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| Nick Sacco TCNJ |
29-2 on the year, with both losses being to DI opponents, you are looking at the 2024 NCAA Division III champion Nick Sacco. Also 4th in the D3 nation in 2023, he enters the '24-'25 season, a two time Mideast Regional Champion.
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| Noah Leisgang Tate Flege UW-La Crosse |
A two time Upper Midwest Regional champion & a two time WIAC champion. Noah Leisgang with 3rd & 2nd place All American honors, heads into the '24-'25 season one of the best in the D3 nation yet to win a national title. Backing him up in the lineup is a super tough Tate Flege, who among 28 victories last season, racked up some impressive credentials himself. 2nd at the WIAC, he was 3rd at the Augsburg Open, and finished one match shy of a medal at Pete Willson. A 13-6 decision over All American Tristan Massie, a 3-0 win over qualifier Jesse Herrera, a 8-0 decision over Bryce McDonough & a 27-9 technical fall over Elijah Hunt.
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| Cooper Willis Augsburg |
It's been back to back 5th place finishes in the D3 nation for Cooper Willis as he heads into his junior season of competition. 2nd & 3rd thus far in the Upper Midwest Regional, he went 35-4 winning titles at both the North Central Invitational & the Augsburg Open. He was 3rd at Luther, only losing to Division I competition.
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| Will Esmoil Coe |
4th in the D3 nation in 2022, Will Esmoil reclaimed his All Amerian status by placing 6th last season. Thus far he has been 3rd-7th-1st in the Lower Midwest Regional. 29-6 on the year, he is a two time Coe Invitational champion, placing 3rd at the North Central Invitational.
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| Dustin Bohren Loras |
28 wins on the season last year, Dustin Bohren was 7th in the D3 nation & 3rd at the Lower Midwest Regional.
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| Patrick Wisniewski Johnson & Wales |
Here's a guy that made some leaps and bounds last season. 7th at the Northeast Regional in 2023, Patrick Wisniewski won the Regional last season & finished 8th in the D3 nation. Had 16 wins on the year.
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| Alex Villar Armando Murillo North Central |
A 4th place All American in 2022 competing at 149 lbs, it has been back to back R12 finishes for Alex Villar the past two seasons at 165 lbs. 3rd and 2nd the past two years at the Lower Midwest Regional, he has more than proven throughout the season that regaining All American honors is well within his grasp. No spot on the award stand too high either. He defeated NCAA DIII finalist Noah Leisgang 4-2, as well as All American Dustin Bohren 5-2 last season.
Villar will be backed by a tough Armando Murillo. A match of a top 8 finish at Pete Willson last year, Murillo has a 14-7 decision of qualifier Jesse Herrera & an 11-10 decision over Nathan Fuller.
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| Shawn Marchesano Ursinus |
3rd at the Mideast Regional, Shawn Marchesano finished one match shy of All American honors. A 24-7 record.
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| David Reid Jacob Cherry Roanoke |
Here's a really good wrestle-off to look forward to. David Reid didn't compete much last season, but he wrestled well enough to make the Southeast Regional finals & earn NCAA DIII qualification. He'll have a tough challenge for the varsity position this year from Jacob Cherry who won 23 matches last season. Thus far 2nd & 3rd in the ODAC, as well as 2nd & 1st in the Cougar Open, Cherry had a 15-7 decision over qualifier Anthony Taylor & a 12-10 decision over Adam Coleman. Officially Reid & Cherry didn't wrestle last year, but in the '22-'23 season, Reid owned both a 5-3 & 3-2 decision.
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| Anthony Taylor Averett |
There was a wrestle about 22 years ago from North Carolina named Chris Rodrigues. A wrestler who resembled the remark from Forest Gump, in that "you never know what you're gonna get." Rodrigues was the type of wrestler who would go out and stick Nick Simmons in the first period, and then turn around a lose a match to a guy who wasn't even ranked. The kind of guy you could see having a great run through the NCAA's and placing very high and at the same time, you'd also know that he might not. Anthony Taylor reminds me a lot of Rodrigues. He's the type of guy that can go out and get tech'd and then turn around and tech the guy who tech'd him on the same day! I mean that literally too! He actually did that. Got beat 18-3 technical fall & then came back and won 19-4 technical fall against the guy that had tech'd him earlier! If wrestling had the type of betting other sports do, Taylor would drive bookies bananas!
Thus far the NCAA DIII qualifier has been 5th & 3rd in the Southeast Regional, and 1st & 2nd in the ODAC. He won 32 matches last season.
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| Teagan Hendricks Ohio Northern |
23 wins on the season for Teagan Hendricks, who earned NCAA DIII qualification by winning the Central Regional. He was also 4th at Pete Willson.
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| Jesse Herrera Wabash |
27 wins on the season for Jesse Herrera who qualified for the NCAA DIII championships with a runner-up finish at the Central Regional.
