Keystone Classic Preview (11-21-21)

 

The 25th Annual Keystone Classic will take place tomorrow hosted by the University of Pennsylvania. A tournament mostly consisting of teams in the northeast, this season Appalachian State will also be competing. 

125 

Smith is the favorite here and I don't see him having much trouble in securing a title.  His opponent in the finals will most likely either be Mininno or Jones, which should be a very good semi-final.  The last the two met Jones won a back and forth 10-8 decision.  Curious to see what Miller does against the competition. 

133 

A rather competitive weight, any way you slice it we're looking at two good semi-finals, a good final and a good consolation final.  Colaiocco I would think would be the #1 seed here, but I'm anxious to see who gets the #2 nod between Russell and Koehler.  Russell is currently ranked higher, but Koehler won their one and only head to head matchup by a 6-5 decision. Either way it doesn't really matter because a #2 and a #3 seed if they win out, meet in the semi-finals.  Colaiocco will have a tough one himself in Carter, who could still end up the Mountaineers starter before the season is said and done. He recently took Russell into sudden victory at the Mountaineer Open. 

141 

Kinner by ranking and result looks to be the #1 seed here. He owns a 5-0 decision over Ferrante who finished runner-up here the last time the tournament was held.  Brito looks to be the #2 seed, but I wouldn't overlook Gil who finished 3rd the last time the tournament was held. Bell is currently redshirting but if he enters the tournament, it makes it all the tougher. Gil could really use a good tournament and a high placing. One of the better wrestlers yet to make the NCAA tournament in his career, he's not going to get any favors along the way.  He's going to have to pull off those upsets and win those big matches. He'll have plenty of opportunity here. 

149 

I'm anxious to see how the seeding turns out in this bracket. Millner is a good 10 spaces ahead of Artalona in the rankings but the last the two met Artalona lit Millner up in a 21-4 technical fall that ended with a minute to go in the third period.  If result trumps ranking, Millner could possibly be challenged in a semi-final with Madrigal. Madrigal finally poked through at the bottom of the rankings, but I think he's better than that.  He'll have the chance to prove it here. Another guy to keep an eye on will be Nichter who looks to place in the top 6. 

157 

Zapf won this tournament the last time it was held and he's going to have plenty of challenge in defending his title.  The #2 seed will most likely go to Bond with Kropman getting the #3.  If that semi-final takes place, I see it being a very good one.  I say if for the simple fact that both Palumbo and Jaffe strike me as the type to pull off an upset. Palumbo has already proven that he can wrestle well in big tournaments as he defeated Kropman at the EIWA"s last season 10-4.  For the record, Kropman avenged that loss 8-5 at the NCAA's.  Lastly I'll say that Silverstein hasn't looked too good so far this year, but I'd still say he poses a threat to placing top 6. 

165 

The Crimson have an opportunity to crown a champion here in Conigliaro who should take the #1 seed.  He'll have challenge from either Formato or Barczak which should be our semi-final on the other side of the bracket.  Look for Revano and Kistler to both fight for a spot on the award stand in their own tournament. 

174 

Look forward to finals match between O'Malley and Flitz, with O'Malley favored to win.  The Dragon who finished 3rd the last time this tournament was held owns a 7-3 decision over the Mountaineer.  Look for Kim to finish a strong 3rd. 

184 

O'Malley will be our #1 seed here as his biggest challenge looks to be from Walton. The last the two met O'Malley won in a tiebreaker.  Walton is one of those wrestlers that seems to always be in the match, but to always lose it by a hair.  On paper, he's not currently ranked, but on the mat he has the ability to be a top 20 wrestler, maybe even better than that.  Winning this tournament would be huge for him.  Look for Blakely and Davis to battle for a top 6 showing. 

197 

I think we have a three way war for the title here.  Correnti is currently the only one ranked out of these three, but the last he stepped on the mat with Stith, Stith won an 11-5 decision. With that said, Fiscella owns a 3-2 decision over Stith.  1st, 2nd, 3rd, I see these guys finishing in any order.  

HWT 

Laird is currently redshirting so not 100% positive if he'll be entering this tournament or not. If so, the finals between himself and Slavilouski should be very good. Matter of fact, it might even be the match of the tournament.  Both of these guys are AA material. 

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Should be a fun little tournament.  An opportunity for the southern kids in the hills of Appalachian to see how they fare against kids from the Ivy league of the northeast.  A chance for some overlooked, unknowns to pull off an upset or two and gain the attention of those who thus far have them unranked. 

Life Open Preview (11-20-21)

 Talk about a who's who in NAIA wrestling. Holy Cow.  Other than the NAIA national tournament itself, this may very well be the toughest tournament in NAIA wrestling.  We're talking....

#1 Grand View
#2 Life 
#4 Southeastern
#6 Reinhardt 
#9 Campbellsville
#10 Cumberlands 
#15 Thomas More
#20 Lindsey Wilson 

That's 8 of the top teams in the nation doing battle this Saturday. 

125 

Last year's NAIA champion Brandon Orum looks to take the top seed here, but you better believe he has a target on his back and Grand View's Portillo is the NR.1 Barrett M82 with his sights deadlocked, finger on the trigger ready to shoot.  Last season Orum upset Portillo in the national semi-finals & Portillo has been dying for a rematch ever since.  This likely final could not only be the match of the tournament, but the match of all collegiate wrestling this weekend.  Also in this bracket is #5 ranked Isaac Crowell the Pennsylvanian competing in the sunshine state who was 7th in the nation last season. He along with Millner and Horton look to place high in the tournament. 

133

Predicting a final between Hudson and Taylor here.  Hudson was 8th in the nation last season at 125, while Taylor finished 4th at 133.  Should be a very good match.  Land who finished one match shy of All American status last season will fight with DeShazar and Wharton for 3rd place. 

141 

A rather loaded bracket led by NAIA runner-up Moore.  I'm seeing a semi-final between him and Ruffridge on one side of the bracket and on the other between Nickel and Leon, a rematch of last year's 7th place bout at the NAIA's which Nickel won by an 10-8 score.  Kelly and Sindihebura are both top 12 wrestlers at the moment who look to prove themselves as top 8. They more than have the opportunity to do so here.  Look for Silverstre, Bates and McGlamery to fight for a place on the award stand. 

