2019 PAC 12 - My Thoughts

One of the things that I've always appreciated about the PAC-12 in years past is that it was usually based on PAC-12 results.  Meaning that seeding reflected head to head competition Vs PAC-12 opponents more so than it did national rankings.  I personally feel that even if someone is ranked above you in the rankings, if you beat them, that should reflect your seeding at the conference championships.  So keep that in mind as you read what I have to say.

Blue will indicate allocations and pink will indicate plausible steals


125 lbs


1. Bresser
2. Millhof
3. Townsell

The PAC-12 finals at 125 lbs will be a familiar clash between Oregon State's Ronnie Bresser and Arizona State's Ryan Millhof.  Bresser leads the series three matches to one, but most of their matches have been close and being the final time they'll probably meet in their careers, it ought to be good.

133 lbs


1. Nickell
2. Pengilly
3. Kline
4. Funakoshi 
I don't know who in the Hell I'm trying to kid by putting down Kline and Funakoshi as plausible steals, but I suppose I do so for a few different reasons.  First and foremost, it's the PAC-12. If you go back and look through PAC-12 brackets over the past 20 years, you'll notice that it's a tournament synonymous with upsets.  Secondly, Funakoshi kept it close with Pengilly when they wrestled back on the seventeenth of February.  While I'm pretty sure that Nickell and Pengilly will be our two qualifiers at 133 lbs out of the PAC-12, I wouldn't put it past Kline or Funakoshi to steal his spot.

141 lbs


The earned allocation which I'm almost positive will be the PAC-12 champion is Grant Willits of Oregon State.

149 lbs 



1. Van Der Merwe
2. Maruca
3. Rohlfing 

This is an interesting weight class for a variety of different reasons.  Josh Maruca the 2017 PAC-12 champion had to sit the tournament out last season due to being the backup for Jason Tsirtsis. No question about it, he is hungry to obtain his second PAC-12 crown.  In his way will be Requir Van Der Merwe of Stanford, who defeated the sun devil earlier this season 4-1.  It's not often we have foreign wrestlers in collegiate wrestling anymore.  To my knowledge Van Der Merwe is the first South African wrestling division one since Shaun Williams of Oregon who graduated in 2002 and Heinrich Barnes of Oregon State who graduated in 2009. 

Lastly we have Russell Rohlfing a two time NCAA qualifier, who has a history of inconsistency and unpredictability.  He's lost some real head scratchers this season but he's also one the only losses Pat Lugo of Iowa has suffered.  He's the type of guy you may majored the last time you wrestled, but one who will take you into overtime the next. 

157 lbs


1. Fox
2. Pagdilao
3. Willits 

It's quite the story for Arizona State's Christian Pagdilao.  He won a PAC-12 title in 2015 as a true freshman and he hasn't been back to the PAC-12 tournament since. For him to win his second title as a redshirt senior would really make the story come full circle.  He'll have to get past Stanford's Paul Fox, the most "tournament wrestler" there is this season.  While Fox doesn't always have the most impressive of results during the season, he always wrestles well at the NCAA's.   He's finished third the past two PAC-12 championships.  Then before we move on to 165 lbs, there is also Hunter Willits of Oregon State, who upset Fox in route to a runner-up finish last season.

165 lbs 

1. Shields
2. Mandarino 

Josh Shields looks to win his third consecutive PAC-12 title this season. Only thing possibly standing in his way could be Stanford's Dom Mandarino.

174 lbs 

I don't know if it gets anymore shoe-in of a sure thing than Valencia winning the PAC-12 title at 174 lbs.  This will be nothing more than a little extra conditioning before the NCAA's.

184 lbs 



1. Norfleet
2. Ducharme 
I'm almost positive based on the small number of matches that Norfleet has wrestled this season and the fact that in eight wins the only one that sticks out is a 6:15 fall over Ethan Smith, that Ducharme is the one that earned an allocation here.  Yet with that said, Norfleet is the returning PAC-12 champion and he's defeated Ducharme every time he's stepped on the mat with him.  I find it hard to believe that the PAC-12 would seed Ducharme ahead of Norfleet.

197 lbs 


1. Traxler
2. Lane 
Pretty simple here at 197 lbs.  Two allocations and these are the two that will get them.

HWT


1. Dhesi
2. Maley


Two time PAC-12 champion Amar Dhesi will defend his title against relative new comer Hadyn Maley of Stanford.


OREGON STATE 
The glory years of Jim Zalesky's Oregon State Beavers seem to be behind him as of late. Nevertheless he should send at least three, if not four to the NCAA tournament and two of those wrestlers should win individual PAC-12 titles.

ARIZONA STATE 
The Sun Devils look to win the PAC-12 team title as a result of bonus points, although Stanford could plausibly have more NCAA qualifiers.  The Sun Devils will send at least six, maybe seven.

STANFORD 
You'd think with the amount of talent that Coach Borelli continues to produce at Stanford that maybe he might start to get a little recognition and credit for it. I guess not.  Look for seven wrestlers to take a little break from the farm to spend a half a week in Pittsburgh. 

CAL STATE BAKERSFIELD 
Only confident in one qualifier for the Roadrunners this tournament, although I can see as many as three.

CAL POLY 
While I'd love to see Funakoshi turn it on and have the tournament of his life, that's most likely not going to happen.  Looks like Tom Lane will probably be the only Mustang going to the NCAA's this year.

