45th Annual Midwest Classic Preview - 133 lbs (Fri Dec 13th & Sat Fri 14th)

 

Ooh, ooh, ooh. Here's a tough freakin' weight class. 12 ranked wrestlers & 6 of those wrestlers ranked within the top 10.  Keep in mind that there are plenty of unranked wrestlers looking to do some damage & make a name for themselves as well.  We have 7 returning place-winners, plus three more who finished one match shy.  It's going to be a dogfight.  You earn a medal here, you deserve it. 

??
Gabe Hixenbaugh
Montevallo

28-0 on the season last year, Gabe Hixenbaugh won every tournament he competed in, including this one.  The issue is, he hasn't competed yet this year & he's not currently ranked.  I know redshirts in D2 are not well recorded, and that could be the issue here.  I'm not sure.  What I do know, is that if he is competing this weekend, he has a high probability of repeating as champion. 

#2
Jerry Echevarria
Gannon

5th at both the Midwest Classic & the NCAA DII championships last season, Jerry Echevarria looks to improve upon both finishes this season.  If Hixenbaugh is not competing, I would think that he is the likely *1 seed going into this tournament.  He'll have some stiff competition.  He owns a 6:48 fall over Pete Rolle, a 4-1 decision over Evan Bindner & a 7-6 tiebreaker over Matt Chi. 

#3
Christian Davis
Lander

The true freshman is already 15-1 on the season.  That's more matches than some guys will have all year.  He's just looked outstanding thus far & it'll be a real treat to see how he holds up against some of the best NCAA DII has to offer this weekend.  As they often are with sensational freshmen, expectations will be high.  

#4
Matt Chi
UW-Parkside

Matt Chi is another wrestler so far having himself one heck of a good season.  Currently 14-1 on the year, I called Chi at the beginning of the season one of the best in DII wrestling yet to qualify for the NCAA D2 championships. I think he proves that this weekend.  Last year he took a very impressive 3rd & this tournament, he'll be looking to exchange that bronze for gold.  As said above, he took Echevarria into tiebreakers.  He owns an 11-5 win over Evan Bindner & he once majored Reece Barnhardt 15-4. 

#5
Reece Barnhardt
Mary

A three time All American & a three time Midwest Classic place-winner, Reece Barnhardt is on a mission to become a rare four time medalist in both of NCAA DII's toughest tournaments.  It all starts here in Indianapolis this weekend, where Barnhardt has thus far been 2nd-2nd-7th in competition.  An 8-2 decision over Matt Chi & the fact that he gave Gabe Hixenbaugh a tough 9-7 match, suggest that Barnhardt is more than capable of competing for a title here.  He also owns an 8-1 decision over Jason Henschel & an 8-1 decision over Gavin Ritter.  He's pinned Oran Huff twice (4:40 & 2:56, as well as a 12-0 major decision) and he owns both a 17-1 tech as well as a 6-4 decision over Evan Bindner. 

#8
Peter Rolle
Central Oklahoma

It amazes me how often I hear wrestling fans and coaches bicker about how wrestlers have no loyalty or commitment anymore.  I run across examples all the time of wrestlers who have plenty of both & Peter Rolle is one of them.  Peter Rolle has been with the Bronchos now for six seasons & last year was his first full year as a varsity starter.  Now he's a contender for a good finish here in Indianapolis.  Wouldn't it be cool if he used the Peterson roll? 

#9
Jimmy Anderson
Ouachita Baptist

Finishing R12 at last year's NCAA DII championships, Jimmy Anderson has proven himself to be one of the best wrestlers that the Tigers have produced in quite some time.  He will contend for a spot on the award stand this tournament.  

#12
Aidan Sprague
Indianapolis

Competing in his home tournament we didn't see a lot out of Aidan Sprague last year & we have yet to see much out of him this season.  However victories from two seasons ago, provide substance for both his ranking & why he'll be a contender for a medal this tournament. 

#13
Max Shore
Tiffin

An NCAA DII R12'er last season, Max Shore will look to breathe fire at the Midwest Classic this weekend.  Among his victories, a 6-2 decision over Gavin Ritter & and a 19-3 technical falls over Braden Hahlen who is competing at 133 lbs.  It may also be of interest that Shore took two time NCAA D2 finalist/1 time champ Gavin Quiocho (who is now competing at 141 lbs) into sudden victory, before ultimately losing 11-8. 

#14
Trebor Moreno
Colorado School of Mines

Inconsistent and unpredictable, there have been times throughout his collegiate career where Trebor Moreno has really came alive.  A 7-6 victory over Reece Barnhardt for example.  Here at the Midwest Classic would be an opportune time for the Oredigger to call up Dr. Frankenstein. 

#19
Teagan Block
Northern State

Block has been looking exceptionally tough so far in '24-'25, picking up three impressive victories in close, hard fought matches.  He's defeated Oran Huff twice by scores of 9-8 & 13-10 & he owns a 7-3 victory over Quade Smith.   The senior has put in his time and paid his dues, and is now looking to capture the attention of DII wrestling fans. So far, so good.  If he can medal here at the Midwest Classic, he'll really put himself on the map. 

#20
Oran Huff
Colorado Mesa

Sometimes the key to successful wrestling is learning how to turn close losses into close wins.  We saw some of that in Vegas last weekend & it's a sure thing we'll see some of that in Indianapolis this weekend.  If Huff an turn those close 1, 2 and 3 point matches into victories, then I'd say he stands a shot at having a good showing this weekend. 

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James Joplin
Lander

Perhaps a case of redshirting?  I don't know.  He wasn't listed in the rankings I'm using at 125 or 133, and I checked a few other rankings and didn't see his name in those either.  He is competing this year though and if he competes at the Midwest Classic this weekend, I promise you, he IS a contender for the title. 

At 125 lbs he won the MWC last year & he placed 3rd the year before that.  He he fares against some of the top ranked guys up 8 lbs?  I'd wager to say, just fine. 

B.U.
Jason Henschel
Central Oklahoma

I'm almost 100% positive that the Midwest Classic is an Invitational and that of course means one wrestler per weight, per team.  I realize that I've already included Peter Rolle, but I want to make it clear that if the Bronchos put Jason Henschel out on the mat instead, he too is a medal contender.  He finished one match shy of earning a top 8 finish here last season. 

U.R.
Evan Binder
Maryville

After a very good freshman season last year, Evan Binder currently finds himself in a bit of a sophomore slump.  That would explain why the 2024 NCAA DII R12'er is currently unranked in the '24-'25 year.  Easier said than done, but if Binder were to have a good performance here in Indianapolis, he'd quickly find himself back in the top 20.  Owns both a 2:08 fall over Jason Henschel & a 13-11 decision over Peter Rolle. 
He was 8th here a year ago. 

B.U.
Eli Kirk
Central Oklahoma

But but but but...You've already included two Bronchos!  Yes, I know I have.  I can't help that Central Oklahoma has a ton of talent on their team.  I also can't help that at these types of tournaments, until brackets come out, you're never sure who they're going to start!  I would think Rolle or Henschel will get the nod here, but if for some reason Kirk does, he too is a contender for a top 8 finish.  Owns a 4:00 fall over Evan Binder. 

U.R.
Quade Smith
Chadron State

It's been a rough road since moving up to 133 lbs for the '24-'25 season, thus far.  However, I know the heart, guts and tenacity of Quade Smith so it wouldn't surprise me at all to see him break through and turn it on this weekend.  Not sure if the cut to 125 is just too much anymore or if he might simply be exploring up a weight class.  Competing at 125, he was 4th here a year ago.