2023 NCAA Division III The Season: Merchant Marine

 

At this point after covering so many collegiate wrestling teams in small to the point previews I probably sound like a broken record. It's the truth though. Like so many other programs The Mariners have lost a couple of good kids and they return a couple of good kids. That's the nature of college sports in general. You welcome freshmen with open arms as you give thanks and heartfelt goodbyes to your seniors.  Dominick Esposito and Billy Sims are two of those seniors from last season.  As to who is returning...

141 lbs
Edward Pinc 

Edward Pinc has room for improvement and I believe he'll make it. The Sophomore went 17-13 in his initial season last year wrestling well enough to capture 8th place at the Northeast Regional.  An Ohio native, it's within the water he drank and the air he breathed to keep getting better. 

174 lbs
Draysan Colonese 

It's not easy replacing a guy like 2020 NCAA Division III qualifier Dominic Espositio but I think sophomore Draysan Colonese will do a fine job. He split with Esposito last season winning a 7-2 decision and losing a 2-0 decision. I do not think that NCAA Division III qualification is out of the question & I am very confident that he will for sure be a top 8 place winner within the Regional. 

HWT
Jimmy Dunagen

I've been doing amateur wrestling coverage since I was 19 years old (some would even say since I was 14). I've been wrong before. Maybe I'm wrong here too, but I don't think I am.  I think Nevada native Jimmy Dunagen is capable of a good season this year. A season that should result in a top 8 finish within the Regional. 

2023 NCAA Division III The Season: Western New England

 

Golden Bear wrestling did lose it's top star to graduation. Two time NCAA Division III qualifier Nick Arborino who took 7th place All American honors last season is now gone. It'll be interesting to see who steps it up for the program this year. If I had to make a guess....

157 lbs
Luke Pinzino 

Going 22-10 on the season last year, Luke Pinzino took a 7th place finish at the Northeast Regional. He will be a sophomore this year. 

197 lbs
Darby McLaughlin 

Junior Darby McLaughlin is another among the Golden Bear squad that had himself a pretty nice season last year. Going 28-8 he was 6th in the Northeast Regional. 

2023 NAIA The Season: Jamestown

 

Under the leadership of Head Coach Jim Zalesky it's only a matter of time before the Jimmies of Jamestown make there way up the ladder in both the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) as well as the NAIA. This season presents itself a great opportunity for Zalesky who has crowned numerous NCAA DI All Americans throughout his career, to crown some NAIA All Americans. 

141 lbs
Theorius Robison 

Northern Colorado transfer Theorius Robison finished 2nd in his first GPAC tournament last season, finishing one match shy of All American honors. He'll look to win a conference title this season & make his way into the top 8 at nationals. 

165 lbs
Park Beeler 

Another Jimmie who who is likely to make an appearance at the NAIA tournament this season is Park Beeler, a sophomore who finished 3rd in the GPAC last season. 

HWT
Ian Howell 

Georgia native Ian Howell is another sophomore on the roster who could potentially have a NAIA qualifying season for the Jimmies. He placed 4th in the GPAC last season. 

2023 NAIA The Season: Concordia (NEB)

 

Bulldog wrestling is definitely going to feel the loss of 2021 All American/ Three time GPAC finalist Mario Ybarra & will look for someone to take over his role in a leadership position. They have some talented kids more than capable of doing so. 

165 lbs 
Issiah Burks 

After finishing 5th at the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) tournament in his freshman & sophomore campaigns, Issiah Burks was 4th last season as a junior.  It's fair to predict that the California native can once again improve on his conference finish & see his final GPAC tournament with a top three performance. 

165 lbs 
Jose Sanchez 

Junior Jose Sanchez, a native of Texas finished 5th in the GPAC last season. He should improve upon his record as he looks to improve on his conference finish this season. 

174 lbs 
T.J. Huber 

I wouldn't be all that surprised if T.J. Huber moved up to 184 lbs this season. He most certainly has the frame & I wouldn't be all that shocked to find out that he spent the summer putting on 10 lbs of muscle. Only a sophomore, like so many before him, sometimes it takes a year of collegiate wrestling to know exactly what to expect. Few teach as well as experience. Potential wise has a lot going for him. Now to see if that can translate into success on the mat. 

HWT
Jacob Telles 

Actually just caught wind that Telles has transferred to King (TN). Great pickup for King (TN) but tough loss for Concordia (NEB).  The Bulldogs do have Aaron Jividen coming in at HWT and he looks to be pretty tough.  

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If you enjoy Johnnythompsonnum1 & would like to see further coverage of your favorite college wrestling teams and college wrestlers please consider donating to Johnnythompsonnum1. Thus far generous donations have allowed me to purchase a camera & I hope to further my ability to cover more events and grow the coverage I do for wrestling. Send donation via Venmo to Stephen-Stonebraker-1 

2023 NCAA Division III The Season: Trinity

 

141 lbs
Chris Perry 

Sophomore Chris Perry came within one match shy of NCAA Division III qualification this past season when he finished 4th at the Northeast Regional. If the Bantams have a qualifier this season, I believe Perry will be it. 

