2022: The Preseason: The Citadel Bulldogs

 Looks to be a pretty good year for Bulldog wrestling as four competitors challenge for NCAA qualification and two contend for SOCON titles. 

133 
Jake Rotunda
Junior
Record: 26-17

A 5-4 tiebreaker victory over Campbell's Shannon Hanna as well as an 8-5 victory over Anthony Cefolo of Rider give confidence that Rotunda will contend for NCAA qualification this season. 

149 
Selwyn Porter
Junior
Record: 51-42 

An NCAA qualifier in 2020, I think Porter makes it back to the NCAA tournament this season. He owns a 7-6 victory over Tanner Smith of Chattanooga. 

165
Dazjon Casto 
Junior
Record: 59-36
SOCON: 21'2nd 

Casto will be in the hunt for a SOCON title this season.  He's defeated 2021 SOCON champion Drew Nicholson of Chattanooga twice by scores of 9-3 and 8-6.  He's also defeated R.J. Mosley of Gardner Webb twice by scores of 3-2 and 11-2, as well as William Formato of Appalachian State 6-3.  It'll be a fun 4 way battle for the championship.  Outside of the SOCON, Casto owns a 7-5 sudden victory over Wyoming's Cole Moody as well as a 13-4 victory over Hofstra's Ricky Stamm. 

HWT
Michael McAleavey
Senior
Record: 84-67
NCAA: 21'NQ
SOCON: 21'1st 

A SOCON champion a year ago, McAleavey will be the forerunner to win a second title this season. 

==== 

133 - NQ
149 - NQ
165 - NQ
HWT - NQ

Up to four national qualifiers in a conference that usually isn't give a whole lot in terms of allocations or at large bids is pretty good.  Could come out of the SOCON with two champions. 

2022: The Preseason: VMI Keydets

 While VMI failed to send anyone to the NCAA's last season, I can see the Keydets having up to three NCAA qualifiers this season. 

165
Jobe Chishko
Sophomore
Record: 32-23 

I'd feel more comfortable calling Chishko a candidate for NCAA qualification if he were still at 149 lbs.  There he owns a 5-2 victory over EIWA runner-up Nick Palumbo of Sacred Heart as well as a 15-5 major decision over NCAA R12 Josh Finesilver of Duke.  165 is loaded in the SOCON & it'll be a challenge to place high within the tournament.  NCAA qualification will be earned throughout the season. 

184 
Zach Brown 
Sophomore
Record: 25-26 

Brown is another Keydet I can see making the NCAA tournament this season.  He owns a 4-3 victory over NCAA qualifier Joe Accousti of Sacred Heart 

197
Tyler Mousaw
Freshman 
Record: 12-2 

Not only do I think Tyler Mousaw will be an NCAA qualifier this season, I think during his career he can be a four time NCAA qualifier for Keydets. He owns a 3-2 victory over SOCON runner-up Logan Andrew of Chattanooga. 

=== 

165 - NQ
184 - NQ
197 - NQ

2022: The Preseason: Sacred Heart Pioneers

 Head Coach John Clark continues to make strides at Sacred Heart as he continues to grow the Pioneer program.  With the Ivy League schools returning this season, it was pose more of a challenge to get wrestlers to the NCAA championships, but from where I sit, there are three members of the team that will fight for qualification. 

157
Nick Palumbo
Senior
Record: 31-34
NCAA: 21'NQ
EIWA: 21'2nd 

A 10-4 victory over Parker Kropman of Drexel and a EIWA runner-up finish last season, the waters of the EIWA will be much rougher this season.  A loaded weight class of Quincy Monday of Princeton, Josh Humphries of Lehigh, Markus Hartman of Army, Doug Zapf of Pennsylvania, ColtonYapoujian of Cornell, Holden Heller of Hofstra and Philip Cerniglia of Harvard await.  Can Palumbo make lightning strike twice?  He'll have the opportunity to face both Heller and Cerniglia in dual competition as well as prove himself at CKLV. 

