Honest Opinions for 2023-2024 - Your Team Edition

[nhs67]

Greetings All,

Things have seemed a bit stale lately with all the drama becoming the norm and the Disney high from portal season essentially coming to and end (despite there being a lot of toons still in the portal and some teams needing key positions).

I would like to open the floor to folks honest opinions, if you gents can handle that, insofar as to how their team(s) project for next season.

@Idaho, I know I am asking a lot from you on this since you are basically our West Coast Correspondent and probably have eight to twelve teams, but I ask you to suck it up buttercup.

Please, for once - and this means a lot coming from me - keep this civil and not turn it in to some pokermon battle of flame-o critters.

I will put one forth for the three Michigander teams as soon as I am able.

[TNwrestling]

I live in Tennessee so i'll break down UTC. 

 

Heath Eslinger was the coach after Terry left. He was the winningest wrestler in Mocs history, yet never AA'd. Thats the story of Chattanooga. Mediocrity. Or at least it was. After going on a run of winning like 7 or 8 straight SoCon titles now the conference is split between Appy St and Campbell. We're sad. Haven't had a single All-American since 2005. 

 

The lone bright spot in the program right now is rising junior 133 Brayden Palmer. He went 2-2 at the NCAA's last year and hopes to improve on that this year. 

 

We'll see. I'm not holding my breath. 

Edited May 16, 2023 by TNwrestling

[nhs67]

MICHIGAN

125

I imagine we see some spot starting of Horwath to get his five dates, but the postseason guy is going to be DeAugustino.  Aside for possibly Richy Figs of ASU and Ayala of Iowa I don't see anybody in the field that could make a sort of evolutionary tier leap that might make it so a healthy DeAugustino doesn't contend for a National Title next season.  There are about a dozen gents in there on the same tier, so he will have to wrestle a near perfect NCAAs, but it's not out of the realm of possible.  We could see a title contender - again IF healthy come tourney time, or a guy who flames out and goes 1-2 or 2-2 and doesn't score many points.  I am thinking the change of scenery has a positive effect and he pulls in a mid-AA performance and finishes with a win.  3rd or 5th.  

I think Horwath will show signs during the season that he has a bright future, I just don't know at what weight that will be at.  I am hoping 125, but we will see once he gets on that D1 training regimine.

133/141

I am going to put these weights together, since I am unsure who is going where, despite it being 'known' that Cannon is going 141 and Ragusin 133.  I think both have the same sort of potential at either weight.  Ragusin's peak is a little higher because he does have a go-for-broke mentality, when it suffices him.  That does put his valley a little lower, though.  Cannon is a bit more consistent and controlling in his matches.  He doesn't tend to let them get out of hand is is more fundamentally in place, so while his peak might be a little lower, his valley is higher.  I think Ragusin at 133 could place as high as 3rd, but could also R12 or worse for the up-teenth time.  Cannon could also place as high as 3rd, but it looks like his valley is R12 or even low AA at 133.  At 141 I think Ragusin has a peak of 2nd or 3rd but he could go 0-2.  Cannon's peak is a bit lower, likely mid-AA range, but his valley looks much higher.  Again R12 or possibly a little lower in R16.  I do think that the best option is Cannon then Ragusin, but I am not the coaching staff (for a reason).

For the future we have Lemley at 133 and we might see a spot start here and there.  I do expect him to get his full five matches in some way, shape, or form.  At 141 we have Gates / Mantanona coming in for the class of 2024.  I am not sure any of the guys we actually have coming in are 141lbers for the future, unless Lemley grows in to it.  Then we are down our 133 for the future, unless Horwath goes 133... then we are down our 125...  I do think Lemley will do well at either weight.

149

OOF.  Lost Lamer, who I will still root for wholeheartedly.  Unless we pull in a late portal guy (there are a few out there - Moore, Bryant, etc) I don't think we qualify the weight.  I think we end up seeing some combination of Mayora and Kim.  Mayora is a 0.500 type guy at best and most of his wins will be before the new year starts.  It may give folks a false sense of hope.  I think Kim is far too small for 149, but if Mayora struggles we might see him.  I anticipate seeing Gilcher in the lineup come dual time to get his matches.  Mantanona might be too big for 149, but if he isn't I expect to see him there, too.  If either of them knock our socks off I wouldn't be surprised to see them get a postseason nod out the gate.

