Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational Preview - 149 lbs (Fri Dec 6 & Sat Dec 7)

 

The sport of wrestling is consistently proving and reproving yourself over and over again. As the oversaid and overpopulated saying goes, "the rent is do every day."  This particular weight class in CKLV has plenty of wrestlers who are already on everyone's radar. Those wrestlers we already know and expect a lot out of as the season progresses.  Yet it also has some that have gone by the wayside and could use a really good showing, at a really good tournament, just like this one. Then there are also those who have yet to really make a name for themselves in Division I wrestling and again, what better place to do so? 

All in all, 149 lbs returns 8 place-winners including both last year's Champion & last year's runner-up.  16 ranked wrestlers and five of those 16 within the top 10. 

#1
Caleb Henson
 Virginia Tech 

The way Caleb Henson looked at the end of last year and the way he has looked thus far in '24-'25, it's difficult to imagine anyone stopping him.  However, let's keep in mind that last year's NCAA DI champ, took 2nd at CKLV.  If that doesn't go to show you just how tough CKLV can be, you tell me what does? Henson thus far has proven himself against most everyone he'll face in this bracket.  His toughest challenge looks to come from Ridge Lovett who defeated him for the title 4-3 last year.  Henson avenged the loss 1-0 at the NCAA championships. 

#3
Ty Watters
West Virginia

The sensational true sophomore had himself an outstanding true freshman season last year, and he looks to do no less in '24-'25.  Ranking may get him the *2 seed ahead of Ridge Lovett, but whether he's a *2 or a *3, it sets itself up for an outstanding semi-final should neither wrestler be upset. 

#5
Ridge Lovett
Nebraska

Last year's champion & 3rd the season before that, Ridge Lovett as said before won last year's title with a win over Caleb Henson.  The Husker has finished 2nd & 6th thus far in the NCAA DI & would like to end his career at the national champion.  What better way to plant that seed within the minds of wrestling fans everywhere, than to win another CKLV title? 

#7
Anthony Echemendia
Iowa State

The future Olympic and World Cuban medalist has plenty of collegiate career left at Iowa State & picking up credentials and accomplishments here in Vegas is among the many he'll pick up the remainder of this year and next.  He was 7th here a year ago wrestling at 141 lbs.  So far at 149, he has looked very good.  In fact if it wasn't for one of the strangest scored matches I've ever witnessed in 30+ years of wrestling, he might even be entering this weekend undefeated.  He has a lot of competition to contend with and I'm anxious to see how he fares against the likes of Henson, Lovett and the rest of what 149 has to offer. 

#8
Chance Lamer
Cal Poly

"One match shy" seemed to be the ending to every story told about Chance Lamer last year.  One match shy of being an All American (was in '23 too), he also finished one match shy of a medal here in Vegas. Now Lamer does know what placing top 8 at Vegas looks and feels like.  He was 7th here two seasons ago.  He looks to not only earn another medal, but stand higher on the award stand. 

#11
Dylan D'Emilio
Ohio State

Dylan D'Emilio has been a staple for the Ohio State Buckeyes the past few years and has always performed well at CKLV.  8th two seasons ago, he placed 4th last year.  He will look to become a three time place-winner this weekend and contend for a high spot on the podium. 

#12
Jaden Abas
Stanford

It's been a rough go of it for Jaden Abas as of late. 5th three seasons ago, he failed to place last year.  When I spoke of wrestlers who are looking to reinvent themselves and have a moment of redemption, Abas was one of the ones I was referring to.  His career may not have gone the way many were hoping that it would. BUT his career ain't over yet either.  There's still plenty of time to make a lot of big things happen. Big things often happen in Las Vegas. 

#14
Ethan Fernandez
Cornell

A lot of talent in this weight class, and Ethan Fernandez is among it.  An NCAA qualifier for the Big Red last season, he looks to earn a medal this weekend in Vegas. 

#15
Jesse Vasquez
Arizona State

Injuries I feel have kept us from seeing the full potential of Jesse Vasquez, but like I said about Jaden Abas, things aren't over until they're over.  Vasquez has had some very nice wins in his career.  For example, a 9-7 decision over Carter Young. It'll take such wins to garner a good finish here in Vegas. 