184 
Joe Accousti 
Senior 
Record: 50-36
NCAA: 21'NQ
EIWA: 21'6th 

Looking over the EIWA at 184, I see Accousti finishing about where he did last season.  

197 
Robert Heatherman 
Junior
Record: 15-20
EIWA: 197'6th 

A match away from NCAA qualification last season, I can see Heatherman making the NCAA tournament this year.  He'll have to prove himself with some notable wins, which is more than doable throughout a fairly tough schedule that Sacred Heart will compete this year. 


==== 

3 NCAA qualifiers may not seem like a lot, but when you take into consideration the long drought that Sacred Heart went through  without sending anyone at all to the NCAA tournament, you realize how much of an improvement that really is. John Clark is doing a tremendous job turning the Pioneer program into a successful one.  

2022: The Preseason: Rider Broncs

Look for the Broncs to send 5 to the NCAA championships this season. 

133
Richie Koehler 
Sophomore
Record: 38-23
NCAA: 21'NQ
MAC: 21'2nd 

Koehler looks to become a two time NCAA qualifier for the Broncs this season. Notable victories include a 7-1 decision over Drew Marten of Central Michigan and a 3-2 victory over Bryce West of Northern Illinois. 

141
Quinn Kinner 
Sophomore
Record: 38-11

With MAC runner-up McKenzie Bell redshirting this season, the 141 spot goes to Ohio State transfer Quinn Kinner who has had success thus far at three different weight classes.  Going 16-3 at 141 in 2019, he owns an 8-2 victory over Caleb Rea of West Virginia.  In 2020 he competed at both 133 & 157.  A 6-4 win over Mario Guillen of Ohio, what really sticks out is a 21-6 technical fall over Johnny Lovett of Central Michigan.  If he can have that kind of success as a severely undersized 157 lbs'er it makes one wonder what he can do at 141 this season.   

157
Jake Silverstein
Sophomore
Record: 27-16
NCAA: 21'NQ
MAC: 21'5th 

An NCAA qualifier at 165 lbs last season, Silverstein moves down to 157 this season.  A rather loaded weight class within the MAC it is difficult to say exactly where Silverstein will finish.  He'll be a place-winner & should qualify for his second appearance at the NCAA's. 

184
George Walton
Junior
Record: 59-34
MAC: 20'4th, 21'6th 

Walton hasn't done as well as I thought he would.  I think what happened to him last season was that he exhausted himself in a 2-1 tiebreaker loss to MAC runner-up Jeremiah Kent of Missouri & then dropped a 2-1 tiebreaker to Max Wohlabaugh of Clarion.  By the time he faced Ethan Duca of Edinboro in the 5th place match, he was spent.  

Truth is, Walton is good enough to make the MAC finals.  Matter of fact, he's good enough to win an MAC title.  I keep saying that the forerunner for the MAC title this season is All American Britt Wilson of Northern Illinois, but Walton owns a 7-6 victory over the Husky.  He's also beaten Wohlabaugh 6-4 & Duca 16-11.  Other notable victories include Antonio Agree of Old Dominion, Corey Hazel of Lock Haven & teammate MAC champion Dean Sherry.  

197
Matt Correnti
Senior
Record: 61-47
NCAA: 17'NQ
BIG 10: 17'6th 
MIDLANDS: 18'R12 

If healthy, Matt Correnti should make a run at the MAC title this season.  I see a competitive final between him and Ben Smith of Cleveland State.  Although he's battled injuries he owns a 5-3 victory over Gage Braun Northern Illinois & a 6-3 victory over teammate Ethan Laird (who is redshirting this season).  Correnti also defeated PAC-12 champion Dom Ducharme of CSU-Bakersfield 5-2. 

==== 

125 - DNQ
133 - NQ
141 - NQ
149 - DNQ
157 - NQ
165 - DNQ
174 - DNQ
184 - NQ
197 - NQ
HWT - DNQ 


5 NCAA qualifiers, with two, maybe more that will contend for MAC titles this season.  

2022: The Preseason: Presbyterian Blue Hose

 Looks to be a monumental and historic year for Blue Hose wrestling as Presbyterian looks to crown their first NCAA DI Qualifier since restoring the program in the 2019-2020 season.  