2019 ACC Thoughts

The ACC continues to grow as the NCAA granted 37 allocations to the conference for this year's NCAA tournament.  With the depth of some weight classes and the likelihood of steals, I can see them getting even more. It's proof in the pudding that the teams of the ACC take wrestling seriously and want their conference to be known for wrestling. With the addition of Presbyterian College next season, maybe it's not all that wishful after all to think that maybe we might see Clemson or Louisville add wrestling.  Technically every team in the ACC should have wrestling, but I'm here to talk about the 2019 ACC tournament. So enough of that and on to what I see.

 Allotments will be in blue and plausible steals will be in pink.  I'll seed according to how I view things and then I'll post at the end how many wrestlers I believe each team qualifies.  

125 lbs


1. Fausz
2. Mueller

The NCAA allotted two wrestlers from the ACC at 125 lbs and it is crystal clear that the two are North Carolina State's Sean Fausz and Virginia's Jack Mueller.  Seeing that the two have not met yet this year, it is tricky as to who will get the #1 seed.  Mueller is ranked higher in the NCAA, but Fausz in the returning ACC champion.  I gave Fausz the nod, as the last time the two met two years ago, Fausz won a 12-5 decision.

133

1. Phillippi
2. Wilson
3. Myers
4. Wayne Harding 
5. Hayes 

A fun weight class that will be rather exciting for the ACC fans as the race for a title will be between three wrestlers.  Phillippi has established himself as the #1 seed but one of his only losses this season is to Myers.  Then there is Wilson who if he wrestles anything like he did at last year's NCAA tournament, will be a nightmare for anyone he steps onto the mat with. 

Lastly I'll say that results thus far indicate that Louie Hayes will be staying home this year.  The move up to 133 lbs has been rough.  With Mueller only a junior, I would not be surprised to see Hayes transfer out and wrestle 125 lbs for another program next season.  He's a top twelve 125 lbs'er or better.  At 133 lbs he'll continue to struggle just to find his way to the NCAA tournament. 

141 lbs


1. Morris
2. Headlee
3. Moore
4. Finesilver
5. Bentley
6. Krivus 
The NCAA has allotted four spots at 141 lbs for the ACC.  I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see Bentley who has fourth and third place finishes as well as Krivus who has two third place finishes steal one of those spots. Neither one has any intention of staying home from this year's NCAA tournament. Josh Finesilver may have earned the spot, but it'll take every ounce of everything he has to keep it.

149 lbs 



1. Finesilver
2. O'Connor
3. Oliver
4. Blees

I find this to be an extremely interesting weight class for a number of reasons.  First and foremost the NCAA allotted four spots here and for the life of me I cannot figure out who the fourth allotment is meant for.  Having no other option at this point other than to guess, I'm going to have to go with Virginia Tech's Ryan Blees.  At a 14-12 record, no wins that stick out to me, I'm having a Hell of a time coming up with how he earned a spot here, but other wrestlers with far better 2018-2019 season showings are being told they didn't.  Nevertheless unless, unless I'm overlooking someone, he's all I could come up with.

Mitch Finesilver has thus far finished as the ACC runner-up three times in a row.  Will he finally break through and win a title?  He's 2-1 Vs O'Connor right now with a 3-2 and 6-4 victory vs as 3-1 loss. 

Lastly is Justin Oliver who spent his first three seasons at Central Michigan.  He was an All American with a seventh place finish as a freshman, but has finished one match shy of another medal the past two seasons.  Will he finally make his way back onto the award stand? 

157 lbs

1. Hidlay
2. Rahmani
3. LaPrade
4. Keating
5. Monday 
The NCAA has allotted four spots to the ACC at 157 lbs and this is a classic example of how while the system is much better than it was prior to 2009, it still has flaws or at least ways in which it can be abused.  With only fifteen matches, one of which was at 165 lbs, it's clear that Kennedy Monday  is the odd man out.  Meaning that he'll most likely knock Keating or LaPrade out of the spot that they earned.  So is such, this is wrestling. Nevertheless the point is made.

As to who wins this weight class?  Hidlay has earned the #1 seed, but a close match with Monday indicates that even without earning an automatic bid, that he could challenge for the title.

165 lbs



1. Lewis
2. Coy
3. Bullard
4. Finesilver 

I had difficulty seeding 2017 ACC runner-up Zach Finesilver fourth.  Yet with losses to both Coy and Bullard, I had no other choice but to.   Perhaps he'll upset his way to the finals as he did last year.  The NCAA allotted four spots here, and these are the four guys that should go to the NCAA's.

174 lbs

1. McFadden
2. Finesilver
3. Bullard

In terms of plausible seedings and predictions, it'd be nice if everything were as cut and dry as 174 lbs in the ACC. Three allotments and this is the order they ought to be in.  I wonder if this will make the first time in ACC history when two wrestlers, both with twin brothers meet one another in the ACC semi-finals.

184 lbs


1. Zavatsky
2. Bonaccorsi
3. Reenan
4. Schany
5. Ness

The NCAA is taking five at this weight class, and perhaps not in this order, but these are the five it is most likely going to be.  It's so particular to me to seed a returning All American at fifth in his own conference, but in head to head results against the other four, fifth is where Chip Ness ought to be. 

Zavatsky took second place as a junior last season after winning titles as a freshman and as a sophomore. It won't be easy by any means as he looks for his third ACC crown.

