InterMat Staff

Iowa State freshman Paniro Johnson (photo courtesy of Iowa State athletics) For Paniro Johnson, running WAS wrestling. Iowa State coach Kevin Dresser hammered that into his freshman 149-pounder's head the moment he stepped onto the Cyclones' campus last year, as he labored through a 1 1/2-mile run and said he could barely even finish it. Johnson thought he could run when he got to Ames, but hadn't yet conditioned himself to take pride in doing it. Johnson did a lot of things right during his standout career at Erie Cathedral Prep in Pennsylvania, but it became clear to Dresser from Day 1 that Johnson had work to do on the finer points of the sport. Competition had always brought out the best in Johnson, whose personality is as vibrant as his neutral game, but he needed more than that to be successful here. Nothing better symbolized Johnson's untapped potential than all that heavy breathing on his early runs as a Cyclone. But if he could learn to improve in that area, to find consistency and compete harder off the mat, Dresser knew Johnson's future was as bright as any wrestler on Iowa State's roster. "We do a lot of runs here just because I think running is hard," Dresser said. "And I think running builds character. It builds toughness. I think it's gas tank. It's toughness. It's competitiveness. It's pride. It's everything, just competing. And it took us a while to get him to compete on the track, in the weight room, to compete everywhere, and he's doing that now. "I told him, 'As your run times get better, your wrestling is going to get better. You watch.' He's starting to see some of those results now." Johnson wasted no time delivering one of the biggest results of opening weekend in No. 14 Iowa State's 26-6 win over No. 12 Wisconsin at the Battle in River City. Ranked No. 24 at 149 pounds, Johnson blitzed No. 2 Austin Gomez for a 9-4 decision to cap a run of four straight ranked wins for the Cyclones. Johnson ended the match on top of a face-down Gomez after stymying his last gasp at a big move. He stood up at the buzzer, gestured to the Cyclones bench, and pounded his chest. It was a good moment for Johnson and he enjoyed it, but he wasn't surprised or satisfied by something he expected to do. Iowa State freshman Paniro Johnson against Austin Gomez (photo courtesy of Iowa State athletics) "I was just thinking the whole time like this is just one match," he said. "I'm trying to do a lot more than this. That was cool and all, but that's not something I'm going to be bragging about, like I beat the No. 2 guy. I want to be the No. 1 guy and I should be beating the No. 2 guy. I'm just going to keep moving forward and keep working hard. The mission is not accomplished yet." The mission for Johnson is huge, and beating the No. 2 guy in America is just one step on his path toward it. He is thinking big, and he is coming to terms with the many, many areas left to improve before he can reach his goals. The running, lifting and weight cuts are all parts of it, but Johnson is also feeling his way through pacing himself better, upping his hand-fight game and continuing to push himself to improve on bottom. But Johnson accepts all of those challenges and knows that more will arise along the way. In fact, he was fueled by one of those areas of improvement to even secure a spot in the Iowa State lineup. He beat teammate and fellow Pennsylvania native Cam Robinson in a tight wrestle-off when he chose to confront Robinson's biggest strength. "He's really good," Johnson said. "I feel like if he was anywhere else, he'd be the starter and a national qualifier, at least. His best position is top and we were in a wrestle-off and it was close. I chose down just to prove to myself that I'm getting better." Maybe beating Gomez was a little more proof about how much better Johnson has gotten. But above all else, Johnson sees the bigger picture better now than he did while he was grayshirting last season. That should allow him to enjoy the fruits of his labor while still realizing how much - or how little - an early ranked win means for what he still hopes to achieve. And now, Johnson will be pushing to get better as more of a household name and less of a national secret. Opponents will come for him with their best energy and effort, which will really put his newfound conditioning and consistency to the test. Dresser put all of that into perspective when Johnson walked off the mat after beating Gomez. "I said, 'Imagine if this was the NCAA tournament and you have this kind of result,'" Dresser said. "This is a lot of fun, but this, really at the end of the day, is just one weekend. And so now next week, somebody's going to come out there and you're not a secret or surprise anymore. "I think everybody that follows wrestling closely saw him compete this spring and summer a little bit and saw some flashes of what we saw Saturday, but the cat's out of the bag that Paniro Johnson's pretty good. So I said everybody's gonna want your head now, so you have to train with that mentality." Johnson plans to accept that challenge, too. He had to walk before he could run at Iowa State, but now Johnson has no plans of slowing down. "I'm planning on taking out more guys ranked ahead of me or even right behind me who think I shouldn't be ahead of them," he said. "I'm going hard every time. No matter if you're not ranked or ranked No. 1, you'll get the same treatment from me."

