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| Jaxon Rohman Augustana (SD) |
The 125 lbs class in NCAA Division II wrestling returns seven All Americans from last season, therefore giving two time NCAA DII finalist Jaxon Rohman a heck of a field to go through as he looks to become a three time finalist & a national champion this year. With finishes of 3rd-2nd-2nd, he will also look to win his first Super Region V tournament as well.
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| James Joplin Lander |
There to challenge Rohman for the NCAA DII title will be two time All American James Joplin who has national finishes of 4th & 3rd thus far in his career. In 32 matches last season, he only lost once and among his 31 victories, one of them was a 6-0 decision over Rohman. A two time Super Region II champion, Joplin also won the Midwest Classic last year, having finished 3rd in 2023.
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| Zach Ourada Nebraska-Kearney |
Standout season for Zach Ourada last season. Winning a Super Region VI title, he was 5th in the DII nation on a 24-7 record. He also finished as the UNK-Hospitality Open Runner-up.
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| Isaiah Gamez Adams State |
Isaiah Gamez represented the NJCAA wrestling world well last season, as the former Otero Junior college standout, earned a Super Region 6 runner-up finish & a 4th place finish at the national tournament. Overall he put together a 23-3 record for the Grizzlies.
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| Shane Corrigan UW-Parkside |
Shane Corrigan heads into his junior season of competition now a two time All American (7th & 6th) as well as a two time Super Region V champion. Winning the Findlay Open last season, he also has Midwest Classic finishes of 4th & 3rd. 32-5 on the season, he had a 9-6 victory over two time NCAA DII finalist Jaxon Rohman.
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| Treyvon Gray Pittsburgh-Johnstown |
Treyvon Gray demonstrated his ability to wrestle-back at various points of the '23-'24 season. At the Midwest Classic he wrestled his way back to an 8th place finish & at the NCAA DII tournament, he wrestled his way back to a 7th place finish. A Super Region I champion, he had 27 wins on the season.
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| Manuel Leija Davenport |
After finishing one match shy of NCAA DII qualification in 2023, Manuel Leija earned a spot in the NCAA championships last season finishing 3rd at the Super Region III. He then took an All American finish of 8th at the NCAA DII championships. Ironically enough, he only wrestled a total of 14 matches last season, ending the year with a record of 8-6.
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| Anthony Aniciete Tiffin |
A runner-up at the Super Region III & a GMAC champion, Anthony Aniciete finished one match shy of earning All American honors. Going 28-6 on the season, he had a 2-1 tiebreaker win over All American Manuel Leija.
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| Dayson Torgerson Colorado Mesa |
16 wins on the season, Dayson Torgerson earned a 3rd place finish at Super Region VI & finished one match shy of DII All American status.
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| Luke Acuna Ashland |
Only a sophomore, and I'd call Luke Acuna probably the best wrestler at 125 lbs in NCAA DII wrestling yet to All American. Had a very strong freshman campaign for the Eagles last season, posting 27 victories. Among them he defeated All American Trevon Gray by scores of 11-7 & 15-5. He also defeated R12'er Anthony Aniciete 8-5. A Super Region III champion, he was 6th at the Midwest Classic.
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| Conor Knopick St Cloud State |
The former Iowa State Cyclone earned a 3rd place finish at Super Region V & finished one match shy of being a DII All American. He had 16 wins on the year.
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| Dylan Sheler Newman |
"Any given Sunday" may very well be a football quote, but nonetheless is applies to Dylan Sheler of Newman. He nearly made the NCAA DII tournament in 2023 as a freshman with a little better than a .500 record & he did make the NCAA DII tournament last year, with a losing record! Sheler came out of nowhere last season to make the Super Region IV finals. Proof and inspiration that it doesn't matter what happened during the rest of the season. If you get hot and make the Region finals, you're headed to nationals!
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| Jakason Burks Or Jake Tangpricha Central Missouri |
I can see this being a very good wrestle-off between two NCAA DII qualifier candidates. Jake Tangpricha was an NCAA DII qualifier last season, with a 3rd place finish at Super Region Super Region VI. He finished off the year, one match shy of All American honors.
Challenging him for the spot will be NJCAA standout Jakason Burks, who won the Falcon Invite last season. Going 6-0 , he had a 7th place finish over NAIA All American Brody Gee.
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| William Burgess Seton Hill |
Strong junior season for the Griffin last year, as he posted 24 victories, finishing 3rd at Super Region I. He was also one match shy of a top 8 showing at the Midwest Classic.
