2023 NCAA DI The Season: Southern Illinois

 *NOTE* - I want to make it clear what this is and what this is not.  What this is NOT is an overview of the entire team. What this is, is a who’s who preview of THIS season 2022-2023. Meaning that I am going to talk about the starters who I feel will have an impact THIS year. Those who will win big matches in duals. Those who will earn placings in major tournaments like CKLV, RENO, MIDLANDS, MATMEN INVITE, SOUTHERN SCUFFLE, CONFERENCES & NCAA’s.  In some cases a weight class will have multiple talented wrestlers. I will note that & I will also be making posts later on about the best wrestle-offs to look forward to this season.  Then after that is determined I will make post later into the season of who our best backups are in the nation.

This post will NOT include redshirts. Those who are redshirting this season will be included in a separate post entitled “22’-23’ Best Redshirts.” 

If you've been following me for long, you know that I'm a big Jeremy Spates fan. I have a lot of faith in him & know that eventually he'll turn the SIUE program into a winning one.  Matter of fact, "faith" is the word to describe my feelings on Cougar wrestling. This season a lot of "Could be" and "maybe."  He has wrestlers on his roster with plenty of potential, it's just a matter of getting it done. Note that I'm not sure of the current whereabouts of Justin Ruffin. 

133 lbs
Aaron Schulist 

Truth is, we haven't gotten to see a whole heck of a lot out of Aaron Schulist during his collegiate career. Already a junior by eligibility standards, he's wrestled a total of 15 matches. Nevetheless, if healthy and if he wrestles a full season, I think he's capable of doing some good things for the Cougars this season. A top 8 MAC finish & contention for an NCAA qualification. 

141 lbs
Saul Ervin 

16-9 on the season, I was a little surprised when 2021 NCAA qualifier Saul Ervin did not make a return trip to the NCAA championships. 4th & 6th thus far in the MAC, I do believe he will qualify this season. He has victories over Frankie Tal Shahar of Northwestern & Dylan Cedeno of Virginia

165 lbs
Cardi Wilson 

An NJCAA champion for Ellsworth Community College, I think this will be a better season for Cardi Wilson than was last. I think talent wise he has the ability to be a MAC place-winner & an NCAA qualifier. 

197 lbs
Ryan Yarnell 

4th in the MAC this past season, look for Ryan Yarnell to have another high finish within the conference. 

HWT 
Colton McKiernan 

Speaking about faith....  Here's a guy that will be going for his fifth MAC medal this season.  Thus far he's been 2nd-7th-6th-5th in the MAC, with his one and only NCAA qualification coming from his freshman season of 2019. There's absolutely no reason at all that he shouldn't walk out of the MAC with a top 3 finish & his second NCAA qualification this season. Matter of fact, I'd say he's even a darkhorse to win an MAC title.  He wrestled Jon Spaulding of Edinboro to a 3-0 decision & I don't think that an upset over Isaac Reid of Lock Haven is out of the question either. 

2023 NCAA DI The Season: Bloomsburg

 *NOTE* - I want to make it clear what this is and what this is not.  What this is NOT is an overview of the entire team. What this is, is a who’s who preview of THIS season 2022-2023. Meaning that I am going to talk about the starters who I feel will have an impact THIS year. Those who will win big matches in duals. Those who will earn placings in major tournaments like CKLV, RENO, MIDLANDS, MATMEN INVITE, SOUTHERN SCUFFLE, CONFERENCES & NCAA’s.  In some cases a weight class will have multiple talented wrestlers. I will note that & I will also be making posts later on about the best wrestle-offs to look forward to this season.  Then after that is determined I will make post later into the season of who our best backups are in the nation.

This post will NOT include redshirts. Those who are redshirting this season will be included in a separate post entitled “22’-23’ Best Redshirts.” 

This could be an historical year for the Huskies as they have the potential to crown their first ever MAC champion. The competition is fierce, but they are in a position to do so.  Note that I'm not sure of the current whereabouts of Alex Carida, a two time MAC place-winner & I want to throw in a word for Willy Gerard. A EWL champ in 2019, his career was plagued by injuries. It's really a shame because if healthy, it's likely that Gerard would have been one of their top stars of the past few seasons. 

