Hosted by the Red Raiders of Northwestern College, the GPAC looks to be well represented this season with some tough wrestlers in each weight class.
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| 125 |
As he has most of the season, I expect former Cal State Bakersfield Road-Runner RayRay Harris to completely dominate the GPAC this weekend. Thus far in '25-'26, he has won the Friends Falcon Invitational, while taking 2nd at the Mile High Open. I expect teammate Isaac Gibbs, a former NJCAA standout for Indian Hills to be his opponent in the finals.
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| 133 |
In one of the deepest weight classes in the GPAC, look for Doane to once again illustrate their talents in the lower weight classes. Matt Terrence, a GPAC champion last year has looked very good this year at various times. 3rd at the Mile High, he was 4th at Oppenheim. Looking to knock him off will be Paul Ruff, a Central Missouri NCAA DII transfer, who won the Hastings Open earlier this year. The War for bronze looks to be a triple threat between Kipp Cordes, Dante Rigal & Jarrod Gilliam. Rigal has back-to-back 3rd place GPAC showings already, as both he & Gilliam decided not to wrestle one another when they met in the 7th place match at the Missouri Valley Invitational.
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| 141 |
Is host NWC going to get a GPAC champion this year? I know I'd sure like to see it. I'm not even sure why I'm worried about it. Noah Parmelee, 3rd at last year's GPAC championships is looking like an All-American this year. Making the finals of a very tough Oppenheim Open. My only concern here is Steve Barnes of Concordia. A guy that has a few tricks up his sleeve, 3rd at the Hastings Open.
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| #10 Caden Eggleton Morningside 149 |
GPAC only sending one here at 149 and I'd be shocked if it was anyone other than Caden Eggleston of Morningside.
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| 157 |
I speak a lot to the best yet to make All-American status & without a doubt, Ben Miller is within the top 5 of the NAIA. He has the opportunity this weekend to become a three-time GPAC champion & the only thing standing in his way would be last year's GPAC runner-up Hagen Heistand. Thus far this year Miller has won the Oppenheim Open (which he also won last year) & he finished 3rd at the Mile High Open.
I don't see these plans being spoiled. I think things will happen on the mat as they will on paper. However, I do not want to overlook the talent of Jordan Tobias. You don't just walk into a 4th place finish at the Missouri Valley Invitational. You have to earn it.
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| 165 |
3rd & 2nd in previous GPAC finishes, Zander Ernst a 2024 NAIA All-American returns looking to add a gold medal to his collection of bronze and silver. Here to challenge him will be Cole Price, a former NJCAA All-American for Iowa Central, who has won the Hastings Open & placed 3rd at Oppenheim so far this season. A tough Jackson Remmers will also be in the bracket.
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| 174 |
Jagger Tyler & Teagan Foreman opted not to wrestle one another when they met in the consolation finals at the Missouri Valley Invitational. Should they meet in the finals of the GPAC championships, I wonder if it'll again be a double forfeit. Not guarantee of such a final as Jake Prudek could pull off an upset. Prudek was 3rd at the Mile High earlier this season.
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| 184 |
One of the most interesting careers in collegiate wrestling, two-time NAIA runner-up Tyson Beauperthuy has the opportunity to become a three-time GPAC champion this weekend. I can't see anyone stopping him from achieving that goal. Barrett Brandt, 4th at last year's GPAC championships & a running up at Hastings, looks to be his finals opponent. Not sure if Nate McDonald will wrestle here or not, but if so, he was 6th at Missouri Valley & a champion at the Service Salute.
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| 197 |
Champion of the Friends Falcon Invite & the Oppenheim Open earlier this season, look for Jaren Jackson to pick up another gold medal here at the GPAC championships. Torrance Keehn, 3rd at the Hastings Open, should be our runner-up.
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| HWT |
R12 at last year's NAIA championships & 3rd in the GPAC, Zeph Sivels looks to win a GPAC title this weekend & earn that All-American honor that narrowly escaped him last season. Duking it out in a probable semi-final will likely be Gabe Kant a former NJCAA standout for Labette & Koen Mattern of Hastings. Kant 3rd at the Dakota Wesleyan Open earlier this season & Mattern champion at the Friends Falcon Invitational.
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