Coleman Scott (left) and Scotti Sentes (photo courtesy of Sam Janicki (Sentes)/Tony Rotundo (Scott) We've all seen this quote on shirts and posters peppered across the country at wrestling tournaments. For a long time, the gym floor was the only place where teams would hold dual meets, but as the sport has grown, teams have become more innovative with settings for their matches. This innovative thinking will be put on full display in the state of North Carolina on Veterans Day weekend. On Friday, November 11, Veterans Day, Campbell will host UNC and Michigan in the inaugural Battle at Bragg. The duals will be held in a hangar at the Pope Airfield on the grounds of Ft. Bragg. Campbell will open the day with Michigan at 5pm, then hits the mat against UNC at 7:30pm. The event will be streamed on UFC Fight Pass; a first for the platform and a potential host for events to come. The dual will be set up in a hangar, utilizing a raised platform for the mat. The crowd will be made up of fans and families of each of the three teams as well as a contingent of soldiers from Ft. Bragg and prospective Army recruits from across the state of North Carolina. Based on the event renderings, the Army is designing the setup to incorporate multiple military vehicles and aircrafts, including the walk-out tunnel being the back of a cargo plane. Weather permitting, they will also have a large setup on the tarmac to display Army vehicles and tech. I spoke with Coach Coleman Scott of UNC and Coach Scotti Sentes of Campbell about this unique event and the potential impact it could have moving forward. This event is a great culmination of ideas from both staffs that ended up working perfectly together. "We are always looking for ways to elevate the product and get more people interested in our duals", said Coach Sentes. "I met the UFC guys at the NCAA tournament through Zach Bogel (shoutout to Stalemates) and they were all in on streaming a dual, so we had to make it a big deal. We wanted to do something special for Veterans Day and started talking to other teams about it. Michigan was on board right away, and when I talked to Coleman, he said that Tony (Associate Head Coach Ramos) had been talking with the recruiting director and they were trying to plan an event at Ft. Bragg". Coach Scott added on "Scotti talked to us and said he was looking to do a Veterans Day dual and stream it on UFC FightPass, I thought we could work together and make it happen a little more easily". Coach Ramos had been working on a dual at Ft. Bragg, so they had some basic structure already approved, they began working together with the Campbell staff to mesh the two ideas and develop the Battle at Bragg. It took a lot of work and jumping through logistical hurdles, but the final product looks excellent. Lt. Col. Mark Newdigate has played a pivotal role in the development and implementation of this plan, and both coaching staffs spoke very highly of him and his assistance in getting this off the ground. Both coaches also highlighted the coverage from UFC FightPass as being a potential game-changer in adding a large streaming platform to the wrestling world. Coach Sentes said, "they want to support wrestling, they want to get more exposure for wrestling as another combat sport and they have the infrastructure to really extend the reach of the sport". Coach Scott said, "I'm excited for another opportunity for people to see our guys wrestle, they have a huge following so it could be great". Both coaches said their guys seem to be excited for the event and ready to put on a show for everyone to see. Since this event brings in both wrestling and the US Army, I thought it was appropriate to reach out to InterMat's own Seth Duckworth. Seth is our Big12 Correspondent, and along with multiple coverage roles in wrestling, is a Chief Warrant Officer in the US Army. "It's interesting to see the merging of two things I've been pretty involved with most of my life(wrestling and the Army) in an event like this. There are a lot of things that sorta go hand in hand with both. I've always personally felt my military career was helped a lot