Ashland @ The 46th Annual MIDWEST CLASSIC!!

The premier in-season NCAA Division II tournament is here & this year JT1Wrestle decided to preview it a little differently.  For the past 5 seasons, I have been previewing the tournament weight by weight.   I decided to change things up this year & preview the tournament team by team. 

I'm not here to talk about each & every single member of the team.  I'm here to talk about the guys with the potential & the capability to make some noise at this tournament.  The Midwest Classic in many ways is just as tough as the NCAA D2 national tournament & in the opinions of many, at times TOUGHER. 

Ashland unranked? What a crock! The Eagles have the potential to soar this tournament! Bring home some of those purdy t-shirts & awards! 

#12
Luke Acuna
125

The two-time NCAA DII qualifier was 6th at the Midwest Classic last season.  Among the competition, he has wins over just about everyone.  #1 ranked Trevon Gray? The Eagle had defeated him 11-7 as well as 15-5.  Also owns two wins over Colton Drousias 8-4 & 8-2.  8-5 wins over both Logan Davis & Anthony Aniciete.  Pinned Logan Sallot at the 4:15 mark. 

U.R.
Brock Durbin
141

An NCAA DII qualifier last year, Brock Durbin was one match shy of earning a top 8 finish at the Midwest Classic.  Dominated Pedro Velazquez 12-0. 

#8
Hayden Kuhn
Ashland

An NCAA DII qualifier last year, Hayden Kuhn was 7th at the Midwest Classic two seasons ago. 

#15
Lance Overmyer
157

Yet another returning NCAA DII qualifier for the Eagles.  Lance Overmyer will look to earn a top 8 showing in Indianapolis this weekend!

#11
Nate Barrett
Ashland

The three-time NCAA DII qualifier, 8th in the D2 nation in 2023, was 4th here a year ago & will be among those in the hunt for a Midwest Classic title this weekend. 

#7
Sevi Garza
174

A two-time NCAA DII qualifier, Garza has been one match shy of All-American honors the past two seasons.  Will definitely be a contender for a top 8 finish here in Indianapolis. 

#15
Fletcher Rose
184

Here's a guy that has made some major improvements from last year to this year.  Finishing the season with a 6-7 record in '24-'25, Fletcher Rose is already 10-2 early into '25-'26.  Has wrestled well enough to earn a ranking as well. 

#9
Peyton Lemon
197

No doubt about it, many of the Eagles will be hungry this weekend, but Peyton Lemon ought to be starved.  Not only was he one match away from being an NCAA DII qualifier last year, he's finished the past two Midwest Classics one match shy of placing! So far this year, Lemon is looking tough, recently winning the Glenville State Invite. 

#15
Wyatt Bailey
HWT

Wyatt Bailey returns to the varsity lineup this season after taking a redshirt this past season.  A Super Region III placer of 5th in 2024, the HWT owns an impressive 11-6 decision over Cale Gray. 


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Is JT1Wrestle really predicting that the Eagles can put 9 of their wrestlers on the award stand in D2's toughest in-season tournament this weekend?  Yeah, I think it's a possibility.  In fact I'd be absolutely shocked if they don't put at least 5.