149 

Remember how I said that this tournament was going to be like an NAIA national tournament before the NAIA national tournament?  I meant what I said.  This weight class is L-O-A-D-E-D.  We could see a rematch of last year's NAIA final between Bond and Stonecheck, in which Bond won by an 11-4 score.  However, we might not as Stonecheck could meet last year's NAIA 4th place finisher Latimer in the semi-finals, who he defeated in the NAIA semi-finals last year 9-6.  That's a match that could go either way.  Far from done, NAIA 7th placer Anderson is here. If that's not tough enough, think we also have Johnson in this bracket who was 3rd at 141 lbs last season.  Add in Brown who was R12 in the NAIA's last season plus Marvel, Souder and Hernandez.  If 149 lbs is competing on a mat, you'll most likely want to see the match.  

UPDATE: Well, now the bracket is EVEN tougher believe it or not! I accidentally read something wrong and I had Grand View's Tanner Abbas at 157 where he was 6th in the nation last season. Looks like he went down a weight to 149.  As if this weight wasn't tough enough already! 

157 

Let's talk about this weight class for second.  We have the NAIA returning NAIA 3rd place finisher Wichman, the returning NAIA 4th place finisher Smallwood and the returning NAIA 5th place finisher Bass.  On top of it we also have both Almond and Luallen who were each one match shy of All American last season.  Add in Silva who won an NJCAA title for North Idaho last season and we have ourselves one heck of a bracket.  There will be a ton of rematches here, presenting the opportunity for vengeance and most of all illustrating the parity as well as the back and forth nature of our sport.  

Wichman defeated Bass 4-3 in the NAIA consolation semi-finals
Wichman pnned Smallwood at 3:36 for 3rd place at the NAIA's 
Smallwood defeated Luallen 11-4 in R2 at the NAIA's 
Bass maj Almond 15-7 in R1 at the NAIA's

165 

A lot of great talent in this weight class.  Smith was 4th in the NAIA championships last year, as Ohl placed 5th.  Now up two weight classes Margolis (sorry about the spelling above) was 3rd at 149 in the NAIA last season.  Not 100% sure how the seeding will go but a semi-final between Margolis and Ohl or Margolis and Smith either way is going to be a good one.   Look for Koontz, McNutt and Sellmer to be your other place-winners. 

174 

Predicting a final between Eichert and Randles, who met in the NAIA quarter-finals last season where Eichert won an 8-2 decision. Randles came back to take 3rd place, while Eichert was one of the few people to give Graceland's Brennan Swafford (Now at Iowa) a match in a 10-7 loss in the finals.  A strong candidate for 3rd place here is Sallah who finished one match shy of All American status, but he'll certainly have plenty of challenge from Bryant, Tenety, Swank, Sellers and James.  

184

#1 seed here I would imagine will go to Lee who after a first round loss at last year's NAIA championships battled all the way back to a 3rd place finish.  #2 seed most likely Hadwan, although I think the guy that could win this bracket is Richardson. Richardson is who defeated Lee in the first round at the NAIA's last season by a score of 5-2.  He himself finished one match shy of All American, while as mentioned Lee came back to take 3rd.  You know that has to leave a bitter taste in Richardson's mouth.   Also in this bracket is Jacobs, who also finished one match shy of All American last season.  Add in Rypel, Starke & Perovic and we have ourselves a very competitive bracket. 

197 

Watching Lanham dismantle North Carolina's Max Shaw who is still ranked in the top 30 among NCAA Division I was enough to make me question if anyone will challenge the Running Eagle this season.  He'll certainly be tested here.  In this bracket with him, is Mayer who finished 7th to Lanham's 3rd at the NAIA championships last season.  Braun himself before transferring to Southeastern was an NCAA Division I qualifier for Northern Illinois.  With wins over many top DI wrestlers including Andrew Davison of Northwestern, Greg Bulsak of Rutgers and Matt Wroblewski of Illinois, we could be looking at Lanham's greatest threat.  Braungardt and Henderson will also be looking for spots on the award stand. 

HWT 

Like 157 lbs, this truly is like a mini-NAIA tournament.  Last season at the NAIA's Hagan defeated Johnson in a tiebreaker rideout in the semi-finals.  Hagan finished as the NAIA runner-up, while Johnson came back to take 3rd. This could very well end up our final in this tournament and it'll be every bit as tough of a match.  Also in this bracket we have Pryor who finished 6th at the NAIA's last season along with Pierce and Faglier who were both one win shy of All American status.  Add in Powell and Jarvis, and we have ourselves a barnburner of a bracket. 

Last year's NAIA tournament results involving the above talent. 

Johnson fall Powell 1:43 (Round 2)
Johnson dec Pryor 5-1 (Consolation Semi-finals)
Hagan dec Johnson 3-3 t.b. (semi-finals) 
Pryor dec Powell 6-0 (Consolation Round 3)
Pryor maj Faglier 13-2 (Round of 12) 
Pierce dec Jarvis 2-0 (Consolation Round 3) 

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As you can tell this is going to be an extraordinarily tough tournament full of some great action!  One of the best NAIA tournaments of the season!  

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Highlight Matches to look Forward to in Campbell Vs Virginia (11-20-21)

 

This is going to be a great dual between two of the best southern teams in NCAA Division I wrestling.  Six matches on the evening of wrestling stick out in particularly as the Camels take on the Cavaliers. 


125 - Anthony Molton Vs Patrick McCormick

The last Molton and McCormick met McCormick won a convincing 8-2 decision. However since that time Molton has made vast improvements in his wrestling and McCormick with a recent loss to American's Andrew Fallon shows his vulnerability to being upset.  Both of these guys have a lot to prove in this match. Molton to illustrate his progress and McCormick to show that despite having a bad day, he's still got it. A win is big either way. 


141 - Shannon Hanna Vs Dylan Cedeno

Both Hanna and Cedeno have looked solid, as neither have yet to hit the rankings.  Hanna scored a 12-5 victory over Hunter Lewis of North Carolina Stae and Cedeno owns a 5-4 victory over Kai Orrine of North Carolina State.  This should prove to be a very good match, one important to both teams in this dual. 