by my experience with wrestling. Going through a lot of the difficult things I did in wrestling growing up made the Army seem a lot easier. And to dig in even further, you can look at things like the Modern Army Combatives System that was developed in part by former Minnesota coach and Army Ranger J Robinson. The event itself is certainly a win-win for both groups. You get a lot of people talking about wrestling because it's happening in a unique venue and an Army base. For the Army, they get some exposure and branding with the wrestling community, who traditionally has a strong history of military service". I think that not only will this be a great event to watch from the promotion side, but there will be some damn fine wrestling happening too. All three teams are ranked, #8 Michigan, #18 North Carolina, #29 Campbell, in the Intermat Dual Rankings. There will be multiple ranked-versus-ranked matchups in each dual and it will be a fun night of wrestling to watch. The Tar Heels will also close out the weekend with a special setting for their dual against #8 Michigan. Doubles on the Diamond will be held at Boshamer Stadium, the home of the Tar Heels baseball team. This will be the first outdoor dual hosted in Chapel Hill and will have a great backdrop, just a short walk from their practice facility and usual competition venue at Carmichael Arena. As of now, it looks like the weather will cooperate, though will be a little chillier than usual for November in North Carolina. "We wanted to think outside of the box and do something different to draw in some new fans," said Coach Scott on the thought behind the Doubles on the Diamond. "Everyone can do a dual in the gym; we have a great campus and a beautiful baseball stadium that you can see from our wrestling building, why not change it up a little". We discussed the setup for the match; the mat will be up close to the backstop to optimize fan viewing. "Coach Forbes (UNC Baseball Coach) has been awesome with the whole event. He was immediately in when we pitched the idea and he has been helpful in getting it organized and set up." "It's going to be a great weekend for Carolina Wrestling. We have two duals against good teams and our guys are ready to go, they seem really pumped up for all of it." For InterMat coverage of the weekend: look to Rachel Gallardo-our SOCON Correspondent-for coverage of the Battle at Bragg. I will be at Doubles on the Diamond for the Sunday dual. A side note to the venues, UNC has worked closely with Nike/APS Wrestling to create custom singlets for each event. If you follow my writing or my Twitter, you know that I am a bit of a sucker for team gear. Pardon the pun, but they really knocked it out of the park with these singlets. UNC will wear the camo singlet for the Veterans Day dual and the pinstripe singlet for Doubles on the Diamond.

All-American's Ethan Smith (left) and Mekhi Lewis (photo courtesy of Sam Janicki; SJanickiPhoto.com) Friday evening in Columbus, Ohio it will be an ACC-Big Ten matchup as the #14 Virginia Tech Hokies head north to take on #4 Ohio State. Despite this being a non-conference dual, these schools have wrestled each other on a semi-regular basis and it typically produces excellent duals. The last time that Tony Robie's team set foot in the Covalli Center (November 2019), they left the victors after a 21-15 upset made possible by Brent Moore pinning freshman Sammy Sasso and Cody Hughes' win at 174 lbs. Last year, Ohio State got back on the winning track 17-13 in Blacksburg in a tightly contested dual. Going back a few years (2014-15), the Hokies defeated Ohio State in a dual meet during the national championship-winning season. What makes this rivalry fun is that Virginia Tech has traditionally recruited well in Ohio. Tomorrow's dual could feature three Ohio natives donning maroon singlets. What's remarkable about the dual is the possibility of high school teammates clashing at not one, but two weights. Virginia Tech comes in as an ever-so-slight favorite in an ACC that could be won by four different teams, at this point. As their freshmen continue to get experience, they could distinguish themselves as a clear conference leader. Tom Ryan's Ohio State squad is squarely back in the NCAA trophy discussion after a couple years away. The Buckeyes boast six returning All-Americans and have only one starter ranked outside of the top-15. Last week's "Dual of the Week" (Wisconsin/Iowa State) was certainly memorable. The past history between the schools indicates it will be, as well. Below is a match-by-match breakdown of the probable starters for both squads. 