125
Benny Gomez
Senior
Record: 15-14

I have a lot of faith and confidence that Benny Gomez will be the Blue Hose's first NCAA DI qualifier.  Not only does he own a 6-3 victory over NCAA qualifier Drew Hildebrant of Central Michigan, he also owns a 3-2 win over Jack Medley of Michigan, a 4-2 win over Liam Cronin of Nebraska and a 10-3 victory over Bryce West of Northern Illinois.  I didn't mention Gomez prior when talking about possible SOCON champions, because I didn't realize that he had more eligibility left.  Now that I know he has this season, he could also make history by becoming Presbyterian's first SOCON champion.  He took Fabian Gutierrez of Chattanooga into the tiebreakers. 

174
Zachary Wells
Sophomore 

I realize that NCAA Division III wrestling is a long ways from NCAA Division I, but nevertheless a 4th place finish at the 2021 DIII championships is still an amazing accomplishment.  The SOCON isn't particularly deep at 174 & while Austin Murphy of Campbell and Thomas Flitz of Appalachian State may be hard to upend, a 3rd place finish is not out of the question.  This will be a great test for the Olivet transfer. 

=== 

125 -NQ
174 - NQ


Very exited for Gomez and what he could accomplish for this program this season. He's at a tough weight class in the SOCON.  Gutierrez & Storm/Meink of Campbell. It won't be an easy title to win, but Gomez has shown he has the ability to win it.  To be the programs first SOCON champion as well as their first NCAA qualifier, what an historical record that would make.  

2022: The Preseason: Columbia Lions

 I think this should be a fairly good year for Columbia with an opportunity to qualify four wrestlers to the NCAA championships (the most since 2014) and an opportunity to crown an EIWA champion (their first since 2018).  

125
Joe Manchio 
Junior
Record: 47-26
NCAA: 20'NQ
EIWA: 19'5th, 20'2nd 

Manchio has some impressive wins thus far in his career, including sticking Lehigh's Brandon Paetzell in 4:13, but as of right now I see Manchio finishing about 4th in the EIWA.  He's not beating Patrick Glory of Princeton or Vitali Arujau of Cornell & in two matches he has not looked good vs Hofstra's Dylan Ryder.  Nevertheless, parity is high within the weight class as it is within the conference.  Hard telling what will happen. 

133
Angelo Rini
Sophomore
Record: 25-10
EIWA: 20'7th 

Rini hasn't faced Brandon Paetzell of Lehigh, Michael Colaiocco of Pennsylvania or Jacob Allen of Navy.  What he has done though is defeat Carme Ferrante of Pennsylvania, Michael Jaffe of Harvard and Darren Miller of Bucknell.  With that said, I can see Rini as good as EIWA champion and I don't see him any worse than 4th.  

141
Matt Kazimir 
Junior
Record: 44-14
NCAA: 20'NQ
EIWA: 20'2nd

Two things stick out to me when evaluating Matt Kazimir's future.  A 7-5 loss to Wil Gil of Franklin & Marshall and an 18-0 technical fall over EIWA champion Malyke Hines of Lehigh. It's also important to note that Kazimir has never faced Binghamton's Zack Trampe, but he does own a victory over Army's Corey Shie.  As to where I stand today, I believe Kazimir is Columbia's best shot at an EIWA individual title. 

165
David Berkovich
Sophomore
Record: 7-9

I'm not completely sold that Berkovich will qualify for the NCAA's, but I am pretty sure that he'll place top 8 at the EIWA championships.  He owns a 2:23 fall over EIWA champion Holden Heller of Hofstra. 

===  

125 - NQ
133 - NQ
141 - NQ
149 - DNQ
157 - DNQ
165 - Possible NQ
174 - DNQ
184 - DNQ
197 - DNQ
HWT - DNQ 

Columbia looking solid throughout the lower-weights, where they should have the most success this season.  

