NOTE: Before I begin, let me go off on a small tangent for a minute. Those of us that are NCAA Division III wrestling fans often gripe about not having enough qualifiers. Of course, we're happier with 21 this year compared to the 18 we seemed stuck at for ages. However, we'd all like to see the 32 that the NAIA gets or even the 33 that the NCAA DI gets. Because of rules, regulations and set up, it's often a moot point to argue. Yet let me emphasize just how nuts the 149 lbs weight class is. Not only do we have some super talented guys fighting for one of those 21 slots, it's a dogfight to place top 8 in your regional! Of course, there are always some extremely tough wrestlers who don't make the national tournament, but trust me, there were some damn good wrestlers who didn't place at regionals last year! Not only that but as you'll read, you'll see how deep some of these teams are at 149 lbs. How tough it is to even make the varsity, let alone think about being top 3 at the Regional. I feel compelled to point this out because I think it needs pointed out. This will be a long read, tons of talent in this weight class.
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| Michael Petrella Baldwin Wallace |
There's something like 126 (and that's just talking the varsity guys) wrestlers per weight class in NCAA DIII & here at 149 lbs among those 126 wrestlers, is the #1 guy. Michael Petrella of Baldwin Wallace. All in all, Petrella has put together an unbelievable 112-3 record, going 43-0 last season. The Three time Central Regional champion has made the NCAA DIII finals three times, winning the title the past two seasons. He not only looks to become a three time NCAA D3 champ, but to also go down as one of the best D3 wrestlers in history.
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| Tyler Goebel Talan Schutte Joe Penchi UW-La Crosse |
26-2 on the season, Tyler Goebel made the NCAA D3 finals last year. Thus far 3rd & 1st in the Lower Midwest Regional, he's also thus far 2nd & 1st in the WIAC. Among the many things that help to make Goebel as good as he is, are the extraordinarily strong backups he has in the room pushing him to be better. Talan Schutte won 21 matches last year. 4th at Pete Willson, he stuck Tyler Herrema at the 2:37 mark. Joe Penchi won 13 matches last season, including a 15-9 decision over qualifier Ty Koedam.
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| Charlie Dojan Wartburg |
27 wins on the season, Charlie Dojan heads into his final year of collegiate competition having taking 3rd place honors at the NCAA DIII championships & runner-up honors at the Lower Midwest Regional.
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| Eric Kinkaid Loras |
Only a junior and already the Duhawk is a two time NCAA DIII qualifier with Lower Midwest Regional results of 3rd & 1st. 4th in the D3 nation last year, he won 28 matches.
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| Zach Sato UW-Eau Claire |
What a decorated career it has been for Zach Sato thus far as he heads into his final season of competition. 34 wins on the year, he earned a 5th place finish at the NCAA DIII championships. A Pete Willson runner-up, he's been 3rd-4th-2nd in the Upper Midwest Regional and he's been 3rd the past two WIAC's.
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| Colby Frost Southern Maine |
6th in the D3 Nation last season, Colby Frost heads into the '24-'25 season, a two time NCAA DIII qualifier with Northeast Regional finishes of 3rd-5th-3rd. 25 wins on the year.
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| Mike Conklin Mayson Harms TCNJ |
26 wins on the season, Mike Conklin enters his final year of competition now a two time NCAA DIII All American with 8th & 7th place finishes. 2nd-5th-1st in the Mideast Regional, he was 3rd at the New Standard last year. He will be backed up by a very tough Mayson Harms, who among 19 wins last season defeated R12'er Daniel Uribe 4-1 s.v.
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| Mike Glynn III R.I.T. |
What a turn around it was for Mike Glynn last season. 5th & 8th in his first two Mideast Regionals, the Tiger made the finals last season & then went on to capture 8th place All American honors in the D3 nation. 29-5 on the year, he won the Ken Oberman Memorial & he finished 2nd at the SUNY-AC.