#17
Colin Realbuto
Northern Iowa

We have yet to see Colin Realbuto compete this year, but we all know good and well that if he is competing this weekend, he IS a threat to a top 8 finish.  He was 8th here a year ago. 

#19
Gabe Willochell
Wyoming

Gabe Willochell is no stranger to pulling off upsets. He's been doing so his entire career and it's a safe bet that he'll being doing it again.  Here in Vegas? Well, this would be as good of a place as any, wouldn't it? 7th here last year, among the many victories he has, a 12-7 win over Carter Young. 

#20
Carter Young
Oklahoma State

A two time NCAA DI qualifier, Carter Young redshirted last season.  I for one am very anxious to see him compete this weekend.  I have faith and confidence that a guy like Young will thrive under the new coaching regiment of David Taylor & Co.   He's had some setbacks in dual settings, but thinking back, Penn State was always a tournament team.  Taylor is a PSU product right?  We're all expecting him to run his ship similar to that of Captain Sanderson? I've seen Sanderson get inside his wrestlers heads and I've seen them completely catch fire a number of times at both the BIG 10's and the NCAA DI's.  I'm no Miss Chleo, but I think that'll soon enough be Taylor's reputation.  Hit me, black jack. 

#22
Sammy Alvarez
Rider

Here's a guy I'd love to see come in here and have himself a good tournament. I know based on results and rankings, it is wishful thinking but it is something I would like to see. Seems like forever ago now, but it really wasn't that long ago when Alvarez hit the scene in '19-'20 and took the wrestling world by storm by winning a rather loaded Southern Scuffle bracket.  I'm not sitting at the blackjack table thinking I can win if I hit on a 16.  I know better than to think that Alvarez is going to contend with Henson, Lovett, Watters or Echemendia for a title.  Probably going out on a limb hoping he'll finish top 8.  But I'll place my bets that he has it in him to pull off a big win or two.  

#24
Alek Martin
  South Dakota State

Here's another guy that could very well end up pulling off a few upsets to a good finish here in Vegas. No reason to think that he couldn't.  Alek Martin was R12 here last year & he owns a very impressive 12-2 major decision over Gabe Willochell. 

#29
Sam Cartella
Northwestern

We haven't seen a whole lot out of Sam Cartella yet this year, but the youngest did have a 7-5 win over All American Quinn Kinner during his redshirt last season.  That in itself is enough reason to keep an eye on him this tournament. 

#33
Koy Buesgens
North Carolina State

The redshirt freshman has had a few setbacks so far this season, but he's also looked really good at other times.  Among his victories a 9-6 s.v. over Ethan Fernandez. 

Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational Preview - 141 lbs (Fri Dec 6 & Sat Dec 7)

 

Talk about an insanely tough weight class.  Depending on who all shows up (hopefully all who can) we could be talking about 11 returning place-winners. We could be talking about three wrestlers who have won a CKLV title in the past. Three more who have earned runner-up honors.  17 ranked wrestlers and 6 of those 17 within the top 10.  It's been said before that CKLV can be every bit as tough as is the NCAA DI championships. Sometimes even tougher.  141 lbs is a great example of why exactly that is said. 

#2
Jesse Mendez
Ohio State

Last year's NCAA DI champion, Jesse Mendez won an assortment of titles last season & CKLV was one of them. He'll have a huge target on his back & everyone will want a shot at dethroning King Buckeye.  

#4
Brock Hardy
Nebraska

You never know what you're going to get when Brock Hardy steps out on to the mat.  He won the CKLV title two seasons ago and looked like a million bucks doing it.  Then last year he came in, lost in the semi-finals & eventually ended up in 6th place.  With exception to Jesse Mendez, Hardy has beaten most everyone he'll potentially face within the bracket.  A 6-1 victory over Cael Happel & a 4-0 win over Tagen Jamison.  He's also beaten both Sergio Lemley (10-4 & 13-9) & Jack Ryan (5-4 & via fall 4:48) twice.  Here's the catch though...all of them have beaten him too.  Makes placing bets interesting, doesn't it? 

