CKLV 2025 - 184 lbs Preview!!

 

184

A tournament like Cliff Keen Las Vegas can often be a "name maker" event & I think it's very plausible that we could see a few names made here at 184 lbs.  Not sure if the title hunt will be as competitive as what it should be at 174, but as far as a top 8 placement is concerned, I think we're looking at an all out war. 

#7
Brock Mantanona
Michigan

Coming in with the highest ranking of all who will be participating at CKLV this weekend, Brock Mantanona was 7th here a year ago competing at 165 lbs.  Thus far, he has an 8-7 decision over Aaron Ayzerov & that leads me to think that the R1, R2, QF, SF road to the finals will be a long and treacherous one for the Wolverine if he makes it that far. 

#10
Isaac Dean
Iowa State

As said many times throughout 125-184, I think the Cyclones should win CKLV without much issue.  They are absolutely loaded & I can't see anyone else challenging them for the team title.  They have a multitude of individuals looking to win CKLV gold & Isaac Dean is one of them.  A phenomenal defense, he was 5th here a year ago.  He owns a 12-4 major over Kole Mulhauser & also has victories over Ian Bush, Tomas Brooker & Jared McGill. 

#11
Eddie Neitenbach
Wyoming

A match shy of placing at last year's CKLV, it looks promising that Eddie Neitenbach will not go home empty handed this weekend.  The Cowboy should receive a favorable seed & owns a 1:48 fall over Nathan Haas. 

#12
Brian Soldano
Oklahoma

Oklahoma invested in some transfers this season & I know Brian Soldano is wanting to show Sooner nation that he was well worth the investment.  CKLV is the perfect opportunity to do so.  What really sticks out about Soldano heading into Sin City is that he owns a 7-1 decision over Isaac Dean.  

#13
James Conway
Franklin & Marshall

Diplomat wrestling has been around since the 1923-1924 season.  They've been around a LONG time & it's exciting to think that this could be one of their best years ever.  On & off since the preseason, F&M has had as many as five wrestlers ranked.  That's encouraging.  Could they crown a CKLV champion this weekend?  If any Diplomat can do it, it is James Conway.  Owns both a 4-1 s.v. & a 7-3 decision over Isaac Dean.  Has majored Aaron Azerov twice in identical 13-4 major decisions.  A 10-3 decision over Jared McGill, he also owns an 8-3 decision over Tomas Brooker. 

#15 
Jared McGill
Edinboro

It's not secret to anyone that Fighting Scot wrestling has been going through a very rough patch as of late.  Rumors and speculation that Edinboro might not even exist as a school within a few years, has left the team in a far cry from the glory days of yesteryear.  Nevertheless, there still remains reason to be positive and optimistic about the program.  One of those reasons is Jared McGill.  The senior has taken Isaac Dean into sudden victory three times! Granted they all ended in a final takedown for Dean, but if McGill could score those final points, what a shot of resurgence that'd be in the arm for Edinboro! 

#17
Aaron Ayzerov
Columbia

The Lions have some tough wrestlers on their team & I think they'll display that this weekend in Vegas. Among hopefuls to place, Aaon Ayzerov. 

#18
Ian Bush
West Virginia 

This is a very fun weight class in the sense that a lot of surprising things have great potential to happen.  Speaking of course from a ranking, as well as from a who's who standpoint of collegiate wrestling.  Ian Bush is a bit of a darkhorse.  Not sure if I can see the Mountaineer challenging for a title, but I do think he's capable of some pretty big things this tournament.  17-4 & 8-2 decisions over Tomas Brooker, as well as an 8-3 decision over Nathan Haas & an 8-5 decision over Kole Mulhauser.  He took Isaac Dean to a 4-2 decision & gave Brian Soldano a wild match, eventually losing 11-12. 

#19
Kole Mulhauser
Princeton

I know the coaching staff at Princeton has a lot of high expectations for their squad & displaying those expectations is what CKLV is all about.  Among their medal contenders, Kole Mulhauser, who owns a 13-8 victory over Tomas Brooker. 

U.R. 
Sal Perrine
Ohio

"Holy shit!! Where did he come from!?!!?"  A phrase that is uttered in every major tournament we have in this sport, season after season, year after year.   It'll be uttered this weekend, and probably more than once.  You want the guy likely to do that at 184 lbs?  Look no further than Sal Perrine of Ohio.  The Bobcat has proven to be dangerous before & he owns a 4-3 decision over Jared McGill. 

U.R. 
Nathan Haas
California Baptist

A match shy of being a CKLV place-winner last year, Nathan Haas stands among the potential.  Owns an impressive 7-2 decision over Ian Bush. 

U.R.
Tomas Brooker
Appalachian State

No significant wins among the competition.  In fact, has some pretty ugly losses.  I've already mentioned a heap of talent, in fact 11 wrestlers all fighting for a top 8 spot here in Vegas.  Why in the world would I include Tomas Brooker?  I'll tell you why.  Because this is the kind of guy that can lose to someone multiple times in a row, even by large, decisive scores, and then turn around and beat them! He's done it before, so I would think he could do it again!