2022: The Preseason: Cleveland State Vikings

 One of the most overlooked and underappreciated programs in NCAA Division I wrestling, the Cleveland State Vikings haven't gotten near the recognition or credit they deserve for the vast improvements they have made over the years.  I began following NCAA Division I wrestling closely about 20 years ago & while Cleveland State has had some good teams, this 2021-2022 is about the best I've ever seen.  

Not only do I think that the Vikings can crown their first MAC champion this season, I think they have an ability to put 5, yes you read that right, 5 in the MAC finals. This is a good team. Good things are happening at Cleveland State. We've seen glimpses of it over the past few seasons and this season we'll see even more. 

125 
Logan Heil
Sophomore
Record: 27-16
MAC: 20'6th 

After a year at 133, Heil moves back down to 125 lbs where he was 24-12 as a freshman. I see no reason at all why Heil can't make a run at the MAC title & become the Viking's first champion.  He's beaten Willy Girard of Bloomsburg twice by scores of 11-9 sudden victory and 6-5. He pinned Luke Werner of Lock Haven in 2:36 and he owns a 7-4 win over Jake Ferri of Kent State. 

149
Marcus Robinson
Sophomore
Record: 48-33
NCAA: 21'NQ
MAC: 20'7th, 21'2nd

With Brent Moore of Clarion and Alex Madrigal of George Mason, I will say that if both are healthy, Robinson has his work cut out for him.  Nevertheless, he is still a contender for the MAC title. 

165
Riley Smucker
Sophomore
Record: 47-29 
MAC: 20'5th, 21'4th 

A match away from NCAA qualification last season, I don't see Smucker defeating Izaak Olejnik of Northern Illinois, but I think anyone else at the weight class is fair game.  Smucker stands as good of a chance as does anyone making the MAC finals. 

184 
DeAndre Nassar 
Sophomore
NCAA: 21'NQ
MAC: 20'7th, 21'3rd 

Like Smucker, I don't see Nassar winning the MAC title this season. I think Northern Illinois' Britt Wilson is too much to overcome.  I do think though that Nassar contends with Max Wohlabaugh of Clarion & George Walton of Rider for runner-up honors.  

197 
Ben Smith
Junior
Record: 53-38
NCAA: 21'NQ
MAC: 20'7th, 21'2nd

Not only do I think Smith can win an MAC title this season, I think he'll be the forerunner to do so.  Not sure if anyone else on the Viking roster will enter the MAC's seeded #1, but Smith should.  His most impressive win was a 12-5 dismantling of Greg Bulsack of Clarion last season, but he owns other impressive victories as well.  He's beaten Missouri's Wyatt Koelling twice and he owns a 12-4 major decision over J.J. Dixon of Oregon State. 

HWT
John Kelby
Junior
Record: 41-46
MAC: 20'6th 

A win over NCAA qualifier Jordan Earnest of Ohio & a victory over SOCON champion Michael McAleavey of The Citadel, I would think John Kelby could be another qualifier for the Vikings this season.  HWT in the MAC is pretty tough, but Kelby should place somewhere between 4th and 6th. 

=== 

125 - NQ
133 - DNQ
141 - DNQ
149 - NQ
157 - DNQ
165 - NQ
174 - DNQ
184 - NQ
197 - NQ
HWT - NQ 

For a team on the brink of extinction not all that long ago, I think six NCAA qualifiers is a pretty good showing.  They are more than capable of this predicted success. 

2022: The Season: Clarion Golden Eagles

 The idea of 7 NCAA qualifiers for the Golden Eagles may seem utopian at this point, but before you completely dismiss the idea, at least allow me to make a case for it.  One truly is "stretching it" as the saying goes, but the other 6 make a legitimate argument.  Hear me out. 