165 lbs
Kevin Lyskawa 

The New Hampshire native heads into his senior season a two time Northeast Regional place-winner looking to capture his third medal this season. Thus far he has been 5th in 2020, with a 6th place finish this past season. Post graduation look for Lyskawa to enter medical school. 

184 lbs 
Anders Klass 

Anders Klass heads into his senior season having taken a 6th place finish at the Northeast Regional this past season. 

2023 NCAA Division III The Season: Roger Williams

 

The Hawks return one of their three NCAA qualifiers from last year as they head into the 22'-23' season.  I want to make particular note of Kyle Kaiser.  After years at 125 lbs where not much happened for him, he bumped up to 133 in his final season where he went 30-3, a Northeast Regional title & one match shy of All American honors. I think there's something to be said for that. Travis Arata who was also the R12 last season, finished out his career with a runner-up finish at the Northeast Regional. 

141 lbs
Peter Tringali 

The New Jersey native goes into his senior season after placing 7th at the Northeast Regional on a 16-10 record. 

149 lbs
Ben Bariso 

Another New Jersey native, who is also a senior, who also placed 7th at the Northeast Regional last season is Ben Bariso. A talented artist who was 23-10 on the year. 

184 lbs
Cole Shaughnessy

The Junior from Connecticut went 25-6 on the year last season, finishing one match shy of NCAA Division III qualification. 

HWT
Addison Boisvert

Two time Northeast Regional place-winner Addison Boisvert made his first NCAA Division III appearance last season after a 3rd place finish at the Northeast Regional (was 7th in 2020). The Maine High School State champion will look for his third Regional medal & his second NCAA DIII qualification as he heads into his final year as a Hawk. 


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If you enjoy Johnnythompsonnum1 & would like to see further coverage of your favorite college wrestling teams and college wrestlers please consider donating to Johnnythompsonnum1. Thus far generous donations have allowed me to purchase a camera & I hope to further my ability to cover more events and grow the coverage I do for wrestling. Send donation via Venmo to Stephen-Stonebraker-1 

 

2023 NCAA Division III The Season: Williams

 

The Ephs did lose their only NCAA DIII qualifier Joseph Rossetti who made the R12 last season but they also have some tough wrestlers coming back who will compete hard within the Regional and could potentially qualify for the national tournament. 

125 lbs
David Yeh 

6th at the Northeast Regional last season, senior David Yeh was 18-8 on the year. He will look to fight for NCAA Division III qualification this year. 

133 lbs
Scotty Richter 

I wouldn't at all be surprised to see some big things out of Scotty Richter this season. A product of St. Edward in Ohio, that might be testimony enough. If not, he was 18-3 on the season with notable victories over Jacy Jones, Kyle Murray and Michael Gonyea.  

157 lbs
Albert Xing 

California native Albert Xing goes into his final season as an Eph after posting a 20-8 record last year which saw a 6th place finish at the Northeast Regional. 

174 lbs
Dante Gutbrod

A 15-8 record last season, junior Dante Gutbrod was one match shy of NCAA DIII qualification when he placed 4th at the Northeast Regional. He will look to improve his record this season & qualify for the national tournament. 


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If you enjoy Johnnythompsonnum1 & would like to see further coverage of your favorite college wrestling teams and college wrestlers please consider donating to Johnnythompsonnum1. Thus far generous donations have allowed me to purchase a camera & I hope to further my ability to cover more events and grow the coverage I do for wrestling. Send donation via Venmo to Stephen-Stonebraker-1 

2023 NCAA Division III The Season: Rhode Island College

 

A national champion leads the way for the Anchormen this season! 

125 lbs
Fred Luchs 

Sophomore Fred Luchs had a very nice rookie campaign last season going 22-8 on the year with a 5th place finish at the Northeast Regional. He was 8th in the New Jersey High School State championships his senior season & will look to earn NCAA Division III qualification this season. 

157 lbs
Nathan Lackman 

Going 36-0 on the year, Nathan Lackman won the NCAA Division III national title last season. The Pennsylvania native will look to once again win a DIII title on a second undefeated season. 

HWT
Mike Alfonso

HWT Mike Alfonso strikes me as one who could potentially have a good season this year. The New Jersey native was 12-6 last season. 

2023 NCAA Division III The Season: Bridgewater State

 

Gone is NCAA Division III qualifier Fox Maxwell but the Bears return a qualifier with another wrestler who will compete hard throughout duals, tournaments and the Regional. 

125 lbs
Wilson Gomes 

A tall, lanky 125 lbs'er, Wilson Gomes used his leverage to put together a 25-10 record last season including a 7th place finish at the Northeast Regional. The Massachusetts native will look to improve his record & his Regional placing this season. 

184 lbs
Edwin Morales 

Two time NCAA Division III qualifier Edwin Morales heads into his senior season looking to capture a third qualification this year.  He was 3rd in the Northeast Regional last season on a 20-6 record. 