197 lbs 

1. Sleigh
2. Aiello
3. Stout
4. McDonald
5. Whitman 

The NCAA has allotted four spots at 197 lbs for the ACC.  Tom Sleigh who spent his first three years at Bucknell in the EIWA, is poised to win the title in his first ACC appearance. With that said, I cannot overlook the fact that even though he recently beat Aiello 7-3, he did lose 9-1 major decision  back in November.  His other in conference loss was a more recent one to Whitman, 7-4.   All things to keep in mind as we look forward to the tournament.

HWT

1. Daniel
2. Thomas
3. Miller 

Now I could be wrong.  Thomas might get the nod above Daniel for the #1 seed. I'm not sure.  They're one and one right now.  Thomas won the first meeting 3-1 tiebreaker and Daniel won the last meeting 7-5 s.v.  Either way as long as Miller doesn't upset one of them, it's going to make for an exciting ACC finals match.


Before I move on there is something that I HAVE TO point out.  That I HAVE TO bring to your attention.  I mentioned 42 wrestlers in this blog. 

Three are from Georgia
Three are from Texas
One is from Kentucky
One if from Florida

It may be laughable compared to the number from New Jersey, Ohio and Pennsylvania but it illustrates a fact that cannot be ignored.  Kids, and albeit, GOOD kids, TALENTED kids, DIVISION I kids from these "non-wrestling" States......States with little to no collegiate wrestling....obviously WANT to wrestle in college.  Point that out anytime some know it all clown from a University in one of these states says, "We don't have local kids who want to wrestle in college."  Like Hell you don't.  Proof is right here.

I digress.....

NORTH CAROLINA STATE 
As far as I'm concerned the Wolfpack should have no problem sending nine to this year's NCAA tournament.

NORTH CAROLINA 
Six maybe as many as seven NCAA qualifiers for the Tarheels.

VIRGINIA 
I see five, possibly six qualifiers for the Cavaliers

VIRGINIA TECH
Define irony.  I see the Hokies sending nine to the NCAA tournament the same as NC State.  HWT is the only weight I don't see NC sending and 125 lbs is the only weight I don't see V.T. sending. 

DUKE 
Four qualifiers for the Blue Devils this year and every one of them a Finesilver.

PITTSBURGH
Five, possibly six qualifiers for the Panthers this season. 

2019 BIG XII - My Thoughts

I'm going to write this similarly to how I wrote my piece on the upcoming 2019 BIG 10's. 

1. What the NCAA allotted, who I think could plausibly steal a spot, and wrestlers I don't feel will challenge for qualification but I want to mention them any way for other reasons. 

2. What I would seed them (Pay attention to the colors above)

3. My thoughts

Then a wrap up at the end that includes how many wrestlers I think each team ought to qualify to the NCAA's.



125 lbs 



1. Piccininni
2. Fleetwood3. Schwarm
4. Mackall
5. Montoya
6. Moody
7. Verner 
8. Flores 
I don't know if I'm necessarily in agreement with the NCAA in allotting five spots here.  Personally I only would have given out two.  With that said Piccininni is arguably the best wrestler in the nation right now, and based on previous results listed in the picture above should win his third consecutive BIG XII title with relative ease.

I imagine Christian Moody will the the #6 seed and I can see him knocking someone else out of their spot for qualification.  He's already a two time BIG XII place-winner and NCAA qualifier but entering with a 10-7 record, I'm almost positive he is not one of the five who got an allotment so he'll have to steal a spot.



133 lbs

1. Fix
2. Gomez
3. Bridges
4. Schmitt
5. Sykora
6. Madrigal 

Even with the enormous depth of the 133 lbs weight class, the NCAA and I are in agreement as to five allotments.  I'll even go as far as to say that upon things working out as they should that Madrigal might stand a chance at qualification.

Fix is without question the forerunner here, although I question if he is as invincible as some make him out to be. He's already suffered one loss this season, and with as close as their last meeting was, may succumb to Iowa State's Gomez the next time they meet. That is of course, if they meet.  Matches at this weight class have been tight, decided by a mere point or two and could go the other way upon a second meeting. 

141 lbs 
 
1. Alber
2. Parker
3. Demas
4. Brock
5. Turner
6. Findlay 

As far as I'm concerned the BIG XII has earned six allotments at this weight class and the NCAA is in agreement with me because they gave six allotments.  I believe the six I granted are the six that will go.  Northern Iowa's Josh Alber is as I've illustrated in previous blogs the best senior in NCAA Division I wrestling yet to make All American status. For the record let me state that he is also the best senior in the BIG XII yet to win a conference championship.  It's a feel good story that I hope to see end on a high note in both situations. One that coaches ought to look to, when finding ways to inspire and encourage their kids.

With that said it'll be anything but a cake walk for Alber to win his first title.  Parker, Demas and Brock will fight him tooth and nail for it.  Parker the best wrestler from the 2017-2018 season not to qualify for the NCAA's last year.  Demas, one of the best freshman the Sooners have seen since Cody Brewer.  Lastly Brock, a two time BIG XII runner-up in his own right who has struggled since moving up from 133 lbs.

149 lbs
1. Gfeller
2. Thomsen
3. Jeffries
4. Degen
5. Monserrat
6. Olivas
7. Pohlmeyer 
8. Van Maanen 
9. Opsal 

A rather loaded weight class, and again the NCAA and I are in agreement that seven have earned allotments.   I think the finals will come down to Gfeller vs either Thomsen or Jeffries.  Thomsen will get the #2 seed over Jeffries as he won a head to head meeting, but it should be an interesting semi-final.  Jeffries finished at the BIG XII runner-up as a freshman and sophomore to finish a disappointing sixth last season.  Along with being ranked far below Degen whom he controlled easily 12-5, that may be enough to light a fire under his ass and put him back into the finals.