141
Kyle Schickel 
Freshman
Record: 5-8
MAC: 21'8th 

Schickel was a true freshman last season and as a true freshman I think a 4-3 victory over SIUE's Saul Ervin and an 8th place finish at the MAC tournament is pretty good. That first initial season can be rough & with a year of competition under his belt, I can see him earning NCAA qualification. 

149
Brent Moore
Senior
Record: 54-23
NCAA: 18'NQ
ACC: 18'1st 

A career plagued by injuries & getting caught within the shadows of brother Mitch, it seems the wrestling world has forgotten about Brent Moore. The question here is health.  A healthy Brent Moore pinned Sammy Sasso of Ohio State in 1:16.  He also defeated Colston DiBlasi of George Mason 5-4. If Moore is healed up, 100%, I see no reason why he can't make a run at the MAC title this season.  

157 
Trevor Elfvin 
Junior
Record: 49-35
SOUTHERN SCUFFLE: 18'6th 

It's going to take some improvements and stepping it up a notch, but I do think Elfvin has it within him to be an NCAA qualifier this season. 

165
Kolby Ho
Junior
Record: 56-31
MAC: 21'6th 

Cards are falling into place for Kolby Ho.  Kegan O'Toole of Missouri is now in the BIG 12.  Alex Kramer of Central Michigan is injured and Jake Silverstein of Rider has moved down to 157.  All of these facts favor Ho.  He owns an 111-4 victory over Colt Yinger of Ohio and an 11-4 victory over Michael Wilson of Rider.  I see the semi-final in the MAC being Ho Vs Riley Smucker of Cleveland State in a match that as of right now, could go either way.  I see Ho 2nd or 3rd within the MAC. 

174
John Worthing
Freshman
Record: 24-12
MAC: 21'5th 

149 to 157 to 165 and finally at 174.  I think in the short amount of time Worthing has been wrestling collegiately he has found the weight class that suits him.  A match away from NCAA qualification last season, I think he qualifies this season. 

184
Max Wohlabaugh
Senior 
Record: 41-42
MAC: 21'4th 

One match shy of NCAA qualification last season, I think Wohlabaugh can make a good run in his last hurrah this season.  He's not beating Britt Wilson of Northern Illinois, but I do think he stands a shot at making the MAC finals.  A 2-1 tiebreaker win over George Walton of Rider sticks out and he dropped a heartbreaking 5-3 sudden victory to DeAndre Nassar of Cleveland State in the qualification match last season.   

HWT
Tyler Bagoly
Junior
Record: 51-33
NCAA: 20'NQ
MAC: 20'WC, 21'8th 

He's been to the NCAA's once and if he steps it up a notch, he can contend for 3rd place honors at the MAC tournament this season. He's not beating Matt Stencel of Central Michigan and he's not beating Ethan Laird of Rider, but everyone else in the bracket is within Bagoly's range.  He's never beaten Jon Spaulding of Edinboro, Colton McKiernan of SIUE or Max Ihry of Northern Illinois, but all of those matches have been very close.   

=== 

125 - DNQ
133 - DNQ
141 - NQ
149 - NQ
157 - Biggest ? but still NQ
165 - NQ
174 - NQ
184 - NQ
197 - DNQ
HWT - NQ 

I'll get an earful for my optimistic outlook on Clarion wrestling this season, but even if they don't do this well, I still say the 2021-2022 will be one of the best seasons Clarion has had in a long time.  The program fell off the map a few years ago & has been steadily climbing back up that hill.  I think this year, they show the progress they have made. 

2022: The Preseason: Tennessee Chattanooga Mocs

As the competition in the Southern Conference continues to grow, Chattanooga doesn't have the strong hold they once did, but the Mocs will contend to put as many as five in the finals. 

125
Fabian Gutierrez
Senior
Record: 71-35
NCAA: 20'NQ, 21'NQ
SOCON: 20'2nd, 21'3rd
SOUTHERN SCUFFLE: 18'R12, 19'R12

Gutierrez is a contender for a SOCON title this season.  He's 0-1 Vs Codi Russell of Appalachian State, but a 4-3 loss can be turned into a win.  Regardless of who Virginia Tech starts, Korbin Meink or Zurich Storm, Gutierrez has defeated both of them. Within the NCAA, Gutierrez owns a 6:57 fall over NCAA runner-up Brandon Courtney of Arizona State.  Twice a match away from a medal at the Southern Scuffle, he should earn his first this season. 