149 - Josh Heil Vs Jared Verkleeren 

Thus far this season Heil has looked solid in victories over Oregon State's Corey Crooks and Lehigh's Jimmy Hoffman.  A win over Verkleeren would add to his list of notable victories.  Verkleeren on the other hand is looking for that first big W while competing for his new home, and if he can upset Heil he'll have it.   

165 - Troy Nation Vs Justin McCoy 

On paper  McCoy is highly favored in this match, and favored to win by a respectable margin.  However, I think Nation will show that he's a better match on the mat than he is on paper.  Still would go with McCoy if you're placing any bets, but I think Nation will be a tougher opponent than what most will give him credit for. 

184 - Caleb Hopkins Vs Michael Battista 

While 125 lbs presents an opportunity for the Camels to have an upset over the Cavaliers, 184 lbs presents an opportunity for the Cavaliers to have an upset over the Camels.  At the present him Hopkins is ranked as a top twenty wrestler to Battista's currently being unranked.  A win for Battista would thus be an upset, even though the last the two met Battista won an 11-4 decision. 


HWT -Taye Ghadiali Vs Quinn Miller

Looking very forward to this match. Another that will be absolutely crucial for both teams in this dual.  Predict whoever wins this one, to win by a margin no larger than 2 points.  Ghadiali wrestled very smart and calculated in route to a Wolfpack Open title this past weekend that included close victories over North Carolina State's Deonte Wilson and Virginia Tech's Hunter Catka.   It was the second time this season he defeated Catka in a close match.  Miller on the other hand is 1-1 with Catka, both matches having ended by close scores. 

Navy Classic Open Preview (11-20-2021)

 While not as loaded as in year's past the Navy Classic will still have some great wrestling take place this weekend.  Plenty of opportunity for those who have yet to make their mark this season to do so in this tournament. 

125

Allen easily takes the cake here as the #1 seed and as long as he wrestles smart, he should win a title competing on his own mats. He owns a 5-1 victory over Heil, a 10-7 victory over Ferri and he is the highest ranked of the competition. Ferri will most likely be seed #2 and if he makes the semis looks to have a tough match with Heil who should be seed #3.  The Golden Flash is 1-1 with the Viking thus far, winning a 7-4 decision and dropping an 8-6 decision. Heil himself owns a 1:18 fall over Werner, who in his own right could be the monkey wrench in this bracket.  So far this season he hasn't been the bolt of lightning that I thought he might.  His inconsistency always makes his outcome difficult to predict. He's lost to Ferri 12-1, but he's also defeated him 5-3 & 9-5.  Then the bracket also includes Fallon, who upset Pat McCormick of Virginia a while as well as Lujan who looked very good in a 6-5 decision over Pittsburgh's Colton Camacho.  

133 

Foley won this tournament a few seasons ago and it looks like history is going to repeat itself. I don't even see him being remotely challenged.  As to who will be his finals opponent? The clear favorite is Guillen, who owns a 2:23 fall over Rhone and is the only other wrestler ranked in the bracket.  With that said I think the opportunity for upset and to go from unranked to ranked presents itself for the rest of the field. Anxious to see who places where. 

141 

Miller will be the #1 seed here as he continues to prove himself at 141 lbs after being 133 the past two seasons.  What should be a barnburner of a semi-final between Willochell and Santos will determine his finals opponent. Earlier this season Willochell defeated Santos 12-10 sudden victory in a match full of plenty of action.  Newell and Hagan should both place within the top 6. 

149 

Hagan was the runner-up here two seasons ago and is the clear favorite to win this year.  He is 4-0 Vs Komara owning a 2:44 over the Golden Flash as well as 6-0, 4-3 and 5-4 decisions.  Komara owns a 2:29 fall over Robinson, which will put him at the higher seed over the Viking.  However, Omania could get the higher seed over Komara.  In my opinion, we're looking at three of the best unranked wrestlers in the country.  For any of them to upset Hagan would be great for their season. 

157 

This is the weight class to pay attention to and watch.  A lot of interesting things could happen in this bracket.  My guess would be that Saldate takes the #1 seed, but trust me, he'll be more than challenged. Cerniglia and Barton , who I'll guess to be seeds #2 & #3 pose threat, but the buck does NOT stop there. Both Slivka and Casto are inconsistent as well as prone to lose when they shouldn't, BUT they can also both be down right dangerous when they want to be. I also wouldn't dare overlook Showers or Patten in any of these potential matchups and Carida will fight amongst the rest for a top 6 showing himself. 

165 

Hartman is the #1 seed and clear favorite to win this bracket, but I say not only can Tucker challenge him, but he will. Tucker is a top twenty wrestler in the nation right now, that has the unlocked potential to be a top 8.  He needs a victory like this and what better place to start than the Navy Classic? For the record, he won this tournament two seasons ago.  As to the rest of the bracket it'll be interesting to see how it shapes up.  You have six wrestlers fighting for the remaining four spots on the award stand.  Who I'm most interested in seeing is Pappas. Thus far this season he's wrestled like absolute crap. Yet two seasons ago, he took 5th here.  One of those wrestlers who will wrestle well once you've written him off and that is not lost on me. 

174 

A question I've been asking the last three weeks is where is Jacob Oliver?  I'm hoping that this weekend he makes like Andy Griffith in his rendition of Romeo and Juliet showing up at the Navy Classic saying, "I'm right cheer!"  If he does end up wrestling here, I predict a final with Ferree who recently upset Appalachian State's Thomas Flitz 6-5. 

184 

The final on paper here is Malczewski Vs Key, but I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see Nassar in the finals here or to even see him win it.  The last he and Malczewski met, he dropped a tight 4-2 decision.  As to places 4th, 5th, and 6th, I think we have a war for the last three slots on the award stand.  Key's backup Johns has wrestled fairly well this season, who already owns a 4:03 fall over Patrick.  Ducca and McCracken are always tough. Deacetis has impressed so far this season with an 8-0 victor over George Mason's Kyle Davis and an 8-3 decision over Clarion's Max Wohlabaugh.  Thus far freshman Lehman is undefeated and Brown could find himself within the top six as well. 

