Another super tough bracket full of some extremely good wrestlers. 16 ranked wrestlers and 8 of those 16 are within the top 10. 5 place-winners return from last season, including the champion.
 |
| #2 Dylan Brown Central Oklahoma |
The former NEO NJCAA standout out had himself an outstanding season last year in NCAA Division II, capturing a 4th place finish at the national tournament. While he did come up short of a medal here at the Midwest Classic, he could very well get the *1 seed this weekend based on ranking. Among his victories an 11-6 decision over Dean Noble, an 8-2 decision over Joey Semerad & an 8-7 tiebreaker over Jalen Spuhler.
 |
| #3 Cody Thompson Colorado School of Mines |
24-3 on the season & an NCAA DII runner-up, ironically enough other than his loss in the NCAA DII finals, the only other losses Cody Thompson faced all year were at the Midwest Classic. This year he will be one of the favorites to win & he has plenty of victories to back up the premonition. He's defeated Dean Noble on three occasions by scores of 19-4, 17-1 & 10-7. He's also defeated Torry Early on three occasions by scores of 8-3, 9-4 & 7-3. He also owns a 13-11 decision over Jalen Spuhler.
 |
| #4 Jalen Spuhler UW-Parkside |
The two time NCAA DII All American was 4th at the Midwest Classic two years ago, but came up one match short of earning another medal this past season. Many reasons to believe that he'll not only earn his second medal this year, but could very well contend for the title. He's defeated last year's champion Wyatt Turnquist a total of five times (4-3, 3-2 t.b., 5-1 & 7-3). He also owns a 6:48 fall over Cody Thompson, a 9-5 decision over Torry Early, a 12-1 major over Ryan James, and a 4-2 decision over Joey Semerad.
 |
| #5 Dean Noble Western Colorado |
7th in the DII Nation last year, Dean Noble went 0-2 at the Midwest Classic. (I would hope by now, with all the examples I have provided, that you would understand why the MWC is often considered tougher than the DII nationals). He has placed here in the past however, and looks to place once again this season. Among his W's he owns a 15-10 decision over Torry Early & for what it is worth, he owns a 19-13 decision over Angel Flores who has the #1 ranking at 141 lbs.
 |
| #7 Wyatt Turnquist Northern State |
Without a doubt in my mind, the best wrestler in NCAA DII wrestling last season to not qualify for the national tournament was Wyatt Turnquist. Why do I say this? Well, for one he was 3rd in the D2 nation in 2023. Secondly, because of how dominant he has been the past two seasons at the Midwest Classic. Taking 3rd two seasons ago, he was champion last year.
Among his wins he's defeated Dylan Brown 5-4, and he owns both an 8-4 as well as a 10-5 decision over Jalen Spuhler. A 1:32 fall & a 15-7 major decision over Torry Early, he also owns a 7-2 decision over Jake Piccirrilli. So far in '24-'25, Turnquist has wrestled 5 matches. Four of those matches have been won via technical falls & the other was a fall.
 |
| #8 Hayden Kuhn Ashland |
Only a sophomore & already racking up the accomplishments and credentials. 12-2 so far on the year, Hayden Kuhn captured a 7th place finish at last year's Midwest Classic. Among his victories he owns a 10-7 s.v. over Dean Noble & he's defeated Ethan Hardy twice by scores of 15-7 & 10-6. He recently majored Jake Piccirrilli 11-1
 |
| #9 Jake Piccirilli UNC-Pembroke |
Here's a guy that often wrestles well in high pressure situations. He's proven that multiple times by winning the "do or die" match twice at the Regions to qualify for the National tournament & by winning a tough bloodround match at last year's Midwest Classic to capture an 8th place finish. Among his wins, he does own a 7-5 decision over Jalen Spuhler & he is thus far Gabe Onorato's only loss to a DII wrestler.
 |
| #10 Gabe Onorato Grenville State |
The former Drexel Dragon is so far looking great among the DII ranks. Other than a loss to Jake Piccirilli, the Pioneer has defeated every DII wrestler that has been thrown in front of him. A 5-2 decision over Ethan Hardy, he owns a 5-0 decision over Joey Semerad & a 5-3 decision over Hayden Kuhn.
 |
| #11 Joey Semerad McKendree |
An NCAA DII R12'er last year, Joey Semerad started off the last season wrestling at 141 lbs. It wasn't until the Midwest Classic that he moved up to 149 lbs. While he didn't place last year, he has had time to adjust to the weight class & should have a much better showing this year. Among his wins a 3-2 tiebreaker over Jake Piccirilli.
 |
| #12 Ethen Doty Upper Iowa |
5th at last year's Midwest Classic, Ethen Doty looks to capture another medal for the Peacocks this weekend. Among his wins he owns a 1:04 fall over Dylan Brown, a 1:46 fall over Hayden Kuhn & an 8-7 decision over Wyatt Turnquist.
 |
| #14 Jimmy Ryan Kutztown |
A two time NCAA DII qualifier for Gannon, Jimmy Ryan is spending his final season of eligibility competing for Kutztown. Although he doesn't have any wins over the higher ranked competition he'll see this weekend, he has wrestled many of them in close matches.
 |
| #15 Kieran Thompson Adams State |
We haven't seen much of Kieran Thompson at 149 lbs yet. Yet a 9-0 major decision over Dean Noble says quite a bit when evaluating what it is Thompson could be capable of in Indianapolis.
 |
| #16 R.J. Noble Lander |
A tough sophomore, R.J. Noble will be looking for a spot on the award stand this weekend.
 |
| #18 Carter Weaver Pittsburgh-Johnstown |
Carter Weaver is another tough talent that will be looking to have a good weekend in Indianapolis.
 |
| #20 Alex Casteneda Colorado Mesa |
Yet another tough wrestler looking to shine here in Indianapolis this weekend. Among his victories, a 10-4 decision over Torry Early.
 |
| R.S.? Elijah Lusk Lander |
I would imagine with R.J. Noble having the ranking, that Elijah Lusk is currently redshirting & getting used to the 149 lbs weight class. I would also imagine that Noble will get the nod here at the Midwest Classic, although it could be an opportunity to see how Lusk handles this two weight classes up. At 133 lbs, Lusk was one of the best wrestlers in the DII nation. A two time All American, he owns 4th & 6th place finishes at the Midwest Classic. Can he have that type of success at 149? We might see it tested this weekend.
 |
| B.U. Ethan Hardy Glenville State |
I believe Onorato will end up getting the nod, but if Ethan Hardy ends up wrestling here, he'll be a contender in his own right. An NCAA DII qualifier in 2023, he was one match shy of a top 8 showing at last year's Midwest Classic. He owns both a 4-3 decision over Jalen Spuhler & a 9-3 decision over Joey Semerad.
 |
| U.R. Torry Early Chadron State |
Torry Early maybe unranked at the moment, but I wouldn't let that fool you. He's capable of quite a bit. Proved it last season by finishing R12 here at the Midwest Classic.
 |
| B.U. Bam West Central Oklahoma |
I would be downright flabbergasted if the Bronchos didn't wrestle Dylan Brown this tournament. Then again making sense is rarely wrestling's objective. Nonetheless, if Bam West ends up competing here instead of Brown, he will be a force to be reckoned with himself. Owns a 10-2 major decision over Ethen Doty.
No comments:
Post a Comment