I think the wrestler here to not sleep on will be South Dakota State's Henry Pohlmeyer who seems to live and die by the fall.  He's wrestled thirty matches this season and about a third of them have ended by fall.  Six pins Vs being pinned three times.  A strong upper body and a "go for broke" style, opponents seem to end up on their back quite a bit when wrestling Pohlmeyer. Could be the case at the BIG XII's.

Also look for Alec Opsal of Air Force to possibly pull off an upset.  He upended Tommy Thorn earlier this season at the CKLV and he damn near pulled off an upset vs Olivas.

157 lbs

1. Thomas 
2. Straw
3. Sheets
4. Wright
5. Krueger 
6. Mossing
7. Moore 

As you can tell I DO NOT agree with the NCAA only allotting one spot at this weight class for the BIG XII.  I'll admit that it might not have earned many throughout the year, but only one?  I guess I have to live with that.

If I were a guessing man, I'd have to guess that Oklahoma's Justin Thomas gets the #1 seed here.  He has a loss to Sheets, but he beat Straw and Straw beat Sheets twice. So with that parity, I guess I would give the #1 seed to Thomas. We'll see who gets it when the time comes.

Lastly I'll say that I wish Alex Mossing of the Air Force had one iota of a clue as to how good he is. If you watch the guy wrestle you can tell that he always seems to be holding something back. That he's apprehensive and afraid of letting loose and opening up.  I'm not sure why.  Maybe senioritis? He knows this is his last year, and he's afraid of failing?  I don't know.  It's wishful thinking to think that at his last tournament he'd finally let loose and unlock the potential that he has.  With the NCAA only allotting one spot, I think Mossing finishes out his career as one of the better ones to have never made the NCAA tournament.  In saying so, I'd still love to see him have a good tournament. A few upsets and maybe something like a third place finish. 

165 lbs

1. Ashworth
2. Rogers
3. Romero
4. Steiert
5. Kiussis
6. Fogarty
7. Hokit 

I'm in agreement with the NCAA here.  They granted six allotments here and it is the same amount that I would have given.  With that said, I can see Hokit possibly stealing Fogarty's or Fogarty possibly stealing Hokit's.  I assume Fogarty will get the nod on seeding as he has a better record and a closer match with Romero than Hokit does.

I'm fairly confident that the finals match will be a familiar clash between Ashworth and Rogers, one that we've seen three times already.  However I give it a very small percentage of a chance, but Romero could sneak in there. He showed us how dangerous he can be earlier this season with a third place showing in Vegas, which included a 9-6 victory over Michigan's Logan Massa who had tech'd him earlier in the tournament. With Rogers having already finished 2nd-2nd-1st in three BIG XII appearances it is highly unlikely that Romero keeps him from his fourth finals appearance, but anything is possible.

174 lbs
1. Smith
2. Bastian
3. Lujan
4. Hastings
5. Coleman
6. Riva 

This is a weird weight class where I see head to head results possibly going straight out the window and the seeding being based strictly on the rankings. I don't agree with that, but I can't see the BIG XII giving Hastings the #1 seed and seeding Smith #4.  We'll see when the time comes.

And speaking of Smith, I realize that Jacobe Smith is the one currently ranked at 174 lbs.  I realize that, but for this preview I put him at 184.  Why? Because he's wrestled 184 this season and the Cowboys have to put Joe Smith somewhere.  John is going to put Joe where he believes Joe has the best shot and at least in my opinion that place is 174 lbs.  All year I've been trying to figure out exactly what the game plan is.  All I can figure is the reason we've seen so little of Joe Smith this year, is because father John wants him to be a secret weapon.  That he has something hidden that he'll reveal at the NCAA tournament.   I don't know.  That probably isn't why but that's all I can come up with. 

184 lbs 


1. Smith
2. Foster
3. Colbray
4. Hemauer
5. Samuelson

Once again the NCAA and I see eye to eye.  They say five allocations, I say five allocations.  Again I believe that Oklahoma State will put Jacobe Smith as the starter here, but maybe they won't.  Maybe he'll be at 174 and Joe will be at 184.  I don't know. All I know is that Joe will be a starter at the BIG XII. That's about the only guarantee I can give you concerning the Cowboys. 

With that said one of the things I love about this weight class is how it illustrates that past results don't always matter.  Sam Colbray was annihilated by Drew Foster earlier this season only to come back and defeat him in a competitive match.  I'm anxious for match number three which is a likely semi-finals bout.

197 lbs
1. Woodley
2. Hokit
3. Miklus
4. Weigel
5. Orndorff
6. Mclaughlin
7. Seely
8. Adams
9. Eaton 

The NCAA is allotting seven at this weight class, whereas I would have given eight.  So pretty much on the same page.  In my opinion this is the most competitive and fun weight class in the BIG XII. I can see a lot happening here.  No question to anyone that I'm a huge Weigel fan and I'd love to see him win his third BIG XII title.  Easier said than done in this loaded bracket, especially when I'm not sold that he's 100% in the health department.

One can never forget that good luck always seems to find its way onto the side of Willie Miklus. He maybe ought to take a trip out to Vegas for a graduation present this May. If his luck in gambling is anything like his luck in wrestling, he'll walk out owning Caesar's Palace.   

Lastly I'll say that both West Virginia's Noah Adams and North Dakota State's Cordell Eaton could plausibly steal spots. If 197 goes the way that it ought to on paper (which is most certainly will not) I can see whoever takes eighth place here getting an at large selection.

