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| Caleb Henson Virginia Tech |
30-2 on the season, Caleb Henson returns as the 2024 NCAA Division I national champion. He also won titles at the Southeast Open & the Keystone Classic. He took runner-up honors at both CKLV and the ACC. Thus putting into perspective how tough other tournaments can be.
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| Kyle Parco Iowa |
25-5 last year, Kyle Parco goes into the '24-'25 season with the rare opportunity to become a five time All American. Thus far in his career he has placed 6th-8th-4th-5th & will be looking to claim yet another top 8 finish, this time as a Hawkeye. A winner of the past two PAC-12 titles, he will also look to win his first BIG 10 title.
Behind Parco in the lineup will be two tough competitors. Caleb Rathjen and Victor Voinovich. Rathjen was a Soldier Salute champion last season & 5th in the BIG 10. Voinovich, an NCAA qualifier in 2023, was 4th at the Soldier Salute.
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| Ty Watters West Virginia |
The Mountaineers have had some great wrestlers over the past years, but if Ty Watters keeps wrestling as well as he did last year as a true freshman, he may very well go down in history as one of the best. It'll be hard to surpass the legendary Greg Jones, who has three NCAA DI titles, but Watters could outdo him in the category of All American honors. 30-6 on the season last year, Watters was 4th at the NCAA championships. A BIG 12 champion, he was runner-up at both the Southeast Open and the Midlands.
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| Ridge Lovett Nebraska |
An NCAA runner-up in 2023, Ridge Lovett slipped to a 6th place finish last season. Nonetheless, I would still count the Husker as an NCAA title contender. 27-4 on the year, he won titles at the Navy Classic, CKLV and the BIG 10. Not to mention, he downed Henson 4-3 in the finals of CKLV.
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| Jackson Arrington North Carolina State |
One match from All American honors last season, Jackson Arrington did defeat Caleb Henson for an ACC title before heading into the NCAA championships. You know that 4-1 s.v. over last year's NCAA champ has to be pretty motivating heading into '24-'25. 20-5 on the year, Arrington also placed 8th at the CKLV invitational.
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| Shayne Van Ness Penn State |
Here's a guy to definitely keep an eye on at 149 lbs in '24-'25. 3rd in the NCAA in 2023, Shayne Van Ness ended up having his season cut short last year due to injury. To put into perspective where he'll be among the competition? If he's healthy, which I would imagine he will be, he owns both a 5-3 win over Caleb Henson and a 7-2 decision over Kyle Parco.
Will also throw in a word for David Evans. I can't see Evans upending SVN for the starting spot on the Nittany Lion team. Although if SVN isn't 100% and still nagged by injuries, I could see him as the starter. Either way Evans is as 99.9% of Nittany Lions are, a tough wrestler.
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| Lachlan McNeil North Carolina |
The future Canadian Olympic medalist has thus far earned 4th & 6th All American honors, as well as two back to back 3rd place showings at the ACC championships, competing at 141 lbs. The Tar Heel will now test himself up at 149 lbs. He was also 4th at CKLV last year as well.
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| Anthony Echemendia Or Zach Redding Iowa State |
I would most certainly give the edge to Anthony Echemendia, but at the same time I can't see Zach Redding being a pushover. I think he'll make Echemendia work for the starting spot in the Cyclone lineup. Echemendia had a great season last year competing at 141 lbs. A BIG 12 champion, he was 5th in the NCAA & 7th at CKLV. Redding himself though is a two time NCAA qualifier, with an impressive 5-1 decision over EIWA champion Ethan Fernandez.
Just think of how much crazier this weight could be for Iowa State if Casey Swiderski weren't redshirting. He himself 7th at last year's NCAA championships & 5th in CKLV.
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| Kannon Webster Illinois |
Only a freshman this season, Kannon Webster illustrated what he is capable of in '24-'25, with an impressive 20-1 record last year as a redshirt. He was 3rd at the Midlands championships.
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| Chance Lamer Cal Poly |
The Mustangs are looking to do big things in '24-'25 and one of their leaders is Chance Lamer. He's twice been the R12 at the NCAA championships, and after placing 7th two years ago at CKLV, he was R12 there as well. I can only see that causing Lamer to be quite hungry for success this year. 19 wins in total last year.
