2025 SOCON Championship PREVIEW!! (March 7th & March 8th)

 

Everyone (that includes me too!) and their dog right now is heavily focused on the BIG 10 & the BIG 12.  Lot's of interesting, exciting things happening over there, and that's why FLO, TRACK, & the rest of the wrestling media giants are fixated on those tournaments right now.  They are going to be great & I'm looking very forward to them too. 

But....

Guess what? 

There's still a lot of great, fun wrestling to look forward to in the smaller, overlooked Conference tournaments going on this weekend too.  There's reason to be paying attention to this year's SOCON championships.  There's going to be some good wrestling this weekend in Asheville, North Carolina. 

Speaking of Asheville, what's up with UNC-Asheville, a school that doesn't have wrestling & a school that has never had wrestling hosting the championship?  Is there some really good news around the corner? Are we going to be blessed with a new NCAA DI program?  I don't know about you but I sure like the looks of it! 

Is the above photo a reality we as wrestling fans can look forward to in the future?  A man can wish, can't he? 

Let's take a look at the SOCON weight by weight! 

#24
Anthony Molton
Campbell
125

Here's a kid that has been through a lot in his collegiate wrestling career.  Wrestled for two schools that heartlessly gut their wrestling programs.  Last year, was one of the best in the D1 nation to not get an at-large/wildcard bid when he finished 3rd in the SOCON.  Perseverance, hard work, I think it all finally pays off for the Camel this weekend & he walks out of Asheville carrying a bracket sheet & a gold medal around his neck. 

133

First thing I'm going to say concerning 133 lbs is that I'm almost positive that Dom Zaccone will not be wrestling in this tournament.  Pretty sure that Logan Heil will be the starter for the Camels.   With that said, I'm not sure what went wrong with Zaccone this year.  I'd imagine health reasons.  We're talking about a two time SOCON finalist here.  Think that deserves mention. 

Two allotments here at 133.   On paper it looks to be a final between T.K. Davis a tough freshman for the Runnin' Bulldogs with a 21-6 record & Blake Boarman a Moc with a 18-5 record.  The two talents have split this year with Davis willing a 4-2 match & Boarman winning a 6-5 match.  This will be the rubber-match for the gold. 

With that said, is there a darkhorse here within the SOCON?   I think so.  Chad Bellis gave Davis a 14-11 match & he took Boarman into sudden victory before dropping a 5-2 decision.  Should be the *3 seed & could pull off an upset. 

141

Two allocations here at 141 lbs & I'm pretty sure it'll be a really good final between Shannan Hanna & Todd Carter.  Hanna is a two-time NCAA DI qualifier with a 22-7 record & Carter 17-3 on the year, was an NCAA DI qualifier last year.  They've met once this season, with Hanna winning a tight 2-1 decision.  Some will point at an odd loss for Hanna, but I think that was just an off day for the Camel.  Confident this is our final. 

Carson DesRosier
The Citadel
149

Honestly, I think 149 lbs is a free-for-all crap shoot.  Tons of parity within the weight class & it'll come down to who has the best weekend.  With that said, if I have to pick a champ, I'm going with Carson DesRosier.  The Bulldog has been very solid this season & owns 22-5 record. 

Noah Castillo
Chattanooga
157

Very confident that our champion here at 157 lbs will be Noah Castillo.  The Moc is 13-4 on the year, and has dominated within the SOCON. 

#7
Will Miller
Appalachian State
165

19-1 on the season, not only is Will Miller likely to win another SOCON title this weekend, he is the best hope the conference has for an All American this season.  Thomas Snipes did give him a 6-4 match earlier this year, but I'm sticking with the Mountaineer as champion. 

174

Pretty open and shut case here at 174 lbs as far as I'm concerned.  28-7 on the season, our Champion is likely to be Lucas Uliano.  Owns a 15-1 major decision over Sergio DeSiante, who despite that loss to Uliano is 18-2 overall & otherwise undefeated within the SOCON. 

184

A lot on the line here at 184 bs.  Braxton Lewis 24-5 looking to earn NCAA DI qualification for the Keydets & Devan Hendricks looking to become Bellarmine's first ever DI qualifier in their first post-season in DI. The two-met earlier this year with Hendricks coming out on top 3-2.  Should be another good match. 

197

Perhaps the toughest bracket within the SOCON, 197 is allotting two to the NCAA DI championships.  So one of these ranked wrestlers will be the odd man out.   