Mantanona and Gilcher are likely going to end up being our 157/165lbers once those weights clear out, which is my only deterrent to seeing one (or both) of them go 149 right now, even though the weight would be very easy for at least Gilcher to do.  Adams is taking a gap year to focus on Greco, then I think he will settle in at 149, so those three weights will be set.

157

We have Lewan.  His peak, without some superstar, is going to be a NC - despite what others might want or think.  The problem is that his valley could be 0-2 and every single match could finish 3-2 or 3-1.  It is boring as all hell, but he does win much more than he loses.  I do think he pulls in another mid-AA performance to go out and wins his final match as well.  3rd or 5th.

I already said what needed to be said about the young gents in 149.  That said expect Consuelos to have a start or three at 157/165.  IF his dad has any say in it, he will be heading down to 149 to contend for a starting spot (I am all for it...).

165/174

I am going to combine these as well.  I do think Griffith has a higher ceiling, as he could beat Carr, O'Toole, or Starocci (yep).  I don't know if Amine can.  He wrestles too closely and those three are just so damn good in some areas where Amine is serviceable.  I would like to see Amine go 174 and Griffith 165, however I do think it will be opposite.  I do think Amine will bring home a 3rd place finish when all is said and done.  I just don't see him beating Carr or O'Toole.  I think Griffith brings home a 2nd or 3rd, depending on how the brackets shake out and only loses to Starocci come NCAAs.

For the future here, I think we see Mantanona grow in to this weight with Gilcher at 157.  I think we might see some spot starts from Knudten and Khawaja at 174 and Mattin at 165 (maybe 174?) for load management, but we know who will be there for the postseason - health willing.

184

I think this is Rogers spot.   I think he will AA, but it will be low.  He could also barely bring home a NQ sort of resume and I wouldn't be surprised.  I expect him to be in a lot of matches with a lot of contenders.  Hidlay and Brooks went up, so it is conceivable that we could see a mid-AA performance.  I think he slides in in the lower 6-8 range, though.  We should see Bullock or Walker get some matches here throughout the season and they are very capable gents too if Rogers gets banged up.

He is our future at this weight.

197

Unless we see a portal here late, it looks to be another hole.  Yatooma did show signs of improvement once he hit the lineup, but he was undersized and just not at the level we have come to expect the B1G 197lbers to be at.  I am hoping a healthy Bullock comes in and holds the spot for a season while Walters redshirts.  Walters will get his five dates, you can count on it.  He is expected to be a four year starter once all is said and done.

285

Davison should contend for a title.  Anything less and he will be disappointed.  I am predicting that he will win.  Our future here looks to be Jenkins and I wouldn't be surprised to see him get some spot starts here and there for load management.  He needs to get on that Parris diet a bit more, though.  Last year at the end of the season he was still a very light HWT.

All in all I think we end up having 1 NC and 6 or 7 other AA performances come NCAAs and Michigan will bring home a trophy.

[nhs67]

3 minutes ago, TNwrestling said:

I live in Tennessee so i'll break down UTC. 

 

Heath Eslinger was the coach after Terry left. He was the winningest wrestler in Mocs history, yet never AA'd. Thats the story of Chattanooga. Mediocrity. Or at least it was. After going on a run of winning like 7 or 8 straight SoCon titles now the conference is split between Appy St and Campbell. We're sad. Haven't had a single All-American since 2005. 

 

The lone bright spot in the program right now is rising junior 133 Brayden Palmer. He went 2-2 at the NCAA's last year and hopes to improve on that this year. 

 

We'll see. I'm not holding my breath. 

I think Castillo and Jordan are also prime to win some matches at NCAAs as well as contend for a SOCON title.

[TNwrestling]

3 minutes ago, nhs67 said:

I think Castillo and Jordan are also prime to win some matches at NCAAs as well as contend for a SOCON title.