197 

Caffey who was the runner-up here a couple of seasons ago should be the #1 seed with challenge from both Koser and teammate Vasbinder who should meet in the semi-finals.  Smith looks to finish in 4th place, and with both a fall and tech fall loss to Koser as well as a loss by fall to Caffey, I cannot see him placing higher than that.  Matter of fact, Mousaw of VMI could very well challenge him for that spot. 

HWT 

I think The Citadel has a champion here in McAleavey.  The last he wrestled Spaulding he took care of him in a 13-5 major decision.  I would think Spaulding would be the #2 seed, seeing that he is 3-0 Vs Earnest with 6-2, 3-0 and 3-2 decisions. Rebottaro works into this equation somewhere as well. 

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The thing I love about a tournament like this, is that it gives way for overlooked wrestlers from the smaller schools in the smaller conferences to prove themselves.  On paper you can always be disrespected and ignored, but what you do on the mat can never be denied. Plenty of opportunity presents itself here for the Cleveland States, the Citadels, ect.  We WILL see upsets, take it to the bank.  

Lindenwood Open Preview (11-20-21)

 

This is going to be a fun Open full of great wrestling from Division I, Division II and the NAIA.  Wrestling fans often wonder what the NCAA DI tournament would look like if we still continued to allow the top DII wrestlers to compete as we  did years ago. A tournament like this one gives us a glimpse of what that might look like.  Some of the best in DII and the NAIA could compete this tournament, with the opportunity to defeat their Division I competition.  

125 

The #1 seed here will be Surtin, but he'll have plenty of competition in route to a title and the toughest of that competition could very well be his own teammates.  Punke has defeated him in the past via 3-1 sudden victory, and both Brown and Cardani will be challenges as well.  Cardani himself should be the #2 seed, but his route to the finals will be anything but easy. Depending on seeding, he has lost a 7-0 decision to Brown in the past.  He owns a 4-0 victory over Punke.  As to Cox, he's not defeating any of the top talent here. A 16-0 technical fall loss to Surtin proves that.  What he can do though is find himself in the 5th or 6th slot and I would love to see that.  Love seeing Iowa boys get out and not be afraid to leave the state to compete for other programs.  Lastly I'll say that I was disappointed to not see Cevion Sevarado on the Lindenwood lineup.  He owns a win over Surtin already 4-3, and he kept it close witih him a 5-3 loss.  He also took Cardani to a one point decision 4-3 as well.  He's no longer on the roster though and I cannot find him anywhere else. Hence why he was not included in this preview. 

133

This has the potential to easily be the best weight class of the tournament.  When I wrote my Fantasy Warfare: NAIA Vs NCAA Division III article a lot of wrestling fans responded that the comparison that should have been made should have been between NAIA and NCAA Division II.  Well, this is very well where that comparison could be made on the mat.  Representing NCAA Division II will be last year's 3rd place finisher Tanner Cole of Central Oklahoma and last year's 7th place finisher Tanner Hitchcock of Lindenwood.  Hitchcock defeated Cole at the Regional in a tight 3-2 decision, but Cole rebounded with a vengeance by defeating Hitchcock 12-3 at DII Nationals.  Within the NAIA, we get a real treat as the three best wrestlers the NAIA has to offer will be in competition.  Champion Connor Gimson, runner-up Esco Walker and 3rd place Mat Gimson.  The best of the NAIA Vs some of the best in DII.  

Almost positive that DI All American Byrd will be the #1 seed here and anxious to see if any of this DII or NAIA talent might be able to challenge him for the title.  Among the other DI talent listed, I think both the DII and NAIA competitors could get some nice victories.  Only the top 6 place at this tournament. It's inevitable that some very good wrestlers won't place. 

141

Carr has yet to compete this season but I would think that if he does enter here he is going to be the #1 seed. If not, then the #1 seed is clearly Hart.  Hart owns two victories over Ervin 4-2 sudden victory and 8-0 major decision. He has also defeated Smith twice by a fall in 3:21 and a 7-5 decision.  The question here would be whether to give Ervin the #2 seed or give it to Smith.  Both are 2-0 vs Keim.  Ervin defeated him by scores of 8-4 and 5-4, whereas Smith defeated him by scores of 9-1 and 4-1.  I would think that Keim gets the higher seed over Kuster seeing that he's ranked higher and he won their last meeting 4-3. Keep in mind though that overall Keim is 1-5 against Kuster.  Then somewhere in all of this mess, Mulkey who has kept it close in many matches Vs DI competition fits in.  As of right now, IF Carr enters this is how I would seed this particular bracket.  If Carr is not entered, move everyone up a spot.  

#1 Carr
#2 Hart
#3 Smith
#4 Ervin 
#5 Keim 
#6 Kuster 
#7 Mulkey 

Really hoping to see Keim Vs Kuster again.  See if Keim really has finally figured Kuster out or if in many matches, its simply a case of you're bound to get beat at least once.  

149 

Duncan finished 5th in the nation at 141 lbs last season and Mauller finished 5th at 149. I would think that since this is 149 lbs, that Mauller gets the nod over Duncan in the seeding.  I think the only reason why Duncan might get the nod over Mauller, is because Mauller is redshirting.  As to the rest of the bracket?  Edmond at 12-0 is most likely going to be the #3 seed.  Kanzler, who has thus far shown great worth as a backup looking at #4.  Two time DII 3rd placer Landoff #5 and Filippo #6, with Tyus at #7 is how I would put it.  Landoff has defeated Filippo in two close matches 7-4 & 2-1 tiebreaker.  The person I'm most interested in seeing here is Kanzler.  Duncan like Carr, has yet to wrestle this year and as far as I'm concerned, if he doesn't compete here and Kanzler does, then Kanzler deserves a spot in the rankings.  If he's able to wrestle here like he did at the Michigan State Open, he could find himself in the finals.  

