David Carr gets his hand raised after beating Iowa's Kaleb Young (Photo/Mark Lundy, Lutte-Lens.com)The college wrestling season continues to move closer to the matches that really count.
It's been an interesting season already with an abundance of compelling storylines.
It's shaping up to be another epic battle for the team title with top-ranked Iowa looking to win its first national championship in 10 years.
As many of you know, I don't like riding time and boring 3-2 matches where guys are holding onto ankles.
That will be reflected in the list I've compiled of my most exciting college wrestlers in each weight class for this season. It's probably no surprise that there is a strong correlation between the most exciting and the best wrestlers in each weight class.
College wrestling is blessed right now to have some superstars who are expected to excel and contend for medals on the international level.
And this list doesn't even include college stars who are taking Olympic redshirts like two-time NCAA champion Yianni Diakomihalis of Cornell, NCAA champions Nick Suriano of Rutgers and Mekhi Lewis of Virginia Tech, and runner-up Daton Fix of Oklahoma State.
Feel free to make your own choices. This is the list of my most exciting college wrestlers to watch this season:
125: Spencer Lee, Iowa
The only complaint I have about Spencer Lee is that I wish his matches would last longer. The two-time national champion is so good he typically techs or pins his opponents in the first period. Lee is a dynamic and driven wrestler who is a serious contender to make the Olympic Team. Believe it or not, he's even better at freestyle than folkstyle. He has three age-group world titles to prove it. Even when he dominates, which is frequently, he's still entertaining to watch. He's a special talent and he always puts on a heck of a show.
133: Austin DeSanto, Iowa
I know it's two Hawkeyes in a row, but I have to list DeSanto here. He may be my favorite wrestler to watch in any weight class. This is the guy they should call the "gas tank." He has a relentless style where he just keeps coming for seven minutes. He's always attacking and continually looking for ways to score. He has had some issues where he's had difficulty escaping from the bottom position. He just needs to choose neutral instead of down. I can't wait to see his next bout. His matches are never boring.
Ohio State's Luke Pletcher is undefeated and ranked No. 1 at 141 pounds (Photo/Sam Janicki, SJanickiPhoto.com)141: Luke Pletcher, Ohio State
Moving up a weight class has provided a huge boost to Pletcher, who has been a force as the top-ranked guy at 141. Pletcher is a strong, powerful wrestler who just keeps going. He gave up an early takedown to Minnesota's Mitch McKee on Sunday before coming back to dominate a very good wrestler with an aggressive attack. There isn't a wrestler in the country more fun to watch right now than Luke Pletcher. He's peaking at the right time.
149: Sammy Sasso, Ohio State
The Buckeye freshman pulled out a pair of big wins on the road over the weekend, knocking off No. 1 Pat Lugo of Iowa and highly ranked Brayton Lee of Minnesota. Sasso showed impressive scrambling ability and an abundance of poise in earning a pair of impressive victories against high-level opponents. He won two closely contested, edge-of-your-seat bouts against strong Big Ten foes.
157: David Carr, Iowa State
He's just a freshman and he's ranked third, but the Junior world champion is someone who definitely is exciting to watch. Carr is exceptional on his feet with his superb athleticism, but there is more to the college game than takedowns. Mat wrestling is a big part of it, and look for Carr to improve in that area as the big show approaches in late March. He's definitely a threat to win it all for ISU.
165: Alex Marinelli, Iowa
It's my third Hawkeye in here, but find me another college wrestler who is as exciting in this division as Marinelli. This dude is a fierce competitor who wrestles his tail off. He does it the right way with a tough, physical approach. He also has continued to evolve technically. He had a disappointing NCAAs last year after receiving a brutal draw, but expect him to make a strong run at winning a national title this year. He's a guy who is difficult not to root for. He will have a battle on his hands against two-time NCAA champion Vincenzo Joseph of Penn State.
174: Mark Hall, Penn State
The NCAA champion, and three-time finalist, is another wrestler who has already excelled overseas. He won a Cadet world title and two Junior world titles. But he hasn't won an NCAA title since his freshman year in 2017. Hall is a dynamic wrestler with a big-move arsenal. He's a tremendous talent. He's arguably the most gifted wrestler in the collegiate ranks in any weight class.
Zahid Valencia takes a shot on Trent Hidlay at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)184: Zahid Valencia, Arizona State
This is a guy who continues to elevate his level of wrestling. He's moved up a weight class and is still dominating the competition. Valencia is a Junior world silver medalist who also will be contending for an Olympic berth this season. He's that good. Valencia will look to cap his career with a third national title while helping elevate the ASU program back into national prominence.
197: Noah Adams, West Virginia
This is one of the best stories in college wrestling this season. After going 19-15 last season, he has been on a tear this season. He went 5-0 at the Southern Scuffle, defeating three ranked opponents en route to earning the Outstanding Wrestler award. He has a perfect 24-0 record this season. He's provided a huge boost for West Virginia. He has wrestled well in a class that features top-ranked Kollin Moore of Ohio State.
285: Gable Steveson, Minnesota
Gable Dan Steveson has lived up to his name after winning two Cadet world titles and a Junior world title. Now he's primed to win his first NCAA title. Steveson is an explosive, mobile heavyweight who wrestles more like a 141-pounder than a 285-pounder at times. When he's on the attack and forcing the action, nobody can keep pace with him in college. He's another guy who has the ability to be wrestling in Tokyo this summer on the Olympic Team. He's someone who will definitely contend for Olympic and world medals on the Senior level.
Craig Sesker has written about wrestling for more than three decades. He's covered three Olympic Games and is a two-time national wrestling writer of the year.
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