Maybe, Castillo finished 3rd in the SoCon last year but did get freshman of the year so thats a positive. Rocky went 1-2 at NCAA's after coming in ranked 10th. 

 

There's just soemthing about wrestling at Chattanooga that drains your chances of getting on the podium at the end of the year. 

[lowSingle155]

UMD - things are looking up! 197 AA

[Threadkilla]

4 minutes ago, lowSingle155 said:

UMD - things are looking up! 197 AA

And Heavyweight

[Jason Bryant]

That place in Norfolk. 

Wood Selig still sucks. 

</End honest opinion>

[Formally140]

2 hours ago, TNwrestling said:

I live in Tennessee so i'll break down UTC. 

 

Heath Eslinger was the coach after Terry left. He was the winningest wrestler in Mocs history, yet never AA'd. Thats the story of Chattanooga. Mediocrity. Or at least it was. After going on a run of winning like 7 or 8 straight SoCon titles now the conference is split between Appy St and Campbell. We're sad. Haven't had a single All-American since 2005. 

 

The lone bright spot in the program right now is rising junior 133 Brayden Palmer. He went 2-2 at the NCAA's last year and hopes to improve on that this year. 

 

We'll see. I'm not holding my breath. 

Ruschel was given a very very bare cupboard when he got there. I’m also going to say something that sucks but is the truth. They’ve stopped really recruiting up North and it’s showing.

Some of their most solid guys over the last 30 years were northern mid tier recruits. The ones who were tough but just below elite and UTC offered a DI opportunity. 
 

The problem with just recruiting in the South is.. yes it has massively improved.. but.. the top tier recruits out of the south are usually the type of kids looking at a UNC, Duke, Bucknell level academics. Which UTC doesn’t have outside a decent engineering program. So any elite southern recruits they “can” get in are usually known flight risks with issues that prevented them from getting the results. 
 

Add in the top 10 schools in the state don’t send their kids to utc.. you get what’s going on

[MPhillips]

125 - Kilkeary/McCrone - Malik is done and Gonzales is too big according to Tom. McCrone (RSFR) was a 15-4 RS and probably gets to go, at the start anyway. No idea how Kilkeary will do, but he's a quality recruit, three timer out of Latrobe and if he's better we know Ryan will start a freshman. 

133 - Bouzakis/Gonzales - This will be Bouzakis' (RSFR) weight. He was 11-1 as a RS. Beat #6 Biscoglia(UNI) only loss up at 141 to Crook(VT). U20 WT member. AA

141 - Mendez/D'Emilio - It sounds like Mendez is going to RS and junior D'Emilio will be here. Although if Sasso moves up, D'Emilio might follow. I believe the weight cut for both is a struggle. He was 20-14 last season but came on at the end and finished 8th. AA

149 - Sasso/D'Emilio - What Sasso (SR) does here will decide what happens at 141, 149, 157 and impact 165. I believe Sasso can win at 149(no slight to Lovett who returns from RS).  Sammy struggled with the cut early in the season and then looked great when it mattered. He was 29-3. Sasso wins at 149. NC

157 - Sasso/Paddy/Wilcox - If Gallagher (SO) is here I foresee a similar season to last year.  He improved towards the end of the season and if he can finish his shots he'll be in a much better position to win those close matches he lost. He lost ten matches by two points or less. If Sasso moves up, Paddy nor Wilcox (JR) may not have a spot.  R12

165 - Hepner/Paddy - I believe this is Hepner's (RSSO) spot. Had wins over Kharchla (wrestle off) and Amine (I know, I know coming off an injury) last season.  Had some nice wins season before; Mayora, Lamar, Chumbley, Slivka. I like Hepner and I think he surprises a bunch of folks. R12

174 - Kharch - (JR) Weight cut and injuries had Carson hamstrung most of last season. He just wasn't what we expected. I was worried it was HEW and I'm still not 100% convinced. 174 should help make life a bit better for him. Healthy and happy he's back on the podium. AA