157 

Jacques will take the #1 seed here and should cruise to a title.  See him facing either Lucas who he already owns a 10-0 victory over or Gentile in the finals.  The likely semi-final between Lucas and Gentile will be a good one. I would say that since Gentile was NCAA DII runner-up to Lucas' 5th last season that he gets the higher seed, but in their only head to head matchup Lucas won a 1-0 decision.   I would like to see Kristoff with a good tournament.  His grandfather Larry Kristoff was a multiple time World medalist and NCAA Division II champion for SIU-Carbondale who started the wrestling program at SIUE.  

165 

I think most likely we see a finals here between O'Toole and Braunagel that favors the Tiger over the Illini.  With that said I have a feeling that the guy to watch here could very well be Smith.  Before Old Dominion dropped their program he put together a respectable 30-16 record. He finished 3rd last year at the NAIA championships which included a 8-0 victory over Vaoifi who finished 6th.  Wilson was an NJCAA champion for Ellsworth Community College in 2020, who went 6-8 last season at 149 lbs for the Cougars.  Look forward to what could be the 3rd place match between him and Smith. Vaoifi capable of placing top 6 himself. 

174 

This is where NCAA Division II really has the opportunity to prove itself.  Romero was the DII champion last season and if it were up to me I'd give him the #1 seed.  With that said, he has a tremendous challenge in Mocco, who himself is a top 12 wrestler in NCAA Division I.  A win for Romero here would be big for him and for DII.  For those who continue to make the argument that DII champs belong in the DI bracket in March a win makes for excellent testimony. If instead Mocco is given the #1 seed and Romero is given the #2, he'll most likely then have to go through Illinois' Shannon, who himself would be another noteworthy victory for the lion. 

184 

You want NAIA vs DII? I'll give you NAIA vs DII.  In this bracket we will have the 2021 NAIA champ Vermillion and the 2021 NCAA DII champ Gray.  This is a match I predict to see in the consolation finals, although I am not ruling out an upset by either one of them in their semi-final matches against what should be Braunagel and Kent.  As to Braunagel and Kent, I see this being a good match with an opportunity for the Illini to pull off an upset over the Tiger.  Not to be forgotten, I think Wempen could find himself competing in the 5th place match. 

197 

I tell you what, that Rocky Elam is something else.  Still technically only a freshman, I can guarantee we're looking at a five time All American and most likely before his career is all said and done a national champion.  I think he'll toss and throw his way through this entire tournament. With that said, Marriott is a heck of a back up and I think he illustrates it this tournament. It wouldn't surprise me at all to see him in the finals against Elam.  Really puts it into perspective doesn't it?  Abney could very likely win the NCAA DII title at the end of this season, while Marriott graduates a backup.  Simply goes to show how even making a varsity lineup in itself is a tremendous accomplishment.  The Abney/Marriott match as well as the Abney/Wroblewski match should either or both happen, will be great test in the DII vs DI debate.  Look for Rendleman to fight for a spot in the top 6. 

HWT 

I think this tournament presents a grand opportunity for McKiernan who I would guess gets the #3 seed.  Looking at facing Luffman in the semi-finals and if he can get the upset there, he's likely to face Elam in the finals.  He's beaten Elam before, pinning him in sudden victory.  He's also taken him into overtime as well, dropping a 6-4 decision. It's not lost on me that Elam has also majored McKiernan 11-1 as well as defeated him 5-1. It's simply a match that McKiernan can win.  When I wrote my preseason team previews, I said that McKiernan has gotten more and more conservative throughout the years. As a freshman he seemed to have a nothing to lose, go for it, just wrestle mentality.  That has developed into a timid, more worried about winning that wrestling approach.  This is simply from a fan's perspective watching from a distance, but it is what I see. Ability wish he has the tools to beat these guys ranked way above him. He goes out there and just wrestles, he will.  As to the NAIA, likely to see a championship consolation semi-final rematch between DePiazza and Isaac.  DePiazza won via fall at the 3:34 mark as he went on to place 4th to Isaac's 5th. 


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Great tournament full of great representation from DI, DII and the NAIA! 

Arizona State Vs Oklahoma Preview (11-19-2021)

 If you're the type of person who enjoys an evenly matched dual full of matches that could go either way then this is the dual for you!

125- Brandon Courtney Vs Joey Prata  

You have a returning NCAA finalist against a guy who wasn't even the varsity starter last season. On paper this one highly favors Courtney, but I'm telling you right now, this one is a toss up. If you compare like opponents, they are fairly even.  Courtney has defeated opponents that Prata has lost to & Prata has defeated opponents that Courtney has lost to.  Prata is coming into this undefeated on the season with a Michigan State Open title and Courtney is coming into this undefeated on the season with a Mountaineer Open title. This is going to be a good match that presents itself the opportunity for a huge upset. 

133 - Michael McGee Vs Anthony Madrigal 

The last time the two met, McGee took it to Madrigal in a 13-3 major decision.  I don't think that will happen this time.  At the moment the two are only separated by two spots in the rankings and I think Madrigal shows the massive improvement he has made in this match.  Upset McGee? He wrestles like he did at the Michigan State Open where he upset Illinois' Lucas Byrd and Michigan State's Rayvon Foley, that is a very real possibility.  We're looking at a good match here. 


141 - Jesse Vasquez Vs Dom Demas 

This is one that highly favors the Sooners on paper, but again one that I think will be closer on the mat.  Vasquez showed with an impressive title at the Mountaineer Open that he's going to turn out to be a point getter for the Sun Devils.  Do I see him getting a victory over Demas? No, but I do think he'll keep the Sooner to a decision. Might even keep the Sooner to a point. 

149 - Kyle Parco Vs Mitch Moore 

The way Parco looked at the Mountaineer Open, I wouldn't blame anyone if they were to call for a major decision, but I've seen Mitch Moore in action enough to know that he'll be up for this match.  I wouldn't call this a tossup, Parco is highly favored and I think he'll win without much of a threat, but I only see a decision.  

157 - Jacori Teemer Vs Justin Thomas 

This match is an oddity. Teemer was an All American last season and he's ranked quite a bit higher than Thomas. However, he's 0-2 against Thomas.  As quick and relentless as Teemer is on the mat against a majority of his competition, Thomas has been able to shutdown his offense each time the two have met.  Winning decisions of 8-4 & 6-2 scores, Thomas crowds Teemer giving him no space for his go to outside shots, capitalizing upon his mistakes. It's a strategy that has thus far worked twice against the Sun Devil.   I think either way you sort of have to call this one an upset.  Thomas wins, he beats an All American, ranked higher than him.  Teemer wins, he finally beats a guy who has frustrated the heck of out of him the last two times they've met. 