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| Taylor Smith Washington & Jefferson |
I don't know for sure, but I believe that Taylor Smith's 47 victories last season may have been a record for all of collegiate wrestling in '23-'24. Just to think, he's only a freshman too. So if he continues wrestling as many matches as he did this past season, he could accumulate close to 200 victories before his career is said and done. That's unheard of at the collegiate level. A Southeast Regional champion, he nearly made All American. Winning the Baldwin Wallace Invitational, he nearly majored Mike Conklin 10-3 & he defeated Mike Glynn 3-2.
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| Daniel Uribe Wabash |
I've said it before and I'll say it again, I think one of the most courageous events in NCAA DIII wrestling are the guys that come back after tough losses & work their way to 3rd place at the Regionals. The amount of focus and intestinal fortitude that shows is unmatchable. Here is Daniel Uribe, who has accomplished that on three occasions earning bronze medals from the Central Regional the past three seasons. A match away from All American honors last year, this year he looks to earn that top 8 national finish. 43 wins on the year, he was runner-up at the North Central Invitational.
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| Jesse Alvarado Averett |
Jesse Alvarado didn't step on the mat much last season, but the times he did, he made count. 3rd in the Southeast Regional, he was one match shy of earning D3 All American honors. He goes into the '24-'24 season having placed 2nd & 3rd thus far in the ODAC.
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| Charlie Stuhl & Cole Becker Augsburg |
Something in the air or something in the water, whatever it was, there was something in La Crosse, Wisconsin last March that did not bode well for the Stuhl family. 8th in the NCAA DIII in 2023, Stuhl finished a match shy of earning his second All American honor last year. Despite the disappointing outcome at nationals, Stuhl still had a number of notable wins during the season. He had both an 11-3 major and a 5-2 s.v. over Charlie Dojan. He defeated Eric Kinkaid on three occasions by scores of 8-1, 11-1 & 7-5. He defeated Zach Sato 2-1. In a loaded bracket at the Luther Open, he placed 5th mainly among NCAA DI competition. Looking to reclaim his All American honors, he heads into '24-'25, thus far 5th-1st-3rd in the Lower Midwest Regional.
All that said...and the fact that I've love to see Stuhl redemption...it is NOT lost on me that Stuhl isn't exactly mopping the floor with Cole Becker either. In fact there one official match last year ended 5-4 in favor of Stuhl. 26-5 on the season himself, Becker had some wins worth pointing out. This includes a 13-4 major decision over qualifier Ty Koedam. It also includes a 10-2 major decision, as well as a 5-4 decision over Jalin Conner. So, as Stuhl looks to redeem himself this season, step #1 will be securing his spot against a very hungry Becker.
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| Evan Lindner Washington & Lee |
Here's another guy that made leaps and bounds between '23 & '24. 7th at the Southeast Regional in 2023, Evan Lindner made the finals last season. 26-6 on the year, he finished at the New Standard runner-up and he won the ODAC (2nd in 2023). He had both a 5-3 & 8-4 victory over R12'er Jesse Alvarado & he defeated All American Mike Conklin 7-4 s.v.
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| Nathan Fitt Tye Barker USCGA |
The Bears have two outstanding wrestlers here at 149 lbs, both of which are NCAA DIII qualifier caliber. If fact, Nathan Fitt has already made the NCAA DIII championships twice in his career, a Northeast Regional champ last year, with a 26-2 record. Had a 8-5 s.v. over All American Colby Frost as well.
Tye Barker on the other hand, went 23-4, with some impressive victories of his own. A 2-1 decision over qualifier Zach Soda, he also defeated Elijah Cyr 8-3.
In an official meeting, Fitt defeated Barker last year 2-0. The battle for varsity here is quite real and will once again be quite fierce.
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| Zach Soda New England College |
25 wins on the season last year, including a 12-10 victory over All American Colby Frost, Zach Soda qualified for the NCAA DIII championships with a runner-up finish at the Northeast Regional.
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| Max Honiss Albion |
23 wins on the season, Max Honiss qualified for the NCAA DIII championships with a runner-up finish at the Central Regional. Had a 14-10 win over R12'er Daniel Uribe.