20-6 on the year, Levi Hopkins is a two-time SOCON champion that will be going for his third title this tournament.  He owns a 10-7 decision over Carson Floyd. 

Floyd is 25-7 on the year, with a 4-3 decision over Pat Brophy, who is 18-4 on the year himself. 

Daulton Mayer
Bellarmine
HWT

Honestly, like 149 lbs, I think HWT could turn into a crap shoot.   With that said, I'm still going with Daulton Mayer of Bellarmine.  Perhaps it's because I'm anxious & excited at the fact that the Knights could crown some champions in their first ever SOCON tournament.    

Mayer has 20 wins on the season & at times he's looked exceptionally good.   He's also looked, not so hot.  I think that's a reflection of a wrestler who spent nearly all of his career in smaller Division wrestling, getting used to the world of DI.  If the Mayer that defeated Dan Herrera earlier this year shows up, we're looking at a SOCON champ. 

JT#1's Final 2025 NAIA Championship Predictions

 

125

133

141

149

157

165

174

184

197

2025 EIWA Preview (Friday March 7th & Saturday March 8th)

 

The 121st EIWA championship is set for this Friday & Saturday.  While it'll be different without the Ivy League schools this year, it'll still be a tough tournament full of some great wrestling. A lot on the line this championship.  Not many allocations & a lot of wrestlers in contention for them.  "You have to qualify" takes precedence in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania this weekend. 

125

Host school Lehigh wastes no time, looking to crown their first champ of 2025 right off the bat at 125 lbs.  NCAA's smallest weight class allots two to the DI championships this season, and unless we see some major upsets, things should happen accordingly.  Sheldon Seymour is 18-3 on the season, as Charlie Farmer is 20-7.  The last the two met, Seymour won a hard fought 6-4 decision.  It should once again prove to be a good final. 

133

Only one allocation here at 133 lbs, and we have a three-man war to determine our champion.  Freshman Matt Lopes one of the three contenders, is 9-3 on the season with a 3-2 decision over Kurt Phipps.  Ethan Berginc is a two-time NCAA DI qualifier with EIWA finishes of 4th & 3rd.  He owns a 2-1 decision over Lopes.  Phipps, a two-time NCAA DI qualifier in his own right, was one match shy of All American honors last year.  He owns a 3-2 decision over Berginc and has 7th & 4th place EIWA finishes.  We're looking at a good semi & we're looking at a good final. 

141

Gold, Silver & Bronze qualify for the NCAA DI's here at 141 lbs.  

Gold, I'm pretty sure is already spoken for.  20-3 on the season, returning EIWA champ Josh Koderhandt looks to win EIWA title #2 in fashion.  He's defeated everyone he'll face this tournament.  A 16-4 major over Richard Treanor, a 15-1 major over Dylan Chappell, a 5-2 decision over Carter Bailey & a 19-4 technical fall over Jordan Soriano.  The Midshipman earned his third medal at CKLV earlier this season going 5th-4th-4t in DI's toughest in-season tournament.  A match shy of All American honors last year, he'll hopefully take a good EIWA tournament into his final national tournament and contend for those top 8 honors. 

Silver & Bronze?  Here's where we'll have our fight. 

Chappell is a two-time EIWA runner-up, and you know he won't be looking to settle for anything else.  A good tournament wrestler, he finished 3rd at the Midlands earlier this year. 

Soriano owns a 10-8 decision over Chappell. 

Bailey owns both a 10-4 & a 12-1 decision over Treanor. 

149

Only one allocation here at 149 lbs, and I think we're going to see an excellent final to determine who gets it.  

Malyke Hines is a four-time NCAA DI qualifier looking to earn his fifth trip to the national championships.  An EIWA champ 2022, he's been 4th the past two-seasons, as he looks to win his second conference title this weekend.   His opponent will be Trae McDaniel who is 22-8 on the season, and ironically enough looking for his first DI qualification in his junior season of eligibility.  The last the two met, Hines won a close 12-10 decision. 

157

Once again, only one allocation here at 157 lbs.  On paper it looks to be an open and shut case final between Logan Rozynski & Luke Nichter.  However, I can see Brayden Roberts coming in here and stealing the show as a darkhorse pick.  The Shark is 24-5 on the season & for whatever it's worth, does own a win over Trae McDaniel, who himself will be fighting for a title at 149. 

165

Two allocations here at 165 lbs & I'm pretty sure it'll be an excellent final between Gunnar Filipowicz & Noah Mulvany.  Filipowicz is currently 23-3 on the season, 4th in the EIWA last season.  The last the two met, the match went to sudden victory with Mulvany pulling off a 13-10 decision. 