#6
Cael Happel
Northern Iowa

With finishes of 2nd & 4th thus far, Cael Happel heads into this weekend looking to become a three time CKLV place-winner.  He's already proven himself one of the best in the NCAA DI yet to All American, but he could potentially really make a statement upon that claimer here in Vegas.  Among the competition he's defeated Brock Hardy twice by scores of 11-8 s.v. & 15-13.  He's had his way with Sergio Lemley on the mat in 14-5 & 16-7 major decisions.  A 7-1 win over Tom Crook, he's defeated Tagen Jamison 4-2, 4-2 & 4-1.  He also owns three wins over Jordan Titus, 11-3, 13-4 & 10-5.   Having only met Jesse Mendez once on the mat, he dropped a 4-2 decision. 

#7
Sergio Lemley
Michigan

19 wins on the season last year, Sergio Lemley had a lot of highlights during his rookie campaign as a Wolverine. Among them, a 4-2 victory over Brock Hardy.  Lemley himself was one match shy of earning a top 8 finish here in Vegas, but there is plenty of reason to believe he'll earn one this tournament.  

#8
Josh Koderhandt
Navy

Similar to Cael Happel, Josh Koderhandt is another wrestler in his final season of eligibility you can categorize in the best yet to All American category.  5th three years ago & 4th two years ago, Koderhandt lost in the second round of CKLV last year & failed to place.  The opportunity to redeem himself presents itself. 

#9
Jordan Titus
West Virginia

A Midlands champion last season, we now get to see how Jordan Titus fares against the competition at CKLV. 

#10 
Tagen Jamison
Oklahoma State

5th at last year's CKLV championships, there is good reason to believe that Tagen Jamison will outwrestle both his seed and his ranking.  He owns a 13-5 major decision over Brock Hardy, a 7-6 decision over Sergio Lemley, a 4-2 decision over Josh Koderhandt & a 4-2 decision over Jordan Titus. 

#11
Kai Orine
North Carolina State

The starter here will be Kai Orine, as Jack Ryan is currently redshirting. I figured I'd include Ryan in the write-up simply to illustrate how much tougher the bracket would be if he were in it.  Ryan has finished 3rd and 2nd the past two CKLV championships.  Orine himself won a CKLV title last season competing at 133 lbs & now we get to see him compete at 141 lbs.   This will be a great test to see where the two time All American stands up 8 lbs of muscle. 

#12
Chris Cannon
Northwestern

I started watching collegiate wrestling back in the '91-'92 season.  I'm also an amateur historian of the sport.  In my years of observation and study, Chris Cannon is only the second wrestler I've ever known to transfer to another school & then transfer back to his original school.  During his first two varsity seasons at Northwestern, he had quite a bit of success.  Picking up medals in various tournaments.  This included CKLV, where he was 2nd in the '21-'22 season & 8th in the '22-'23 season.   He's since battled injuries and moved up a weight class.   

What can we expect out of him this tournament? Based on heart, determination and fortitude, I'd say a lot.  In those categories I dare not doubt the Wildcat one bit.  However, strength, speed, conditioning, ect?  There I have question.  How much did the injury he suffered last year affect him?  How about going up a weight class? What kind of an affect is that going to have?  CKLV will be quite telling. 

#15
Haiden Drury
Utah Valley 

Haiden Drury was 3rd at CKLV his freshman season, and has yet to make the award stand again.  This will be his final opportunity to do so & he's given reason to think that he'll capture his second medal.  So far he's looked as good as he's ever looked carrying a 9-1 record into the tournament.  This includes shutting out Kai Orine in dual action by a score of 5-0.  He also owns a 2-0, as well as a 6-1 decision over Cole Brooks.  Not to mention he gave Josh Koderhandt a 5-4 match. 

#16 
Vince Cornella
Cornell

When I said this bracket was loaded with talent, I meant it.  Vince Cornella was 8th here last season & there's good reason to think that he'll collect another medal this weekend.  A 15-3 major decision over Josh Koderhandt speaks for itself, as Cornella is quite capable of defeating others currently ranked above him as well. 