184 - Shumate - (RSFR) Seth was a big recruit that many folks have cooled on. He was 12-2 wrestling unattached last season. If Geog stays at 197 I believe this spot belongs to Shumate. NQ

197 - Geog/Hoffman/Stein - Similar to 157/165 someone gets left out. I like Geog (RSFR) and I'm ready to see him as a starter. But there is Hoffman (SR) here as well.  I don't see anyway Stein makes the lineup. Talk of Geog dropping to 184 and Hoffman at 197 seems ideal but I'm pretty certain Geog is too big to go down. NQ

285 - Feldman - (RSFR) Buckeye fans have been waiting for Nick for a long time it seems. Injury and then neck surgery held him out of 2023. He's going to be, "small" for a HVY but he's built like an armoire was an U20 WT member, Jr. Hodge trophy winner, number three overall recruit and number one heavyweight recruit in 2022. I believe he'll adjust okay to big guys while hitting some bumps along the way.  AA

I want to believe OSU will gain the points lost from Smith and Romero and a RS Mendez with Kharch, Bouzakis and Feldman. An AA from D'Emilio and maybe a run from Paddy and/or Geog hopefully get the Buckeyes back on the podium.  

[nhs67]

4 minutes ago, MPhillips said:

125 - Kilkeary/McCrone - Malik is done and Gonzales is too big according to Tom. McCrone (RSFR) was a 15-4 RS and probably gets to go, at the start anyway. No idea how Kilkeary will do, but he's a quality recruit, three timer out of Latrobe and if he's better we know Ryan will start a freshman. 

133 - Bouzakis/Gonzales - This will be Bouzakis' (RSFR) weight. He was 11-1 as a RS. Beat #6 Biscoglia(UNI) only loss up at 141 to Crook(VT). U20 WT member. AA

141 - Mendez/D'Emilio - It sounds like Mendez is going to RS and junior D'Emilio will be here. Although if Sasso moves up, D'Emilio might follow. I believe the weight cut for both is a struggle. He was 20-14 last season but came on at the end and finished 8th. AA

149 - Sasso/D'Emilio - What Sasso (SR) does here will decide what happens at 141, 149, 157 and impact 165. I believe Sasso can win at 149(no slight to Lovett who returns from RS).  Sammy struggled with the cut early in the season and then looked great when it mattered. He was 29-3. Sasso wins at 149. NC

157 - Sasso/Paddy/Wilcox - If Gallagher (SO) is here I foresee a similar season to last year.  He improved towards the end of the season and if he can finish his shots he'll be in a much better position to win those close matches he lost. He lost ten matches by two points or less. If Sasso moves up, Paddy nor Wilcox (JR) may not have a spot.  R12

165 - Hepner/Paddy - I believe this is Hepner's (RSSO) spot. Had wins over Kharchla (wrestle off) and Amine (I know, I know coming off an injury) last season.  Had some nice wins season before; Mayora, Lamar, Chumbley, Slivka. I like Hepner and I think he surprises a bunch of folks. R12

174 - Kharch - (JR) Weight cut and injuries had Carson hamstrung most of last season. He just wasn't what we expected. I was worried it was HEW and I'm still not 100% convinced. 174 should help make life a bit better for him. Healthy and happy he's back on the podium. AA

184 - Shumate - (RSFR) Seth was a big recruit that many folks have cooled on. He was 12-2 wrestling unattached last season. If Geog stays at 197 I believe this spot belongs to Shumate. NQ

197 - Geog/Hoffman/Stein - Similar to 157/165 someone gets left out. I like Geog (RSFR) and I'm ready to see him as a starter. But there is Hoffman (SR) here as well.  I don't see anyway Stein makes the lineup. Talk of Geog dropping to 184 and Hoffman at 197 seems ideal but I'm pretty certain Geog is too big to go down. NQ

285 - Feldman - (RSFR) Buckeye fans have been waiting for Nick for a long time it seems. Injury and then neck surgery held him out of 2023. He's going to be, "small" for a HVY but he's built like an armoire was an U20 WT member, Jr. Hodge trophy winner, number three overall recruit and number one heavyweight recruit in 2022. I believe he'll adjust okay to big guys while hitting some bumps along the way.  AA

I want to believe OSU will gain the points lost from Smith and Romero and a RS Mendez with Kharch, Bouzakis and Feldman. An AA from D'Emilio and maybe a run from Paddy and/or Geog hopefully get the Buckeyes back on the podium.  