125 lbs - #25 Eddie Ventresca/Cooper Flynn (Virginia Tech) vs. #11 Malik Heinselman (Ohio State) We'll start with a challenge for either of Virginia Tech's redshirt freshmen, as #11 Malik Heinselman looks large at the smallest weight class. Eddie Ventresca earned his second win over the year (first official) over Cooper Flynn in the finals of the Southeast Open. All of their previous bouts have been won by Ventresca and with razor-thin margins. Flynn came out of high school as a slightly more heralded recruit and did better last season against outside competition. The starter on Friday could end up being whomever coach Robie feels gives the Hokies the best chance to win against Heinselman. The Buckeye veteran started his year with a title at the Michigan State Open. Heinselman downed former Hokie Joey Prata (Oklahoma), a 2022 NCAA round of 12 finisher in the finals. He's seeking to become an NCAA All-American for the first time. Despite earning top-12 seeds at the last two tournaments, Heinselman only has two combined wins at nationals to show for it. In a dual where Ohio State is a definite favor, getting an upset here could change the entire trajectory of the meet. For the full article, Subscribe to InterMat's Rokfin Page

2x NCAA All-American Mason Parris (photo courtesy of Sam Janicki; SJanickiPhoto.com) Week 1 started with a bang, with some surprising dual and tournament results. But that's what makes it fun, right? Not if your Fantasy roster is on the losing end of those surprises….. Currently, Mason Parris (Mich) leads all Fantasy Wrestlers with 26 Fpts (three pins, two majors), but just two points behind him is redshirting true freshman Joseph Martin from Northwestern. In the Freshman/Sophomore Division at the Michigan State Open, Martin won by pin in four straight matches (all under in 2 minutes). Seven redshirts and five "back-ups" are in the Top-33 Overall Fantasy Wrestlers after Week 1. With more tournaments on the horizon in the front end of this season, I expect to see this trend continue. Check out the full list of the current Top-33 Fantasy Wrestlers after Week 1, HERE. On to Week 2 70 of the 80 D1 teams will be in action this week in some type of match or another, with 17 of last season's Top-20 Teams competing. A highly competitive week which bodes well for those highly ranked wrestlers you may not have been able to use last week. Aside from the typical duals, tri-meets, and tournaments, we have WrangleMania and the pooled round-robin event: Journeymen Classic. The Journeymen Classic is usually pools of three or four wrestlers and gets two or three matches on the day. Several tournaments to keep an eye on that will have a lot of D1 competition are: Appalachian State Invite, Bearcat Open, Bison Open, The Battle at The Citadel, Tiger Style Invite, and Cowboy Open. Other tournaments, which may have less D1 competition (and thus less opportunities to score fantasy points) are the Grand View Open, Luther College Open, and the Ohio Intercollegiate Open. See all upcoming tournaments HERE on WrestleStat. Tournament entries continue to update the closer to registration cut-off/day of the event, and we don't want to make an "ass out of u and me" with teams and entries, so be sure to check back and turn those notifications "ON" for our updates and news. A reminder of some important rules: Wrestlers entered at a weight must compete at that weight or else their results will not be counted. Wrestlers in the "Floater" spots can compete at ANY weight and accumulate Fantasy points. A wrestler will LOCK on your roster at 12pm ET on the day of their first competition for the week. (refer