#17
Sam Latona
Virginia Tech

Like in the case with North Carolina State, I'm 99.9% positive that the starter here will be Sam Latona.  I simply include Tom Crook in the write-up to once against illustrate how much tougher this already insanely tough bracket could be.  Crook was 5th at CKLV two seasons ago, plus he owns plenty of quality wins, including a 4-1 decision over Jordan Titus. 

As to Latona, he's a two time NCAA DI All American at 133 lbs, now trying to prove himself up at 141 lbs. He's 11-2 thus far on the season.  I think on a really good day, Latona is capable of doing a lot of great things.  When I say great things, this is what I'm picturing.  He owns a 3-2 decision over Jesse Mendez & the other time that he wrestled Mendez, he took him into the tiebreakers before dropping a 2-1 decision.  CKLV is perhaps the most important moment in a season to a wrestler before the post season.  Helps to really gage and illustrate where someone stands and what they're capable of.  

#26
Kai Owen
Columbia

Kai Owen has himself one heck of a road to go down if he wants to finish top 8 at this weekends CKLV, but the Lion has pulled off some notable upsets in the past.  This includes a 2:59 fall over Cael Happel. 

#27 Zach Redding Or U.R. Jacob Frost
Iowa State

If you've ever seen National Lampoon's Vegas Vacation, then you remember the hilarious scene where Chevy Chase is in the cheap casino, and he has to guess what number someone is holding behind their back.  Coach Kevin Dresser is a bit like that particular dealer in that he likes to keep us guessing who will start at various weight classes.  To me, it makes the most sense to start Zach Redding.  He has the higher ranking, & he gave Josh Koderhandt a 3-2 match.  That doesn't mean anything though, we could just as easily see Jacob Frost here.  No wins over the competition he'll see here, but he's shown what he's capable of with a win over Josh Edmond of Missouri. 

#28
Cole Brooks
Wyoming 

Last season Cole Brooks found himself one match shy of a top 8 finish here at CKLV.  The competition is (as you can clearly see) extremely stiff as he'll look to have another good showing this weekend. 

#32 Or Redshirt
Jason Miranda Or Aden Valencia
Stanford

In all of the other examples, I feel confident that the varsity starter will be the one to compete here in Vegas. When it comes to Stanford, I'm not so sure.  With redshirt rules being as they are today, it actually wouldn't surprise me at all to see Aden Valencia get the nod here.  Thus far in his redshirt campaign, he's shown tremendous promise.  This includes sticking Zach Redding at the 5:50 mark.  It makes you wonder, what else is the young Cardinal capable of? Who else might he be able to knock off? I'm sure these are questions Coach Ayres would like answered himself. 

At the same time, Jason Miranda is the starter and unless there is plan to pull Valencia's redshirt, he'll be the starter for the Cardinal come post season.  Miranda has rode the fence his entire career.  I've written, "one match from qualification" about the Poway, California native on more than one occasion.  The NCAA DI takes the top 33 wrestlers in each weight class, and I'll be damned if he wasn't #34 each time.  The thing is, you have to have those quality wins.  You have to have them under your belt and you need as many of them as you can muster.  So in that regard, it makes sense to start Miranda.  He was one match from placing here last year. 

#33
Eli Griffin
California Baptist

16 super talented wrestlers already mentioned,  it's difficult to believe that there are other plausible candidates for a top 12/top 8 finish, but Eli Griffin is one of them.  He's had some notable wins in the past and Vegas is a city of upsets, isn't it? 

Looking to Upset

I have a reputation among the amateur wrestling media crowd for being "crazy."  Well get out the straight jacket and call up Nurse Ratchet, because I'm looney enough to think with all of the talent that I've already mentioned, there may be a few unranked wrestlers in this bracket that could pull off some major upsets. 

I mean Emilio Ysaguirre of Arizona State already has, hasn't it?  I've been accused more than once in my years of outlaw/rouge writing of "reading too much into things" but how do you not when it comes to nearly majoring Brock Hady 10-4?  