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| Andrew Supers Hunter Kupniewski Baldwin Wallace |
Great season for Andrew Supers who went 35-9 last season. An NCAA DIII qualifier with a 3rd place showing at the Central Regional, he won titles at both the Baldwin Wallace Invitational and the John Summa Invitational. He was 4th at the North Central Invite. Backing him up in the room will be a tough Hunter Kupniewski, who among 22 wins was runner-up at the Baldwin Wallace Invitational & an Ithaca Invitational runner-up.
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| Bryce McDonough Luther |
Heading into his junior season of competition, Bryce McDonough has been close to NCAA DIII qualification the past two years with 5th & 4th place finishes at the Lower Midwest Regional. 4th at the Augsburg Invitational, among his 26 victories, he majored qualifier Anthony Taylor 15-4.
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| Brayden Peet UW-Whitewater |
One match shy of NCAA DIII qualification, Brayden Peet finished 4th at the Upper Midwest Regional. 6th at Pete Willson, Peet had a 4-1 decision over NCAA DIII Finalist Noah Leisgang, and he majored qualifier Teagan Hendricks 11-2. 23-5 overall.
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| Cale Callahan Otterbein |
7th at the Central Regional in 2022, and coming up short of placing in 2023, Cale Callahan nearly qualified for the NCAA DIII championships when he finished in 4th place last season. Among his 22 wins on the season, a 9-3 decision over qualifier Teagan Hendricks.
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| Konrad Parker Ithaca |
39 wins on the season for Konrad Parker who finished one match shy of NCAA DIII qualification last season with a 4th place finish at the Mideast Regional. A SUNY-AC champ, he had a 12-7 decision over All American Patrick Wisniewski.
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| Myles Leonard Springfield |
Much like Bryce McDonough, Myles Leonard heads into year three of collegiate competition, having nearly made the NCAA DIII championships the past two seasons. 5th & 4th thus far in the Northeast Regional, Leonard won 29 matches last season. One of which was an 18-3 technical fall over Anthony Taylor.
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| Adam Coleman Joseph McCullough Delaware Valley |
23 wins on the season for Adam Coleman who finished one match shy of NCAA DIII qualification with a 4th place finish at the Southeast Regional. He heads into the '24-'25 season having thus far placed 4th and 2nd in the MAC.
Coleman will be challenged for the varsity spot this season by Joseph McCullough. McCullough first caught my eye when he upset three time DIII All American Stefan Major 4-3. That wasn't his only big win though. He also stuck All American Dustin Bohren at the 3:15 mark & he also stuck R12'er Shawn Marchesano at 1:10.
While Coleman & McCullough did not meet officially last season, Coleman won an official match in '22-'23 by a score of 5-4.
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| Mark Troni Washington & Lee |
7th & 5th thus far in the Southeast Regional, despite prior finishes, here's a guy I could see contending for the Regional title this season. 28 wins last year, he majored qualifier Teagan Hendricks 12-2 & he tech'd qualifier Anthony Taylor 17-0, as well as beat him 12-7. He also defeated Konrad Parker 11-7, sticking Adam Coleman twice at times of 2:37 and 4:19. A two time ODAC finalist, he won the tournament last year.
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| Matt Lucas Roger Williams |
27 wins on the season last year, Matt Lucas was 5th at the Northeast Regional.
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| Ryan Ohler McDaniel |
5th at the Mideast Regional last season, Ryan Ohler won 24 matches in all. One of which was a 6-0 decision over R12'er Shawn Marchesano.
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| Tyler Bodovetz Ohio Wesleyan |
23-8 last season, Tyler Bodovetz heads into '24-'25 having thus far placed 6th & 5th within the Central Regional. Had 4-0 win over Cale Callahan last year.
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| Jeremy Pullen Concordia (WIS) |
The former Joliet Junior College standout, Jeremy Pullen won 18 matches last season, placing 5th at the Upper Midwest Regional.
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| Alonzo Smiley Dubuque |
Another former NJCAA wrestler, this one for Triton, Alonzo Smiley had a pretty good season last year competing for the Spartans of Dubuque. 5th at the Lower Midwest Regional, Smiley had 22 wins in total. Defeated three NCAA DIII qualifier last season, including Jesse Herrera (fall 3:16), Teagan Hendricks (7-3) and Andrew Supers (6-5). Also had a 4-3 win over Bryce McDonough.
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| Nathan Fuller Wartburg |
I was once told quality over quantity and Nathan Fuller is a prime example of it. He went 50/50 last season, but looking at the competition he faced is key to analyzing his potential. 6th in the Lower Midwest Regional, he defeated All American Dustin Bohren 4-3, with a 2:18 fall over qualifier Jesse Herrera & a 5-3 decision over Bryce McDonough.
