This could easily end up one of the most fun and exciting weight classes of the Midwest Classic this year. We have an outstanding group of wrestlers, including 14 ranked & 8 of those 14 ranked in the top 10. 6 returning place-winners, including last year's runner-up. Going to be some great wrestling
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| #1 @ 133 Gavin Quiocho Glenville State |
If you want testimony to just how incredibly tough the Midwest Classic can be, look no further than Gavin Quiocho. An NCAA DII champion two seasons ago, he was 7th at the Midwest Classic. An NCAA DII runner-up last season, he didn't even place at the Classic. That's how loaded these brackets can be here in Indianapolis. Quiocho started off the season ranked #1 at 133 lbs & the rankings I used do not have him ranked at 141, although he is ranked in other rankings. He will for sure be a contender this weekend.
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| #1 Angel Flores Adams State |
Ironic enough, Angel Flores came up short of a top 12 showing at last year's Midwest Classic, and this year he's one of the favorites to win it. 4th in the DII nation last year, Flores has an assortment of quality wins. These include a 7-0 decision over Dylan Lucas, a 12-7 decision over Cayden Henschel & both a 6-2, as well as a 9-7 sudden victory over Colston DiBlasi.
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| #3 Cayden Henschel UW-Parkside |
Mr. Marketing and Distribution has had himself a very successful career thus far. At the Midwest Classic, he's had finishes of 8th & 3rd. Now he looks to try and win gold in his final attempt. 12-0 on the season the Ranger owns a 5-3 decision over Ronan Schuelke, an 8-2 decision over Kody Ketchem, an 8-6 decision over Jake Niffenegger, and a 13-3 major decision over Ray Rioux. Not to mention he's defeated Braydon Mogle twice by scores of 10-4 & 4-2.
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| #2 Dylan Lucas Central Oklahoma |
A wrestler very familiar with the Midwest Classic, the 2023 NCAA DII All American looks to recapture MWC gold, after having to settle for silver this past season. Looking to become a three time MWC finalist, the Broncho has a 5-3 victory over Ronan Schuelke, a 4-0 victory over Braydon Mogle & a 2:14 fall over Kody Ketchem.
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| #4 Ronan Schuelke McKendree |
When I said this was going to be an all in all out war to see who wins this year's Midwest Classic, I meant it. Here's yet another title contender. Ronan Schuelke who was 3rd at the NCAA DII's last year & 5th at last year's MWC. Schuelke has wins over almost everyone. Likely *1 seed Angel Flores? Schuelke owns an 11-2 major over him. Two time Midwest Classic finalist Dylan Lucas? Schuelke owns a 9-6 victory over him. Add in a 6:17 fall over Cayden Henschel, an 8-5 decision over Jake Niffenegger & a 7-4 s.v. over Isham Peace. Not to mention three victories over Kody Ketchem (4-1, 8-2 & a 4:53 fall) & a 2-1 tiebreaker over Braydon Mogle.
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| #5 Christian Small Lake Erie |
I really thought that Christian Small would win the NCAA DII title at 149 lbs last season. He was seeded high & he was undefeated heading into the tournament. Unfortunately he had a really off day and he went 0-2. This year he is back at 141 lbs (where he finished as the DII runner-up in 2023) & he has thus far been on a terror. This includes a major decision over two time NCAA DII finalist/1 time champ Gavin Quiocho, 8-0. Small also owns a 13-3 major over Ray Rioux & a 3:56 fall over Colston DiBlasi.
In other words, Small is a Midwest Classic title contender. With that said, one of Small's only losses this season is to Carson Richards, his teammate. Nevertheless, I still think the Storm will go with Small this weekend.
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| #6 Isham Peace Lander |
The name may be Peace, but the Bearcat is pure war when he steps onto the mat. One match from earning NCAA DII All American honors last season, Peace looks to be among the many title contenders this weekend.