Greyson Clark of Purdue was an NCAA qualifier last year & McKenzie Bell of Rider, a two time NCAA DI qualifier, as inconsistent as he can be, has pulled off some notable wins in his own right. 

Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational Preview - 133 lbs (Fri Dec 6 and Sat Dec 7)

 

11 ranked wrestlers, and 7 returning place-winners, 133 lbs is going to be an all in all out war to bring home a top 8 finish. Opportunity is here for a handful of wrestlers to more than make a name for themselves.  Will be a great bracket to keep track of. 

#4
Dylan Ragusin
Michigan

Dylan Ragusin didn't compete in last year's CKLV championships, but he was a champion three years ago & 5th two years ago.  When in a mood to wrestle, not only is Ragusin difficult to beat, he's difficult to keep you from scoring upon him.  He he's on fire, he all about burning the whole house down. A 17-6 major over Evan Frost & a 15-6 major over Nic Bouzakis are proof of that.  At the same time though, he doesn't always have the furnace running at full speed.  He is susceptible at times to loss. 

#7
Evan Frost
Iowa State

The young Cyclone has proven himself an excellent commodity to the Iowa State line up and once again plans to bring the cold Iowa weather with him to sunny Las Vegas, leaving the city with more than a little "frost."  Last year the All American made the finals & has the tools challenge Ragusin, asll as was anyone else for the title.  A 2-1 win over Tyler Knox, a 4-1 win over Julian Chlebove, and a 16-3 major over Zeth Romney, he's beaten Julian Farber by scores of 19-4, 8-5 & 14-3. 

#9
Tyler Knox
Stanford

The young Cardinal was 5th here last year in his initial redshirt season, and thus far this year as a redshirt freshman he opened up a lot of eyes in Iowa City when he took out returning NCAA DI runner-up Drake Ayala.  He could open up just as many eyes here in Vegas as he'll be a contender for the title.  A 5-3 win over Zeth Romney & an 11-3 major decision over Nic Bouzakis help to suggest. 

#11
Connor McGonagle
Virginia Tech

Thus far in his final season of eligibility, competing for the Virginia Tech Hokies for the first time Connor McGonagle has looked pretty good.  A good win over Missouri's Kade Moore back on the 15th of November.  If he can pick up a top 8 finish here in Vegas, that would be very good for him going forward. 

#12
Zeth Romney
Cal Poly

Here's a guy win an on switch.  When switched on he can be extremely difficult to beat. Like Ragusin, the switch isn't always in the on position.  We have a bit of unpredictability here.  Just perfect for a city overrun with Casinos, isn't it? You never know what you're gonna get when Romney steps out onto the mat.  He was one match shy of a top 8 finish here last year & owns a 10-4 win over Jacob Van Dee. 

#15
Nic Bouzakis
Ohio State

Nic Bouzakis wrestled extremely well here last season, capturing a 3rd place finish.   After an 11-3 loss to Tyler Knox in R2 two, he rattled off six straight wins to earn himself Vegas bronze.  This included annihilating Zeth Romeny 24-6 tech fall & sticking Derrick Cardinal at the 3:39 mark. He also defeated Cardinal 14-8 on the season as well. 

#18
Julian Chlebove
Arizona State

Julian Chlebove finished one match shy of earning a top 8 finish here in Vegas last year.  Plenty of evidence to think that he'll earn that medal this year.  He owns a 4-2 win over Zeth Romney & he owns a 6-5 decision over McGonagle. 

#19
Brett Ungar
Cornell

We haven't seen much of Brett Ungar as 133 lbs yet.  A 2-0 loss against a very highly ranked Lucas Byrd is about all we know about him as he adjusts to his new weight class.  At 125, he was quite fearsome. 7th two seasons ago, he was the CKLV runner-up this past season.  This weekend I wouldn't at all be surprised if this when Ungar decides to show the wrestling community exactly what he's capable of at 133 lbs. 