Cole Rhone 

An NCAA qualifier for the Huskies in 2021, Cole Rhone barely missed out on another NCAA qualification this past season.  Thus far he's been 4th & 5th in the MAC & as he looks for NCAA qualification #2, he will also look to improve upon his conference finish. He was 17-7 on the season. 

141 lbs
Josh Mason 

We cold very well be looking at Bloomsburg's first MAC champion here.  20-11 on the season last year, Josh Mason finished as the MAC runner-up. He's already proven that he can beat Gabe Willochell of Edinboro as he owns a 5-3 decision over the Fighting Scot.  

2023 NCAA DI The Season: Central Michigan

 


Graduation has hit the Chippewas hard in a few areas.  Gone from the lower weights is  three time NCAA qualifier & two time MAC champion Dresden Simon as well as Drew Marten an NCAA qualifier from 2020. Then of course the biggest loss, from the upper weights, HWT Matt Stencel, the MAC's ONLY five time champion, a wrestler with 110 victories, 74 of them via fall. That's not all either.  Brock Bergelin, Aaron Bolo & Bret Fedewa area all missing from the current lineup as well. Not sure what is going on there.  The plus side is, Central Michigan is looking tough throughout the middleweights. 

149 lbs
Johnny Lovett 

After two seasons at 157 lbs, Johnny Lovett will move down to 149 lbs this year. Thus far 3rd & 2nd within the MAC, this could be his year to win a conference title.  He was 22-8 on the season last year. 

157 lbs
Corbyn Munson 

26-9 on the season, Corbyn Munson qualified for the NCAA championships with a 3rd place finish at the MAC tournament. This season he moves up to 157 lbs & it'll be interesting to see how he does 8 lbs up. 

165 lbs
Tracy Hubbard

23-11 on the season last year, Tracy Hubbard finished one match shy of NCAA qualification when he finished 4th in the MAC.  While it will still be a challenge, I do believe he will qualify for the NCAA's this season. 

174 lbs
Alex Cramer 

Injured this past season, I do believe that if Alex Cramer is 100% healthy, he will be another NCAA qualifier for the Chippewas. He's defeated Cleveland State's Riley Smucker twice, and he has victories over Kolby Ho of Clarion & Neil Antrassian of Virginia. 

2023 DI The Season: Oklahoma

 

The Sooners are looking good this year.  Heck, matter of fact, they have multiple weights where more than one wrestler is NCAA qualification material. Makes me wonder if in some cases a wrestler might move up or down for the betterment of the team.  From where I sit right now, eight NCAA qualifiers is very feasible. Matter of fact, I'd call it a shoe-in expectation.  Only Sooner gone is Justin Thomas, another great wrestler who never made All American.  A four time NCAA qualifier, he twice placed at CKLV. Dom Demas has decided to spend the rest of his career at Cal Poly.  As to three time NCAA qualifier Anthony Mantanona? Someone get me Ben Matlock, cause I have no idea of his current whereabouts. Same with Joe Grello. 

125 lbs
Joey Prata 

I thought he was done last season, but turns out Joey Prata has yet another year of eligibility.  19-9 on the season last year, the two time NCAA qualifier finished one match shy of All American status. The Sooner will fight hard to make the top eight this season. 

133 lbs
Anthony Madrigal OR Wyatt Henson

Among the many great wrestle-offs we'll see for Oklahoma this season, the battle between Anthony Madrigal and former Iowa Hawkeye Wyatt Henson will be one of them.  Madrigal, a three time NCAA qualifier, was a BIG 12 runner-up in 2021.  Henson 18-2 on the season last year, defeated MAC champ Quinn Kinner of Rider 7-3.  This will be a battle for varsity. 