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| #9 Grayston DiBlasi Colorado School Of Mines |
If you're looking for a darkhorse Midwest Classic title contender, here he is. Grayston DiBlasi who has taken 7th here the past two seasons, is the kind of wrestler that can put you on your back at a speed 99.9% the speed of light. Examples of the falls he's garnered include a 0:46 over Cayden Henschel & a 4:59 fall over Jake Niffenegger. He also owns a 7-5 decision over Isham Peace.
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| #10 Kody Ketchum Maryville |
An NCAA DII qualifier for the Saints last year, but he went 2-2 at the Midwest Classic. This year Kody Ketchum will look to medal. He owns a 5-1 win over Ray Rioux.
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| #13 Caleb Brooks Glenville State |
It seems to happen every season. A former Division I wrestler will come down to Division II & will put himself on the map at the Midwest Classic. We saw it last year with Scott Joll a former West Virginia Mountaineer, who won the MWC at 174 lbs competing for UNC-Pembroke. This year we could see it here at 141 lbs. Between Buffalo & Northern Illinois, Brooks spent a majority of his career in NCAA DI. Now he's competing at DII, representing the Pioneers of Glenville State. As to how he'll fare here in Indianapolis. The only real indicator we have is a 2-1 loss to Ronan Schuelke.
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| #15 Sean Solis Mary |
Yet here is another former DI wrestler who is now making a name for himself in NCAA DII. A former North Dakota State Bison, Solis has thus far done a great job representing the Marauders. He owns a 4-1 s.v. over Wayne Joint & he gave Grayston DiBlasi a 7-5 match.
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| #16 Ryan Wehner Upper Iowa |
A two time NCAA DII qualifier for Lake Erie at 133 lbs, Ryan Wehner is now at Upper Iowa, looking for achievements at 141 lbs. He very well could earn a very important one here in Indianapolis this weekend.
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| #18 Mason Myers Pittsburgh-Johnstown |
Mason Myers was an NCAA DII qualifier for the Mountain Cats in '23-'24 & he will be among those looking for a top 8 finish here at the Midwest Classic this weekend.
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| #19 Braydon Lowery Indianapolis |
I'm very curious as to who the Greyhounds will start in this championship. They have three very good wrestlers & as of right now, Braydon Lowery is the one with the ranking. Thus far in his career, he owns a 2:18 fall over Ryan Wehner.
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| R.S.? Jake Niffenegger Indianapolis |
The Greyhounds could just as easily end up going with Jake Niffenegger who I believe is currently redshirting at the moment. Niffenegger was a two time NCAA DII All American for Mercyhurst, who finished one match shy of a Midwest Classic medal last year. When Mercyhurst bumped up to NCAA DI status, Niffenegger transferred to Indianapolis. He's majored Dylan Lucas 11-3 in the past & he also owns a 10-3 decision over Kody Ketchum.
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| B.U. Ray Rioux Indianapolis |
If the Greyhounds don't go with Lowery or Niffenegger, then we could very well end up seeing the seasonal debut of Ray Rioux. An NCAA DII qualifier in 2023, Rioux has some impressive victories of his own. Two of which, are over Niffenegger (5-2 & 1-0). He also owns a 6-3 decision over Cayden Henschel & a 4-2 decision over Ronan Schuelke.
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| #20 Braydon Mogle Northern State |
Braydon Mogle came up a hair short of a top 8 finish at the Midwest Classic last season, finishing among the top 12. He'll look to capture that honor this weekend, as he owns an 8-5 s.v. over Jake Niffenegger.
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| B.U. Easton Taylor Central Oklahoma |
For the life of me, I cannot see the Bronchos not sending Dylan Lucas out to compete for the opportunity to become a three time finalist/two time champion. Yet this is the sport of wrestling, we often see decisions that don't make any sense. If for some reason they don't wrestle Lucas here & they do wrestle Easton Taylor, I assure you, we have another place-winner candidate on our hands. The former NJCAA standout for Pratt, is looking to rack up as many credentials and accomplishments in NCAA DII as he had at the junior college level. Already owns a 4-1 win over Kody Ketchum.
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