Friday, December 13, 2024

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

 



Last but not least HWT.  A weight class where a majority of those competing this weekend are rather familiar with one another.  16 ranked wrestlers & 8 of those 16 ranked within the top 10.  Not a lot of place-winners return, but we do have last year's champion in the bracket. 

#1
Dorian Crosby
Gannon

A two time NCAA DI qualifier for Bucknell, Dorian Crosby is looking to dominate at the NCAA DII level this season representing Gannon.  9-1 on the year, this will be his first real test to see how he does against some of the best D2 has to offer. 

#4
Luke Tweeton
Mary

8th in the D2 nation last season, Luke Tweeton captured 5th place honors at the Midwest Classic.  A wrestler who knows how to win the "by a nose hair" contest, he's defeated Jake Swirple by tiebreaker twice in 3-2 scores & again by a 3-1 sudden victory.  Also owning a 3-2 tiebreaker over Trent Strong, he owns both an 11-1 major decision and 3-2 decision over Lloyd Reynolds. 

#5
Isaiah Vance
Pittsburgh-Johnstown

5th in the DII nation, Isaiah Vance was our Midwest Classic champion last year and looks to defend his title this weekend.  Among his wins he owns a 5-0 decision over Luke Tweeton, a 12-5 decision over Cale Gray, a 2:21 fall over Lloyd Reynolds and a 1-0 decision over Layton Schmick. 

#6
Carter Blough
Grand Valley State

Carter Blough is yet another former DI wrestler looking to make a splash in DII wrestling.  The former Michigan State Spartan carries an 8-2 record so far for Grand Valley State this year. 

#7
Lloyd Reynolds
UW-Parkside

An NCAA D2 qualifier for the Rangers last season, Lloyd Reynolds will be among those looking for a top finish in Indianapolis this weekend.  A 5-4 & 10-3 decision over Ryan Herman, Renolds owns a 3-1 s.v. over Luke Tweeton.  He also ours a 3-1 decision over Tyler Doyle & a 6-5 decision over Clay Ours. 

#8
Ryan Herman
Maryville

One of the last wrestlers to hand Shawn Streck a loss, I'm curious as to what Ryan Herman may be capable of this weekend.  He was 7th in the D2 nation last year, but has been one match shy of earning a medal here the past two seasons.  I have a feeling that he won't be denied a top 8 spot this time.  Among his wins a 6:26 fall over Lloyd Reynolds, a 14-7 decision over Tyler Doyle, and a 6-4 s.v. over Cale Gray.   He also owns both an 8-2 & 5-1 decision over Trent Strong. 

#9
Tyler Haynes
McKendree

An NCAA D2 qualifier last season, Tyler Haynes will look for a top 8 finish this weekend.  Among his wins a 2-1 decision over Luke Tweeton, a 4:59 fall over Wyatt Bailey, a 9-8 decision over Trent Strong, and a 10-7 decision over Cale Gray. 

#10
Cale Gray
Indianapolis

4th in the D2 nation in 2023, Cale Gray is looking to reclaim his status.  No better place to do it, than at home, at D2 's biggest in-season tournament of the season.  Owns a 14-4 major over Wyatt Bailey & a 8-1 decision over Trent Strong. 

#11
Layton Schmick
East Stroudsburg


An NCAA DII qualifier last season, Layton Schmick was one match shy of earning a medal here at the Midwest Classic.  He will look to earn one this weekend. 

#12
Jake Swirple
Minot State

8th in the DII nation back in 2023, like Cale Gray, Jake Swirple is looking to reclaim his status in the HWT division.  Plenty of reason to think that he'll not only place this weekend, but he could contend for a spot in the finals.  Has two 2-1 tiebreaker victories over Luke Tweeton & owns both a 3-2 and 5-0 decision over Lloyd Reynolds. 

#13
Colby Whitehill
Glenville State

Another former DI wrestler, Colby Whitehill who had competed for Lock Haven, will test his skills competing for Glenville State this weekend. So far in the world of D2 wrestling he owns a 3:42 fall over Oggie Atwood. 

#14
Oggie Atwood
UNC-Pembroke

From Mount Olive to Pittsburgh Johnstown, Oggie Atwood is spending his final season competing for the Braves of UNC-Pembroke.  Thus far is 10-1 in his final year of eligibility with a 9-2 decision over Wyatt Bailey. 

#15
Isaac Sheeren
Lander

Among the experience in his weight class this weekend, Isaac Sheeren is the lone freshman who may be able to break through and make a statement for the youth.   The Texas rookie is 11-2 so far in '24-'25 & has a 4-1 s.v. over Wyatt Bailey.

#16
Laith Ibrahim
Colorado School Of Mines



Looking for a medal this weekend, Laith Ibrahim owns 4-1 s.v. over Tyler Doyle. 

#17
Tyler Doyle
Colorado Mesa



One match shy of NCAA D2 All American honors last season, Tyler Doyle a will look to be among the top 8 this weekend in Indianapolis.  Owns both a 2-1 & 4-3 decision over Laith Ibrahim and a 12-3 major decision over Ben Tonnesson. 

#20
Wyatt Bailey
Ashland



Among the massive amount of talent that will be competing this weekend, Wyatt Bailey looks for a good finish here in Indianapolis this weekend. 

U.R.
Trent Strong
Central Missouri

Pardon the pun, but if you're looking for the strongest of unranked candidates to place this weekend, look no further than Trent Strong.  He was 7th here a year ago and owns a 3-2 decision over Ryan Herman. 

U.R.
Clay Ours
Upper Iowa

Another tough unranked wrestler who could possibly do some damage this weekend is Clay Ours.  Owns a 4:54 fall over Wyatt Bailey. 

U.R.
Cody Pinkerton
Chadron State

We haven't seen a whole heck of a lot out of Cody Pinkerton yet as far as NCAA DII wrestling is concerned.  However, if he wrestlers anywhere near as well as he did for Northwest CC in the NJCAA, he could be a big surprise this tournament! 









































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