Joey Lamparelli finished one match shy of his third NCAA DIII qualification at the Mideast Regional. I had to remind myself that wrestling is about a single moment, it's a reflection of an entire career. And what a career Lamparelli had. A two time Mideast Regional runner-up, he finished 8th in the D3 nation in '23. 72 career wins. Anxious to see where he ends up in the future. Strikes me as a future head coach someday.
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| Akhil Vega Stevens |
When Luke Hoerle bumped up to 133 lbs, I was very impressed with the way Akhil Vega stepped up & filled in the 125 lbs spot for the Ducks. 23 wins on the season, he gave the New Jersey school another NCAA DIII qualifier finishing 3rd at the Southeast Regional.
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| Brady Koontz Dubuque |
Wrestling fans can be rather critical and harsh at times. I know some fans gave Brady Koontz a hard time when he transferred from Ohio State to Dubuque. I guess I don't get that. Sometimes in life we decide the path we're taking isn't right for us, so we find a different one to take. One that does fit us. I was glad to see Koontz do that. 7th in the D3 nation last year, I really thought that I'd get to see him competing in La Crosse this year. Entered the Lower Midwest Regional undefeated, but unfortunately fell a bit short of qualification with a 5th place finish. Nevertheless on the season had a 10-5 decisoin over R12'er Jalen Dunson & a 12-1 major over previously mentioned Hoerle.
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I realize these weren't the only seniors at 125 lbs in D3, but please realize as much wrestling as I watch, study and pay attention to, I can't possibly know every wrestler on every team. I do my best to, but it's simply not possible. If you have others you'd like to share, please do so.
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