141
Franco Valdes
Junior
Record: 28-28

There's no reason at all to think that Valdes can't win a SOCON title this season.  He was 10-0 when he was injured in a 4-2 sudden victory loss to SOCON runner-up Shannon Hanna of Campbell.  He defeated SOCON champion Anthony Brito of Appalachian State 5-3.  

165
Drew Nicholson 
Junior
Record: 45-51
NCAA: 21'NQ
SOCON: 21'1st 

Nicholson has his work cut out for him to defend his 2021 SOCON title as he competes in the conference's toughest weight class.  Being 4-2 against The Citadel's Dazjon Casto, he is 0-3 vs Appalachian State's William Formato and he's 1-3 Vs Gardner Webb's R.J. Mosley. Nevertheless he defied the odds last season to win a title, no reason he can't again this season.  As to other notable victories, a 10-4 decision over Penn State's Joe Lee. 

184
Matt Waddell
Junior
Record: 46-39
NCAA: 20'NQ, 21'NQ
SOCON: 20'2nd, 21'2nd
SOUTHERN SCUFFLE: 20'4th 

I'd like to think Waddell makes a run at his first SOCON title, but thus far he's been unable to figure out Caleb Hopkins of Campbell, so a third silver medal seems more likely.  Like Gutierrez he has some notable wins including an 8-6 victory over Zach Braunagel of Illinois and a 4-2 victory over Anthony Montalvo of Oklahoma State. 

197
Logan Andrew
Freshman
Record: 19-16
NCAA: 21'NQ
SOCON: 21'NQ

He has lost two tight matches, 3-1 and 4-3 to Chris Kober of Campbell, that I would think could be turned into wins to give the Mocs another SOCON champion.  With that said he first has to get past Tyler Mousaw of VMI who he is 1-1 against. 

=== 

125 - NQ
133 - DNQ
141- NQ
149 - DNQ
157 - DNQ
165 - NQ 
174 - DNQ
184 - NQ
197 - NQ
HWT - DNQ 

5 qualifiers with all 5 in the SOCON finals.  Pretty good showing for George McIntyre's favorite team. 

2022: The Preseason: Pittsburgh

 Pittsburgh Panther wrestling started during the 1912-1913 season and over the past 109 years it has almost always been a respectable program.  The glory years of 1954-1963 when the team had two NCAA runner-up finishes and five third place NCAA finishes I would like to again see in Pittsburgh's future. As for now, 2022, I don't see that happening, but I'll tell you what I do see happening.  Last season Pittsburgh finished 11th in the nation, their highest finish since 1989 when they finished 13th.  I say they can outdo that finish this year.  I do believe Pittsburgh can finish out the 2021-2022 season a top 10 team.  They have three individuals on their squad capable of some really big things.  They are going to have to have guys step it up a notch. Perform above and beyond what may be written on paper.  

125
Gage Curry
Senior 
Record: 114-50 
NCAA: 18'NQ, 19'NQ, 20'NQ, 21'NQ
EIWA: 18'WC, 19'3rd, 20'4th, 21'3rd
MIDLANDS: 20'R12

American transfer Gage Curry is an addition to the Pittsburgh lineup that will help them in their efforts of the goal of finishing within the top 10 of the NCAA.  A 12-6 victory over 7th place Killian Cardinale of West Virginia and a 7-6 victory over NCAA runner-up Brandon Courtney of Arizona State suggest that Curry is capable of making the award stand. Within the ACC he has both Jakob Camacho of North Carolina State and Sam Latona of Virginia Tech to contend with for a title. He took Latona into the tiebreakers losing a tight 4-3 decision. 