HWT


1. White
2. Gremmel
3. Nevills
4. Orndorff
5. Andrews
6. Isley

And for HWT, the NCAA and I are once again in agreement.  We both allotted six.

Ah!!!!! I just realized that I got the Orndorff brothers mixed up!  Tate is at HWT and Tanner is at 197.  So note that.  It's very time consuming to make the pictures with the records attached and I am pressed for time right now! Otherwise I'd fix it. 

With that said, I think that the seeding here ought to be about how they finish.  I can see Isley turning a few of those overtime losses into wins.  I think that is a possibility.


NORTHERN IOWA 
I see the Panthers sending seven wrestlers to the NCAA's this year

OKLAHOMA STATE 
The Cowboys as they have many times throughout the history of BIG XII wrestling ought to own the conference this year.  I see nine going for sure and a possibility of ten. A lot depends on how 157 lbs shapes up.

OKLAHOMA 
The safe bet is four, although I can see the Sooners sending as many as six

SOUTH DAKOTA STATE 
All of the changes that the jackrabbit wrestling program have gone through in the past year have not been kind.  This is certainly a rebuilding season.  They ought to have at least one qualifier though.

NORTH DAKOTA STATE
The Bison ought to send for sure three, with as many as five to this year's NCAA's.

WYOMING 
A relatively young team with only one senior on the squad.  Six I see going this year.  Anxious for years to come.

IOWA STATE
It didn't take Kevin Dresser and company very long to show that he meant business upon coming to Iowa State. I see eight for sure and as many as nine going to the NCAA's for the Cyclones.  As far as I'm concerned Chase Straw should have been an allocation, but that's not how the NCAA saw it.

WEST VIRGINIA 
Three, maybe four for the Mountaineers this year

NORTHERN COLORADO
I see two NCAA qualifiers for Coach Nickerson this season.

UTAH VALLEY 
I think the Wolverines are a team of the future. I really do.  They'll send five to the NCAA's this year, and with the return of Taylor Lamont next season could end up a top 10 team next year.  They don't seem to be as good in duals as they are in tournaments and the BIG XII's could illustrate that fact.

AIR FORCE 
I personally feel that the Falcons are much better than one qualifier, but looking at stats, allocations and results its hard to realistically see anyone other than McLaughlin going to this year's NCAA's.  I'd love to see both Opsal and Mossing up their game, but it'll be difficult for either one.  Opsal would have to have a great draw and Mossing would practically have to win 157 lbs in order to qualify. 

FRESNO STATE 
The Bulldog program continues to grow as I see four, maybe five NCAA qualifiers.  I think it is so cool the way Josh Hokit is a star on both the gridiron and the mat.  We don't get to see multiple sport athletes very often. 


               

Top Fifteen Backups in NCAA DI Wrestling

Let's be perfectly clear about something before I begin.  When I say backups, I mean backups. I mean guys that legitimately sought and fought for a varsity spot in the  2018-2019 and ended up losing it to another wrestler on their team. I DO NOT mean guys who are currently redshirting and I DO NOT mean guys who lost their spot do to an unfortunate injury.  Now that I've said that I have a feeling that I'll still be asked why I left off so and so who is currently redshirting or why so and so who is out with a knee injury wasn't mentioned.

The point of this blog is to illustrate and give testimony to just how tough NCAA Division I wrestling is. Expectations for National championships and All American statuses are often overly abundant. It's tough enough just to make the NCAA tournament, let alone secure a place in the top eight.  Hell, it's tough enough just to make the varsity lineup!  And hopefully this blog I've written will convince you as to why.

NICK NEVILLS
SENIOR - HWT
PENN STATE

I think it goes without question that the best backup in the country this season is Penn State HWT Nick Nevills.  Behind #3 Anthony Cassar, Nevills would most likely be ranked in the top five in the nation if he were varsity.  He took third at the BIG 10's and fifth at the NCAA's as a sophomore and then placed third again at the BIG 10's with a seventh place finish at the NCAA's as a junior.   Even this year as the Nittany Lion's backup he has had a fairly standout season.  A major decision over #20 Billy Miller of Virginia Tech, as 7-1 decision over #18 Joey Goodhart of Drexel and a 2-1 decision over #16 Matt Voss of George Mason.  To top it off a third place showing at the prestigious Southern Scuffle tournament.

DAKOTA GEER
SOPHOMORE - 197 lbs
OKLAHOMA STATE 

The 2017 EWL champion/Freshman of the year who qualified for the NCAA championships and finished 31-10 as a true freshman.  This year Geer has victories over Jacob Seely of Northern Colorado 13-2, Noah Adams of West Virginia 10-6, Kellan Stout of Pittsburgh 7-2, #19 Randall Diabe of Appalachian State F 5:18 and #14 Chris Weiler of Lehigh 13-5.  No doubt about it, Geer will help lead the Cowboys to all sorts of success in 2020 and 2021 but in 2019 he is a backup to #6 Preston Weigel.

JEREN GLOSSER
JUNIOR - 157 lbs
IOWA 

Behind #7 Kaleb Young, Eddyville-Blakesburg head coach Brett Little would be the first to tell you how tough Glosser is.  But don't take his word for it alone, results speak for themselves.  This year Glosser has defeated #16 Jack Van Brill of Rutgers 9-2 and he's handed #13 Eric Barone of Illinois two losses including a 3-1 sudden victory and sticking him at 6:31.  If that's not enough, he's also defeated Iowa State's Chase Straw twice this season 13-9 and 5-4, as well as Army's Luke Weiland 5-2, both of whom in the BIG XII and EIWA will be contending for NCAA qualification respectively.