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| Quade Smith Chadron State |
You know why wrestling is my favorite sport? Because it often has some of the most inspirational stories. Hands down, not only is Quade Smith the best 125 lbs'er in the DII nation yet to make the national tournament, he's one of the best wrestlers yet to make the national tournament, period. 5th-4th-4th at Super Region VI, it's been a heartbreaker three seasons in a row. Among his wins last season, he defeated All Americans Shane Corrigan (4-2) & Trevon Gray (5-4). An 8-5 decision over R12'er Dayson Torgerson, he stuck Super Region III champ Luke Acuna at the 2:10 mark. Not to mention, he was 4th at the Midwest Classic & 3rd at the UNK-Hospitality Open. He more than has the resume & if he can finally break through & become one of the top 21 by '24-'25's end, I say he is also a strong candidate to become top 8.
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| Rhys Sellers New Mexico Highlands |
Rhys Sellers of New Mexico Highlands is another tough 125'er yet to make the NCAA DII tournament. The past two seasons he has finished 5th at Super region VI. He was also one match shy of a top 8 finish at last year's Midwest Classic. 21 wins on the year, Sellers will look for both a medal at the MWC & NCAA DII qualification in '24-'25.
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| Caden Howard Drury |
An NCAA DII qualifier in 2023 with a Super Region IV finish of 3rd, Caden Howard missed out on another qualification last season, when he finished 5th in the Region. Among his victories last season he defeated All American Manuel Leija 11-5 & he pinned Super Region IV runner-up Dylan Sheler at the 6:30 mark.
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| Garrett Steidley Or Guy Clevenger Central Oklahoma |
Another opportunity to talk about what I believe will be a fantastic wrestle-off between two talented wrestlers. Garrett Steidley was one match shy of NCAA qualification last season, finishing 4th at the Super Region IV. He had an 8-3 decision over qualifier Jake Tangpricha.
Challenging Steidley for the starting position will be Guy Clevenger, who himself had twenty wins on the season. Most impressively a 1-0 decision over two time NCAA DII finalist Jaxon Rohman. He also defeated Super Region IV runner-up Dylan Sheler 10-8.
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| Nathan Smith Indianapolis |
Even though Nathan Smith defeated Jake Tangpricha 12-3 major decision at the Super Region IV, it was Tangpricha that ended up qualifying for the NCAA DII's, while Smith ended up in 6th place. More evidence of why some sort of wildcard/at large system might benefit NCAA Division II.
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| Hunter Ross Glenville State |
14 wins on the season, Hunter Ross heads into his final season of collegiate competition having fished one match shy of NCAA DII qualification last year.
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| Brice Beatty Millersville |
Posting 15 victories on the year, Brice Beatty finished 4th at Super Region I.
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| Trey Finnearty Limestone |
Not 100% positive if Trey Finnearty has another season of eligibility left or not. With the whole COVID-19 thing, it's hard to keep track of where wrestlers are at as far as freshman-sophomore-junior-senior status is concerned. If he is is back, he'll be among the contenders for NCAA qualification. 4th in Super Region II last season, he was one match from nationals.
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| Colt Brown Montevallo |
My goal here is to try and figure out as best as I can, who will be in the fight for NCAA DII qualification by the time region tournaments roll around. Native Floridan, wrestling for DII's only Alabama school, Colt Brown strikes me as a candidate. 22 wins on the season, he finished 5th at last year's Super Region II. He had a 6-4 decision over R12'er Dayson Torgerson.
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| Christian Lopez Colorado School of Mines |
Unfortunately injuries have kept us from seeing the full potential of Christian Lopez. Finishing 4th in Super Region VI as a freshman, he looked to have the start of a promising career. Unfortunately he's had to deal with getting hurt the past few years. He did manage to secure a 6th place finish at the Region last year & he was also one match shy of a top 8 finish at the Midwest Classic. If health is finally on his side, we could see some big things out of Lopez before he closes out his collegiate career in March.
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| Carlo Arreola Southwest Minnesota State |
From the same hometown as A.C. Slater, the two time California state qualifier was 6th in Super Region V & 4th at the Dakota Wesleyan Open.
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| Alex Crane West Liberty |
Crane was 5th in the Super Region V.
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| Nic Allison Kutztown |
Last season the freshman posted 10 wins on the season. 7 of them were via fall & two of them were via technical fall! He finished 5th at Super Region I.
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