I believe 149 lbs will be an interesting weight class for varying reasons. Here we have returning All Americans, but not all of them are from last season. Some are from previous seasons, wrestlers who are looking to regain the status they once earned. Same with returning Missouri Valley Invitational place-winners, quite a few, but again, not all of them from last season. A lot of wrestlers in this bracket looking to prove themselves, and if there be a place to do so during the season, this is it.
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| #1 Nathan Lendt Doane |
As a freshman & sophomore, Nathan Lendt held his own in a weight class that was predominately owned by upperclassmen. Among mostly juniors and seniors, he managed to garner back to back 6th place finishes at the NAIA championships. Now as a junior, he's one of the upperclassmen & he's thus far ruling the weight.
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| #3 Jace Luchau Cumberlands |
A 4th place NAIA All American in 2023, Jace Luchau missed out on his second All American honor last season by one match. A Missouri Valley Invitational runner-up last year, not only would the Patriot like to make another trip to the finals, but I'm sure he has his sights set on knocking off #1 ranked Nathan Lendt.
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| #4 Keegan Luton Oklahoma City |
I'm not 100% positive about this, but I believe that if three-time AMC/SAC champion Keegan Luton wins another title this season, he will become the first four-time champion of the combined conference ever. Pretty important feat, if accomplished. Competing at 157 last year, Luton took a 4th place finish at the Missouri Valley Invitational. So far this year, competing down a weight, he took 3rd at the Friends Invitational.
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| #8 Cole Ferguson Grand View |
As are most Vikings in most situations, Cole Ferguson is no stranger to success here at the Missouri Valley Invitational. 5th/6th in 2023, he was 4th a year ago. Won the Friends Invitational earlier this season.
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| #9 Ty Lehman Cumberlands |
The Patriots have proven to be very strong in the middle weights over the years. With both Jace Luchau and Bryce Nickel at 149 lbs last season, there wasn't a lot of room for Ty Lehman to shine. Now that Nickel, a three time Missouri Valley Invitational place-winner in his own right has graduated, Lehman is showing the talents and abilities that he possesses. Won the Pepsi Patriot Open earlier this season.
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| #10 Alex Pena Wayland Baptist |
A 2021 All American, the past few seasons haven't been nearly as rewarding for Alex Pena. Yet '24-'25, he looks to be making out like Eric Bischoff, back and better than ever. We'll see him more than tested here in Marshall, Missouri.
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| #11 Chris Kelly Southeastern |
One match shy of NAIA All American status last season, the first burning within Chris Kelly looks to be hotter than ever. Should have a respectable seed here at the Missouri Valley Invitational and should deliver upon it.
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| #13 Adrian Ayala Lindsey Wilson |
While Keegan Luton comes down to 149 lbs from 157, Adrian Ayala comes up to 149 from 141. A Mid-South Conference runner-up last season, he's thus far taken at 5th place showing at the Pepsi Patriot Open competing in his new weight class.
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| #14 Gunnar Henderson Friends |
The Falcons continue to improve and will look to put some wrestlers on the award stand here in Marshall, Missouri. Among them, KCAC runner-up Gunnar Henderson.
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| #15 Elijah Griffin Cumberland |
An NAIA qualifier for the Phoenix last season, Elijah Griffin will be among those looking for a good finish here at the Missouri Valley Invitational.
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| #18 Alex Walker Central Methodist |
As mentioned previously, 149 lbs has been a weight class favored by experience. A lot of tough juniors and seniors competing here. With that said, there are still some really tough underclassmen & Alex Walker, a freshman out of Lakeland, Florida is one of them. A three time 3rd place finisher at the state championships, he is now looking for collegiate success at the NAIA level. What better place to really get the ball rolling than the Missouri Valley Invitational?
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| #19 Tyler Okada Waldorf |
My heart goes out to Tyler Okada. When I went to go watch the St Ambrose Vs Waldorf dual here a while back, I noticed that Okada was not present. I couldn't help but wonder with all of the fires going on in the Los Angeles area, how the Okada family has been affected. Okada was 8th here a year ago & on a personal level, I'd love to see him have another rewarding performance if he is competing.
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| #20 Tyler Diaz Simpson (CA) |
The Redhawk will be among those looking for a good showing this weekend in Marshall, Missouri.
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| #21 Dylan Milster Texas Wesleyan |
Along with Alex Walker, Dylan Milster is one of the handful of freshmen holding his own against a crowd of mainly juniors and seniors.
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| #22 Steve Barnes Concordia (NEB) |
Steve Barnes tried out the DI wrestling scene for a while at Iowa State, and now he is at Concordia (NEB) trying things out at the NAIA level. Earning a ranking within the top 25 thus far, he looks to have a good showing here at the Missouri Valley Invitational.
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| #24 Mike Loney Indiana Tech |
An NAIA qualifier last season, Mike Loney placed 4th at the Pepsi Patriot Open earlier this season. He'll be in the fight here at the Missouri Valley Invitational this weekend.
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| U.R. Austin Almaguer Saint Mary |
There are going to be some unseeded and unranked wrestlers do very well this weekend at the Missouri Valley Invitational. It happens every season & this tournament will be no different. Here at 149 lbs, look for it to be Austin Almaguer. He was 8th here a year ago.
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