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| Darian Estevez Chicago |
An All American in 2022 with an 8th place finish at the NCAA DIII championships, Darian Estevez also won an Upper Midwest Regional title. Seeing how he's medical forfeited quite a few matches over the past two seasons, it can be pondered if injuries have played their part. Last year he was 6th at the Upper Midwest Regional. He's also been 6th at the Pete Willson invitational in years past as well, coming within a match of another top 8 finish last season. '24-'25 could be the year we see him make a strong comeback.
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| Peyton Brooks Albion |
17 wins on the year, Peyton Brooks placed 6th at the Central Regional.
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| Clay Gainer Zach Needles Messiah |
Clay Gainer won 30 matches last season & placed 6th at the Southeast Regional. However, I think the Falcon to watch this year could very well be Zach Needles. 25 wins on the season himself, he picked up an assortment of credentials last season. An NCAA DIII qualifier in 2023, last year the highlight of his season was a strong 3rd place showing at Pete Willson. He also earned runner-up finishes at both the Messiah Open & Petrofes. Placing 5th at the Racich Rumble. Among his wins he defeated qualifier Teagan Hendricks twice by scores of 2-1 and 6-4. A 4:00 fall over Konrad Parker, he defeated Adam Coleman 8-3.
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| Chris Roybal Johns Hopkins |
16 wins on the season, Chris Roybal was 6th at the Mideast Regional.
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| Logan Bartlett Lycoming |
Collecting 18 wins overall, Logan Bartlett was 7th at the Southeast Regional.
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| Elijah Hunt Concordia (MN) |
Elijah Hunt enters the '24-'25 season having posted 7th & 8th place finishes the past two Upper Midwest Regionals. 20 wins on the year, he was also 7th at Pete Willson.
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| D.J. Slovik Pittsburgh-Bradford |
D.J. Slovik won 26 matches last season & placed 7th at the Mideast Regional.
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| Scotty Scheidecker Cornell (IA) |
It was 14 wins on the season & a 7th place finish at the Lower Midwest Regional for Scotty Scheidecker.
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| Justin Richey Gettysburg |
The Bullet won 16 matches last year, taking 8th place at the Southeast Regional.
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| Andrew Maiorini Wesleyan |
22 wins on the season, including a 4-2 win over Adam Coleman for Andrew Maiorini last season. He was 8th at the Northeast Regional.
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| Travis Green Penn Tech |
Travis Green won 34 matches last season, placing 8th at the Mideast Regional.
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| Lakin Webb Trine |
19 wins and 8th place at the Central Regional for Lakin Webb last season.
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| Chance Cole Joey Jens Millikin |
A good wrestle-off will take place between Chance Cole and Joey Jens this year. Jens won a 7-2 official meeting last season, but it was Cole who represented the Big Blue at the Lower Midwest Regional where he took 8th place honors. Cole was also one match shy of a top 8 finish at Pete Willson. Jens on the other hand, went 12-3 last season. A Coe Invitational runner-up, he defeated qualifier Anthony Taylor by a 13-10 decision.
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| Chance Babb Alvernia |
An NCAA DII qualifier in 2023, Chance Babb was a backup to three time All American Matt Lackman last year, who has since used up his eligibility. 24-7 on the year, Babb nabbed a 4th place finish at the Racich Rumble. A resonance man willing to go where he is needed for his team, 165 is simply my guess to where he'll compete this season. Could see him at another weight.
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| Daniel Gibson USCGA |
You really start to realize how deep some of these weights get, when you take a look at the replacements one eligibility is used up. Behind qualifier Steve Rochard last season, Daniel Gibson went 14-3 & should be an excellent replacement for Rochard this year.
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| Jon Harvey UW-Eau Claire |
While I'm on the subject of tough backups, here's one I'm really anxious to watch compete these year. Behind All American Tristan Massie last season, Jon Harvey went 24-6 winning the prestigious Pete Willson Invitational. A 5-4 decision over Brayden Peet as well.
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| Harrison Hinojosa Chris Stathopoulos Stevens Tech |
Should be a good wrestle-off between Harrison Hinojosa & Chris Stathopoulos this season to see who starts 165 lbs for the Ducks. Hinojosa won 18 matches last season, having thus far placed 2nd & 3rd in the MAC. Stathopoulos won the New Standard Invitational last season, a 12-4 major decision over Konrad Parker.
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| Liam Strouse R.I.T. |
I felt that Liam Strouse was one of the tougher wrestlers last year who came up short of a medal at the Regionals last season. A SUNY-AC runner-up, Strouse won 26 matches last season.
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| Justice Hockenberry York (PA) |
I went on and on about how inconsistent and unpredictable Anthony Taylor can be. And he is. However, even more so is Justice Hockenberry of York (PA). This guy is truly one that you'll never feel comfortable making a prediction. What cannot be ignored is a 15-0 tech over Shawn Marchesano or a 10-7 s.v. over Mark Troni. The on and off switch on Hockenberry is literally a night and day difference, but when on, it's ON. I'm talking could possibly All American, ON. Would love to see a match between him and Taylor.
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