We have an excellent quadrangular dual coming up between four ranked teams in NCAA DII wrestling. #2 Glenville State, #8 Lander, #12 Grand Valley State & #22 Gannon. Going to be a lot of great wrestling between these four programs, with 14 matches sticking out in particularly.
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| 133 #1 Gavin Quiocho Glenville State Vs #2 Christian Davis Lander |
We're going to start things off with a bang. We have Gavin Quiocho a two time NCAA DII finalist, who won the DII title in 2023 & we have Christian Davis, perhaps the toughest true-freshman in all of NCAA DII wrestling. Davis has been proving himself left & right among the D2 wrestling world, including winning the Midwest Classic. To think, this is one of what will be three tough challenges for both of these outstanding wrestlers.
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| 133 #1 Gavin Quiocho Glenville State Vs #9 Jak Keller Grand Valley State |
The credentials of Gavin Quiocho already mentioned, Jak Keller has made some serious improvements from '23-'24 to '24-'25. A losing record last year, he not only earned a 6th place finish at the Midwest Classic, he scored an impressive 2:59 fall over Matt Chi of UW-Parkside. Upending a two time NCAA DII finalist will be a tall order for the Laker, but perhaps it is more realistic to think he might be able to give the Pioneer a respectable match.
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| 133 #1 Gavin Quiocho Glenville State Vs #11 Jerry Echevarria Gannon |
It's going to be a tough day of wrestling at 133 lbs, and hats off to anyone here that goes 3-0 on the day. Gavin Quiocho already owns a 9-0 major decision over Jerry Echevarria, but the Golden Knight has the credentials to suggest he's more than capable of giving a better match this weekend. 5th in in the D2 nation last season, he is a two time Midwest Classic place-winner, 5th last year & 8th this past tournament.
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| 133 #2 Christian Davis Lander Vs #9 Jak Keller Grand Valley State |
Davis took it to Keller in Indianapolis when the two met about a month ago in an 18-3 technical fall. These days with the way wrestling goes, it's never a sure thing when making wrestling predictions. Sure does look good in favor of the bearcat though. That's for sure.
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| 133 #2 Christian Davis Lander Vs #11 Jerry Echevarria Gannon |
As mentioned previously, Christian Davis has been proving himself left and right, match after match, thus far in his first season of NCAA DII wrestling. A great weekend of wrestling at the Midwest Classic, he's once again going to need a great weekend of wrestling here in Glenville, West Virginia. While trying to knock off #1 Gavin Quiocho of course will be the ultimate goal, two other ranked wins will be as of importance as well.
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| 133 #11 Jerry Echevarria Gannon Vs #9 Jak Keller Grand Valley State |
If either one of these guys were to knock off Quiocho or Davis, what a statement that'd be for their careers! With that said, they also need to be prepared and focused for one another. Rankings are so important at this level of collegiate wrestling. A win here for either of these guys, is vital.
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| 141 #9 Isham Peace Lander Vs #12 Caleb Brooks Glenville State |
An important match for both of these gentlemen. Isham Peace, an NCAA DII R12'er last year, is looking to earn his first All American honor by season's end. Thus far he's looked very tough this season, earning a 7th place finish at the Midwest Classic. Caleb Brooks, a former DI wrestler (competed for both Northern Illinois & Buffalo) is continuing to climb the D2 ranks. He himself a match shy of a top 8 showing in Indianapolis. A win here is a step in the right direction for either of these wrestlers.
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| 149 #5 Gabe Onorato Glenville State Vs #10 Kenny Kiser Gannon |
Here we have two former DI wrestlers, who I feel are both D2 All American contenders this year. Gabe Onorato, a former Drexel Drago, who recently took an impressive 3rd place finish at the Midwest Classic. This included defeating last year's champion Wyatt Turnquist 6-3 for the bronze medal. Kenny Kiser a former rep of the Army, earned a 7th place at the Midwest Classic.
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| 165 #1 David Hunsberger Lander #8 Guy DeLeonardis Glenville State |
I honestly thought that no one would even come close to touching D2 champ/two time Midwest Classic champ David Hunsberger this year, but low and behold he was upset by Brent Nicolosi in the dual Vs Mount Olive back on the first of December. Goes to show the Bearcat isn't invincible. Nevertheless, he does own two victories of Guy DeLeonardis who was 3rd at the D2 nationals last year & 5th recently in Indianapolis. Hunsberger stuck the Pioneer at the 5:37 mark & he also owns a 10-5 decision over him.
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| 174 #1 Hayden Pummel Glenville State Vs #7 Patrick Jackson Gannon |
Another case of former DI vs former DI. Hayden Pummel a former Northern Illinois Husky, has taken the reigns as the #1 wrestler in NCAA DII wrestling at 174 lbs. He upended last year's NCAA D2 champ, Josh Kenny 11-7 in route to a title at the Midwest Classic. Ironically enough, speaking specifically to NCAA D2, Kenny is also the Pioneer's only loss. Jackson, a former Lock Haven Bald Eagle, has been looking pretty good in D2 himself. He was 6th at the Midwest Classic.
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| 197 #7 Nick Johnson Glenville State Vs #15 Wyatt Miller Grand Valley State |
Injuries often have a lot to do with why someone is ranked where they are ranked, and Wyatt Miller who was 8th in the D2 nation last year, slipped to #15 due to the fact that he got injured at the Midwest Classic. A tournament, which by the way, Nick Johnson took 3rd at. How will this match turn out between the Pioneer & the Laker? Hard to say. Johnson owns a 4-1 s.v. over Miller, but Miller nearly tech'd Johnson in a 13-1 major decision. This is the rubber match. An opportunity for Johnson to earn a second victory over the All American & an opportunity for Miller to reclaim his status in the rankings.
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| HWT #5 Carter Blough Grand Valley State Vs #8 Dorian Crosby Gannon |
Yet another former DI vs former DI. We have former Michigan State Spartan Carter Blough, who made the Midwest Classic finals & we have former Bucknell Bison (a two time DI qualifier may I add) who took 5th at the Classic. At the beginning of the season, I thought Crosby could possibly contend for the NCAA DII title. I still believe he can, as well as I do Blough. It's a tough weight. Lots of good wrestlers.
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| HWT #5 Carter Blough Grand Valley State Vs #13 Colby Whitehill Glenville State |
And yet here we have another former DI wrestler ready to do battle here at HWT this weekend. Colby Whitehill who originally committed to Pittsburgh, then went to Lock Haven & is now at Glenville State. The Pioneer took 8th at the Midwest Classic. So all in all, we also have three place-winners from what many consider to be the toughest tournament in D2 wrestling (next to or even on par, sometimes even surpassing the national tournament itself.) Pretty interesting stuff.
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| HWT #8 Dorian Crosby Gannon Vs #13 Colby Whitehill Glenville State |
Not sure what I could add here that hasn't already been implied in what I've already said. We have two former DI wrestlers, both Midwest Classic place-winners, who are looking to continue to climb the ladder. As said before, this will be a great serious of duals, with some great matches!
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