#22
Jacob Van Dee
Nebraska

Every year, without fail, a handful of wrestlers get hot at CKLV and wrestle extremely well. You never know who exactly those people are going to be, but in the spirit of rolling the dice and making a prediction, I can see one of them being Jacob Van Dee. An 8-6 decision over Julian Chlebove, a 10-8 win over Nic Bouzakis & most notable a 3-2 win over Dylan Ragusin. 

#26 Jett Strickenberger
West Virginia

Among the viable place-winners here in Vegas this weekend, Jett Strickenberger will fight for a top 8 finish.  We haven't seen a whole lot of him yet at 133 lbs, so difficult to predict.  One of those have to wait and see what happens situations. 

#28
Derrick Cardinal
South Dakota State

6th here a year ago, if all who can show up, do show up, Derrick Cardinal is most likely going to have to outwrestle his seed in order to earn another medal this weekend. He's the type that could very well do it.  He made the semi-finals last season. 

U.R. Or U.R.
Julian Farber Or Cory Land
Northern Iowa

This isn't an open, this is an invitational, so we won't be seeing both Julian Farber and Cory Land.  Bummer, cause I would like to.  I'd like to see Julian Farber to see where he is at this season.  He's probably one of the biggest question marks at 133 lbs.  He's gotten his rear absolutely handed to him by Evan Frost on various occasions, but at the same time he's also handed Frost his!  As a 20-5 technical fall and a 13-2 major decision.  He's also defeated Jacob Van Dee by scores of 8-1 & 9-5, plus he owns a 5-1 win over Nic Bouzakis.  So the the Panther knows how to win.  He was 8th here a year ago. 

Teammate Cory Land knows how to win too.  He posted a very nice 9-7 win over Cardinal in dual action here a couple of weeks ago. 7-0 thus far on the season, he'll be looking to pick up more victories here in Vegas. 

U.R.
Gabe Whisenhunt
Oregon State

A match shy of earning a top 8 finish at last year's CKLV championships, Gabe Wisenhunt, will be wise and in the hunt for a medal this tournament. 

#30 or U.R.
Cael Hughes Or Reece Witcraft
Oklahoma State

You know if John Smith were still running the show, I'm pretty sure that he'd go with Cael Hughes here. When things seemed to be neck and neck, Smith almost always went with youth over experience in tough call situations. Thing is though, David Taylor is now running the show & he hasn't been around long enough to be able to make a hypothesis on what decision he'll make concerning Cael Hughes and Reece Witcraft.  

Hughes is rather untested. Has a nice win over Sean Spidle, but other than that, collegiately he hasn't faced anyone of the caliber of talent that he'll face here in Las Vegas.  This would be a great test to see exactly where he stands. 

On the same hand, Reece Witcraft is place-winner material.  He'd have to garner a few upsets, but that's a task he's more than capable of accomplishing.  R12 here a year ago, he owns a 7-3 decision over Julian Chlebove. 

 

The Off Setters

Naming the 14 wrestlers (16 but two of them for sure won't be competing) that I already have, it's difficult to imagine (if all 14 do indeed compete) anyone else coming in and taking a top 12 finish.  With that said, I've been watching wrestling for over 30 years and I know a tournament like this one is just dying to produce as many upsets as possible.  At this level of wrestling, upsets are not rare. Matter of fact they're quite common.  133 lbs is full of wrestlers here at CKLV that are more than capable of pulling off that huge first or second round upset.  

Micah Roes is due.  He's a senior that's been around for just about ever. Qualified for the NCAA's way back when he was a freshman and hasn't made it back since.  This would be the place to make a name for himself and let the wrestling world know that he still exists.  For whatever it is or isn't worth, he gave Lucas Byrd a one point match. 

Brendan Ferretti of Navy owns a 4-3 decision over Derrick Cardinal.   Although Campbell won't be participating in this year's CKLV (they weren't on the list anyway) Dom Zaccone did place 4th here a year ago & Stockton O'Brien of Wyoming recently pinned him.  

Other names capable of that early round upset are Hunter Leake of California Baptist, Kase Mauger of Utah Valley and Chad Bellis of Appalachian State.