to the Master Team Schedule, Week 2 Visual, or SHP's Week Preview). Only results against D1 competition (starters, backups, and redshirts) will count towards Fantasy Points. Check your league settings to know how many add/drops are permitted per week. Have a question, concern, suggestion, or just want to chat about Fantasy Wrestling? Hit us up on Twitter or head over to the InterMat Forums where we have a Fantasy Wrestling dedicated Forum page! Wrestlers I Like This Week Wrestler (School)- competition for the week [Proj Score] *organized by tournament name first, then by school name* 125 Stevo Poulin (UNCO)- @ Binghamton, Bearcat Open Nico Provo (STAN)- Appalachian State Invite Braxton Brown (MD)- Tiger Style Invite Noah Surtin (MIZZ)- Tiger Style Invite Tristan Lujan (MSU)- @ Davidson, @ Presbyterian [+7] Jack Medley (MICH)- Vs Campbell, Vs North Carolina [+6] Blake West (NIU)- Vs Lindenwood [+6] Joey Prata (OU)- Buffalo & Lehigh @ WrangleMania + Journeymen Classic* [+6*] Trevor Mastrogiovanni (OKST)- @ Lehigh , @ Bucknell [+6] Kysen Terukina (ISU)- Vs Cal Baptist [+5] Colton Camacho (PITT)- @ Cleveland State [+4] Matt Ramos (PUR)- Vs Rider [+4] Dylan Shawver (RUT)- Vs Clarion, Sacred Heart & Arizona State @ WrangleMania [+4] Brandon Courtney (ASU)- Vs Rutgers @ WrangleMania, Journeyman Classic* [+3*] Markel Baker (GMU)- Vs Queens [+3] 133 Lucas Byrd (ILL)- Tiger Style Invite Michael Colaiocco (PENN)- Journeymen Classic Rayvon Foley (MSU)- @ Davidson, @ Presbyterian [+9] Daton Fix (OKST)- @ Lehigh , @ Bucknell [+9] Wyatt Henson (OU)- Buffalo & Lehigh @ WrangleMania + Journeymen Classic* [+8*] Dylan Ragusin (MICH)- Vs Campbell, Vs North Carolina [+6] Josh Jones (GMU)- Vs Queens [+5] Roman Bravo-Young (PSU)- Vs Lock Haven [+5] Brody Teske/Cullen Schriever (IOWA)- Vs California Baptist [+4] Zach Redding (ISU)- Vs Cal Baptist [+4] Bryce West (NIU)- Vs Lindenwood [+4] Micky Phillippi (PITT)- @ Cleveland State [+4] Michael McGee (ASU)- Vs Rutgers @ WrangleMania, Journeyman Classic* [+3*] Jesse Mendez (OHST)- Vs Virginia Tech [+3] 141 Andrew Alirez (UNCO)- @ Binghamton, Bearcat Open Kal Miller (MD)- Tiger Style Invite Allan Hart (MIZZ)- Tiger Style Invite Sammy Alvarez (RUT)- Vs Clarion, Sacred Heart & Arizona State @ WrangleMania [+13] Jordan Hamdan (MSU)- @ Davidson, @ Presbyterian [+10] Ryan Jack (NCST)- Lock Haven & Nebraska @ WrangleMania + Journeymen Classic* [+6*] Casey Swiderski (ISU)- Vs Cal Baptist [+4] Javion Jones (NIU)- Vs Lindenwood [+4] Cole Matthews (PITT)- @ Cleveland State [+4] Beau Bartlett (PSU)- Vs Lock Haven [+3] Parker Filius (PUR)- Vs Rider [+3] 149 Jaden Abas (STAN)- Appalachian State Invite Anthony Artalona (PENN)- Journeymen Classic Dom Demas (CP)- Tiger Style Invite Brock Mauller (MIZZ)- Tiger Style Invite Peyton Omania (MSU)- @ Davidson, @ Presbyterian [+8] Quinn Kinner (RID)- @ SIU-Edwardsville, @ Purdue [+7] Thomas Deck (ARMY)- Vs Sacred Heart, Nebraska @ WrangleMania, Journeyman Classic* [+3*] Jackson Arrington (NCST)- Lock Haven & Nebraska @ WrangleMania + Journeymen Classic* [+6*] Anthony White (RUT)- Vs Clarion, Sacred Heart & Arizona State @ WrangleMania [+5] Max Murin (IOWA)- Vs California Baptist [+4] Shayne Van Ness (PSU)- Vs Lock Haven [+4] Brock McMillen (PITT)- @ Cleveland State [+4] Kyle Parco (ASU)- Vs Rutgers @ WrangleMania, Journeyman Classic* [+3*] Paniro Johnson (ISU)- Vs Cal Baptist [+3] Anthony Cheloni (NIU)- Vs Lindenwood [+3] Sammy Sasso (OHST)- Vs Virginia Tech [+3] 157 Daniel Cardenas (STAN)- Appalachian State Invite Jake Keating (UVA)- Appalachian State Invite Doug Zapf (PENN)- Journeymen Classic Luka Wick (CP)- Tiger Style Invite Jarrett Jacques (MIZZ)- Tiger Style Invite Chase Saldate (MSU)- @ Davidson, @ Presbyterian [+10] Austin O'Connor (UNC)- Vs Campbell, Vs Michigan [+7] Josh Humphreys (LEH)- Vs Oklahoma State, Vs Oklahoma [+6] Jason Kraisser (ISU)- Vs Cal Baptist [+4] Kendall Coleman (PUR)- Vs Rider [+4] Cael Valencia (ASU)- Vs Rutgers @ WrangleMania, Journeyman Classic* [+3*] Cobe Siebrecht (IOWA)- Vs California Baptist [+3] Anthony Gibson (NIU)- Vs Lindenwood [+3] 165 Hunter Garvin (STAN)- Appalachian State