165 - Anthony Valencia Vs Troy Mantanona 

Six matches into previewing this dual and this is the first time I think we'll see domination on the mat.  Major, tech or fall, Valencia will score bonus points for the Sun Devils in this one.  


174 - Cael Valencia Vs Anthony Mantanona 

I'm not sure how much betting is actually going to be going on in NCAA wrestling this season, but I would imagine that Mantanona has to be a bookie's worst nightmare. The safe bet on this one would be to go with Valencia, but as bad as Mantanona can look in one match, he can turn around and look phenomenal in the next.  He might walk out of this match losing 14-0 or he might walk out with his hand raised. This match could mean bonus points for the Sun Devils or it might mean decision points for the Sooners.  

184 - Josh Nummer Vs Darrien Roberts 

In all 10 matches of the evening this is the only other one where we'll see a dominant victory. This time the major, tech or pin will go to the Sooner.  There's no reason at all why Robert shouldn't get bonus points for his team in this one. 


197 - Kordell Norfleet Vs Jake Woodley 

The last time these two met it came right down to the wire with Norfleet winning a 4-3 tiebreaker.  The Sun Devil is ranked a couple of spots ahead of the Sooner and winning this match will be as good for his confidence as it will be for keeping or even improving his ranking. He was one win shy of All American last season, whereas Woodley finished 6th.  This is a very important match for both of these guys and it might very well come down to the tiebreakers once again. 


HWT - Cohlton Schultz Vs Josh Heindselman 

Heindselman recently shocked me with a 3-2 loss to West Virginia's Michael Wolfgram.  I would expect that with a loss like that Schultz would come in here and just take it to Heindselman, but that's also what I thought would happen the last time the two met.  Instead Schultz squeaked by in a rather uneventful 3-2 decision. So who knows what will happen?  


==== 

We have a heck of a good dual here.  Lots of "What if's" and lots of tossups.  Will be a fun one. 

Spencer Lee to Face his Toughest Competition Right Out of The Gate

 

Spencer Lee of Iowa Looks to win his fourth NCAA title this season 

Throughout the years of collegiate wrestling, every now and again we'll be treated to the likes of a phenomenal sensation such as Spencer Lee.  Dominant throughout their younger years, by the time they are a senior we often wonder, "Will anyone challenge them this season?"  "CAN anyone challenge them this season?"  It reminds me of Cael Sanderson back in the 2001-2002 season, twenty years ago who entered his final season undefeated with three national titles.  The question wasn't whether anyone could beat him or not.  The question was could anyone go the distance with him? Who could keep from getting pinned or tech'd?  Could anyone keep themselves from getting majored? 

The answer all those years ago was a sophomore from Lehigh by the name of Jon Trenge.  While everyone else was going out on the mat to get completely annihilated by Sanderson in a series of takedowns and backpoints, it was the Mountain Hawk who slowed down the pace and lost by a respectable 6-1 decision.  Suddenly the wrestling fans had their answer.  Who could give Sanderson a match? Jon Trenge. 

Jon Trenge who gave Cael Sanderson the closest match of his senior season 

As luck would have it, Trenge dominated his way to the NCAA finals to get a second shot against whom many to this day still consider to be the greatest collegiate wrestler of all time.  This time Sanderson was able to get the major in a 12-4 decision.  Still a much closer match than anyone else gave him that season.  

Now the question is, who will be Lee's Jon Trenge this season? 

Patrick Glory of Princeton 

You're looking at him, Pat Glory of Princeton. That is your answer.  Lee is going to pin, tech and major his way through this season.  He'll get on the mat and dominate nearly every opponent he steps on the mat with.  All, but maybe two.  Vitali Arujau of Cornell is the other one who might go the distance with Lee this season.   As to Glory, the first time he met Lee, Lee garnered a technical fall 18-2.  The next time the two met, Glory kept it to a 12-6 decision.  Can Glory tighten the gap even more?  Hard to say.  The Ivy League didn't do him any favors by keeping Princeton out of action last season, but maybe that time away might actually work to his advantage.  In the room with him he has two time NCAA champion Joe Dubuque, who you know is working with him night and day in effort to figure out a way to win this match.   Lee is just so good. I don't see him being upset but I can see Glory getting a takedown or a reversal or doing something inside of Carver Hawkeye Arena to get a gasp from the crowd that will be heard throughout all of Iowa City, North Liberty and Coralville.   Glory keep this match within 4 points?  At this point, that in itself is a victory. 


The worst thing that can happen in this situation is for Iowa to sit Lee and we see Ybarra instead. Nothing against Yabarra, but we wrestling fans deserve better. You go to a dual like this to see a match like this.  It's the Marquee of the evening. The Main Event.  The type of match that puts rear-ends into the seats. The type of match where someone sitting at home has a choice between watching wrestling or something else on the tube, and because of it, they're sticking to wrestling.   (For the record if Lee is not 100% ready to go and not 100% healthy, I 100% support, recognize and respect that.  Health is #1.  Not afraid to say though and be vocal that I'm not a fan of protecting rankings/future seeds.  Be mad if you will, I think it's unethical and doesn't belong in our sport. Have your opinion, I have mine.) 

Your's truly will be in attendance for this dual and I'm anxious to see how Princeton fares against the #1 team in the nation.  I've been following wrestling ever since my dad took me to my first dual meet in November of 1991.  The Brands were seniors that year! Hard to believe that I've been watching collegiate wrestling that long.  I tell you I've seen some great Iowa Hawkeye teams, but I don't hesitate to say that top to bottom, this is the best team I've ever seen.  Iowa has never put 10 wrestlers on the award stand at the NCAA's before, and I honestly think this will be the year Iowa does it.   

Does Princeton get shut out by the Hawkeyes?   There's a chance, but there's also a chance that Princeton could walk away from this dual with two wins. 