JAMAL MORRIS
SENIOR - 141 lbs
NORTH CAROLINA STATE

You know those films like Disney's PARENT TRAP where twins will switch places during a scene to confuse others? I honestly think that the Morris brothers could get away with that during tournaments.  It has to be strange for Jamel knowing that the guy he has to battle for the starting position is his brother Jamal.  It'll be Jamel who starts at the ACC championships here in a few weeks, but don't fool yourself. If it was Jamal he'd most likely earn his way to the NCAA's as well.  He defeated likely SOCON champ Chris Debien 11-6 as well as #17 Sa'Derian Perry earlier this year.

VINCE TURK
JUNIOR - 141 lbs
IOWA 

A man's man, a true team player Vince Turk is always their when the Hawkeyes need him.  Currently behind #16 Max Murin, with Carter Happell, Jason Renteria and Justin Stickley in the room, he's in an all out war every practice of his life.  Nevertheless I know damn good and well based on a fifth place finish at last year's BIG 10 tournament and a 6-5 win over #11 Ian Parker of Iowa State this year, that if need be, the Hawks could most certainly rely on him.

AUSTIN ASSAD
JUNIOR - 125 lbs
MICHIGAN 

Assad has battled a number of injuries during his career and that maybe why he's currently behind #13 Drew Mattin. It may not be too as Mattin is one tough hombre himself, take nothing away.  However Assad has proven that on another team, he might be varsity.  This year alone he has a 4-0 victory over Indiana's three time NCAA qualifier Elijah Oliver and a 7-5 victory over #18 Drew Hildebrandt of Central Michigan.

PAUL GLYNN
SOPHOMORE - 133 lbs
IOWA 

Paul Glynn is certainly no #3 Austin DeSanto, but do I believe that if he were varsity that he'd be a top twenty wrestler? Yes, I do.  Glynn's a smart wrestler who knows how to get the W in desperate situations.  He's proven that twice this year over likely NCAA qualifiers Josiah Kline of Arizona State and Dylan Duncan of Illinois who he defeated both by 3-1 sudden victory scores.

BO PIPHER
SOPHOMORE - 157 lbs
PENN STATE 

Gotta mention Bo Pipher who is behind arguably the best wrestler in the nation right now #1 Jason Nolf.  Pipher already showed us what he's capable of and what to expect next season out of him by placing second at this year's Southern Scuffle.

JAROD VERKLEEREN
FRESHMAN - 149 lbs
PENN STATE 

He might actually be the starter by the BIG 10's. I'm not for sure.  If not it'll be #11 Brady Berge and if that's the case, it makes Verkleeren one of the best backups in the country.

FABIAN GUITTERREZ
SOPHOMORE - 125 lbs
CHATTANOOGA 

Without a doubt Guitterrez is the second best wrestler in the SOCON. Having split matches with teammate Alonzo Allen this season, he arguably might even be the best.  Nevertheless it looks like Allen is going to get the nod and Guitterrez who has a 6-1 win over Indiana's Elijah Oliver and a 6:55 fall over Ohio's Shakur Laney, will have to wait till next year.  With that said, look for him to become a two time SOCON champion.

BRANDON COURTNEY
FRESHMAN -125 lbs
ARIZONA STATE

With the return of Ryan Millhof which will now knock him out of the starting lineup, I think something needs to be said on behalf of Brandon Courtney.  With Millhoff out, Courtney did a great job of holding down the fort for the Sun Devils.  Victories included a 3-1 sudden victory over Dack Punke of Missouri, a 5:25 fall over likely NCAA qualifier Trey Chailfoux of Army and a 9-6 victory over likely SOCON champ Alonzo Allen of Chattanooga.

YAHYA THOMAS
SOPHOMORE - 141 lbs
NORTHWESTERN 

I'm not 100% sure what is going on at Northwestern and who will be starting where at the BIG 10 championships.  What I do know is that there is a chance that Yahya Thomas might be sitting this one out and others might be wrestling at 141 and 149 lbs.  If that's the case, have to point out Thomas's third place finish at this year's Midlands, as well wins over L.J. Bentley of Pittsburgh, Joey Gould of Bucknell and Vince Turk of Iowa.

JONCE BLAYLOCK
SENIOR - 157 lbs
OKLAHOMA STATE 

A winning record every season, Jonce Blaylock is one of many Cowboys over the years who would have not only made the varsity on many other teams, but most likely would have been an multiple time NCAA qualifier. Instead, like other pokes before him, he'll end his career having never wrestled in a BIG XII championship. Having noteworthy wins every season, this year's include a 6-5 over Air Force's Alex Mossing, a 3-1 over Iowa State's Chase Straw and a 5-4 over Lock Haven's Alex Klucker.

ANDREW SHOMERS
JUNIOR - 165 lbs
OKLAHOMA STATE 

A former EWL runner-up for Edinboro, Shomers may drop back down to 157 lbs to challenge Wyatt Sheets for the starting spot. If he doesn't, come BIG XII time, he'll be behind #10 Chandler Rogers at 165 lbs.  Wins over Justin Thomas of Oklahoma, Dewey Krueger of Central Michigan and Gordon Wolf of Lehigh suggest that he'd be a varsity start/NCAA qualifier at other schools.