Wasn't Geog at 170 two years ago in High School?

[MPhillips]

1 minute ago, nhs67 said:

Wasn't Geog at 170 two years ago in High School?

Yep. 

[TNwrestling]

54 minutes ago, Formally140 said:

Ruschel was given a very very bare cupboard when he got there. I’m also going to say something that sucks but is the truth. They’ve stopped really recruiting up North and it’s showing.

Some of their most solid guys over the last 30 years were northern mid tier recruits. The ones who were tough but just below elite and UTC offered a DI opportunity. 
 

The problem with just recruiting in the South is.. yes it has massively improved.. but.. the top tier recruits out of the south are usually the type of kids looking at a UNC, Duke, Bucknell level academics. Which UTC doesn’t have outside a decent engineering program. So any elite southern recruits they “can” get in are usually known flight risks with issues that prevented them from getting the results. 
 

Add in the top 10 schools in the state don’t send their kids to utc.. you get what’s going on

Recruiting is a big issue. We had a big discussion about it on the TN boards not long ago and Hunter Mason (VA Tech commit)'s father got on and said not one time did they ever reach out to him. He was ranked as high as 7th in the country his senior year, i believe. HIs father went on to say that he DID want to wrestle at UTC and would've gone to school completely free using his fathers GI Bill amongst other in state scholarships, saving UTC a scholarship. But they didn't even bother. And thats the major issue. They look at our best kids here and dont even bother. Heck, our 133 who's our best shot to AA right now, while from TN, transferred in from Clarion. 

 

UTC will not get rid of their wrestling program. It's not in any danger whatsoever. And, in my eyes at least, that's kind of the problem. They're ok with mediocrity. 

[nhs67]

9 minutes ago, TNwrestling said:

Recruiting is a big issue. We had a big discussion about it on the TN boards not long ago and Hunter Mason (VA Tech commit)'s father got on and said not one time did they ever reach out to him. He was ranked as high as 7th in the country his senior year, i believe. HIs father went on to say that he DID want to wrestle at UTC and would've gone to school completely free using his fathers GI Bill amongst other in state scholarships, saving UTC a scholarship. But they didn't even bother. And thats the major issue. They look at our best kids here and dont even bother. Heck, our 133 who's our best shot to AA right now, while from TN, transferred in from Clarion. 

 

UTC will not get rid of their wrestling program. It's not in any danger whatsoever. And, in my eyes at least, that's kind of the problem. They're ok with mediocrity. 

[Formally140]

27 minutes ago, TNwrestling said:

Recruiting is a big issue. We had a big discussion about it on the TN boards not long ago and Hunter Mason (VA Tech commit)'s father got on and said not one time did they ever reach out to him. He was ranked as high as 7th in the country his senior year, i believe. HIs father went on to say that he DID want to wrestle at UTC and would've gone to school completely free using his fathers GI Bill amongst other in state scholarships, saving UTC a scholarship. But they didn't even bother. And thats the major issue. They look at our best kids here and dont even bother. Heck, our 133 who's our best shot to AA right now, while from TN, transferred in from Clarion. 

 

UTC will not get rid of their wrestling program. It's not in any danger whatsoever. And, in my eyes at least, that's kind of the problem. They're ok with mediocrity. 

Unfortunately I think that has to do with Ruschel mentality as a coach. It sucks. They have no commmits on intermat either.my point stands. But knowing that didn’t bother trying to get an east TN kid who wanted to go.. oof

And don’t underestimate the impatience of the older wealthier alumni.. their support is what kept the program alive even when athletes were doing stuff that got other programs cut. They’re used to at minimum SoCon titles (or close second) and 3-8 qualifiers. The last two years are below the standard they’ve been used to for 30+ years. 

