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| Joziah Fry & Gordon Harrison Johnson & Wales |
125 teams, 125 wrestlers, 125 lbs. There ain't one of them that I think will stop Joziah Fry from winning his third NCAA DIII title or his third Regional title. Ever since coming to the DIII ranks, Joziah Fry has only lost once, and that was to EIWA champ/Midlands champ Luke Stanich, a DI wrestler. As to wins, he's won 72 and those W's are going to do nothing but go up.
As to Gordon Harrison? I include him on this preview to illustrate that already looking into the '25-'26 season, the Wildcats are going to be just fine once Fry's eligibility runs out in March. Harrison was the New Standard runner-up and he had a 4-3 win over All American Mac Cafurello. He also defeated qualifier Matt Griffin twice by scores of 12-6 and 8-6.
UPDATE: Was just informed that Harrison has transferred to NYU.
Only a junior this season & already a two time NCAA DIII All American (3rd & 2nd) and a two time Lower Midwest Regional champion. Christian Guzman went 34-4 last season & I cannot see him getting upended for the starting position for the Cardinals. I will however put in a word for a very tough Ethan Spacht who is one of the toughest backups in the country. Testimony to my claim includes a 6th place finish at Pete Willson. In a 23-6 record, he not only defeated All American James Day, he also had a 4-1 win over Jett Strickenberger a DI wrestler who placed 3rd at the BIG 12's!
28-9 on the year, James Day heads into his junior season of competition having posted a 3rd place finish at the NCAA DIII championships. Thus far in his career he has also been 2nd & 3rd in the Central Regional.
Jacob Decatur has the rare opportunity to become a four time NCAA DIII All American this season. An NCAA DIII champion in 2022, he was a runner-up in 2023 & 4th last season. A three time Central Regional champion, he also has the rare opportunity to become a four time Regional champion. He was 26-4 last year.
6th & 5th place finishes thus far in the DIII nation, Mason Barrett enters his final season of competition now a two time Southeast Regional champion. 32-5 last year, he also won the Petrofes title. Despite all of the accomplishments and credentials he has earned, he will still be challenged by Adrian Samano for the starting spot. Samano a transfer from Ferrum, looked outstanding at Pete Willson last year, winning the title with an impressive 2-1 win over All American Mac Cafurello. 23 wins on the season he was also a champion at the Cougar Open, taking 5th at the Southeast Regional. Overall Barrett is 3-0 against Samano, having won 4-2, 10-6 and 8-2 matches.
Great season for Gavin Bradley last year, who took 7th place All American honors at the NCAA DIII championships. 34 wins on the season he picked up titles at Ithaca, Roger Williams and Citrus. He enters his junior season of competition having posted 3rd & 2nd place finishes at the Northeast Regional.
Talk about a guy who turned things around last year! Mac Cafurello was 6th at the Southeast Regional in 2022, and he didn't even place at the Regional in 2023. Last year he not only made the finals, but he went on to place 8th in the DIII nation! 29 wins on the year he also made the finals of both Pete Willson & Citrus, taking 3rd at the New Standard.
Three time Mideast Regional Champion J.C. Cardenas enters his final season of competition one of the best wrestlers in the D3 Nation yet to All American. Twice the R12, he is also a two time SUNY-AC champion & he was 4th at Pete Willson. 27 wins on the year.
Only a sophomore, the Lion has a bright future ahead of him. 27 wins on the season for Matt Griffin who was 3rd at the Mideast Regional & one match shy of earning his first D3 All American honor.
Here's another guy who turned things around last year. 7th in the Upper Midwest Regional as a freshman, Jalen Dunson won the Regional last season & finished one match shy of DIII All American honors. 22 wins on the season, he will be backed up by a tough Jonah Edwards, who among his victories last year, nearly majored All American Gavin Bradley 12-5.
Wyatt Kaczrowski started off '23-'24 competing at 133 lbs, but made the move down to 125 in early February. It paid off in a big way as he qualified for the NCAA DIII championships with a 3rd place finish at the Upper Midwest Regional & finished one match shy of being a D3 All American. All in all, he won 27 matches on the year.
Cade Hornback earned NCAA DIII qualification last season with a 3rd place showing at the Lower Midwest Regional. 19 wins on the season, he did have an 8-5 s.v. over All American James Day.
