The #9 Grand Valley State Lakers host the #4 St. Cloud State Huskies, the #10 Glenville State Pioneers & the U.R. Findlay Roughnecks in what is sure to be a lot of great dual action this Friday November 21st. All four teams will be meeting one another. Here are, in my estimation what will be the best matches of the night.
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| 125 |
What was Cleveland State's loss, has become St. Cloud State's gain. Ben Aranda a former Viking, is now a Huskie, and & he's enjoying success here in the ranks of NCAA Division II. So far to earn his #4 ranking he has defeated All-American (8th last year) Colton Drousias by an 8-0 major decision. Ironically enough, although ranked behind both Aranda & Drousias, Findaly's Billy Smith owns wins over both of them. 4-1 s.v over Aranda & 4-2 over Drousias. If he's able to defeat both again on Friday, what a wonder that will do for his ranking.
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| 133 |
Nate Knowlton made a name for himself last weekend knocking off Jak Keller 4-2 at the Findlay Open. It'll be fun to see if the Roughneck can once again upend the Laker, especially in his own territory. Both Knowlton & Keller will have a chance to see if they can't overcome two-time NCAA DII qualifier Connor Knopick.
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| 141 |
Per the rankings, Ethan Hardy & Jayce Luna are pretty neck-in-neck on paper. Anxious to see if it is the same story on the mat. Hardy was a D2 qualifier in 2023, one match shy of qualification in 2024, and a redshirt last season. With his sights set on qualification once again, Luna will be a great test.
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| 149 |
He was 4th in the Super Region V both his freshman & sophomore year, and post both seasons I called Alyeus Craig one of the best wrestlers in NCAA Division II to not qualify for the national tournament. Last year, he failed to place at the Super Region, & this season currently ranked #13 we're still in limbo wondering how his final season as a Husky will end up. This weekend gives an excellent opportunity to see where he stands in 2025-2026. One of his opponents will be 2025 D2 8th place All-American Gabe Onorato.
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| 174 |
We have three NCAA DII title contenders here at 174 lbs. Matter of fact Josh Kenny has already won an NCAA DII title back in 2024 & as far as I'm concerned if it wasn't for getting injured, Hayden Pummel was well on his way to being an NCAA DII champion last year. Against one another, Kenny owns a 5-4 decision over Pummel, and Pummell owns both an 11-7 decision, as well as a 3:19 fall over Kenny. Then of course we have Bryce Dagel, who was 4th in the D2 nation last year, compared to Kenny who took 7th. The chances of seeing at least one of these guys in the NCAA DII finals come March? I'd say damn near 100%. I'd even give the probability to seeing 2/3 a good chance. Gold, silver, bronze? Yeah, that too.
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| 184 |
Anxious to see two-time NCAA D2 All American Wyatt Miller (7th & 6th) up against a fresh off of redshirt Cole Glazier who was 8th himself in the D2 nation back in 2024. A former DI wrestler, taking on the younger brother of Iowa/South Dakota State star Zach Glazier. Mix in former D3 wrestler (Ursinus/Augsburg) wrestler Max Borton & 184 ought to be a pretty fun weight to watch in these Laker Duals.
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| 197 |
Got a really good one here between Nick Johnson who was 5th in the D2 nation last season & Brayden Mirjavdi who finished one match shy of being an All-American. Anxious to see how this one turns out.
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| HWT |
Collegiate wrestling is all about proving yourself, again & again. Stepping out onto the mat and showing what you have countless times per season. There will be plenty of opportunity to do that this weekend at the Laker Duals concerning HWT. 8th int he D2 nation last season, Carter Blough already owns a 6-2 decision over Giulian Bodiu. Bodiu who was one match shy of being a D2 qualifier last season, does own a 0:42 fall over Whitehill. Whitehill who is in his first season as a full time starter, was 8th at the Midwest Classic last season. A lot of talent among the heavy artillery of each team, let's so who out bombs who.
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