157 - Kaleb Young Vs Quincy Monday 

At this point they're 1-1.  Young owns a 7-4 decision and Monday owns a 3-2 decision.  Young has struggled in high pressure situations in the past, but he's had plenty of time and plenty of coaching to get his head straight and power through these challenges. Monday will be a great test for him on Friday.  At home in front of thousands of black and gold faithful, I think he'll prevail, but it'll be anything but easy.  He'll have one of the toughest challenges of the night. 


184 - Abe Assad/Nelson Brands Vs Travis Stefanik 

Assad or Brands, doesn't matter.  Either of them will struggle with Stefanik.  Stefanik defeated Brands 7-6 and Assad needed sudden victory to defeat the Tiger 7-5.  Regardless of who Iowa starts, we're looking at a competitive match here.  


=== 

To Iowa as a whole, Princeton doesn't give much of a match.  Iowa will win this one by a large marge as they said back in 1985.  However, individually the Hawkeyes will be challenged at a few weights. 

Nebraska Vs North Carolina Preview & Prediction (11-17-2021)

 

I think this is going to be a pretty back and forth dual meet up until 174. The Tar Heels are solid and tough throughout the lower and middle weights but have some struggles in the upper-weights and it'll show in this matchup with the Huskers. 


125 - Liam Cronin Vs Spencer Moore 

I think that Moore can keep this match to a decision but experience more than suggest an upset is out of the question. Looking at something like a 5-2, 6-3 decision out of the Husker. 

NEB: 3 
UNC: 0 

133 - Alex Thomsen vs Jamie Hernandez 

During his freshman season of 2019-2020, we saw glimpses of the potential that Thomsen had. He pinned four time NCAA qualifier Christian Moody of Oklahoma, had a 5-2 win over Malik Heinselman of Ohio Sate, a 17-12 win over Cronin and he even majored All American Eric Barnett of Wisconsin 11-3.  BUT...he's up a weight class, didn't do anything of significance last season and he's up against an opponent ranked in the top 12.  I do think he'll give Hernandez a match.  Can see him getting with a couple of points, but going with the Tar Heel on this one. 

NEB: 3
UNC: 3 

141 - Chad Red Vs Kizhan Clarke 

Red is currently under a bit of fire for an unsportsmanlike gesture Vs Nebraska-Kearney last week. A bit surprising considering that Red is usually a class act on and off the mat.  Nevertheless, some fans as well as personnel within the wrestling community think that our sport would be better off with "heels." (Heels as in bad guys, not as in Tar).  Perhaps Red fits the mold.  Nevertheless, love him or hate him, Red is a multiple time All American with a Darkhorse's shot at the NCAA title this season. A full 7 minutes, certain wrestlers I don't see him upending but as he proved Vs NCAA champion Dean Heil a few seasons ago, you put someone on their back you don't need a full 7 minutes.   I do think that Clarke can keep this to a decision, but he'll want to stay out of upperbody locks and front headlocks in this match. 

NEB: 6
UNC: 3 

149 - Ridge Lovett Vs Zach Sherman 

Lovett is no pushover, but I think Sherman demonstrated by coming within a riding time point of Sammy Sasso last week that he's a national title contender.  Lovett I think is too tough to get majored but Sherman is too tough to overcome.  A two-takedown lead by match's end.  7-2, 8-3 something along those lines. 

NEB: 6
UNC: 6 

157 - Peyton Robb Vs Austin O'Connor 

Can Robb keep himself from getting majored here? Now that I don't know.  O'Connor is an attacker and once he gets in on you, he's going to score. Robb is going to put up the best fight he can, but if O'Connor gets on a roll, there's no stopping him.  I do see major points for the Tar Heels here, but respect that Robb may be able to keep this to a decision. 

NEB: 6
UNC: 10 

165 - Bubba Wilson Vs Sonny Santiago 

Pretty remarkable story of what Wilson went through in the past year and to know that he's now back and ranked.  It's amazing the capability of an individual when they have that type of courage and intestinal fortitude.  I think as he continues to work off the rust of not competing last season, he'll climb that ladder we call rankings.  Predict a solid decision here out of the Husker. 

NEB: 9
UNC: 10 

174 - Mikey Labriola Vs Gavin Kane 

At this point, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if Labriola doesn't feel a bit disrespected and overlooked.  Most of the rankings have him within the top 3 to 5, but among the discussion his name isn't being mentioned as much as it should.  Even those currently ranked below him get more love as a plausible Darkhorse NCAA champion than he does.  I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if he doesn't come out like a grenade six seconds after the pin was pulled. Kane himself is a top 12 wrestler, but  I predict no less than a major decision here. 

NEB: 13 
UNC: 10 

184 - Taylor Venz Vs Mike Chaid 

Venz is another Husker I suspect probably has a chip on his shoulder.  He went into last year's NCAA championships expecting to earn his second All American honor & instead for the second time in his career finished one match shy of placing. I highly doubt he'll walk away denied this season.  Another man on a mission.  I see another major decision here. 

NEB: 17
UNC: 10 

197 Eric Schultz Vs Max Shaw 

Well speaking of chips on the ole shoulder....  Eric Schultz went into last year's NCAA championships the #2 seed.  He was expecting to make the finals.  To come out of the tunnel on red or green carpet and wrestle on television in front of 3/4's of a million people.  Instead he makes an error in round one, finding himself on his back pinned shortly before the end of the second period. You know he's thought of little else the past 8 months.  Shaw thus far this season, hasn't looked the best.  I'm predicting a fall here. 

NEB: 23
UNC: 10 

HWT  Christian Lance Vs Brandon Whitman 

I think this will be a very tight match.  More or less, I think this comes down to who can escape and who can't.  Wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see this match won by a riding time point.  Rankings have me going with Lance, but a Whitman upset would not surprise me.  1-0, 2-1, 3-2, something like that. 

NEB: 26
UNC: 10 


=== 

The Tar Heels simply don't match up well with the Huskers.  The red and white have a very solid lineup in the upper-weights and that is where this dual makes the separation.  

JT#1's Notes, Thoughts and Observations for Week Two of Collegiate Wrestling (11-8-2021 through 11-14-2021)

 What another great week of collegiate wrestling! 