2nd at last year's Central Regional, Jack Stanely enters his final season of competition looking to become a four time NCAA DIII qualifier & earn his first All American honor. 7th at last year's Pete Willson, he saw two victories over All American James Day (4-1 s.v & 10-5). 23 wins in total.
A 4th place DIII All American in 2023, Jake Craig qualified for his second NCAA DIII tournament with a 3rd place finish at the Northeast Regional. 28 wins last year, he enters '24-'25 looking for his third qualification & his second All American honor.
Wartburg was the first NCAA DIII wrestling team I ever followed. One thing that is as true today as it was 25 years ago, is that the Knights are always deep in every weight class. James Levy enters his final season having been very close to NCAA DIII qualification the past two years, posting 5th & 4th place finishes at the Lower Midwest Regional. He had a 5-0 win over qualifier Cade Hornback last year. With that said, I haven't seen a whole lot from Zein Bazzi, but a 19-3 technical fall over R12'er Jalen Dunson says enough. Anxious to see who takes the starting spot this year.
Things didn't quite end the way for Luca Paladino last season that he was hoping they would. An Upper Midwest Regional Champion in 2023, he finished just a hair shy of another NCAA DIII qualification last season, as he finished 4th in the Regional. He was also one match shy of a top 8 finish at the prestigious Pete Willson. A 6-4 win over R12'er Jalen Dunson & a 6-1 win over R12'er Wyatt Kaczrowski, Paladino looks to reclaim his status in '24-'25.
14 wins on the season, Zach Phifer enters the '24-'25 season having posted 6th & 4th place finishes thus far at the Central Regional.
26-8 on the season, Fred Luchs finished one match shy of NCAA DIII qualification with a 4th place finish at the Northeast Regional. 5th at Pete Willson, he had a 4-1 victory over qualifier Jack Stanley.
31 wins on the season for Kaden Majcher who finished one match shy of NCAA DIII qualification with a 4th place finish at the Southeast Regional.
24 wins on the year, Keito Shaw enters '24-'25 having twice placed 5th at the Southeast Regional. 3rd-6th-2nd, he also hopes to become a four time Middle Atlantic Conference place-winner.
7th at last year's Southeast Regional, sophomore Malik Asfour demonstrated on more than one occasion that he's capable of far more in '24-'25. 28 wins on the season, he defeated R12'er J.C. Cardenas 11-9 & he also defeated R12'er Matt Griffin 17-14.
5th at the Northeast Regional, Benny Bautista had an 11-3 major decision over qualifier Jack Stanley.
COVID-19 math is a lot harder than regular math, I'll tell you that. I can't see Riley Parker having any more eligibility left, as he was listed as a grad student on Johns Hopkins roster last year. Yet looking over stats, it appears that he may indeed have one more season left to compete. If that is the case, I'll say this; Parker was an All American in 2022 with a 6th place finish at DIII nationals. In 2023, he finished one match shy of qualification with a 4th place finish at Regionals. Last year, I think injuries played a part in his 8th place finish at Regionals. If healthy & 100% he's a threat to both Q & A A in 2025.
Two time Central Regional 5th placer Collin Mellott earned an 8th place finish at Pete Willson last season & finished the year with 26 victories.
28-7 on the year, Lee Rubin earned a 5th place finish at the Mideast Regional.
6th in the Mideast Regional last season, Liam Bullock had 17 victories.
22 wins on the season, E.J. Alizio was 6th at the Central Regional.
Nikko Beato goes into his junior season of competition having posted 19 victories on the year. Among them a 5-3 decision over Qualifier Akhil Vega & a 5-1 decision over Keito Shaw. He was 7th in the Northeast Regional.
23 wins on the season, Franco Mazza was 7th at the Mideast Regional.
Chris DeRosa was 6th at the Northeast Regional last season.
David Rubin heads into his final season of competition now a two time Southeast Regional place winner, having posted back to back 8th place finishes.
Isiac Paulino posted 17 wins on the season last year & took an 8th place finish at the Northeast Regional.
The Eagles of La Crosse have two very talented wrestlers who will duke it out for the varsity spot at 125 lbs. Quinton Wolbert looked very good at various times last season. 4th at the Pete Willson Invitational, he had many notable victories among his 25 wins. A 6:11 fall over R12'er J.C. Cardenas, he majored Luca Paladino 15-6 & he defeated qualifier Cade Hornback 10-9. He was 6th at the Upper Midwest Regional.