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| Ty Koedam Lauden Edwards Coe |
What a rookie season it was for Ty Koedam last season. Winning the Coe Invitational, he qualified for his first trip to the NCA A DIII championships with a 3rd place showing at the Lower Midwest Regional. As he heads into his sophomore season of competition, I dare not count out Lauden Edwards quite yet. On the season Koedam won two very close matches (1-0 & 4-2), one of which was in the finals of the Coe Invitational. Should once again prove to be an excellent wrestle-off.
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| Tyler Herrema Olivet |
22 wins on the season, Tyler Herrema nearly qualified for the NCAA DIII championships with a 4th place finish at the Central Regional. 5th at Pete Willson, he heads into the '24-'25 season having placed 2nd & 3rd thus far at the Trine Invitational. He had a 6-4 victory over qualifier Max Honiss.
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| Thomas Monn McDaniel |
A Mideast Regional champion in 2023, Thomas Monn came up just a hair short of a second NCAA DIII qualification last year as he finished 4th. A 5:08 fall over R12'er Taylor Smith, Monn went 31-6 overall winning titles at Messiah and Washington & Jefferson.
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| Jalin Conner Scott Busse UW-Whitewater |
Here's another excellent wrestle-off that will take place in NCAA DIII wrestling at 149 lbs. Jalin Conner won 28 matches last season, finishing one match shy of qualification as he finished in 4th place at the Upper Midwest Regional. He was also one match shy of a top 8 showing at Pete Willson.
Scott Busse went 21-4 on the season. A WIAC runner-up, he defeated qualifier Ty Koedam 7-1. A 10-2 major decision over Tyler Herrema, he defeated Ryan Fleck 3-0 & he defeated Riese Thornberry by scores of 7-3 & 7-2.
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| Jordan Suarez Johnson & Wales |
24 wins on the season, Jordan Suarez finished one match shy of NCAA DIII qualification with a 4th place finish at the Northeast Regional. He scored a 9-5 decision over qualifier Evan Lindner.
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| Kobin Karper Lycoming |
Kobin Karper heads into the '24-'25 season having thus far posted Southeast Regional finishes of 6th and 4th. He had 15 victories last year.
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| Ryan Fleck Brendan Connolly Chicago |
An NCAA DIII All American of 6th in 2022 with an Upper Midwest Regional runner-up finish, Ryan Fleck has yet to make it back to the dance. Health & injuries playing a part, he's been 5th & 6th in the Regional the past two years. Nevertheless, he did win 18 matches last season & he has picked up Pete Willson finishes of 4th & 8th.
As Fleck prepares for his final season of competition, one of his toughest challenges will be within his own room against teammate Brendan Connolly. A Trine Invitational champion last year, he majored qualifier Max Honiss 17-9 & he stuck Tyler Herrema at the 1:33 mark.
Officially, Fleck defeated Connolly 12-9 last year.
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| Landon Card Cornell (IA) |
Landon Card heads into his final season of collegiate competition having thus far posted back to back 5th place finishes at the Lower Midwest Regional. 21 wins on the year, he looked best at Pete Willson where he took 3rd. He also had a 4-1 victory over qualifier Ty Koedam.
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| Isaac Hawkins Trine |
Again, with the whole COVID-19 situation, it's not always easy to tell who still has eligibility Vs who does not. If I have to make the choice, I'd rather include someone who is finished with their collegiate career, than I would to leave someone off who has more time on the clock.
I don't know if Isaac Hawkins still has this year left, or if last year was his final year. What I do know though, is that if he is back, he's a contender for NCAA DIII qualification. 6th & 5th thus far in teh Central Regional, he has been 3rd & 2nd at the Baldwin Wallace Invitational & he was the Trine Invitational runner-up last year. 24 wins on the season.
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| Shane Strausser Elizabethtown |
Lock it up, you're going to your back side cradle master Shane Strausser won 21 matches last season, finishing 5th at the Mideast Regional.
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| Caleb Seyfried Williams |
Caleb Seyfried finished 5th at the Northeast Regional last season.
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| Chase Kmosena Luther |
Chase Kmosena finished 6th in the Lower Midwest Regional last season.