133
Micky Phillippi 
Junior 
Record: 98-19
NCAA: 19'R12, 20'NQ, 21'R12
ACC: 19'1st, 20'1st, 21'2nd
MIDLANDS: 18'4th
CKLV: 19'2nd
SOUTHERN SCUFFLE: 20'3rd 

If you read my preseason outlook on Central Michigan, I'll say the same thing for Phillippi that I said for Matt Stencel. Sometimes good wrestlers have bad tournaments. It happens.  Phillippi did not look good Vs Iowa's Austin DeSanto in a 13-5 major decision loss, but let me tell you something Phillippi has done that DeSanto has not.  He defeated Oklahoma State's Daton Fix 3-1.  A tight 4-3 loss to Roman Bravo-Young, I'm calling Phillippi a contender for the NCAA title.  Within the ACC he's going to have to keep his focus Vs Korbin Myers of Virginia Tech, who upset him for last year's title.  He's 3-2 Vs the Hokie overall. 

141
Cole Matthews
Record: 46-20
NCAA: 20'NQ, 21'NQ
ACC: 20'3rd, 21'3rd
SOUTHERN SCUFFLE: 19'7th 

After finishing 3rd in the ACC the past two seasons, I think Matthews is an eligible candidate to make the finals this season.  I can't see him defeating Zach Sherman of North Carolina, but there's no reason why he can't overcome Collin Gerardi of Virginia Tech or Jarrett Trombley of North Carolina State to make the finals.  As to the NCAA's, Matthews' biggest win thus far in my opinion is his first period fall over Josh Heil of Campbell.  He needs some more big win. As of right now I see him top 12, but not quite top 8. 

149
Luke Kemerer
Sophomore
Record: 22-20
SOUTHERN SCUFFLE: 19'R12 

When you start evaluating each weight class within the NCAA you come up with the top 33 in each weight class & then you notice there are wrestlers that fall within that 34th-40th range. The ones that are capable of a big upset here or there to steal a spot within the top 33.  Luke Kemerer strikes me as one of those wrestlers.  The ACC is tough at 149 lbs.  All American Tariq Wilson of North Carolina State leads the way with Kizhan Clarke of North Carolina, Jarod Verkleeren of Virgina, Josh Finesilver of Duke, and Bryce Andonian of Virginia Tech.  As of right now I see Kemerer in the 6th place spot of the conference.  I don't think that in itself is good enough for NCAA qualification, but can I see him upset his way into NCAA qualification? Yes, I can. 

157 
Elijah Cleary 
Senior 
Record: 71-55

He has yet to make the NCAA tournament, but he was only one match shy of qualification last season. With victories over NCAA qualifiers Tyler Eischens of Stanford, Jake Tucker of Michigan State and Eric Barone of Illinois, there is no reason to think that he doesn't make it to the dance this season. He also for the record owns a victory over Johnny Lovett of Central Michigan.  Within the ACC, I think he fights for 3rd place.  He's not beating Austin O'Connor of North Carolina & I think the runner-up here will be Jake Keating of Virginia.  Cleary battles Connor Brady of Virginia Tech and Ed Scott of North Carolina State for that ACC bronze medal. 

165
Jake Wentzel
Senior
Record: 62-30
NCAA: 20'NQ, 21'2nd
ACC: 20'1st, 21'1st
CKLV: 19'R12
SOUTHERN SCUFFLE: 20'6th 

Wentzel really stepped it up a notch and wrestled above and beyond, upsetting his way to the NCAA finals last season. With a target the size of Alaska drawn on his back, he's going to have to do the same this season. There are a lot of wrestlers who watched him in the finals last season who thought to themselves, "I beat that guy."  It'll be a real test to the intestinal fortitude of Wentzel to see how he handles that immense pressure.  Even winning a third ACC title will prove challenge for Wentzel as he is 0-3 Vs challenging Thomas Bullard of North Carolina State. Talent and ability wise Wentzel has the tools to be both an ACC and NCAA champion. 