141 lbs
Mosha Schwartz OR Jacob Butler 

Here's another fun wrestle-off to look forward to.  Mosha Schwartz a two time NCAA qualifier Vs Jacob Butler an NCAA qualifier last season.  While Schwartz has victories over Haiden Drury of Utah Valley as well as teammate Anthony Madrigal, Butler was the starter last season with a very nice win over Iowa State's Ian Parker. 

149 lbs
Willie McDougald Or Mitch Moore 

Yet another great wrestle-off to look forward to. Willie McDougald an NCAA qualifier last season Vs Mitch Moore who was unfortunately injured last season.  Moore a three time NCAA qualifier owns silver medals from both the ACC & the BIG 12 as well as CKLV finishes of 8th & 6th.  Both of these guys are AA material. 

157 lbs
Jared Hill 

While it's hard to lose a talent like Justin Thomas, Jared Hill will be an excellent replacement. The redshirt freshman went 21-3 on the season, with a win over NCAA qualifier Michael Petite of Buffalo. 

165 lbs
Gerrit Nijenhuis 

Former Purdue Boilermaker Gerrit Nijenhuuis has decided to change both his school & his weight class.  Moving down to 165 lbs, the two time NCAA qualifier will spend the remainder of his collegiate wrestling career at Oklahoma.  Among his other credentials he brings with him to Norman an 8th place CKLV finish & a 5th place Mat Men Open finish. 

184 lbs
Keegan Moore OR Darrien Roberts 

From Oklahoma State to Northern Iowa, Keegan Moore will spend his final season of eligibility at Oklahoma.  A two time NCAA qualifier, he has some very impressive wins thus far in his career. He's defeated All American Dakota Geer of Oklahoma State twice & he also owns two victories over Lehigh's Tate Samuelson.  His first test of the season will be against Darrien Roberts, who owns an impressive 5th place CKLV finish.  Should be an excellent wrestle-off & I'd be curious if there is an option for either of these two talents to maybe go up to 197. 

HWT 
Josh Heindselman 

A two time NCAA qualifier for the Sooners, Josh Heindselman will look to earn NCAA qualification #3 this season. 

2023 NCAA DI The Season: Rider

 *NOTE* - I want to make it clear what this is and what this is not.  What this is NOT is an overview of the entire team. What this is, is a who’s who preview of THIS season 2022-2023. Meaning that I am going to talk about the starters who I feel will have an impact THIS year. Those who will win big matches in duals. Those who will earn placings in major tournaments like CKLV, RENO, MIDLANDS, MATMEN INVITE, SOUTHERN SCUFFLE, CONFERENCES & NCAA’s.  In some cases a weight class will have multiple talented wrestlers. I will note that & I will also be making posts later on about the best wrestle-offs to look forward to this season.  Then after that is determined I will make post later into the season of who our best backups are in the nation.

This post will NOT include redshirts. Those who are redshirting this season will be included in a separate post entitled “22’-23’ Best Redshirts.” 

Looks to be a pretty good year for Rider wrestling as I can see as many as four Broncs bringing home MAC titles this season. 

133 lbs
Richie Koehler 

24-9 on the season, Richie Koehler was a match away from placing at the Southern Scuffle as he brought home an MAC championship.  He will once again be the forerunner to win a title this season. 

141 lbs
McKenzie Bell 

Here's another Bronc that will contend for a MAC title this season. 6th at the Mat Men Open last season, he garnered a 10-5 decision over Edinboro's Gabe Willochell. 

149 lbs
Quinn Kinner 

An MAC champion at 141 lbs last season, Quinn Kinner will now try to win another conference title at 149 lbs.  He was 19-8 on the year. 

157 lbs
Jake Silverstein

An NCAA qualifier in 2021, junior Jake Silverstein will look to qualify for the NCAA's this season. 

197 lbs
Ethan Laird 

Coming off of a redshirt, Ethan Laird returns for his final season of competition.  A couple of seasons at HWT, he has moved back down to the 197 lbs weight class.  A MAC champion in 2019, he has runner-up finishes from 2020 & 2021.  He will be a favorite to once again win an MAC title this season. I would also call him, among the warzone that is 197 lbs, an All American candidate. 