Challenging him for the spot will be Remington Bontreger. Among his victories a 19-3 technical fall over qualifier Akhil Vega & a 6-2 victory over Jase Van Pelt. He also may I had defeated Wolbert last season 18-5.
Kie Anderson didn't wrestle much last season but he did manage a 7th place finish at the Upper Midwest Regional. Although a 5th place finisher at Pete Willson in 2023, he came up a match short of another medal last season. Among his wins an 8-6 decision over Luca Paladino.
The Rams of Cornell look to have a good wrestle-off between two talented juniors. Thus far in his career Jase Van Pelt has been 7th & 6th in the Lower Midwest Regional. Jayden Rael actually pinned Van Pelt last year at the 9:00 mark in sudden victory. He also had a 10-4 decision over Luca Paladino & an 8-5 s.v. over qualifier Akhil Vega.
7th at the Lower Midwest Regional, Connor Kidd had a 9-5 win over qualifier Cade Hornback.
17 wins on the season, David Vukobratovich had a 7-6 decision over R12'er Jalen Dunson & he placed 8th at the Lower Midwest Regional.
23 wins on the season, Zane Ely was 8th at the Upper Midwest Regional.
18 wins on the season for Christian Horvath who heads into his sophomore year of competition. Among those wins, a 10-6 victory over qualifier Jack Stanely.
8-1 record last season, Lucas Torre handed Fred Luchs a 10-7 loss.
Although he did not place at the Northeast Regional last season, Tanner Thatcher provided evidence to suggest that he will challenge for Regional placement this season. 28-6 over all, he had a 10-4 decision over Fred Luchs.
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| Christian Guzman & Ethan Spacht North Central |
Only a junior this season & already a two time NCAA DIII All American (3rd & 2nd) and a two time Lower Midwest Regional champion. Christian Guzman went 34-4 last season & I cannot see him getting upended for the starting position for the Cardinals. I will however put in a word for a very tough Ethan Spacht who is one of the toughest backups in the country. Testimony to my claim includes a 6th place finish at Pete Willson. In a 23-6 record, he not only defeated All American James Day, he also had a 4-1 win over Jett Strickenberger a DI wrestler who placed 3rd at the BIG 12's!
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| James Day Wabash |
28-9 on the year, James Day heads into his junior season of competition having posted a 3rd place finish at the NCAA DIII championships. Thus far in his career he has also been 2nd & 3rd in the Central Regional.
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| Jacob Decatur Baldwin Wallace |
Jacob Decatur has the rare opportunity to become a four time NCAA DIII All American this season. An NCAA DIII champion in 2022, he was a runner-up in 2023 & 4th last season. A three time Central Regional champion, he also has the rare opportunity to become a four time Regional champion. He was 26-4 last year.
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| Mason Barrett & Adrian Samano Averett |
6th & 5th place finishes thus far in the DIII nation, Mason Barrett enters his final season of competition now a two time Southeast Regional champion. 32-5 last year, he also won the Petrofes title. Despite all of the accomplishments and credentials he has earned, he will still be challenged by Adrian Samano for the starting spot. Samano a transfer from Ferrum, looked outstanding at Pete Willson last year, winning the title with an impressive 2-1 win over All American Mac Cafurello. 23 wins on the season he was also a champion at the Cougar Open, taking 5th at the Southeast Regional. Overall Barrett is 3-0 against Samano, having won 4-2, 10-6 and 8-2 matches.
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| Gavin Bradley Castleton |
Great season for Gavin Bradley last year, who took 7th place All American honors at the NCAA DIII championships. 34 wins on the season he picked up titles at Ithaca, Roger Williams and Citrus. He enters his junior season of competition having posted 3rd & 2nd place finishes at the Northeast Regional.
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| Mac Cafurello Roanoke |
Talk about a guy who turned things around last year! Mac Cafurello was 6th at the Southeast Regional in 2022, and he didn't even place at the Regional in 2023. Last year he not only made the finals, but he went on to place 8th in the DIII nation! 29 wins on the year he also made the finals of both Pete Willson & Citrus, taking 3rd at the New Standard.