2023 NCAA Division III The Season: United States Coast Guard Academy

 

The Bears return three of the five NCAA Division III qualifiers they had from last season. Sadly two time DIII runner-up Paul Detwiler is gone due to graduation as is three time NCAA DIII qualifier Philip Rogers who was 3rd in the nationals in 2021 & R12 this past season. Other than that though many of the Bears top stars are back. 

133 lbs
Chase Randall 

I can see some good things coming out of two time Washington High School state runner-up Chase Randall this season. He lost two really close matches at the Northeast Regional eventually slipping to 6th place, but I think he's better than that finish and I think he will prove so this season. 

141 lbs
Caden Mareno 

Anxious to see how Caden Mareno fares in his final season as a Bear. He took took 6th place honors at the Northeast Regional last season. 

149 lbs
Tony Ulaszek 

I can see a lot of good things coming out of Tony Ulaszek this season. Last year he won the Northeast Regional title & his only two losses were at the NCAA Division III national tournament. It very well could be that the four time Colorado High School state place-winner ends up a three time All American. 

157 lbs
Joe Chapman or Devin Woodworth 

I think we could potentially have a really good wrestle-off here at 157 lbs to see who starts for the USCGA this season. Joe Chapman was an NCAA DIII qualifier taking 3rd place honors at the Northeast Regional but you can bet that Devin Woodworth will give him a run for his money. The two time New York State Place winner took six fall in his nine victories last season. Five of them were in the first period. Woodworth for note, also plays football for the Bears. 

174 lbs
Steven Rochard 

Replacing Philip Rogers in the lineup this season will be Steven Rochard. He defeated Scott DeFex of Johnson & Wales who was 4th at the Northeast Regional last season by a score of 11-6. The Virginia State champion had a 4.2 GPA while in High School. 

174 lbs
David McCullough 

An national qualifier in 2021, David McCullough was 6th at the Northeast Regional this past season. I think he has potential to make a second trip to the national tournament this year. 

197 lbs
Coy Spooner 

A Northeast Regional champion & 5th in the NCAA Division III championships, Spooner's only losses last season were at the national tournament. I do think that Cody Baldridge of North Central may be out of his league, but nobody else is. It wouldn't surprise me at all to see him make the finals this season. 

HWT
Tim Ganuncio 

IMO I think size was the issue with Tim Ganuncio last season. He's essentially a 197 lbs'er trying to compete with guys who can be as big as 285 lbs. I was impressed that he was able to take 6th place in a 19 man bracket last season at the Northeast Regional. I think he packs on a bit more muscle this season, he'll do even better. Again my opinion. 

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If you enjoy Johnnythompsonnum1 & would like to see further coverage of your favorite college wrestling teams and college wrestlers please consider donating to Johnnythompsonnum1. Thus far generous donations have allowed me to purchase a camera & I hope to further my ability to cover more events and grow the coverage I do for wrestling. Send donation via Venmo to Stephen-Stonebraker-1 

2023 NCAA Division III The Season: Johnson and Wales

 

Graduation has hit the Wildcats rather hard as we head into the 22'-23' season.  Michael Ross who took NCAA Division III runner-up honors last season, along with NCAA Division III qualifiers Justin Lopez & Liridon Leka, as well as Gabriel McDaniel, Ryan DeVivo & Tommy Wrzesien were all seniors last year.  It'll be a rebuilding year, but nonetheless the Wildcats still return some very tough wrestlers. 

133 lbs
Gabriel Leo-Esparolini

Gabriel Leo-Esparolini was a match away from earning an All American honor last season on a 29-12 record. Extremely good on his feet, he led the team with 100 takedowns last season. Once his mat wrestling catches up to his neutral wrestling, this is going to be one tough guy to beat. 

141 lbs
Hayden Brown 

Four time New Hampshire High School State champion Hayden Brown darn near made All American honors himself in his second appearance at the NCAA Division III tournament last season. Going 34-4 he won the Northeast Regional title. It'll be no easy task but as he contends for All American honors this season, I would put him down as a candidate in the hunt for a national title. 

165 lbs
Scott DeFex

Nassau transfer Scott DeFex had himself a pretty decent season last year going 29-15, finishing one match shy of NCAA Division III qualification. One of the things he has going for him is that he is extremely difficult to ride. He has a very nice standup & does a great job of getting away. It's a shame that he and Esparolini are so different in weight.  The two could really compliment one another with DeFex's skills on bottom and Esparolini's skills on the feet. 

197 lbs
Dylan Harr 

Replacing a guy like Tommy Wrzesien will not be easy but Dylan Harr has shown that he's more than up for the job. Luca Colestock & Darby McLaughlin are two talents Harr defeated last season and he gave NCAA DIII qualifier Quinn Haddad a 3-1 match as well. 

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If you enjoy Johnnythompsonnum1 & would like to see further coverage of your favorite college wrestling teams and college wrestlers please consider donating to Johnnythompsonnum1. Thus far generous donations have allowed me to purchase a camera & I hope to further my ability to cover more events and grow the coverage I do for wrestling. Send donation via Venmo to Stephen-Stonebraker-1