2023 NCAA DI The Season: Edinboro

 

Robert Stack would have a heyday with Edinboro as the mysteries of Fighting Scot wrestling remain unsolved as we head into the 2022-2023 season. I no more know the current status of three time NCAA qualifier Jacob Oliver anymore today than what I did a year ago at this time. To add to the confusion, Ty Varndell is now missing without a trace as well. As to the bright side, the talent that is returning is looking good. Could be looking at as many as four NCAA qualifiers, two of which will contend for MAC titles. 

141 lbs
Gabe Willochell 

An NCAA qualifier for the Scots last season, Gabe Willochell was 22-10 capturing a 3rd place finish at the MAC championships. With a 6-3 victory over EIWA champion Matt Kazimir of Columbia & a 6:54 fall over North Carolina freshman sensation Lachlan McNeil, he will be a front-runner for an MAC title & All American honors this season. 

184 lbs
Ethan Ducca 

Look for sophomore Ethan Ducca to contend for NCAA qualification this season. He was 14-6 last year. 

197 lbs
Cody Mulligan 

Another Fighting Scot who will contend for NCAA qualification this season is junior Cody Mulligan. 21-10 on the season last year, he was 6th in the MAC. 

HWT
Jon Spaulding 

While Isaac Reid of Lock Haven will be stiff competition, I would not be surprised at all if Jon Spaulding walks into the MAC the "heavy" favorite to win the heavyweight title.  A MAC runner-up in 2020, he gives the Scots another All American hopeful. 

2023 NCAA DI The Season: Virginia

 

Looks to be a pretty good year for Cavalier wrestling. See as many as eight NCAA qualifiers this season.  Gone is Jay Aiello who I would concur one of the best of recent times to never All American. A four time NCAA qualifier, he was a two time ACC champion & R12 this past year.  He was also a two time CKLV place-winner & a Midlands runner-up.  Also gone is Brian Courtney a two time NCAA qualifier & I am unsure of the current status of Quinn Miller a three time NCAA qualifier. 

125 lbs
Patrick McCormick

As unpredictable & inconsistent as he may be, when it comes time to get tough, Patrick McCormick shows up. 3rd in the ACC the past two seasons, he's made two trips to the NCAA championships thus far. He was 14-13 last year. 

133 lbs
Erik Roggie

Redshirt freshman Erik Roggie looks to do some good things in his first varsity season as a Cavalier. 12-6 on the year, he had impressive victories over Joe Heilmann of Rutgers & Corey Cabanban of Iowa State. 

141 lbs
Dylan Cedano 

Despite not having the best record in the world last season, Dylan Cedano still made the NCAA championships. Among his victories, a 5-0 shutout of NCAA runner-up Kizhan Clarke of North Carolina. He also defeated Collin Gerardi of Virginia Tech 7-5. 

149 lbs
Jarod Verkleeren OR Denton Spencer    

Here's a good wrestle-off for a varsity position on the Cavalier line-up.  Jarod Verkleeren a 2020 NCAA qualifier was 16-10 on the year last season. He had a victory over Cal Poly's Dom Demas. Denton Spencer, among his victories, a win over MAC champ Ben Barton of Lock Haven. 

157 lbs
Jake Keating

Two time NCAA qualifier Jake Keating has thus far been 2nd & 3rd in the ACC the past two seasons. If he wants to contend for a conference title he'll have to get past both Austin O'Connor of North Carolina & Ed Scott of North Carolina State. He's already proven he can defeat the Wolfpack'er as he defeated him 11-10 last season. 17-7 on the year, he was 3rd at the Mat Men Open. 

165 lbs
Justin McCoy 

20-4 on the season last year, Justin McCoy was one match shy of All American honors. A two time ACC runner-up he will be the front-runner for a conference title this season as well as a top 8 finish within the NCAA. 