174

One of the toughest brackets in the EIWA this tournament, 174 lbs allots the top 4 to the NCAA DI championships.  

22-4 on the year, Brevin Cassell is a three-time NCAA DI qualifier with 5th-4th-3rd finishes within the EIWA.  On the season owns a 9-0 major over Danny Wask & a 3-1 decision over Dalton Harkins. 

Wask, 18-5 on the year, was an NCAA DI qualifier last season with a 7th place finish at the EIWA championships.  He owns both a 7-4 decision over Harkins & a 4-2 decision over Myles Takats. 

Takats 20-5 on the year was 6th in the EIWA a year ago.  Defeated Harkins in sudden victory, 4-1 & also owns a 5-3 decision over Jasiah Queen.   Queen, a tough freshman for the Dragons is currently 18-3 on the season. 

Call it wishful thinking as locked and loaded at 174 lbs, but I still think there's a shot for Darrien Roberts to become Morgan State's first NCAA DI qualifier.  If the Bears are going to send anyone to DI's this year, I say Roberts is their best bet. 

184

If you enjoy pandemonium and chaos, then you've come to the right place.  Only one allocation here at 184 lbs, and I'm not sure what to think.  There is so much parity within this weight class, it makes predicting very difficult.  We're not dealing blackjack here folks, we're dealing wheel of fortune.  

2023 NCAA DI qualifier Giuseppe Hoose looks to be our forerunner for the *1 seed.  He owns a 4-1 s.v. over Ross McFarland & he also defeated Will Ebert in overtime as well.   Dan Williams actually owns a 9-2 decision over Hoose & of course Logan Deacetis owns a 6-2 decision over Williams.  

I may be off my hinges, but I think anything is possible here at 184, and I think any of the six I've mentioned have a shot at winning the title. 

197

Four allocations here at 197 lbs, which like 174, will be a very fun bracket to keep track off during the EIWA championships.  

Favorite here is obviously two-time NCAA DI All American Michael Beard.  17-1 on the season, the returning EIWA champion owns a 3-2 decision over Payton Thomas, as he has teched both Wolfgang Frable & Dillon Bechtold by scores of 20-3 & 21-6 respectively.   

Here to challenge Beard will be four-time NCAA DI qualifier Mickey O'Malley, who won an EIWA title himself in 2022.  The Dragon was also one match shy of All American that season.  On the year owns a 13-10 decision over Bechtold.  

Bechtold himself is 19-8 on the year with both a 4-1 decision over Frable & a 4-2 decision over Thomas.  Frable owns a 7-2 decision over Thomas & Thomas owns a 9-3 decision over Bechtold. 

HWT

We have three allocations here at HWT.  

Two-time NCAA DI qualifier Owen Trephan looks to win an EIWA title this weekend.  18-0 on the season owns both a major over Cory Day (9-1) & Will Jarrell (11-3). 

Day himself is a two-time NCAA DI qualifier with back to back EIWA finishes of 5th.  He is currently 18-5 on the season.    

Brady Colbert is 31-6, as Jarrell has a record of 23-9. 









 

The Talent Staying Home - The Best of NCAA D2 To Not Qualify for Nationals - 2025

 Much like the world of NCAA D3 wrestling, NCAA D2 wrestling can be a cruel and unforgiving environment.  Don't get me wrong, there's a lot of reward & a lot of triumph.  Yet in a sport that only takes the top 3 per weight class to the national tournament, you are bound to have a massive amount of talent staying home. 

Again, I doubt if my picks mirror yours's 100%.  I did my best to pick out the wrestlers whom I felt were the very best to not qualify this year.   If you have others, feel free to share. 

Mason Myers
Pittsburgh-Johnstown

Tough Region, simple as that.  Mason Myers was a Super Region I runner-up last year & took 5th this year.  Believe the Mountain Cat's career is now done.  Tough wrestler, had a good career. 

Cooper Warshel
Pittsburgh-Johnstown

Another tough Mountain-Cat who missed out on NCAA DII qualification this year.  A Super Region I champ last year, finished 4th this year.  19 wins on the season, earned a 7-4 decision over Casey Barnett & a 4-1 s.v. over Ethan Richner.  Was also 8th at the Midwest Classic, which may I remind you.... Is not only D2's toughest in-season tournament, but in many ways is often TOUGHER than the national tournament itself. 

