2023-24 Pac-12 Preview (Team-by-Team)

The Pac-12 coaches plan to throw out some top-tier wrestlers to claim the final Pac-12 title. In this preview, we will look at each projected starting lineup and analyze some of the wrestlers. A second, forthcoming preview will break down the conference weight-by-weight.

Arizona State

125 - Richard Figueroa/Tristan Mascarenas

133 - Julian Chlebove/Carter Dibert

141 - Jesse Vasquez/Emilio Ysaguirre

149 - Kyle Parco/ Kaleb Larkin

157 - Jacori Teemer 

165 - Chance Mclane/ Nicco Ruiz

174 - Tony Negron/Cael Valencia

184 - Cael Valencia/Tony Negron

197 - Anthony Montalvo/Jacob Meissner

285 - Cohlton Schultz 

Arizona State’s depth is unmatched with eight wrestlers projected to make the NCAA Championships in the preseason rankings. The lightweights carried the Sun Devils the last few years, but the tide has changed. 

Although Figueroa and Chlebove are outstanding wrestlers, teams will not want to face Vasquez, Parco, and Teemer in three straight matches. The three of them can make runs for an NCAA title. ASU should be fighting for another team trophy in March.

Cal Poly

125 - Dominic Mendez

133 - Zeth Romney

141- Abraham Hinrichsen

149 - Chance Lamer

157 - Legend Lamer

165 - Luka Wick

174 - Adam Kemp

184 - Jarad Priest

197 - Josh Harkey

285 - Trevor Tinker

Cal Poly’s lightweights are young prospects. Mendez and Romney were both top 100 recruits who were CA State Finalists. In addition, the Mustangs have zero seniors in the starting lineup, making them a dangerous group for the next few years depending on where their next move takes them. 

This season the Mustangs will be dangerous from 149 to 174 pounds, having three NCAA qualifying wrestlers. 

CSU Bakersfield

125 - Richard Castro-Sandoval

133 - Santino Sanchez

141 - Tyler Deen

149 - Johnathan Viveros

157 - Brock Rogers

165 - Augustine Garcia

174- Evan Gilbert

184 - Guillermo Escobedo

197 - Mateo Morales

285 - Jake Andrews

CSU Bakersfield will struggle to contend against its Pac-12 opponents. On the bright side, Garcia is the only senior penciled into the starting ten. The upperweight tandem of Escobedo and Morales could be the toughest part of the Roadrunner lineup. 

Little Rock

125 - Jeremiah Reno

133 - Nasir Bailey

141 - Jayden Gomez/Brennan Van Hoecke

149 - Kyle Dutton

157 - Matthew Bianchi 

165 - Brendon Abdon

174 - Tyler Brennan

184 - Triston Wills

197 - Stephen Little

285 - Josiah Hill/KJ Miley

Little Rock will have four freshmen in the starting lineup. However, coach Neil Erisman believes every one of them is a darkhorse in their respective weight classes. Bailey, Dutton, Abdon, and Little were Fargo champions. In addition, Little earned several ranked wins last season and Miley put together a 10-8 record competing unattached. 

The upperweights could be the headliners for the Trojans as Wills, Little, and Hill are projected to reach the NCAAs.

Oregon State

125 - Brandon Kaylor/Maximo Renteria/Caleb Coyle

133 - Gabe Whisenhunt/Damion Elliot/Nash Singleton

141 - Cleveland Belton/Ayden Garver/ Nathan Aguilar

149 - Noah Tolentino/Austin Scott

157 - Isaiah Crosby/Murphy Menke

165 - Matthew Olguin/ Cole Zoller

174 - Travis Wittlake/Mason Reiniche/Kekana Fouret

184 - Trey Munoz/Kodiak Stephens

197 - Mason Christiansen/Jackson McKinney/Brett Mower

285 - Boone McDermott/Charles Hastriter

Oregon State has a great chance to repeat as Pac-12 champions and finish as a top 20 team in the country. The Beavers talent and depth are spread throughout the lineup. Kaylor has a chance to take over the 125-pound class in the Pac-12 and reach the podium in March.

Belton and Olguin have the opportunity to break brackets in March, while Munoz is one of the best pound-for-pound wrestlers in the Pac-12.

Stanford

125 - Nico Provo

133 - Dominick LaJoie

141 - Jason Miranda

149 - Jaden Abas

157 - Daniel Cardenas

165 - Hunter Garvin

174 - Luke Duthie

184 - Jack Darrah

197 - Nick Stemmet

285 - Peter Ming

Chris Ayres fields a competitive squad in his first season as the Stanford head coach. The Cardinal crew can be a long shot to win the Pac-12 and finish top 25 at the NCAA Championships. Even though Stanford does not have an NCAA champion-caliber wrestler, a few should contend to be All-Americans.

Abas, Cardenas and Garvin can be a dangerous trio in the middleweight classes. Abas ranks 11th in the preseason, Cardenas ranks ninth and Garvin ranks 29th. However, Garvin has the opportunity to become the Pac-12 Freshman/Newcomer of the Year if he impresses in a decent weight class.