[TNwrestling]

33 minutes ago, Formally140 said:

Unfortunately I think that has to do with Ruschel mentality as a coach. It sucks. They have no commmits on intermat either.my point stands. But knowing that didn’t bother trying to get an east TN kid who wanted to go.. oof

And don’t underestimate the impatience of the older wealthier alumni.. their support is what kept the program alive even when athletes were doing stuff that got other programs cut. They’re used to at minimum SoCon titles (or close second) and 3-8 qualifiers. The last two years are below the standard they’ve been used to for 30+ years. 

I hope you're right. We've got NHSCA aa's, Fargo AA's, Beast of the East, Poweraide, etc etc AA's in this state who choose to go elsewhere. 

 

Maybe it'll change soon. idk. 

[MizzouFan01]

Mizzou

125 Surtin NQ, R12, NQ

anything less than a podium spot would be disappointing at this point in his career.

133 Zeke Seltzer top 10 recruit, looking forward to seeing what he can do

141 Josh Edmond NQ at 149 coming off a RS year. Back to his natural weight after filling in for Mauller during his RS. Low podium wouldn’t surprise me here

149 Mauller 3x AA has had a great career. Hopes he makes the jump to a top 3 finish to finish off his last year.

157 is the one weight we have with 0 experience after four years of Jacques. J Conway, Cam Steed will most likely fill this spot. 
 

165 KOT!

174 Mocco with one more year to try and finish above his 8 place AA finish last year. 
 

184, the weight we have the most depth in my eyes. Hawks, Harman and Whittling. All three could start elsewhere I’d imagine. Who ends up manning the spot is a huge ? Mark. Hawks has improved, but if it was me, it would be Whittlings spot. The black and gold should give us an answer. 
 

197 R Elam

HWY Z Elam

 

with the right draws, pending everyone staying healthy I see no reason we don’t finish top 5. This is a trophy contender on paper. I believe we return the second most points overall. My opinion this is a trophy or bust year for Mizzou. 

[Formally140]

1 minute ago, TNwrestling said:

I hope you're right. We've got NHSCA aa's, Fargo AA's, Beast of the East, Poweraide, etc etc AA's in this state who choose to go elsewhere. 

 

Maybe it'll change soon. idk. 

The Cleveland and Bradley coaches don’t steer kids to UTC. The prep school kids are more likely to go to better academic schools. Like I said, outside an occasional hunter mason. Most elite southern recruits are either going high Academic or if they aren’t they’re probably flight risks. The big issue is that I’m not sure if the competitive depth will grow or it will just stay a few elite club kids

[Tripnsweep]

ASU not looking too bad. A few questions though.

25: Figs should settle in and be an immediate threat to everyone. AA unless something happens.

33: Chlebove might be the guy. Also might be Yas. Will be interesting to see.

41: Vasquez if he can stay injury free has the talent to be an AA. 

49: Parco. 3x AA already so we know what's coming.

57: Jacori Teemer is back. 2x AA already. Could end up with a championship. 

65: Negron maybe? Chance McClane transferred from Oklahoma State. 

74: Cael Valencia is here. Zane Coleman hit the portal so after Valencia not much.

84: There are a few guys who are here. Nobody who is a threat to be an AA. 

97: Norfleet leaves a hole that needs to be filled. Fagen might be the guy. 

285: Schultz is the guy unless he takes an ORS. 

[Jimmy Cinnabon]

Penn State

125 Really counting on Robbie Howard to be healthy, which he hasn't been since he started college.  If RH can stay healthy he can make nationals and win a few matches there.  If not, it's going to be another year with a hole at 125 and no qualifier.

133 Expect Nagao to be a national title contender.  Hope he can improve from neutral in the Penn State room.  He's already a hammer on top.

141 Bartlett despite placing 3rd I think he can still improve a lot

149 SVN - see Bartlett above.  I think he has even more room for improvement than BB.

157 Haines should contend for a national title.  Hope he can improve on his awesome true freshman campaign.

165 Messenbrink I don't see as a finalist right away but a mid-tier AA would be great

174 Starocci if he's back should be favored to 3peat

184 Truax I project as 3-5 at NCAAs.  The weight is too deep for him to be a title favorite but hoping he can improve with better training partners.