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| Jordan Williams Or Carter Young Oklahoma State |
Jordan Williams just took it to Carter Young in a 15-2 major decision last year, so some might be wondering why I still think this might be a good wrestle-off. I'll tell you why. I've been watching collegiate wrestling for over thirty years. I've seen guys get tech falled and then come back and beat the guy that tech'd them in the same day. If you think it's all that uncommon, you don't watch enough college wrestling. I assure you it happens. Not saying it necessarily will here, but Young is a two time NCAA qualifier, and I can't see him going down without a fight. Still give the edge to Williams, who I think is going to thrive under the new leadership at Oklahoma State. Winner of the last Lindenwood Open that I'll see during my lifetime, he was also 2nd at the BIG 12 championships.
UPDATE: Jordan Williams has recently been dismissed from the Cowboy wrestling team, which poses very well for Carter Young. Williams himself will now compete for Little Rock, which will pose very well for the Trojans.
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| Jaden Abas Stanford |
JT#1 has been around since the 2001-2002 season & I've been running my own website since the 2014-2015 season. I've been around for quite some time and it shouldn't come as any surprise to anyone that I'm a lover of redemption stories. My gut tells me we could very well see one in Jaden Abas this year. A PAC-12 champion as a freshman, he's been 4th-2nd-3rd the past three seasons. 7th at the NCAA championships many moons ago, he has yet to make it back on the award stand, although he came within a match last year. He also came up short of placing at CKLV, although he's been 5th there in the past. While he did have a highlight of placing 3rd at last year's Southern Scuffle, he looks to redeem himself in quite a few areas in his final season on the mat.
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| Ethan Fernandez Or Josh Saunders Cornell |
24-9 on the season last year, Ethan Fernandez's end of the season was highlighted with winning an EIWA title. Nevertheless, as he heads into the '24-'25 season, his first major challenge will be re-earning his varsity position. Josh Saunders is itching for that spot & he already owns a 4-1 decision over Fernandez.
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| Colin Realbuto Northern Iowa |
Fresh off of a redshirt, two time NCAA qualifier Colin Realbuto returns for a final season on the mat. He was 8th at CKLV two seasons ago.
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| Dylan D'Emilio Ohio State |
An 8th place All American in 2023, Dylan D'Emilio came up a match short of his second All American honor last year. Along with going for his second All American honor this season, with 8th & 4th place finishes thus far, he'll also be looking to become a three time CKLV place-winner. 27 wins on the year, he was also champion at the Clarion Open.
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| Kelvin Griffin Or Owen Reinsel Lehigh |
Kelvin Griffin posted 27 wins last year and a 3rd place finish at the EIWA championships. He'll be challenged for the varsity spot this season by Owen Reinsel whom owns an official 8-3 decision over him.
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| Gabe Willochell Wyoming |
Two time NCAA qualifier Gabe Willochell heads into the '24-'25 season having posted 21 wins last year. 4th at the BIG 12's, he was 3rd at RENO & 7th at CKLV.
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| Ethen Miller Maryland |
A two time NCAA qualifier for the Terrapins, Ethen Miller posted a 4th place finish at last year's BIG 10 championships, placing 3rd at the Franklin & Marshall Lehman Invitational. He earned an impressive 4-3 decision over Dylan D'Emilio.
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| Joe Zargo Wisconsin |
A Michigan State Open runner-up and 8th in the BIG 10 championships, Joe Zargo looks to become a four time NCAA qualifier for the Badgers this season.
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| Kellyn March North Dakota State |
Injured last season, Kellyn March was the Southern Scuffle champion in 2023. If healthy this season, he will for sure be an All American candidate. Among wins to justify the claim? A 10-9 decision over Jordan Williams.
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| Sam Cartella Northwestern |
25 wins as a redshirt last season, Sam Cartella posted a 3rd place showing at the Michigan State Open & was 8th at the Midlands.
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| Jaivon Jones Little Rock |
After spending the majority of his career at Northern Illinois, Jaivon Jones will spend his final season at Little Rock. He had 13 wins last season.
