We have 16 ranked wrestlers here at 197 and five of those 16 are ranked within the top 10. We also have 5/6 (explained later on) returning place-winners. Should be some really good wrestling. Let's take a look at the participants.
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| #1 A.J. Ferrari Cal State Bakersfield |
The rankings say that he is and he'll tell you himself that he's #1. This will be the first big test for the 2021 NCAA DI national champion since making his return to collegiate wrestling. He plans on bringing home gold a lot this season & that plan starts here in Vegas.
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| #3 Jacob Cardenas Michigan |
Looking to dethrone A.J. Ferrari & bring home the Vegas gold for himself, will be Jacob Cardenas. 4th here a year ago, the former Big Red, now Wolverine, has done a pretty job of separating himself from the rest of the pack. While he's had a few closer matches, for the most part, out of who he'll see here he's won either by major decision or rather decisive decision.
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| #8 Zach Glazier South Dakota State |
While Ferrari & Cardenas are the obvious favorites for the 197 lbs final, Zach Glazier getting hot and pulling off an upset wouldn't surprise me. The former Hawkeye, now Jackrabbit gave Ferrari a 1 point match, that was later overturned into a disqualification in his favor. He also owns a 4-1 decision over Luke Surber, and both 8-2 & 16-6 victories over Luke Geog.
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| #9 Trey Munoz Oregon State |
Here's another guy I think might end up surprising Ferrari and/or Cardenas. Competing at 184 lbs, Trey Munoz was 8th here two seasons ago & a match from placing last year. 3rd in the NCAA DI nation, he is again proof of how incredibly tough this tournament can be. I'm anxious to see what he can do this weekend.
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| #10 Luke Geog or U.R. Seth Shumate Ohio State |
99.9% positive the starter for the Buckeyes here will be Seth Shumate. Have little doubt about that. Simply like to point out that if this were a tournament where a team could have more than one wrestler at a weight, Shumate would add depth to the bracket. He's had some nice wins thus far in his career, including a 7-6 decision over Evan Bates.
As to Geog, the sophomore looks to earn his first CKLV medal this weekend. An 11-7 decision over Andy Smith will give him confidence heading into this weekend.
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| #11 Andy Smith Or U.R. Sonny Sasso Virginia Tech |
Remember earlier when I said there were 5/6 returning place-winners, and I would later explain what the 5/6 meant? Well, here is your explanation. Both Andy Smith and Sonny Sasso are returning CKLV place-winners. Smith was 6th two seasons ago & Sasso was 6th last year. As to who will get the nod this tournament? You'd think with the current ranking, Smith would, but I don't know if it'll be that easy of a decision or not. Smith certainly has clout. R12 at last year's NCAA DI tournament, he owns an 8-2 decision over Nick Stemmet & most impressive, he owns a 4-1 s.v. over Zach Glazier.
At the same time though, Sasso owns both an 8-4 decision and a 2:49 fall over Nick Stemmet. Plus he owns a 13-5 major decision over Evan Bates. So which of these two talented Hokies is competing this weekend, and who is watching from the stands? Either way, Virginia Tech has a wrestler that will strongly be contending for another CKLV medal.
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| #12 Luke Surber Oklahoma State |
I've said it multiple times throughout my write-ups from 125 through 184, that I think the story of this particular Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational could very well be how David Taylor leads his Cowboys through his first real test at a major tournament as head coach. Luke Surber has been looking extraordinarily tough thus far this season. A match away from placing last season, a recent 5-0 shutout over Trey Munoz suggest that Surber wants to finish a heck of a lot higher than R12 this tournament. Surprises at every weight class lie ahead, perhaps he's the one at 197.
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| #16 Wyatt Voelker Northern Iowa |
I commented earlier this season when Northern Iowa wrestled South Dakota State that I could see the vast improvements of Wyatt Voelker on the mat. He looked bigger, stronger & to have more confidence in himself and his technique. He turned what was a 12-3 major decision loss to Zach Glazier, into a 4-3 competitive match. I just got through saying I thought that Luke Surber might end up being the surprise here at 197. Well I'll say the same for Voelker & I'll also add that Voelker owns a 6:32 fall over Suber.
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| #17 Joey Novak Wyoming |
8th at CKLV last season, there is plenty of reason to believe that Joey Novak will end this weekend as a two-time place-winner. He owns both a 10-8 decision over Wyatt Voelker & a 5:58 fall over Luke Geog.
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| #20 Christian Carroll Iowa State |
I've talked a lot about the unofficial yearly traditions that happen season in and season out without fail. Ever since I've been following the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational, every tournament has had at least one freshman (if not more) get super hot and have a great run through the tournament. We haven't seen a lot out of Christian Carroll yet, but we've seen enough of him to suggest that he could very well be that particular freshman. He owns an 11-7 victory over Nick Stemmet.
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| #21 Nick Stemmet Stanford |
Anxious to see how Nick Stemmet ends up doing this weekend. He was 7th here a year ago & looks to collect another medal. Among his victories he owns a 14-7 decision over Joey Novak & an 11-5 decision over Andy Smith.
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| #24 Evan Bates Northwestern |
An NCAA DI qualifier for the Wildcats last season, Evan Bates will be among those looking for a good finish in Vegas this weekend.
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| #25 Mikey Dellagatta Cornell |
A lot of super tough freshmen in this weight class, but truth of the matter is, so far they are rather untested. Such is the case with Mikey Dellagatta. A lot of hope and potential for the young Big Red, perhaps we'll see it unfold this weekend. He does own a 9-6 win over Christian Knop.
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| #26 Camden McDanel Nebraska |
Haven't seen much out of Camden McDanel yet in his collegiate career either. This could pose in favor of the Husker & allow him to have a breakthrough tournament this weekend.
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| #30 Christian Knop North Carolina State |
Biding his time, as an extremely tough back up for the Wolfpack the past four seasons, Christian Knop is finally getting his time as a varsity starter. What a reward it'd be if he were to capture a medal this weekend. A statement for those who stay loyal to programs and wait for their turn. Knop owns a 5:00 fall over Sonny Sasso.
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| #33 Payton Thomas Navy |
Another of the talented freshmen that 197 lbs has to offer, and again, we have yet to see much out of Payton Thomas. And again, CKLV provides an opportunity to showcase his skills.
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| U.R. Austin Cooley West Virginia |
If there is an unranked wrestler in this weight class that could come alive and earn a top 12 or even a top 8 finish, I believe that wrestler is Mountaineer Austin Cooley. Inconsistent he's had some valuable wins in the past and very well could garner some again this weekend.
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