184
Gregg Harvey
Senior 
Record: 71-55
NCAA: 20'NQ, 21'NQ
ACC: 18'4th, 20'3rd, 21'4th
CKLV: 18'R12
SOUTHERN SCUFFLE: 20'2nd

Harvey is very capable of a 3rd place finish in the ACC championships this season, maybe even a 2nd place finish.  I don't see him defeating Trent Hidlay of North Carolina State, but he did wrestle Hunter Bolen of Virginia Tech to a 3-1 decision. He's exchanged 3-2 decisions with Virginia's Michael Battista so at worst I think he'll finish 4th.  NCAA wise? Qualification, 2-2 finish or so. 

197
Nino Bonaccorsi
Junior 
Record: 80-20
NCAA: 19'R12, 20'NQ, 21'2nd
ACC: 19'2nd, 20'3rd, 21'1st
MIDLANDS: 18'4th
CKLV: 19'7th
SOUTHERN SCUFFLE: 20'3rd 

Like Wentzel, Bonaccorsi stepped it up at last year's NCAA's and found himself in the finals. Like Wentzel, this year he comes in with a HUGE target on his back.  With the ACC, ironically enough his biggest challenge will be against freshman Isaac Trumble of North Carolina State who defeated him last season.  Talent and ability wise, Bonaccorsi has the ability to win the ACC's and again make the NCAA finals. 

=== 

125 - All American
133 - Champion 
141 - R12
149 - Gonna have to steal a spot but is capable of it for NQ
157 - NQ
165 - Champion 
174 - DNQ
184 - NQ
197 - 2nd
HWT - DNQ

Four All Americans?  The Panthers haven't done that since 1963.  Two national champions? Panthers haven't done that since 1956.  I've been doing some sort of outlook on NCAA wrestling since the 2002-2003 season.  Be it predictions, a weight by weight analysis, a huge overview of every team or for the first time ever this season, a team by team analysis. Every year I get accused of certain things.  I rest assure you I am NOT anti-Minnesota (never fails I ALWAYS get accused of that every season).  Yet, I'm often accused of being big on Pittsburgh.  Well, that I am guilty of.  Why? Because they have a good squad. They're that tough, blue collared team underappreciated within the shadow of Penn State. The tradition, the grit, I do wanna see Pitt do well. 

2022: The Preseason: Buffalo Bulls

 I can see the Bulls having up to four NCAA qualifiers this season.  

133
Derek Spann
Senior
Record: 84-39
NCAA: 19'NQ, 20'NQ
MAC: 19'2nd, 20'4th, 21'6th 

After testing the waters at 141 last season, Spann has moved back to 133 lbs where he has thus far qualified for the NCAA championships on two occasions.  With a 6-4 win over Ohio's Mario Guillen, that about sums up Spann's record against the competition.  With that said, based on comparable results, I would think Spann makes a run at the MAC title. 

157
Michael Petite
Sophomore
Record: 38-22
NCAA: 21'NQ
MAC: 21'4th 

He's 0-2 vs Justin Ruffin of SIUE and he's 0-2 vs Johnny Lovett of Central Michigan, but all four of those matches been close. It's not asinine to think that Petite might be able to turn those close losses into wins. A 3-0 record against Edinboro's Peter Pappas, as for now, Petite looks to easily be in the hunt for a 3rd place finish at the MAC championships. 

184
Peter Acciardi
Sophomore
Record: 40-26

I can see Acciardi making it to the dance this season. Notable victories include a 4-3 decision over Darrion Roberts of Oklahoma and a 10-5 decision over Gavin Hoffman of Ohio State.

HWT
Toby Cahill
Junior
Record: 28-36

More of a longshot, but I still think Cahill stands a chance at NCAA qualification this season.  An 8-2 victory over NCAA qualifier Jordan Earnest of Ohio sticks out. 

=== 

133 -NQ
157 - NQ
184 - NQ
HWT - NQ

133 & 157 are pretty safe bets.  184 & HWT not as much.  Nevertheless 2-4 NCAA qualifiers for the Bulls this season.