I foresee a three (possibly four...we'll get to that later) man race for the title here at 149 lbs. While I'm not completely ruling the possibility of upsets, I feel pretty confident as to who our top three place-winners will be within this bracket. With that said, overlooking the competition that will be here, I can't help but reflect on an issue that wrestling has had for a long time, that it doesn't seem to be any better at than what it was when I was a kid. I started off as a theatre major in college. I had these big elaborate dreams of one day going out to Los Angeles and trying to make it as a screenplay writer. I've been a movie buff my entire life and I was also huge into professional wrestling for a long time as well. Movies, pro wrestling, MMA, NFL, NBA, what often makes these entities so popular and intriguing? Drama. That's what draws the crowds, puts behinds in the seats. It's not that collegiate wrestling doesn't have drama. It often DOES have drama. The problem is, we do a poor job of advertising and promoting the drama. There is drama here in this bracket & it's quite interesting if you ask me.
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| #4 Kyle Parco Iowa |
He went from Fresno, California, all the way to Tempe, Arizona, then out to the Midwest to I-Oh-wa Cit-tay. A Bulldog, then a Sun Devil, now he's kickin' butt as a black and gold Hawk-eh. It's been one heck of a ride for Kyle Parco. A four time All American, looking to become a five time All American, he has more than one target on his back this weekend. The NCAA DI champ candidate has lower ranked wrestlers looking to knock him off, and while it seems far-fetched based on how well Parco has been wrestling this season, he still has teammates looking to take the spot. If that ain't drama, you tell me what is.
Thus far Parco owns both a 3-1 & 4-3 victory over Ridge Lovett. He also owns an 8-2 decision over Logan Gioffre, a 9-4 decision over Alec Martin & a 4-3 decision over Anthony Echemendia.
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| #5 Ridge Lovett Nebraska |
Another NCAA DI title contender, as well as a Soldier Salute title contender this weekend, Ridge Lovett. Having recently made the CKLV finals about a month ago, the Husker is looking very good. A 1:25 fall over Gabe Willochell, he owns a 4-0 decision over Lachlan McNeil & a 6-0 decision over Caleb Rathjen. Owns an 11-0 major decision over Drew Roberts, a 9-6 decision over Anthony Echemendia & a 5-1 decision over Alec Martin.
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| #6 Lachlan McNeil North Carolina |
While many believe we'll see a final between Parco & Lovett, I wouldn't count Lachlan McNeil out of the title hunt quite yet. The future Canadian international star is still making waves within the collegiate wrestling scene & he's got a lot of business left to attend to. Owns a 9-6 win over Anthony Echemendia & a 12-3 major over Logan Gioffre.
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| #9 Anthony Echemendia Iowa State |
I'm going to imagine that Anthony Echemendia will be not healthy enough to compete this weekend. Iowa State and health have not been on good terms so far this season, as it seems every week we're reading about yet another Cyclone that is sidelined or out permanently due to injury. However, if for some reason Echemendia is back sooner than expected, bet your bottom dollar, we have yet another title contender this weekend. The future Cuban international star, for one carries a chip on his shoulder after an incredibly strange loss with a lot of weird calls to Kyle Parco. You know he wants another shot at the Hawkeye. Finishing 4th at CKLV about a month ago, he owns a 4-2 decision over Drew Roberts.
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| #17 Colin Realbuto Northern Iowa |
The Panther has been looking good so far in '24-'25. Coming off of a 7th place CKLV finish, Colin Realbuto is looking to once again have a good weekend/weekstart. Owns a 13-12 victory over Gabe Willochell and an 8-2 decision over Alek Martin. Owns both a 13-4, as well as a 46 second fall over Drew Roberts and he has defeated Victor Voinovich by scores of 3-2 & 5-4.
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| #21 Drew Roberts Minnesota |
As mentioned in other weight classes previewed thus far, the Golden Gophers have been looking extraordinarily good in dual competition, and this weekend provides them an opportunity to see if they look as good in major tournament competition. This of course isn't the BIG 10's or the NCAA's, but there is enough talent in each bracket to give a glimpse of where the Maroon & Gold stand. Drew Roberts has himself one heck of a test here at 149 lbs. So far the Gopher has both a 16-5 as well as a 7-1 victory over Alec Martin.
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| #22 Gabe Willochell Wyoming |
Vegas didn't go quite the way that Gabe Willochell was hoping that it'd go. 7th last year, he finished one match shy of earning another medal, losing a wild 1 point match to Colin Realbuto. I'm sure that he'll be looking to avenge that loss here in Coralville. It should also be noted that Willochell could be a darkhorse. He does after all own a 6:59 fall over Lachlan McNeil.
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| #23 Logan Gioffre Missouri |
Fighting for a good finish, Logan Gioffre will also be fighting to keep his spot here at the Salute. Officially he owns a 1-0 decision over teammate Zeke Seltzer who will be hot on his trail. The Tiger also owns both a 2-1 t.b. as well as a 4-2 decision over Alec Martin.
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| U.R. Alec Martin South Dakota State |
We have yet to see Alec Martin since he was injured at the NCAA DI championships last season. With that said, IF for some reason or another the Jackrabbit IS in competition this weekend, keep an eye on him. This guy can be dangerous. Owns a 13-2 major decision Gabe Willochell, a 12-2 major decision over Drew Roberts & a 7-4 s.v. over Victor Voinovich.
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| B.U. Caleb Rathjen Iowa |
Four time All American/NCAA DI Champion potential Kyle Parco was brought in from Arizona State to be Iowa's 149 lbs starter. To even suggest the smidgen of a possibility that those plans could be altered this weekend, in the mind of some is pure blasphemy. Excommunicate Stephen Stonebraker for his proposition of profaneness! Or if you're not into that, you could hear me out.
Caleb Rathjen is a two-time Soldier Salute finalist & he won the tournament last season. Granted, it's more loaded than it was last year, but here's what really sticks out to me. The Hawkeye owns a 4-3 win over Anthony Echemendia. To think that Rathjen could come in here and outdo & out-wrestle Parco is a stretch. I'll give you that. But to anyone thinking that it's a 0% probability, it's you, not me, that isn't paying attention. Rathjen is a tough wrestler & I doubt he's giving up the 149 lbs spot willingly. He also owns a 6-3 decision over Victor Voinovich & both an 11-5 as well as a 7-3 win over Drew Roberts.
Drama?
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| B.U. Zeke Seltzer Missouri |
Missouri has some drama of their own here at 149 lbs. As of right now the starter is Logan Gioffre. That could change after this weekend, as Zeke Seltzer is looking for an opportunity in his own right. As mentioned before, their one official meeting ended 1-0 in favor of Gioffre. Seltzer for the record was 5th here a year ago.
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| B.U. Victor Voinovich Iowa |
I hate to ever sound pessimistic but between Kyle Parco and Caleb Rathjen, the chances of Victor Voinovich earning the varsity position at 149 lbs for the Iowa Hawkeyes is between slim and none, and none is looking favorable in all the polls. With that said, Voinovich is still a heck of a talent in his own right. A former NCAA DI qualifier, he owns a 3-1 decision over Alec Martin & he was 4th here a year ago.
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