174 lbs
Vic Marcelli OR Justin Phillips OR Robert Patrick 

Any which way you slice it, we have some talent here at 174 lbs. Vic Marcelli a 2021 NCAA qualifier who was also 7th at the Midlands in 2020. Justin Phillips 15-11 last season, a quality win over Caleb Fisher of Michigan State. Last but certainly not least, Robert Patrick who despite all of the hiccups he's suffered thus far in his career could very well be a dangerous individual if 100%.  

184 lbs
Neil Antrassian 

Pennsylvania transfer Neil Antrassian will spend his final season of eligibility as a Cavalier. 16-10 on the season last year, he had impressive wins over Chris Weiler of Wisconsin, A.J. Burkhart of Lehigh, Bryan McLaughlin of Drexel and David Key of Navy. He was 8th at the Mat Men Open. 

197 lbs
Michael Battista 

An NCAA qualifier last year, Michael Battista was 15-8 on the season. 

2023 NCAA DI The Season: Columbia

 

Columbia is here to wrestle people!! I can't tell you how impressed I've been with the commitment I've seen from the Lion program. Have you seen their 2022-2023 schedule? Ohio State, Michigan, Pittsburgh, Oklahoma State, Princeton, Pennsylvania, Cornell & Lehigh! Holy cow! They aren't messing around!! If that ain't enough, both CKLV & The Salute to Service!  I expect some big things out of Columbia this year & I think we're going to see them.  Steve Santos was the Lions last All American in 2013, I think we could very well see one this season.  You know when the last time Columbia crowned at two time EIWA champion? 1915.  Actor Nat Pendleton, a 1920 Olympic silver medalist.  It's been over 100 years & Matt Kazimir could very well do it.  The IVY league as a whole is stepping it up with their wrestling & Columbia is a huge part of it. 

125 lbs
Joe Manchio 

Joe Manchio enters his final season of eligibility a three time EIWA place-winner & a two time NCAA qualifier. A EIWA finalist in 2020, making another EIWA final may be a tall order as the weight class returns both Ryan Miller of Pennsylvania & Pat Glory of Princeton. However, EIWA bronze is most certainly within Manchio's grasp. He's already proven he can defeat Lehigh's Jaret Lane with a 4-3 decision. 

133 lbs
Angelo Rini 

19-10 on theseason last year, junior Angelo Rini captured a 7th place finish at the EIWA championships. Wins over Anthony Sobotker of Binghamton & Anthony Koderhandt of Navy, he will look to improve upon his EIWA finish & contend for NCAA qualification this season. 

141 lbs
Matt Kazimir

It was 1915 the last time the Lions crowned a two time EIWA champion. This year, Matt Kazimir has an opportunity to win his second title as he was the EIWA champion last year. For the record, it also his opportunity to make the finals for the third time, as he was an EIWA runner-up in 2020.  Also on the table is to earn All American honors. He defeated Penn All American C.J. Composto twice last season by scores of 9-2 & 6-4.  He also took preseason #1 Cole Matthews of Pittsburgh into the tiebreakers as well. 

149 lbs
Danny Fongaro 

20-12 on the season last year, Danny Fongaro was 5th in the EIWA. He will look to improve upon his finish & contend for NCAA qualification this year. 

157 lbs
Kyle Mosher 

A match away from placing at CKLV last season, I can Kyle Mosher contending for NCAA qualification this season. Among his victories, a 1:55 fall over Bryce Hepner of Ohio State.

165 bs
Josh Ogunsanya 

Here's another Lion I can foresee contending for NCAA All American honors this season. Josh Ogunsanya was 21-8 on the season last year capturing 7th place honors at CKLV & a runner up finish at the EIWA's.  Among his victories of note, he defeated Lehigh's Brian Meyer twice, with a victory over 2021 NCAA runner-up Jake Wentzel of Pittsburgh as well as a win over Cornell's Julian Ramirez. 

174 lbs
Nick Fine 

I was surprised that Nick Fine didn't make the NCAA tournament last year, but I do feel that he will make it this year. 23-12 on the season, 7th in the EIWA, he had a victory over Army's Ben Pasiuk.