DISCLAIMER - And I probably should have noted this last week as well. My goal with my website is to do something different than what everyone else is doing.  I spend a lot of time in the vehicle. I travel a lot and I love going on rides. I sometimes listen to ESPN radio.  I listen to these guys just shoot the breeze with one another about football, basketball and baseball.  Talk about games, players, random moments in games and anything else concerning the sport. That's what these little recaps are.  If you listen to ESPN radio, read it like that. 

Started off the weekend a little disappointed, I'll be honest.  The 3rd place matchup at The Grand View Open was scheduled to be between teammates Aden Reeves and Justin Portillo.  Now that is a match I would have liked to have seen.  Decided not to wrestle it. Gotta respect that decision, but am disappointed in missing what I think would have been a great match. 

The Bison Open 

NDSU looked very good as far as I'm concerned. It was their house on their day and a lot of good things came out of the Bison.  At 141, Droegemueller who isn't even ranked upset #24 Marcos Polanco of Minnesota & then took All American #11 Clay Carlson to the limit in a tight 3-1 loss to finish as the runner-up. At 157 Jared Franek took Brayton Lee of Minnesota into sudden victory showing that his name belongs among the rest of them.  Luke Weber at 165 scored an impressive fall over Minnesota's Andrew Sparks.  Owen Pentz at 197 scored fall after fall after fall in route to a title. I still think Matt Stencel of Central Michigan will be the pin king by year's end, but now he obviously has some competition.  Most impressive among the host?  Brad Metz sticking South Dakota State's A.J. Nevills in 1:52.  I was NOT expecting that at all.   NDSU looked good here.  Keep in mind this was coming off of a disappointing performance against Missouri, so even more all the impressive.  Be it a pep talk or a royal chewing, something worked. 

I was a little shocked that Cleveland State's DeAndre Nassar didn't make the rankings at the beginning of the year. Maybe with his 2-1 upset of Purdue's Max Lyon, he'll now be on there. 

The Mountaineer Open 

Michael McGee obviously has a heck of a back up at Arizona State doesn't he? Sheesh. Julian Chelbove defeats Jared Van Vleet of the Air Force 9-7 and then just destroys Sid Flores of the Air Force 16-3 in route to a 3rd place finish.  Makes one wonder what kind of an effect this will have on the starting position at 133 for Air Force. Flores placed whereas Van Vleet did not, but Van Vleet looked better against Chelbove.   

Speaking of Sun Devils, I tell you I think before his career is said and done we could see a national title out of Kyle Parco.  Technically he's still only a freshman.  Sticking Jonathan Millner of Appalachian State at 5:16 is pretty impressive.  It won't be the last impressive thing, in fact it'll be far from it, that we see from Parco this season. 

And yet another Sun Devil that impressed at the Mountaineer Open.  Scored an 11-8 victory over Cody Phippen of Air Force in the Quarter Finals, sticking Cayden Rooks of Indiana at 1:41 in the semis and then having his way with Appalachian State's Anthony Brito 10-1 in the finals.   

I will say that I do wish these brackets were full wrestle-backs. Phippen came back strong to take 5th, but I think had he had the chance, he'd have taken 3rd. 

I feel like a fool.  I had the audacity to wonder, to question if D.J. Washington of Indiana was going to have the strength and the size to compete at 184 lbs or not.  He does!  He stuck Jha'Quan Anderson of Gardner Webb and Jake Thompson of Air Force in route to a dominating performance.  

The Bearcat Open 

I rarely criticize cause I wouldn't want to be in charge of it, but seriously who seeded 184 lbs?  Maybe I'm missing something here, but it made absolutely no sense to me to have Jonathan Loew of Cornell meet up with David Key of Navy in the quarter-finals.  

Was happy to see Gil wrestle well and win a title for the Diplomats here. Hope to see more good things out of him this season. 

The Journeyman Classic 

Thomas Deck of the Army impressed me at this round robin fiasco.  A 7-5 decision over Drew Marten of Central Michigan and a 6:10 fall over Michael Jaffe of Harvard. 

Central Michigan's Johnny Lovett continues his back and forth ways. After not looking so hot at the Michigan State Open last weekend, he looked pretty solid this weekend.  A huge 4-2 victory over Oregon State's Hunter Willits and another impressive win, this one 4-1 over Penn's Doug Zapf.

The Wolfpack Open 

 Cooper Flynn looked good. He's redshirting this season, but come 2022-2023, Sam Latona may have himself a worthy opposition for the starting spot at 125 lbs for the Hokies.  Flynn had a controlled 7-1 decision over Campbell's Zurich Storm and then defeated Campbell's Korbin Meink 6-5 in the finals.  

Stevo Poulin of NCST is obviously another redshirt to watchout for in 2023.  He pulled off an impressive 7-1 victory over Anthony Molton of Campbell.  Meink @ 2nd, Molton @ 5th, with Storm not placing.  What effect does this have on the starting spot for the Camels? 

North Carolina redshirt Lachlan McNeil wrestled an impressive tournament.  A 9-1 major decision over Hunter Lewis followed up with a 3-1 victory over North Carolina State's Ryan Jack. He wrestled in high school in the United States, but I still think it's cool to see a Canadian competing at such a high level in American collegiate wrestling.  Future Common Wealth Games/Olympic medalist? 

Taye Ghadiali looked impressive in route to a Wolfpack title.  A 2-1 win over Deonte Wilson of North Carolina State in the semis and a 3-2 win over Hunter Catka of Virginia Tech in the finals. 

Lastly I'll say that it is obvious that North Carolina State has plenty of depth in the room at each weight.  Orine defeated Trombley 2-0 in the finals at 141, and this battle is far from over.   The saga continues at 157 between Scott and Kovacs. After losing 9-8 to Kovacs at The Citadel Open, Scott turns around and pins him at 2:18 to win the Wolfpack Open.  Trumble and Ferreira didn't wrestle in the finals at 197, but you know with a 10-7 win over Levi Hopkins he's good & to top it off Brock Delsignore pinned Hopkins in 5:55.   Wilson and Trephan could have battled it out again for 3rd place, but decided not to wrestle the match. That battle will be for another day.