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| J.C. Cardenas SUNY-Cortland |
Three time Mideast Regional Champion J.C. Cardenas enters his final season of competition one of the best wrestlers in the D3 Nation yet to All American. Twice the R12, he is also a two time SUNY-AC champion & he was 4th at Pete Willson. 27 wins on the year.
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| Matt Griffin The College of New Jersey |
Only a sophomore, the Lion has a bright future ahead of him. 27 wins on the season for Matt Griffin who was 3rd at the Mideast Regional & one match shy of earning his first D3 All American honor.
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| Jalen Dunson & Jonah Edwards UW-Whitewater |
Here's another guy who turned things around last year. 7th in the Upper Midwest Regional as a freshman, Jalen Dunson won the Regional last season & finished one match shy of DIII All American honors. 22 wins on the season, he will be backed up by a tough Jonah Edwards, who among his victories last year, nearly majored All American Gavin Bradley 12-5.
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| Wyatt Kaczrowski Augsburg |
Wyatt Kaczrowski started off '23-'24 competing at 133 lbs, but made the move down to 125 in early February. It paid off in a big way as he qualified for the NCAA DIII championships with a 3rd place finish at the Upper Midwest Regional & finished one match shy of being a D3 All American. All in all, he won 27 matches on the year.
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| Cade Hornback Coe |
Cade Hornback earned NCAA DIII qualification last season with a 3rd place showing at the Lower Midwest Regional. 19 wins on the season, he did have an 8-5 s.v. over All American James Day.
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| Jack Stanley Mount Union |
2nd at last year's Central Regional, Jack Stanely enters his final season of competition looking to become a four time NCAA DIII qualifier & earn his first All American honor. 7th at last year's Pete Willson, he saw two victories over All American James Day (4-1 s.v & 10-5). 23 wins in total.
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| Jake Craig Southern Maine |
A 4th place DIII All American in 2023, Jake Craig qualified for his second NCAA DIII tournament with a 3rd place finish at the Northeast Regional. 28 wins last year, he enters '24-'25 looking for his third qualification & his second All American honor.
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| James Levy & Zein Bazzi Wartburg |
Wartburg was the first NCAA DIII wrestling team I ever followed. One thing that is as true today as it was 25 years ago, is that the Knights are always deep in every weight class. James Levy enters his final season having been very close to NCAA DIII qualification the past two years, posting 5th & 4th place finishes at the Lower Midwest Regional. He had a 5-0 win over qualifier Cade Hornback last year. With that said, I haven't seen a whole lot from Zein Bazzi, but a 19-3 technical fall over R12'er Jalen Dunson says enough. Anxious to see who takes the starting spot this year.
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| Luca Paladino UW-Stevens Point |
Things didn't quite end the way for Luca Paladino last season that he was hoping they would. An Upper Midwest Regional Champion in 2023, he finished just a hair shy of another NCAA DIII qualification last season, as he finished 4th in the Regional. He was also one match shy of a top 8 finish at the prestigious Pete Willson. A 6-4 win over R12'er Jalen Dunson & a 6-1 win over R12'er Wyatt Kaczrowski, Paladino looks to reclaim his status in '24-'25.
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| Zach Phifer Adrian |
14 wins on the season, Zach Phifer enters the '24-'25 season having posted 6th & 4th place finishes thus far at the Central Regional.
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| Fred Luchs Rhode Island College |
26-8 on the season, Fred Luchs finished one match shy of NCAA DIII qualification with a 4th place finish at the Northeast Regional. 5th at Pete Willson, he had a 4-1 victory over qualifier Jack Stanley.
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| Kaden Majcher Lycoming |
31 wins on the season for Kaden Majcher who finished one match shy of NCAA DIII qualification with a 4th place finish at the Southeast Regional.
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| Keito Shaw Alvernia |
24 wins on the year, Keito Shaw enters '24-'25 having twice placed 5th at the Southeast Regional. 3rd-6th-2nd, he also hopes to become a four time Middle Atlantic Conference place-winner.
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| Malik Asfour Delaware Valley |
7th at last year's Southeast Regional, sophomore Malik Asfour demonstrated on more than one occasion that he's capable of far more in '24-'25. 28 wins on the season, he defeated R12'er J.C. Cardenas 11-9 & he also defeated R12'er Matt Griffin 17-14.