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| Michael Cetta or Andrew Clark Rutgers |
Another good wrestle-off to look forward to as we start the season. Michael Cetta posted 16 wins last year, including an impressive 12-9 s.v. over 2023 All American Dylan D'Emilio. Andrew Clark an NCAA qualifier in 2023, was injured last season. He moves down to 149, after having competed at both 165 and 157.
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| Nate Pulliam Or Logan Gioffre Missouri |
And yet another good wrestle-off to look forward to. Nate Pulliam Vs Logan Gioffre for the starting spot at 149 for Missouri. Pulliam posted a very impressive 21-10 major decision over Gabe Willochell last season. Gioffre, 6th at the BIG 12's, nearly majored Jaden Abas 8-1.
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| Willie McDougald Oklahoma |
Willie McDougald is one I can see stepping it up a notch and increasing his stock this season He certainly has the ability to do so, as is proven by wins such as an 8-5 decision over Ty Watters. He also owns both a 5-4 & a 5-2 decision over Jordan Williams. McDougald was 5th at both the BIG 12 championships & the Michigan State Open. He placed 3rd at RENO.
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| Caleb Tyus Southern Illinois Edwardsville |
22 wins on the season, Caleb Tyus was 7th at the Midlands championships. Thus far 6th & 3rd in MAC competition, he looks to become a three time NCAA qualifier.
UPDATE: Caleb Tyus will be redshirting this season.
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| Kelly Dunnigan Pennsylvania |
15 wins on the season, including a 5-2 decision over Ethen Miller, Kelly Dunnigan was 2nd at the Franklin & Marshall Lehman Invitational.
I'm also under the impression that Cross Wasilewski will be competing for the Quakers this season, although I haven't seen it officially confirmed. He's also not on their roster yet either, although it is still the '23-'24 roster from what I can tell & not the '24-'25. Wasilewski was 5th at last year's Midlands championships.
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| Sammy Alvarez Rider |
With such a promising start to his career, it's thus been a rocky road for Sammy Alvarez. From Rutgers to Oklahoma State, he now finds himself at Rider. An NCAA qualifier all the way back in 2020, he looks to have his best season yet.
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| Ty Whalen Or Eligh Rivera Princeton |
As Princeton wrestling continues to get better and better, so too will the depth of each weight class. Here at 149 lbs, we have what should prove to be a good wrestle-off between two talented grapplers. Ty Whalen seemed to come out of no where last season winning a Midlands title. He shocked the wrestling world with a 4-1 win over Kyle Parco & he also took a 5-1 decision over Ty Watters. Eligh Rivera, no slouch in his own right, had an 11-8 s.v. over All American Quinn Kinner.
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| Alek Martin South Dakota State |
20 wins on the season last year for Alek Martin. 3rd at the Soldier Salute, he was 7th in the BIG 12.
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| Ryan Burgos Edinboro |
An NCAA qualifier in 2023, Ryan Burgos looks to help breathe some life back into the Edinboro Fighting Scott wrestling program this season by once again qualifying for the NCAA championships.
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| Derek Gilcher Indiana |
Injuries got the best of Derek Gilcher last season, but he was an NCAA qualifier in 2023.
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| Kaden Cassidy George Mason |
17 wins on the season & a runner-up finish at the Citadel Open, Kaden Cassidy looks to be an NCAA qualifier for the Patriots this season.
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| Finn Solomon Pittsburgh |
Solomon was 3rd in the ACC & 2nd at the Clarion Open, with 19 wins on the season last year.
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| Nick Stonecheck Lock Haven |
Nick Stonecheck had 18 wins last season, one of which was an 8-5 decision over All American Quinn Kinner. He was 4th at the Franklin & Marshall Lehman Invitational.
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| Noah Castillo UT-Chattanooga |
4th in the Southern Scuffle last season, Noah Castillo looks to contend for a SOCON title this season.
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| Jeff Boyd The Citadel |
Right there to challenge Noah Castillo for that SOCON title will be The Citadel's Jeff Boyd. He was the SOCON runner-up last season.
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| Jack Crook Harvard |
I speak a lot to the resurrection of Harvard wrestling. A part of that movement thus far has been Jack Crook who took runner-up honors at the EIWA championships last season.
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