Tournaments like these often answer questions that we have going forward. The rankings go in one way and could easily come out completely different by tournament's end. Here at 197 lbs, we have 8 ranked wrestlers, 3 of which are ranked in the top 10. A lot of opportunity for wrestlers to prove themselves here at 197.
The former Cowboy, former Sooner, now Hawkeye has thus far proven himself to be one of the best assets to the black and gold lineup. An NCAA DI title contenders, Buchanan will face some of the stiffest competition he's seen all season here at the Salute. Among his victories, he owns 1-0, 3-2 & 4-0 decisions over Rocky Elam. He owns both a 6-4 & 11-4 decision over Joey Novak, and he owns a 10-0 major decision over Christian Carroll.
When it is all said and done, there is going to be a very short list of five time NCAA DI All Americans & one of the names likely to be on that list will be Rocky Elam. This weekend/Weekstart gives Elam the opportunity to place his name alongside A.J. Ferrari & Stephen Buchanan as a legit threat to the NCAA DI title. Elam has defeated Buchanan in the past, as he owns a 5-4 decision over the Hawkeye. He also owns both a 5-1 & 5-3 decision over Joey Novak.
While a Buchanan Vs Elam final seems likely, I dare not count out Isaiah Salazar. The Golden Gopher often times gets overlooked, but not here, not in this preview. He shared the Soldier Salute title down at 184 with teammate Max McEnelly last year & this year he'll look to challenge for the title at 197. Owns an 8-1 decision over Zach Glazier.
Joey Novak is climbing the ladder faster than I anticipated he would. He looked exceptionally good in Vegas about a month ago, capturing a 4th place finish. He was 3rd here a year ago, and he owns both a 5-2 s.v. & a 10-8 decision over Wyatt Voelker, as well as a 6-4 decision over Camden McDanel.
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| #2 Stephen Buchanan Iowa |
The former Cowboy, former Sooner, now Hawkeye has thus far proven himself to be one of the best assets to the black and gold lineup. An NCAA DI title contenders, Buchanan will face some of the stiffest competition he's seen all season here at the Salute. Among his victories, he owns 1-0, 3-2 & 4-0 decisions over Rocky Elam. He owns both a 6-4 & 11-4 decision over Joey Novak, and he owns a 10-0 major decision over Christian Carroll.
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| #4 Rocky Elam Missouri |
When it is all said and done, there is going to be a very short list of five time NCAA DI All Americans & one of the names likely to be on that list will be Rocky Elam. This weekend/Weekstart gives Elam the opportunity to place his name alongside A.J. Ferrari & Stephen Buchanan as a legit threat to the NCAA DI title. Elam has defeated Buchanan in the past, as he owns a 5-4 decision over the Hawkeye. He also owns both a 5-1 & 5-3 decision over Joey Novak.
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| #6 Isaiah Salazar Minnesota |
While a Buchanan Vs Elam final seems likely, I dare not count out Isaiah Salazar. The Golden Gopher often times gets overlooked, but not here, not in this preview. He shared the Soldier Salute title down at 184 with teammate Max McEnelly last year & this year he'll look to challenge for the title at 197. Owns an 8-1 decision over Zach Glazier.
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| #14 Joey Novak Wyoming |
Joey Novak is climbing the ladder faster than I anticipated he would. He looked exceptionally good in Vegas about a month ago, capturing a 4th place finish. He was 3rd here a year ago, and he owns both a 5-2 s.v. & a 10-8 decision over Wyatt Voelker, as well as a 6-4 decision over Camden McDanel.
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| #17 Wyatt Voelker Northern Iowa |
Through hard work and good coaching, Wyatt Voelker has seriously stepped it up a notch in '24-'25. The Panther recently took 7th at Cliff Keen Ls Vegas & has been winning matches this season, that the '23-'24 Voelker would not have won. An 5-1 decision over Zach Glazier, he owns a 5-3 decision over Joey Novak, a 6-1 decision over Christian Carroll & an 8-5 decision over Aaedon Sinclair.
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| #18 Zach Glazier South Dakota State |
Zach Glazier coming up a hair short of a medal at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational last month really threw me for a loop. I guess it's because I know what this guy is capable of, and despite the flack I may get for it from others, I say if he's wrestling at his best, he is a title contender here at the Salute. Thus far the Jackrabbit has finishes of 3rd & 1st. He owns both a 12-3 & 4-3 victory over Wyatt Voelker.
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| #23 Christian Carroll Iowa State |
Potential seems to be the operative word here at 197. I see a lot of potential in Christian Carroll. He's a young wrestler surrounded by experience within this bracket, but that can sometimes work in a wrestler's favor. While those who've been around for a while often perform rather conservatively, those newer to the scene often go for broke. That can pay off at times. Carroll was 8th at CKLV & owns a 10-9 decision over Christian Carroll.
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| #26 Camden McDanel Nebraska |
Camden McDanel is another young wrestler looking to prove himself this weekend against a wealth of experience. The Husker was one match shy of placing a month ago in Vegas.
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| B.U. Aeoden Sinclair Missouri |
A good wrestling program will fill in the holes before they're even there and that's exactly what Missouri has done at 197. Rocky Elam is in his final season of eligibility and Aeoden Sinclair is proving already that he's going to be an excellent replacement once Elam is gone. Doesn't own any wins over the competition he'll face this weekend/Weekstart yet, but he does own some other valuable wins that suggest that he'll be one to look out for.
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