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| Benny Bautista NYU |
5th at the Northeast Regional, Benny Bautista had an 11-3 major decision over qualifier Jack Stanley.
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| Riley Parker Johns Hopkins |
COVID-19 math is a lot harder than regular math, I'll tell you that. I can't see Riley Parker having any more eligibility left, as he was listed as a grad student on Johns Hopkins roster last year. Yet looking over stats, it appears that he may indeed have one more season left to compete. If that is the case, I'll say this; Parker was an All American in 2022 with a 6th place finish at DIII nationals. In 2023, he finished one match shy of qualification with a 4th place finish at Regionals. Last year, I think injuries played a part in his 8th place finish at Regionals. If healthy & 100% he's a threat to both Q & A A in 2025.
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| Collin Mellott Ohio Northern |
Two time Central Regional 5th placer Collin Mellott earned an 8th place finish at Pete Willson last season & finished the year with 26 victories.
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| Lee Rubin R.I.T. |
28-7 on the year, Lee Rubin earned a 5th place finish at the Mideast Regional.
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| Liam Bullock SUNY-Brockport |
6th in the Mideast Regional last season, Liam Bullock had 17 victories.
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| E.J. Alizio CWR |
22 wins on the season, E.J. Alizio was 6th at the Central Regional.
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| Nikko Beato USCGA |
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| Franco Mazza Ursinus |
23 wins on the season, Franco Mazza was 7th at the Mideast Regional.
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| Chris DeRosa New England |
Chris DeRosa was 6th at the Northeast Regional last season.
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| David Rubin Washington & Lee |
David Rubin heads into his final season of competition now a two time Southeast Regional place winner, having posted back to back 8th place finishes.
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| Isiac Paulino Springfield |
Isiac Paulino posted 17 wins on the season last year & took an 8th place finish at the Northeast Regional.
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| Quinton Wolbert & Remington Bontreger UW-La Crosse |
The Eagles of La Crosse have two very talented wrestlers who will duke it out for the varsity spot at 125 lbs. Quinton Wolbert looked very good at various times last season. 4th at the Pete Willson Invitational, he had many notable victories among his 25 wins. A 6:11 fall over R12'er J.C. Cardenas, he majored Luca Paladino 15-6 & he defeated qualifier Cade Hornback 10-9. He was 6th at the Upper Midwest Regional.
Challenging him for the spot will be Remington Bontreger. Among his victories a 19-3 technical fall over qualifier Akhil Vega & a 6-2 victory over Jase Van Pelt. He also may I had defeated Wolbert last season 18-5.
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| Kie Anderson Concordia (MN) |
Kie Anderson didn't wrestle much last season but he did manage a 7th place finish at the Upper Midwest Regional. Although a 5th place finisher at Pete Willson in 2023, he came up a match short of another medal last season. Among his wins an 8-6 decision over Luca Paladino.
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| Jase Van Pelt & Jayden Rael Cornell (IA) |
The Rams of Cornell look to have a good wrestle-off between two talented juniors. Thus far in his career Jase Van Pelt has been 7th & 6th in the Lower Midwest Regional. Jayden Rael actually pinned Van Pelt last year at the 9:00 mark in sudden victory. He also had a 10-4 decision over Luca Paladino & an 8-5 s.v. over qualifier Akhil Vega.
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| Connor Kidd Luther |
7th at the Lower Midwest Regional, Connor Kidd had a 9-5 win over qualifier Cade Hornback.
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| David Vukobratovich Central |
17 wins on the season, David Vukobratovich had a 7-6 decision over R12'er Jalen Dunson & he placed 8th at the Lower Midwest Regional.
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| Zane Ely Auroa |
23 wins on the season, Zane Ely was 8th at the Upper Midwest Regional.
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| Christian Horvath Muhlenberg |
18 wins on the season for Christian Horvath who heads into his sophomore year of competition. Among those wins, a 10-6 victory over qualifier Jack Stanely.
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| Lucas Torre Jersey City |
8-1 record last season, Lucas Torre handed Fred Luchs a 10-7 loss.
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| Tanner Thatcher WPI |
Although he did not place at the Northeast Regional last season, Tanner Thatcher provided evidence to suggest that he will challenge for Regional placement this season. 28-6 over all, he had a 10-4 decision over Fred Luchs.
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