197 Brooks I see as a finalist but not a favorite since he's moving up a weight.  He's actually shorter than Starocci so I wonder how he deals with the length of the bigger 197 pounders

HWT Kerk I have as the favorite now that Parris is gone

 

Penn State still wins NCAAs comfortably, even if Howard gets hurt again.  I actually think they win by a smaller margin this upcoming  year though.  It was really just a magical run this past season with several guys way overperforming their seeds.

[Lurk_Nowitzki]

Michigan State

I think this will be our worst season in a while, unfortunately. Probably since 2018. Not that we’ve been setting the world on fire or anything, but we went 40-33 in duals the last 5 seasons under chandler which was a major breath of fresh air compared to the end of the Minkel era. 

I think we have a sneaky good class coming in, but they are all guys who probably need some time to develop, so this will be a season of transition. 

125: Lujan was reasonably serviceable last year and managed to beat a couple NQ’s. Best case scenario he takes another step forward and qualifies. I think 0-2/1-2 at ncaa is probably his ceiling.

Prediction: Lujan qualifies (0-2)

133: Big question mark right now. Was really hoping we could get LaJoie. Now hoping Hamdan drops back down with Foley graduated. He won a match here at NCAA’s in 2021 but has been undersized at 141. Otherwise it will probably be a true freshman or a transfer. 

Prediction: Hamdan qualifies (1-2)

141: If Hamdan goes down this weight becomes the question mark. Incoming freshman Dy’Vaire VanDyke is a 3x top-3 finisher in OH d1 so I’m guessing he’ll get some dual starts. If the staff isn’t ready to pull the trigger on him there are a few 149s on the roster who could potentially cut down, but right now it looks like Blake Noonan would be the guy.

Prediction: No qualifier

149: Feels like Omania has been around since the Bush administration, but somehow still has 2 years left. Hoping he can get back to NCAA’s, but consistency is an issue and he isn’t catching people by surprise anymore with his hips. Stauffenberg could also push for the spot after a solid redshirt season. Either way our best case scenario is probably 0-2 at ncaa.

Prediction: No qualifier

157: Loved the growth I saw from Saldate last season, especially battling back to R12 after a heartbreaking loss to open NCAAs. I feel good about his chances to AA, and other than maybe Levi Haines I think he has the upside to beat anyone at the weight.

 Prediction: Saldate places (7th)

165: Another weight I feel good about. Fish probably out kicked his coverage a bit making the round of 12 last year, but he’s established himself as a sure fire top 20 guy and he has room to keep improving.

Prediction: Fish qualifies (r12)

174: I liked what I saw from Garza as a true freshman last year. If DJ Shannon can get healthy he’s also in the mix, which could potentially allow for a Garza redshirt. Either way I think we have an outside to chance to qualify but would bet against it. I expect to see Garza at NCAA before his career’s done, though.

Prediction: No qualifier

184: Malzcewski has been a lot of fun to watch and I’ll miss him when he’s gone. I’d love to see him break through and have a top 10 type season but I’m just not sure he has another level. Beyond this year I think this weight will belong to Luke Vanadia for a while, so I wouldn’t mind a few spot starts to get his feet wet. 

Prediction: Malczewski qualifies (2-2)

197: Another major question mark. Incoming freshmen Remy Cotton is pretty highly ranked so I imagine he’ll get some dual starts but I think he’s probably a year away. Especially after missing his state tournament this year with an injury. That probably leaves Kael Wisler and Jacob Lee to battle it out. Perhaps incoming freshmen Max Vanadia could be in the mix, too, but I think he projects as more of a heavy weight. Regardless, I don’t expect a ton of production here next year, but I’m optimistic about Cotton’s future.

Prediction: No qualifier

285: Another weight where we are sorely lacking in experience. Josh Terrill had a solid redshirt season and will probably be the starter, but long term I thing this will be Max Vanadia’s weight. He’ll need some time to add size, though.