Jack MacKiernan
American International

Man was I hoping to see Jack MacKiernan join Tommy Nichols in qualification this year, and shove it in the face of American International personnel who made the decision to discontinue the program after this year.  A NCAA DII qualifier in 2023 as a freshman, MacKiernan has been 4th the past two Regions as a sophomore and junior.  Unfortunately will have to find a new home in his final season of collegiate eligibility.  A true shame.  Was 23-10 on the year. 

Keegan Roberson
UNC-Pembroke

Health a major factor here.  In order to have success in this sport, you have got to remain healthy & unfortunately that was not the case for Keegan Roberson this year.  3rd in the Super Region II last year & 6th in the D2 nation, health was against the Brave this time.  Finished 6th.  One the season, owned a 7-4 decision over Jake Nicolosi. 

Gavin Quiocho
Glenville State

Some are going to have a problem with me including Gavin Quiocho in this lineup because he did not wrestle at the Region.  Give me a break.  We're talking about a two-time NCAA DII finalist who won the national title in 2023.  I don't know all the details & it is not my place to judge, but Gawd do I feel sick to my stomach for this kid.  After all he accomplished, all he did for the school, for things to end this way is an absolute travesty.  18-5 on the year, defeated Colton Stoneking twice by scores of 11-8 s.v. & 8-2.   I do take this sport too seriously, and this was one of the ones that made me lose some sleep last night. 

Alec Cook
West Liberty

I've been a college wrestling fan for a very long time now.  I've been following NCAA DI wrestling like a hawk since the 2001-2002 season.  Let me tell you I've seen some God awful, horrible, nightmare qualification tournaments for many wrestlers over the years.  Especially since the new qualification system was put into place back in the '09-'10 season.   I can think of wrestlers, who pardon my French wrestled like crud at the qualifier & then turned around and wrestled tremendously at the NCAA DI's! 

Unfortunately D3 and D2 wrestling don't lend themselves to a system that would allow that.  Here, you don't get to have a bad day.  Here, a bad day cost you.  

Such is the case with Alec Cook.  16-3 on the year, two of his only blemishes in '24-'25 happened at the Region.  6th in the D2 nation in 2023, he had back to back 3rd place finishes in the Region up to this point.  A 6-3 decision over Teagan Hendricks. 

Evan Binder
Maryville

A tough sophomore, Evan Binder was the Super Region IV runner-up last season & one match shy of D2 All American honors.  This year, finished 4th in the Region.  Will be back to redeem himself next season. 

Jaylon Otero
Ouchita Baptist

Jaylon Otero is simply a victim of circumstance.  He was in a tough Region, it's that simple.  Ends his career having said he was a nosehair away on many occasions.  5th-4th-4th in Super Region IV.  A 9-8 win over Demtri Teddlie on the season. 

Will Kuster
Drury

An NCAA D2 qualifier in 2023 as a sophomore, it was close but no cigar for Will Kuster these past two seasons.  Finished out his Super Region IV finishes 3rd-5th-4th.  29 wins on the year, was 7th at the prestigious Midwest Classic.  An 8-6 decision over Jace Fisher, also defeated Dajun Johnson 7-4. 

Trey Sizemore
Indianapolis

Trey Sizemore is an interesting case.  3rd in the Super Region IV a year ago & 5th in the D2 nation, he barely wrestled at all this year.  Not sure if he was hurt or what, but we saw very, very little of him.  Showed up at the Region, and things did not go his way.  Keep in mind this is a guy that wrestled for Illinois at one point & placed 8th at the Midlands. 

Wyatt Turnquist
Northern State

At the end of the day, I feel horrible for all of these guys.  Unfair may not be the right word to use, but there's something 'not right' about the way things are that really eats away at me.  I know I'm not the only one that feels this way either.  If you asked me who bugs me most in not qualifying?  Wyatt Turnquist would either be #1 or close to it.  I'm telling you when I saw that he lost his consolation final match, my heart just sank.  3rd-3rd-5th-4th for the talented grappler.   He was 3rd at the 2023 NCAA DII championships too, with one of the most impressive consolation runs I've ever seen.  

20-5 on the year, he reminds me of why I preach & why I will not get off my pedestal when I say, "more than 2(3) days!"    

Look at all he DID accomplish this year, despite not making it to the dance.  Earned his third medal at the prestigious Midwest Classic going 3rd-1st-4th.  6-3 over Torry Early, 7-1 over Kenny Kiser, 7-1 over James Ryan, and 3-0 over Cael Larson. 