JAKE JAKOBSEN
SOPHOMORE - 197 lbs
LEHIGH 

Currently behind #14 Chris Weiler, Jakobsen has wins this season over West Virginia's Noah Adams F 6:35 and Michigan's Jackson Striggow both of whom could end up one of the thirty-three qualifiers for the NCAA tournament.


Are there more?  Without a doubt. I thought of as many as I could and came up with fifteen, but now as I end this Willie Scott of Rutgers, 174 lbs comes to mind.  Currently behind Joe Grello, Scott placed fifth at this year'd Midlands championships.  An accomplishment worth mentioning, especially for a backup.

It makes one wonder if this would be an issue if all of the teams that used to have wrestling still had wrestling.   Next year with the addition of Arkansas-Little Rock, Presbyterian College, Cal Baptist and Long Island University we will be up to 80 teams.  I'm not 100% positive how many wrestling teams there would be if no school had ever dropped wrestling, but I can tell you this. Out of all the schools that I know for a fact used to have wrestling, if they still all had wrestling today there would be 223 teams in Division I.  Or a least close to it because some of the schools I mention I'm not sure if they'd be DI or DII.

Regardless over double the amount of schools we have today.  And would it make a difference in relevance to the question I ask?  The answer is maybe.  I do think that if we had more opportunities for kids to wrestle that they might choose to wrestle. Especially those from states without much or any opportunity.  Some kids want to stay close to home, and when Georgia, Nevada, Florida, Texas, ect don't give them that opportunity, they might chose to stay home anyway and not wrestle.

Yet the other side of the coin is that some kids will always want to go to a top tier program. They'd rather sit on the bench for four years for an opportunity to win a national title at Penn State or Oklahoma State or Iowa, than they would go to a smaller school and be the stud that puts that program back on the map.

So I guess it works both ways, but never the less I'd like to see the sport continue to grow like it will next season.  UALR and Presbyterian are hopefully the start of something to continuously happen.  No more Eastern Michigan's dropping, and more and more schools adding.  That is my hope.

2019 EIWA - My Thoughts

The EIWA places the top eight at each weight class out of sixteen teams and I tell you what, in some weight classes you are a freaking stud if you can manage to take eighth place. While the EIWA doesn't get the recognition or attention that the BIG 10 does, it is in many ways an extremely tough conference. I'd argue in some ways the second toughest conference in all of NCAA DI wrestling.  As you'll be able to easily tell throughout this preview, it most certainly has the most amount of parity.


125 lbs

Very young group of guys here at 125 lbs in the EIWA.  Three freshman and one sophomore that I see being the qualifiers out of the weight class.  With a 4:31 fall over Glory, the #1 seed will go to Arujau although I see the finals match being much closer. Chailfoux with a 12-5 decision over Ryder should take the #3 seed.


133 lbs

I only see the EIWA allotting two at this weight class.  I'm very confident that those spots are meant for Cornell's Chaz Tucker and American's Josh Terao.  I'm also confident that with a better record and more consistent showing that Tucker will get the nod for the #1 seed over Terao.   The reason I'm including three other wrestlers in my preview is because of Terao's unpredictability and inconsistency.  He like Tucker is a former EIWA finalist and when on, Terao can beat just about any body. Guy has some of the best and may I add unique defenses I've ever seen in amateur wrestling.  Yet, when off he's susceptible to loss and any of the three I included above will take full advantage of any mistakes that he might make on the mat.

141 lbs

I think we can all agree that Diakomihalis gets the #1 seed here at 141 lbs in the EIWA. I think most if not all would agree that Navy's Nic Gil has more than earned the #2 seed.  It's really a shame in an instance like this that the NCAA only allows 33 wrestlers per weight class into the championships because I have a feeling that some of these guys I have listed will be staying home.  It's a shame.  Gould has a major decision over Wisconsin's Tristan Moran 9-1 and Wil Gil of F & M beat Gould 6-4. Then there is also American's Jack Mutchnik who can be tough when need be and Army's Corey Shie capable of an upset himself. It'll be interesting to see how the EIWA seeds third through sixth.

149 lbs 



Everyone and their dog wants to point out the recent upset Matt Kolodzik took against Drexel's Parker Kropman but let me assure you of two things.  A, Matt Kolodzik will still be the #1 seed at the EIWA's and B, Parker Kropman will still go into the EIWA tournament without an allotment. With that said, the idea of him stealing one is certainly feasible.  The win over Kolodzik, an overtime loss to Artalona and a two point loss to Sprague illustrate that he is capable of earning a trip to the NCAA's. 

#2 seed here should be Navy's Jared Prince although I'm not sold he defeats Artalona in what should be an exciting semi-final. If he does win, I can see him upsetting Kolodzik in the finals though.  I can see the EIWA taking as many as five from this weight class.  I do not think Binghamton's Frankie Garcia will be one of them with the disappointing season that he has had thus far this year.  Yet I remind myself that he already owns a silver medal from last year's championships and could surprise us all again.


157 lbs


To say that this weight class gave me a headache would be an understatement. To say that it gave me a migraine still wouldn't be an accurate description. To tell the truth, I think it may have given me a tumor.  The parity of this weight class is insane!  I believe that the EIWA could allot as many as six or seven and I included records verses one another in the picture above. 

I think even with the recent loss to Reed, the #1 seed still ought to go to Hartman. As to #2 through #7, your guess is as good as mine.  Not 100% positive that Santoro will be the starter for Cornell. I debated between he and Fredy Stroker who I believe would be seeded about the same regardless.

This is without a doubt the toughest weight class in the EIWA.  You take a top eight medal here, you did something in your career worth bragging about.