Prediction: No qualifier

Edited May 16, 2023 by Lurk_Nowitzki

[flyingcement]

12 minutes ago, Jimmy Cinnabon said:

165 Messenbrink I don't see as a finalist right away but a mid-tier AA would be great

This one here I have to take issue with.  Mesenbrink is a guaranteed four time AA and will likely win the title this year

[ionel]

6 minutes ago, flyingcement said:

This one here I have to take issue with.  Mesenbrink is a guaranteed four time AA and will likely win the title this year by tech fall

ftfy

[Idaho]

Oregon State.... A lot of the lineup is coming back.  Two AA and three NQ  return.  A good recruiting class coming in this summer.  Unless there are some transfers coming in (which there is one that is he who has yet to be named), then I anticipate the following. 

125 - Kaylor - AA two years ago

133 - Shaner/Whisenhunt/Elliiot - Shaner may be getting another year...

141 - Belton - I believe he will be back... If not Nash Singleton could be the guy...or possibly one of the 149 coming down. 

149 - This on is a tossup - Tolentino started the first part of the year...kid has gas tank... Garver had a great open - Jacinto is a  JC transfer.  All have redshirted  so you could possibly see several of them start until a guy emerges.

157 - Crosby - The kid is lightning quick and can go the first round with anyone. Needs to develop his gas tank. Lost a couple matches in the 3rd round but improved down the stretch.

165 - Olguin - NQ - seeded #8 at the NCAA last year - suffered an injury against Wilson in the first round but kept wrestling

174 - This one is a toss up between Reiniche and Fouret. Reiniche is a former Cornell kid. Pinned Valencia last  year.   Fouret is a former UVU starter. 

184 - Munoz - 6th place AA - FFT down to 6th after the knee injury against Kek in the semis.

197 - Another toss up.... I thought McKinney would be the guy but he's graduating and I believe is moving on.  This could be a mix of guys moving up  - Asher Ruchti, Kodiak Stephens to name a couple. They also have Rademacher and McDonnell coming in who are slated to be 184 and redshirt, but could still be in the mix. Vaun Halstead a freshman is also coming in.

HWT - Charlie Hastriter 

 

[Gus]

SDSU

125 - Tanner Jordan - NQ was 1-2 at NCAA's last year. Really hard working kid and I would expect him to qualify again and have a similar performance.

133 - Gabe Tagg / Derrick Cardinal - Hoping to see Gabe Tagg this year. He will likely be a fringe NQ.

141 - Clay Carlson - AA last year, placing 5th. Hoping for a repeat performance from Clay.

149 - Alek Martin - Martin got better as the season went along last year. Another fringe NQ for the Jacks. 

157 - Cael Swenson - Swenson finished R12 at NCAA's last year losing to Will Lewan to place. Hoping he can take the next step up onto the podium.

165 - Tanner Cook - A healthy Tanner Cook is a dangerous man. He can pin anyone, at anytime. He will qualify and it likely a 2-2 at NCAA's kind of guy with the depth at 165.

174 - Cade Devos - Devos fell to Mocco in R12 last year to miss out on AA honors. He will be in the 6th-R12 range again this year.

184 - Bennett Berge - 184 clears out a lot this year with Brooks and Hidlay going up and those that graduated moving on. I would not be surprised at all to see Berge in the AA mix. His redshirt season had ups and downs. He has been a hammer in freestyle and hopefully increased mat time will result in more consistency.

197 - Tanner Sloan - Runner up last year. Will be in the mix to win it again this year with Brooks, Hidlay, Elam & Buchanan 

HWT - Bowden McConville / Luke Rasmussen - Do not have a ton of knowledge on either guy. McConville has the best win of either beating Tyrel Gordon last year.

I will predict 8 NQ's and 3 AA's for the Jacks and a team finish in the 12-18 range. Sloan and Carlson close out there careers with another AA finish and one of Swenson / Devos / Berge finds the podium. Hahn and Simaz do a great job of developing the team so it will be fun to see who makes a leap this year. Go Jacks!