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| 149 |
As tough as 149 lbs is going to be this weekend, I assure you that it could be a lot tougher. NCAA DI champion (5th-1st-2nd in NCAA DI thus far) Caleb Henson is redshirting this season & I don't think we'll see him in competition this weekend. For record, he's been 2nd & 1st at CKLV the past two seasons.
Don't worry, even with his absence 149 lbs CKLV is still going to be a slobberknocker.
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| #2 Kaleb Larkin Arizona State |
I already talked about Kyler's potential to plausibly win 133 lbs this weekend & to think, brother Kaleb is in an even better position. Not only do I believe he'll get the *1 seed, he already owns a 12-3 major decision over likely *2 seed Lachlan McNeil. What a headline it'll make if the Larkin brothers both win CKLV titles this weekend!
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| #3 Lachlan McNeil Michigan |
A tough loss to Casey Swiderski at the NWCA All-Star Classic & a 12-3 loss to Kaleb Larkin, '25-'26 has had a bit of a rough start for the three-time NCAA DI All-American. He's turned around some ugly losses in the past, and it's not unlikely that he does so again this tournament. He'll be a favorite for the finals, but it will be anything but an easy road. Semis are bound to be a war & quarters could be as well. He owns a 5-2 win over Tagen Jamison & a 12-3 major of Jack Gioffre.
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| #5 Paniro Johnson Iowa State |
Iowa State wrestling fanatic, the opulent Jeff Murphy seems to have more faith in Jacob Frost at the moment & that may very well be the case here in Vegas. Nevertheless, at the time this was written (11-29-2025) it is Johnson carrying the #5 ranking.
Does it matter who starts as far as seeding? I don't know.
Johnson was 5th here a year ago at 157 & Frost was 5th here a year ago at 141. Frost has a 4-1 s.v. over Tagen Jamison & Johnson has a 7-2 decision over David Evans.
Either way, Johnson or Frost, we're likely to see a high seed & a place-winner.
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| #7 Jaxon Joy Cornell |
Iowa State isn't the only team making us question who the starter will be the weekend. I'd say it's a high probability that rookie Jaxon Joy gets the nod this weekend. A #7 ranking, I'm pretty sure he's our starter. With that said, don't over blink if Ethen Fernandez ends up being the starter instead. I don't think he will, but if so... Fernandez was one match from placing here a year ago & he owns an 11-7 decision over Eligh Rivera & an 8-3 decision over Pat Phillips.
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| #8 Jack Gioffre Oklahoma |
A 5-2 tiebreaker over Paniro Johnson suggest what Jack Gioffre may be capable of this tournament. I know Cradlezone is anxious to see Gioffre in his first major event as a Sooner. See if the #8 suits him.
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| #9 David Evans Utah Valley |
The former Penn State reserves becoming stars at other schools may have started with Michael Beard & Terrell Barraclough, and it is continuing with David Evans at Utah Valley. He's already shown us what he's capable of with a 13-8 decision over Aden Valencia.
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| #10 Aden Valencia Stanford |
A member of the Valencia family that includes two-time NCAA DI champion Zahid, All American Anthony & U20 Silver medalist Nyla, many of us have been excited to see how Aden's career shapes up at Stanford. So far, things are looking very good. Valencia has had some slumps here and there, but a 13-3 major decision over Casey Swiderski speaks for itself.
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| #18 Eligh Rivera Princeton |
Among the 8 wrestlers I've already mentioned, there are still those who might come in and steal a spot on the award stand. Eligh Rivera is one of those wrestlers.
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| U.R. Gabe Willochell Wyoming |
Another candidate for place-winner status here in Vegas is Gabe Willochell. Some odd losses have him currently outside the top 20 in the rankings, but he's shown before what he's capable of & he could very well again. Owns a 6:54 fall over Lachlan McNeil. I'm almost positive that Willochell will be the starter for Wyoming this weekend, although I should point out that teammate Cole Brooks does own a 2:54 fall over him.
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| U.R. Pat Phillips Franklin & Marshall |
The competition is stiff here in Vegas & it'd take a handful of some big upsets, but I'll put Pat Phillips name among those looking for a top 8 finish. Can definitely see a top 12 finish anyway.
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