Here at 157 lbs we have 8 ranked wrestlers, with four of those wrestlers being within the top 10. We have a definitive darkhorse within the field that at least in my opinion, could contend for the title & we also have a particular redshirt, as well as a backup that I would for sure keep an eye on. Let's look at 157 lbs, Soldier Salute.
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| #1 Jacori Teemer Iowa |
Sidelined with an injury against Iowa State as of the time this was written (12-19), Jacori Teemer has not been in action for the Hawkeyes. If he is competing this weekend/weekstart, he will be the clear favorite to win a title. Against the competition he owns a 14-5 major decision over Tommy Askey & a 7-2 decision over Ryder Downey.
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| #3 Antrell Taylor Nebraska |
All American Antrell Taylor has been looking extraordinarily sharp thus far in '24-'25. Winning the CKLV title about a month ago, he will be among the contenders this weekend/Weekstart in the hunt for a gold here in Coralville. Owns a 4-3 decision over Ryder Downey & a 4-2 decision over Sonny Santiago.
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| #5 Ryder Downey Northern Iowa |
Coming off of a runner-up finish in Vegas, Ryder Downey has continued to prove that he's one of the best wrestlers in the DI nation yet to All American. His finals match with Taylor at CKLV, could have gone either way, with many feeling that the official missed out on points that could have been called in Downey's favor. I'm sure he's anxious to get a rematch with Taylor. Among the competition, Downey owns both a 13-1 major dec as well as a 4-1 dec over Jared Hill. He also owns both a 5-3 t.b. & a 12-9 decision over Cody Chittum, as well as an 8-1 decision over Cobe Siebrecht.
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| #6 Tommy Askey Minnesota |
As of the time this was written (12-19) Tommy Askey is undefeated, with some impressive wins. If he can remain undefeated this weekend/Weekstart, that would be most impressive. Against the field he isn't real familiar, but he does own a 17-6 major decision over Cody Chittum.
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| #13 Paniro Johnson Iowa State |
Here's my dark horse. Paniro Johnson is a funny wrestler, who can be difficult to predict. Reminds me a lot of James Green of Nebraska, especially during his freshman & sophomore seasons. Guy can go out and major Ian Miller or James Fleming, but then turn around and get stuck by Jedd Moore. I think a lot of it comes down to how an opponent wrestles him. Johnson seems to do very well against opponents who keep the wrestling on the feet and have a lot of space & distance. He struggles against those who crowd him & are skilled in the top position. Case in point, an 11-0 loss to Oklahoma State's Caleb Fish, who racked up 7 of those 11 via backpoints. Johnson has some very effective outside shots, and if he can get to them before getting tied up, he can hit them on just about anyone. When hot, he can get on an unstoppable roll. 3rd here a year ago, 7th recently at CKLV, he owns an 11-6 victory over Sonny Santiago.
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| #19 Jared Hill Wyoming |
Jared Hill has been looking as good as he has ever looked. A recent 5th place finish in Vegas, Hill looks to have another good weekend here in Coralville.
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| #23 Cobe Siebrecht South Dakota State |
'24-'25 hasn't started off the way that Cobe Siebrecht was probably hoping that it would, but there's still plenty of season left for the former Hawkeye, now Jackrabbit to make his mark. He already owns a 10-2 major decision over Jared Hill, and garnering such a win again, would move him up in the rankings.
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| B.U. Cody Chittum Iowa State |
Truth is, the Cyclones have two All American candidates at 157 lbs. I'm anxious to see between Cody Chittum and Paniro Johnson, who ends up getting the nod at the BIG 12's. Coach Dresser & Co work in different ways, so I wouldn't call Soldier Salute results the end all of the conversation. I would say however, they weigh heavily into the decision. Believe it or not, Cody Chittum does own a 9-5 win over Jacori Teemer. If he were to pull that off again, you'd think that'd all but guarantee him the spot. For the record he also owns a 6-0 decision over Jared Hill.
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| R.S. Charlie Millard Minnesota |
Here's a guy that I'm anxious to see compete this weekend. I think within due time, Charlie Millard is going to end up being very good. So far in his redshirt, he has owned Cobe Siebrecht on the mat with 10-3 & 13-4 victories. I'm anxious to see how the Golden Gopher measures up against other competition within this bracket.
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| B.U. Moses Espinoza Owens South Dakota State |
Define Irony. Charlie Millard has his way with Cobe Siebrecht twice, but it is Siebrecht's back up Moses Espinoza Owens who scores an 8-7 victory over Millard. Wrestling sure can be a funny sport. Probably some "funny" things that will happen at the Soldier Salute. Will be fun to see the action go down.
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