Ben Durocher 
UW-Parkside

29-8 on the season & an NCAA D2 R12'er last season, Ben Durocher's career may not have ended with NCAA DII qualification, but what an outstanding career he had nonetheless.  5th-4th-3rd-4th at Super Region V for the Ranger.  On top of it had an outstanding showing at the Midwest Classic taking 3rd place honors.  11-2 major over Dan Uribe. he defeated Cale Hoskinson 7-3 & 5-2.  Also picked up two victories over John Ridle 8-5 s.v. & 2-1.  A 7-1 win over Caleb Meunier. 

Cayden Henschel
UW-Parkside

You know what bothers me most about Cayden Henschel not qualifying for the NCAA D2 tournament this year?  The number of people who are acting like jackals celebrating it.  There is a lot about this sport that I don't get, and this is one of them.  We have a psychopathic schadenfreude who runs his mouth weekly in a podcast, and nobody seems to have a problem with him, yet here is a kid that simply promotes himself, and everyone seems to have a problem with it.  Was Cayden Henschel a bit on the arrogant side? Sure.  He could be extravagant, but I never once saw him badmouth an opponent. I never saw him trash talk anyone or do anything super negative.   This idea that we're all supposed to be quiet, never celebrate, never promote, is asinine to me. 

Henschel did more these last three seasons to bring eyes and attention to D2 wrestling, than did most anyone else.  That should be celebrated, not condemned.  A Super Region I champ two years ago & a runner-up last year, he's proof that there is no room for error in this sport at this level. 

8th & 3rd within the Midwest Classic, Henschel won D2's toughest in-season (and again I argue toughest period) tournament this year.   Want a list of everyone he defeated in '24-'25? 

Christian Small 3-2
Khyvon Grace 4-2
Ronan Schuelke 5-3 & 8-2
Brock Durbin 9-2
Brayden Lowery 8-1
Sabian Russell 9-7
Sean Solis 5-4
Pedro Velasquez 4-1 s.v. 
Colton Hush 10-1 

There will be a long list of AA's with losses to Henschel on their record by D2 nationals' end. 

Kole Marko
Minnesota State Mankato

4th-5th-4th in Super Region V, Kole Marko will enter '25-'26 as one of the best yet to qualify for D2 nationals. 

Matt Kaylor
Mary

4th in the D2 nation in 2023, Matt Kaylor is another super tough wrestler who did not make it to nationals this season.  Nevertheless, a great career with Super Region V finishes of 3rd-3rd-5th-4th. 

La'Ron Parks
St. Cloud State

Another one that just tore the heart right out of my chest.   3rd-3rd-3rd within the Region & 4th in the D2 nation last year, I can say in full confidence that I believe La'Ron parks could have made a run for the D2 title this year had he qualified.  "No room for error."   9-5 over Lloyd Reynolds, 2-1 over Jake Swirple and 4-1 over Luke Tweeton. 

Grayston DiBlasi
Colorado School of Mines

I am really going to miss watching this dude wrestle.  Crazy, unorthodox, and go-for-broke, he hit some exciting moves during his days of collegiate competition.  Was hoping this would end different for him, but nonetheless, what a career.  3rd-2nd-5th-4th for the Oredigger.   Was 7th-7th-4th at the prestgious Midwest Classic.  3-2 over Joe Airola, 10-4 over Dylan Lucas, 13-3 over Isham Peace & defeated Sean Solis by scores of 7-5 and 2-1.  

Cole Hernandez
Western Colorado

As I finish up this article, I remind myself of how depressed I get writing these (including the D3 article I wrote of the same sentiment).  I will soon revert my attention to the positive and focus on those who did qualify, but it's hard to not feel for these kids.  I guess it is because I've been there.  I know what it feels like.  It's not the end of the world, life goes on, as will they.  Nevertheless, if you're someone that has ever worked your ass off at something, truly given it your all, then you understand there is no dealing with this disappointment in a way that doesn't eat away at you inside. You can't give that much of yourself to something, sacrifice as much as you do and then say you don't feel anything at the wake of disappointment.  

Cole Hernandez is the final wrestler I write about in this write-up.  6th & 7th in the D2 nation the past two years, just barely missed out on qualification on Saturday.  3rd-1st-4th in Super Region VI.  

7th-3rd-3rd at the Midwest Classic, 15-2 & 19-4 over Gus Dalton, 20-5 over D2 champ Josh Kenny, 18-6 over Clint Morrisette and 7-2 over Lawson Losee.