Another super tough bracket here at 197 lbs. A lot of talent in this bracket that will be going for a top 8 finish here in Indianapolis. 15 ranked wrestlers, 7 of those wrestlers ranked within the top 10. 6 returning place-winners, including last year's champ, last year's runner-up and last year's bronze.
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| #1 Derek Blubaugh Indianapolis |
Last year's NCAA DII champion & last year's Midwest Classic champion, until proven otherwise, Derek Blubaugh is not only the best wrestler at 197 lbs, he makes the case for the best wrestler in NCAA Division II period. He's had some close matches against the competition he'll face this weekend, but so far no blemishes. He's defeated Tereus Henry three times by scores of 8-0, 7-3 & 4-1 s.v. He's also defeated Chase Stegall three times by scores of 8-6 s.v., 10-1 & via fall 4:48. Three wins against Logan Kvien too. 4-0, 4-3 & 2-0. Add in a 4-2 win over Matt Kaylor & a 2-1 win over Wyatt Miller.
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| #2 Logan Kvien McKendree |
Logan Kvien has thus far been 6th & 3rd in the DII nation, and he'll be among those looking to knock off Derek Blubaugh this weekend for a Midwest Classic title. Against the competition Kvien has defeated Chase Stegall twice by scores of 5-4 & 3-2. A 4:46 fall over Marvelous Rutledge, he's defeated Dakoda Rodgers 10-2 & 5-2. Also owns a 15-0 technical falls over Wyatt Miller & a 6-3 decision over Emmanuel Skillings.
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| #3 Dakoda Rodgers Pittsburgh-Johnstown |
7th in the DII nation last season, Dakoda Rodgers was 3rd at the Midwest Classic & will once again look to have a top showing this weekend in Indianapolis. Rodgers owns a 4-2 s.v. over Chase Stegall, a 5-3 decision over Marvelous Rutledge and both a 4-3 & 5-1 decision over Wyatt Miller.
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| #7 Wyatt Miller Grand Valley State |
8th in the DII nation last season, Wyatt Miller was one match shy of earning a medal here at the Midwest Classic. Overall the former Appalachian State Mountaineer was 30-7 in his first year as a Grand Valley State Laker. Wins included a 5-0 decision over Chase Stegall, an 8-5 s.v. over Marvelous Rutledge, a 6-2 decision over Dakoda Rodgers, a 13-1 major decision over Nick Johnson & a 9-6 s.v. over Tereus Henry.
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| #8 Tereus Henry Fort Hays State |
3rd in the DII nation in 2023, Tereus Henry is a two time Midwest Classic runner-up, who will look to make his third finals appearance in a row this weekend. Among his wins he owns a 10-7 decision over Chase Stegall. He also owns 8-5 & 6-1 decisions over Matt Kaylor. A 10-5 decision over Emmanuel Skillings & a 15-1 major over Dakoda Rodgers, he's defeated Ben Tonnesson by 4-1 s.v., 4-2 & 8-3 decisions.
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| #9 Matt Kaylor Mary |
5th in the DII nation in 2023, Matt Kaylor was 4th at last year's Midwest Classic. Looking to once again have a good showing here in Indianapolis, Kaylor has the W's to suggest. Both a 3-2 and 7-1 decision over Logan Kvien. An 8-3 decision over Ben Tonnesson, he owns technical falls over both Emmanuel Skillings (15-0) and Nick Johnson (29-10).
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| #10 Nick Johnson Glenville State |
Nick Johnson was one match shy of being an NCAA DII All American last season & will look to earn a medal here in Indianapolis this weekend. Among his wins a 3-2 decision over Logan Kvien, a 4-2 sudden victory over Wyatt Miller & a 16-5 major over Wyatt McIntyre.
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| #11 John Parker Wilson Newberry |
John Parker Wilson was one match shy of being both an NCAA DII All American & a Midwest Classic place-winner last season. He'll look to capture that medal that was within grasp last season. Owns a 4-0 win over Marvelous Rutledge.
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| #12 Wayne McIntyre Kutztown |
An NCAA DII qualifier last season, Wayne McIntyre will be among those looking to stand among the top 8 by weekend's end here in Indianapolis.
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| #13 Emmanuel Skillings Central Oklahoma |
One of the best backups in the country, behind four time NCAA DII finalist Dalton Abney, Emmanuel Skillings is now getting his shot to showcase this talents and skills. So far owns a 5-3 decision over Chase Stegall, a 7-2 decision over Ben Tonnesson & a 13-4 major over Wyatt Miller.
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| #14 Jeremiah Larson Maryville |
Another tough talent here at 197 lbs, Jeremiah Larson owns a 4:25 fall over Logan Kvien, a 16-7 major over Emmanuel Skillings & a 15-0 tech over Geoff Freeman.
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| #15 Ben Tonnesson Adams State |
The Grizzly was 5th at last year's Midwest Classic & will look to earn another medal this weekend. Owns both a 12-4 major decision over Matt Kaylor & a 6-1 decision over John Parker Wilson.
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| #16 Chase Stegall UW-Parkside |
Here's a guy that has shown potential of being among the very best at 197 lbs in NCAA DII. Simply needs to figure out a way to turn those close losses, into wins. An NCAA DII qualifier in 2022, Chase Stegall owns a 3-1 decision over Logan Kvien.
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| #18 Lucas Salmon Tiffin |
Competed at 184 lbs last season, where he was one match shy of placing at the Midwest Classic. Will test his skills at 197 this weekend.
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| #20 Marvelous Rutledge Lander |
Marvelous Rutledge is looking as good as he's ever looked & has the potential to surprise some people and open up some eyes this weekend. Downs a 4-1 decision over Logan Kvien.
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| U.R. Darby McLaughlin American International |
A star for both Western New England & Castleton in NCAA Division III, Darby McLaughlin is now trying to make a name for himself in NCAA DII. I've already spoken about this, but '24-'25 could very well end up being the final season of American International wrestling. It's already going to be hard enough for returning All Americans to place top 8 here at the Classic, let alone an unranked wrestler. What a statement it would be if Darby were to make top 8 though. What a statement it would be.
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| U.R. Geoff Freeman Upper Iowa |
Yeah, I'm still on the Geoff Freeman bandwagon. I still think he has a lot of potential to do some big things in NCAA DII wrestling & I'm excited to see him compete in Indianapolis this weekend. Talk about an opportunity to earn an upset. He'll have plenty of them here.
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