The NCAA Division I championships are approximately two months away. Still a lot of wrestling to be conducted between now and then, but with all that can change between now and then, one thing is likely to stay the same.
There are only 33 slots per weight class & there are more than 33 wrestlers per weight class who are eligible to get them.
Here at 174, it isn't an abundant amount like 157, but it is a fair amount. An often wild and crazy weight class, full of parity, make '25-'26 no exception.
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| Sergio DeSiante Virginia Tech |
What he has going against him: Life is a little tougher in the Atlantic Coast Conference than what it was in the Southern Conference. If DeSiante was still wrestling for Chattanooga, I'd say there would be nothing to worry about as he'd be a clear favorite to win the SOCON title. He's at Virginia Tech now though, and the bracket looks to be a lot thicker.
What he has going against him: Never a fan of injuries, but they are a part of this sport. Lorenzo Norman being out for the rest of the year makes it one less person to get through in Blacksburg, if DeSiante wants to qualify for this second NCAA DI championships. I would think the tournament being held at home, in front of Hokie fans would also be an advantage. I see the ACC taking four here & the idea of DeSiante pulling off an upset isn't that far of a stretch. He's taken Luca Augustine into the tiebreakers, & among his wins, 4-2 over Myles Takats & 5-4 over Derek Gilcher.
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| Holden Garcia Princeton |
What he has going against him: Parity for one. Ironically enough, he just beat Enrique Munguia who earlier in the season beat Nick Fine. Fine has two wins over Garcia, one by technical fall. I can't see the Ivy League taking anything more than two here, and Garcia is not beating Simon Ruiz.
What he has going for him: The first time the Tiger met up with Nick Fine, he lost 18-0. Yet the second time he met up with the Lion, he only lost 5-3. If you can turn an 18-0 loss into a 5-3 loss, can you turn a 5-3 loss into a win? He's going to have to if he wants to see the NCAA DI championships this season.
What they have going against them: Well for starters, each other. Both Avery Bassett & Enrique Munguia were NCAA DI qualifiers this past season, but it is almost certain that at least one of them (if not both) will not be going to the NCAA DI championships this year.
As to the Mid-American Conference championships, I see only two allocations, and one of them (Garrett Thompson) is already spoken for. This leaves only one spot open in the conference for qualification, and three talented wrestlers who want that spot.
What they Have going for them: Munguia has to be the most unpredictable wrestler in NCAA DI wrestling for the '25-'26 season. With him you never know what you're going to get. He defeats Nick Fine 11-6, and then turns around & drops an 11-2 major decision to Holden Garcia who not long before was tech'd by Fine. Seeding wise, he does have an 11-5 win over Bassett but....
Bassett has a much better record of 14-5, than Munguia's record of 9-8. Again, a lot of season left, but the OTHER huge thing Bassett has going for him is that while he hasn't faced Logan Messer yet this year, he owns both an 8-5 s.v. & 7-3 decision over the Patriot. If he can defeat him again on February 1st, this could potentially give Bassett the *2 seed. Munguia himself will get a shot at Messer on Jan 30th.
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| Cael Valencia Arizona State |
What he has going against him: He might not even be the starter come the BIG 12's. Leo Tukhlynovch beat him officially 10-9 earlier this season & they've split time ever since. On top if it, many of the BIG 12 opponents that Valencia would face, have already had their way with him this season. Talking falls & major decisions.
What he has going for him: I almost feel stupid putting him on this list, but I'm telling you when qualification is on the line, it's like Valencia removes his glasses, rips open his shirt, reveals the diamond shaped S & becomes a whole new wrestler. I've seen this guy do things that he shouldn't have been capable of doing. In 2024, he got beat up pretty bad by Mason Reiniche at RENO eventually getting pinned at the 5:00 mark. Come PAC-12's, he destroyed Reiniche 16-4.
Now granted the BIG 12's is gonna be a lot tougher than the PAC-12's, but if any coach sees his wrestler has Cael Valenica in the next round, they should treat him like the unstable land mine that he is. I see the BIG 12 having 8 allocations, and the Sun Devil could steal one.
What he has going against him: A 5-8 record
What he has going for him: A 9-2 decision over M.J. Gaitan really sticks out for the Road Runner.
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