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| Christian Paredes Angelo Centrone SUNY-Cortland |
Christian Paredes was the starter for the Red Dragons last season, placing 6th at the Mideast Regional, but I tell you that I'm anxious to see what may be in store for Angelo Centrone in '24-'25. He went 18-0 last year. He majored All American Zach Sato 21-9, also scoring a major decision over Thomas Monn 13-5 & a major over Elijah Cyr 13-3. He won the Roger Williams Invite.
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| Peter Charnley Western New England |
24 wins on the season, Peter Charnley was 6th at the Northeast Regional.
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| Cole Homet Waynesburg |
6th at the Southeast Regional last season, Cole Homet won 17 matches.
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| Keagen Mabie Manchester |
30 wins on the season, Keagen Mabie was 6th at the Central Regional & a runner-up at the Baldwin Wallace Invitational.
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| Elijah Cyr Castleton |
28 wins on the season last year, Elijah Cyr finished 7th at the Northeast Regional. A Citrus Invitational champion, he's thus far had 6th & 2nd place finishes at Roger Williams. Defeated All American Colby Frost 5-4.
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Cael Cox Central |
18 wins on the season for Cael Cox, who finished 7th at the Lower Midwest Regional.
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| Riese Thornberry UW-Stevens Point |
7th at the Upper Midwest Regional & a match shy of placing at Pete Willson, Riese Thornberry won 16 matches last year, including a fall over NCAA finalist Tyler Goebel at 6:23.
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| Sam Ross Adrian |
The Bulldog placed 7th at the Central Regional last season.
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| Tyler Rossini SUNY-Oswego |
26 wins on the season, Tyler Rossini heads into the '24-'25 season having won the SUNY-AC title this past year. He was also 7th at the Mideast Regional.
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| Ethan Composto Gettysburg |
23-6 on the year, Ethan Composto placed 7th at the Southeast Regional.
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| Cole Ramos Concordia (WIS) |
A CCIW champion last year, Cole Ramos won 16 matches, placing 8th at the Upper Midwest Regional. Among his victories, a 6-4 decision over qualifier Ty Koedam & a 13-3 major decision over Tyler Herrema.
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| Kyle Bizjak John Carroll |
22 wins on the season, Kyle Bizjak was 8th at the Central Regional.
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| Zach Vera Jersey City |
18 wins on the year, it was 8th place for Zach Vera at the Mideast Regional.
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| Jarrod Pominville Roanoke |
20 wins on the year for Jarrod Pominville, who enters the '24-'25 season having posted 6th & 4th place finishes at the Citrus Invitational & 8th at the Southeast Regional.
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| Vincenzo Napolitana NYU |
23 wins on the season, one of which was a 9-6 victory over R12'er Taylor Smith, Vincenzo Napolitana was 8th at the Northeast Regional.
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| Elijah Blackwell Southern Virginia |
21 wins on the season, Elijah Blackwell enters '24-'25 now a two time ODAC runner-up. He also had a 1:50 fall over R12'er Jesse Alvarado.
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| Dalton Monger Messiah |
18 wins on the season, Dalton Monger placed 6th at Pete Willson.
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| Freddy Pimental Johns Hopkins |
20 wins on the year, Freddy Pimental made the finals of the Citrus Invitational.
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| Chris Perry Trinity |
22-5 on the season, no doubt about it, Chris Perry was one of the best wrestlers in NCAA DIII last season to not place in his regional. If the record doesn't speak enough to you, the fact that he defeated qualifier Zach Soda twice should. Once by fall at the 2:10 mark and again by a 13-3 major decision.
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| Ryan Santiago Wilkes |
16 wins on the season last year, one of which was an 11 second fall over All American Mike Conklin.
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| Quinn Tobin Alvernia |
Among the 21 wins Quinn Tobin collected last season, one was a 19-6 major decision over R12'er Taylor Smith.
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| Josh Dorr North Central |
Josh Dorr didn't step on the mat much last season, but what sticks out to me is an 11-2 major decisin over qualifier Max Honiss.
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| Nick Paolucci York (PA) |
23 wins in '23-'24, Nick Paolucci scored a 13-1 victory over Jordan Suarez.
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| Eddie Pinc USMMA |
Of the 19 wins Eddie Pinc gathered last season, one of them was a 15-8 decision over Jordan Suarez.
