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.
At 184 lbs, there are four currently outside the top 33 I can see stealing spots come qualification time.
What He has going against him: A 12-10 record & some not so great losses among those 10 losses.
What he has going for him: The 2024 NCAA DI qualifier despite some ugly losses this season, also has some quality wins. He defeated Tomas Brooker 8-6 & he also owns a 4-3 decision over Ian Bush. There's still enough time between now & the end of the season to logically see the ACC allot 3 spots to the NCAA DI championships. In that case, the third spot is likely to be Bullock's.
Let's say that the ACC does not & come qualification time, there are only 2 spots available. Bullock wrestled Chase Kranitz recently, dropping a 9-6 decision. The type of match that could have gone either way. A likely ACC semi-final, with qualification on the line, that Bullock can win.
What he has going against him: The PAC-12 is likely to only allot the champion to the NCAA DI championships.
What he has going for him: The 2025 NCAA DI qualifier is currently 0-2 against likely PAC-12 finals opponent Cesar Garza. However, both matches this season have been extremely close. He wrestled the Mustang to an 8-6 decision back in November & more recently he took him into the tiebreakers before ultimately dropping a 5-3 decision. The old saying is often true. It's hard to beat a good wrestler three times in a row.
What he has going against him: Having made JT1Wrestle's "Best to Not qualify" list in both 2024 & 2025, I was expecting a lot more out of Will Ebert in '25-'26. Unfortunately, things haven't been going the Bearcat's way, as he currently holds a 5-4 record. Two of those four losses, not pretty.
What he has going for him: The EIWA is likely to take three to the NCAA DI championships. I honestly don't know if finishing 1st, 2nd or 3rd is going to happen for Ebert this season or not. What I do know or at least feel strongly about, is that he can be the 4th best wrestler in the bracket. If he can find himself in that consolation final, with qualification on the line, perhaps he can pull it off.
What he has going against him: As said, the EIWA looks like it is likely to only allot the top 3 to the NCAA DI championships this season. As of right now, on paper, due to an 8-0 major decision loss to Will Ebert, Tyler Bienus looks to be the 5th best man.
What he has going for him: The Bison pulled off a very impressive 4-2 win over Aiden Brenot here a couple of weeks ago. In a sport with so much parity & turn around, gotta think that it's not out of the question that he ends his EIWA run with a top 3 finish.
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| Jaden Bullock Virginia Tech |
What He has going against him: A 12-10 record & some not so great losses among those 10 losses.
What he has going for him: The 2024 NCAA DI qualifier despite some ugly losses this season, also has some quality wins. He defeated Tomas Brooker 8-6 & he also owns a 4-3 decision over Ian Bush. There's still enough time between now & the end of the season to logically see the ACC allot 3 spots to the NCAA DI championships. In that case, the third spot is likely to be Bullock's.
Let's say that the ACC does not & come qualification time, there are only 2 spots available. Bullock wrestled Chase Kranitz recently, dropping a 9-6 decision. The type of match that could have gone either way. A likely ACC semi-final, with qualification on the line, that Bullock can win.
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| T.J. McDonnell Oregon State |
What he has going against him: The PAC-12 is likely to only allot the champion to the NCAA DI championships.
What he has going for him: The 2025 NCAA DI qualifier is currently 0-2 against likely PAC-12 finals opponent Cesar Garza. However, both matches this season have been extremely close. He wrestled the Mustang to an 8-6 decision back in November & more recently he took him into the tiebreakers before ultimately dropping a 5-3 decision. The old saying is often true. It's hard to beat a good wrestler three times in a row.
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| Will Ebert Binghamton |
What he has going against him: Having made JT1Wrestle's "Best to Not qualify" list in both 2024 & 2025, I was expecting a lot more out of Will Ebert in '25-'26. Unfortunately, things haven't been going the Bearcat's way, as he currently holds a 5-4 record. Two of those four losses, not pretty.
What he has going for him: The EIWA is likely to take three to the NCAA DI championships. I honestly don't know if finishing 1st, 2nd or 3rd is going to happen for Ebert this season or not. What I do know or at least feel strongly about, is that he can be the 4th best wrestler in the bracket. If he can find himself in that consolation final, with qualification on the line, perhaps he can pull it off.
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| Tyler Bienus Bucknell |
What he has going against him: As said, the EIWA looks like it is likely to only allot the top 3 to the NCAA DI championships this season. As of right now, on paper, due to an 8-0 major decision loss to Will Ebert, Tyler Bienus looks to be the 5th best man.
What he has going for him: The Bison pulled off a very impressive 4-2 win over Aiden Brenot here a couple of weeks ago. In a sport with so much parity & turn around, gotta think that it's not out of the question that he ends his EIWA run with a top 3 finish.
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