165 lbs 


Brown's Jonathan Viruet has no question earned the #1 seed here at 165 lbs, but winning the championship will be no easy task.  Ebed Jarrell as shown what he is capable of this season and then there is always the dangerously quiet Gordon Wolf of Lehigh who often lingers in silence only to make big noise when it counts.  Not sure how many allotments will be given here, but look for Skidgel, Kosoy and McCormick to battle fiercely for them.

174 lbs 


I feel pretty confident that the NCAA will allot four spots here at 174 lbs out of the EIWA and I feel strongly that Kutler, Womack, Harvey and Carey will be the four that get them. With that said, it would not surprise me at all if Vincent DePrez were to steal one of them.

I in particularly look forward to what I believe will be the finals match.  2017 EIWA champion Brandon Womack of Cornell Vs 2018 EIWA champion Jordan Kutler of Lehigh.  I think it will be a very good match.

184 lbs 


I believe their will be five allotments for the EIWA at 184 lbs and I believe the five I listed are the five that will qualify for the NCAA's.  Ryan Preisch ought to be the #1 seed and may I say that if he wins his second EIWA title, I hope to see him get wrestler of the tournament.  He's placed third, second, champion thus far in his illustrious career. I think there is something to be said for not only placing four times in the EIWA, but placing that high every year.  As to the #2 seed, I'd give it to DePrez. I realize that Dean is ranked higher, but DePrez won their head to head meeting 5-3 s.v.


197 lbs 


Indisputably Patrick Brucki has earned the #1 seed and has separated himself from the rest of the field at 197 lbs.  It dumbfounds me to think that if it weren't for Ben Darmstadt being injured that Ben Honis of Cornell would be spending his final season as a backup.  Now, I honestly see him as the #2 seed with a great shot at making the EIWA finals. Just goes to show how incredibly tough NCAA wrestling can be and if I may get on my high horse for a second, why it is a travesty for these young men that they only have less than 80 teams to compete on. 

As to seeding third through seventh? The parity here isn't as bad as it is at 157 lbs, but it is still a nightmare.  Caywood beat Loiseau and Roetman, but lost to  Phipps.  Roetman has owned Phipps in two matches 5-0 and 6-0.  For the record Roetman is 1-1 against Honis, losing a tight 7-6 decision and then turning around and pinning him at the buzzer in the third period.   So I'm lost on exactly how to seed these guys.

What I think is that all seven deserve an allotment to the NCAA's.  We'll see if that happens.

HWT 


Last year's HWT EIWA championships ended with Wood as champion, Goodhart as the runner-up and Sweany in third place. Honestly I can see this year's EIWA's ending the exact same way.  Antonio Pelusi (accidentally named Anthony) in the picture had himself a 26-10 record last season with a fifth place showing at the EIWA that lead to an NCAA qualification. Currently at 22-7, I see him having similar ending this season.


LEHIGH 
I see the Mountain Hawks sending everyone to the NCAA tournament with exception to 125 lbs.  Not sure if they'll have the bonus points to win the team title but as far as man power, they have the numbers.

CORNELL
I'm fairly confident that the Big Red will be sending at least seven if not eight to the NCAA tournament.

PRINCETON 
I think the Tigers will only send four to the NCAA tournament but I see all four placing top three or better in their weight class. Wouldn't be at all surprised to see all four make the finals.

ARMY 

Perhaps I'm being too optimistic but I can honestly see the Black Knights sending as many as nine to the NCAA's. I think a more realistic number is six, but nine is doable.  I knew it would only be a matter of time before head coach Kevin Ward began to get things done at West Point, and by the looks of it that time is now.

HOFSTRA 
Not a good year for the Pride.  I think they will for sure send Ryder but I think that will be it.

AMERICAN 
I see a trio of seniors traveling to their last NCAA tournament together.

NAVY
Five as many as six qualifiers for the Navy

FRANKLIN & MARSHALL
FRANKLIN & MARSHALL 
The least covered, most often ignored team in all of NCAA DI wrestling or at least one of them and I think they'll qualify a wrestler, maybe two to the NCAA's.  Considering all of the obstacles they're up against, getting two wrestlers to the NCAA's (which they are very capable of) is a Hell of a statement for the program.

BUCKNELL 

We already knew we were in a rebuilding year with the Bison but it looks like they're already on to a great start.  Hartman looks poised to win his first of what could be four EIWA titles and Phipps and Gould look to join him in all three's first trip to the NCAA's. 
PENNSYLVANIA 
Down year for the Quakers but they will send Artalona at 149 lbs.

DREXEL 
Three, maybe four going to the NCAA's for the Dragons

BINGHAMTON
I think one or two is most realistic for the bearcats this tournament but man if Frankie Garcia can get hot out of nowhere, then make it three.

SACRED HEART 
I keep on hoping one of these years I can add at least one Pioneer to the list of who I think will qualify for the NCAA's out of the EIWA's.  I would if I could, but I just do not see it happening this season.

HARVARD
Not sure what is going on at Harvard. Not to long ago they were sending quite a few wrestlers to the NCAA's every year, fighting for EIWA individual championships and NCAA All Americans.  While I think they do send one wrestler to the NCAA's, I'd like to see the to the level of Jesse Jantzen's and J.P. O'Connor's.

BROWN 
I believe the bears will send two to the NCAA's this year.  Love to see Christian LaBrie surprise me and make it three, but his weight class is loaded!!!

COLUMBIA 
I see the lions sending two to the NCAA's this season.