Invite Shane Griffith (STAN)- Appalachian State Invite Lucas Revano (PENN)- Journeymen Classic Bryce Hepner (OHST)- Ohio Intercollegiate Open Legend Lamer (CP)- Tiger Style Invite Danny Braunagel (ILL)- Tiger Style Invite Keegan O'Toole (MIZZ)- Tiger Style Invite Cam Amine (MICH)- Vs Campbell, Vs North Carolina [+11] Caleb Fish (MSU)- @ Davidson, @ Presbyterian [+9] Dalton Harkins (ARMY)- Vs Sacred Heart, Nebraska @ WrangleMania, Journeyman Classic* [+6*] Garrit Nijenhuis (OU)- Buffalo & Lehigh @ WrangleMania + Journeymen Classic* [+6*] Hunter Mays (RID)- @ SIU-Edwardsville, @ Purdue [+6] David Carr (ISU)- Vs Cal Baptist [+4] Izzak Olejnik (NIU)- Vs Lindenwood [+3] Carson Kharchla (OHST)- Vs Virginia Tech [+3] Alex Facundo (PSU)- Vs Lock Haven [+3] 174 Sal Perrine (OHIO)- Appalachian State Invite Tyler Eischens (STAN)- Appalachian State Invite Phil Conigliaro (HARV)- Journeymen Classic Peyton Mocco (MIZZ)- Tiger Style Invite Edmund Ruth (ILL)- Tiger Style Invite Dustin Plott (OKST)- @ Lehigh , @ Bucknell [+8] DJ Shannon (MSU)- @ Davidson, @ Presbyterian [+7] Michael Labriola (NCST)- Army & NC State @ WrangleMania + Journeymen Classic* [+7*] Clay Lautt (UNC)- Vs Campbell, Vs Michigan [+6] Logan Messer (GMU)- Vs Queens [+5] Carter Starocci (PSU)- Vs Lock Haven [+5] MJ Gaitan (ISU)- Vs Cal Baptist [+4] Luca Augustine (PITT)- @ Cleveland State [+3] Mekhi Lewis (VT)- @ Ohio State [+3] 184 Adam Kemp (CP)- Tiger Style Invite Sean Harman (MIZZ)- Tiger Style Invite Trent Hidlay (NCST)- Lock Haven & Nebraska @ WrangleMania + Journeymen Classic* [+9*] Matt Finesilver (MICH)- Vs Campbell, Vs North Carolina [+7] Layne Malczewski (MSU)- @ Davidson, @ Presbyterian [+7] Travis Wittlake (OKST)- @ Lehigh , @ Bucknell [+7] Kyle Davis (GMU)- Vs Queens [+5] Marcus Coleman (ISU)- Vs Cal Baptist [+5] Aaron Brooks (PSU)- Vs Lock Haven [+5] Abe Assad (IOWA)- Vs California Baptist [+3] 197 Lou DePrez (BING)- Vs Northern Colorado, Bearcat Open Nick Stemmet (STAN)- Appalachian State Invite Bernie Truax (CP)- Tiger Style Invite Zac Braunagel (ILL)- Tiger Style Invite Cameron Caffey (MSU)- @ Davidson, @ Presbyterian [+11] Michael Beard (LEH)- Vs Oklahoma State, Vs Oklahoma [+6] Max Shaw (UNC)- Vs Campbell, Vs Michigan [+6] Yonger Bastida (ISU)- Vs Cal Baptist [+5] Max Dean (PSU)- Vs Lock Haven [+5] Jacob Warner (IOWA)- Vs California Baptist [+4] Nino Bonaccorsi (PITT)- @ Cleveland State [+4] Kordell Norfleet (ASU)- Vs Rutgers @ WrangleMania, Journeyman Classic* [+3*] Jon List (GMU)- Vs Queens [+3] Gavin Hoffman (OHST)- Vs Virginia Tech [+3] 285 Yaraslau Slavilouski (HARV)- Journeymen Classic Mike Mista (OHST)- Ohio Intercollegiate Open Zach Elam (MIZZ)- Tiger Style Invite Jaron Smith (MD)- Tiger Style Invite Mason Parris (MICH)- Vs Campbell, Vs North Carolina [+10] Ryan Vasbinder (MSU)- @ Davidson, @ Presbyterian [+9] Anthony Cassioppi (IOWA)- Vs California Baptist [+6] Owen Trephan (NCST)- Lock Haven & Nebraska @ WrangleMania + Journeymen Classic* [+6*] Cohlton Schultz (ASU)- Vs Rutgers @ WrangleMania, Journeyman Classic* [+4*] Sam Schuyler (ISU)- Vs Cal Baptist [+4] Greg Kerkvliet (PSU)- Vs Lock Haven [+4] Dayton Pitzer (PITT)- @ Cleveland State [+4]

The 2022 NCAA Championships (photos courtesy of Sam Janicki; SJanickiPhoto.com) We've got a great slate of duals over the next week, which is the second week of the 2022-23 regular season. 36 duals are on the schedule for Wednesday-Sunday. Since it can be difficult to figure out where and when to watch all of these events, InterMat has put together a list of all of the live-streamed events occurring this weekend. Below are the dates/times and how to watch each match (with links). All times are eastern Wednesday, November 9: Elizabethtown at Franklin & Marshall 7:00 PM Centennial Conference Digital Network Friday, November 11: Michigan State at Davidson 6:00 PM Davidson All-Access Clarion at Rutgers 6:00 PM B1G+ Pittsburgh at Cleveland State 7:00 PM Virginia Tech at Ohio State 7:00 PM B1G+ Lock Haven at Penn State 7:00 PM B1G+ Rider at SIU Edwardsville 7:00 PM Campbell vs. Michigan at Fort Bragg, NC 5:00 PM UFC Fight Pass Campbell vs. North Carolina at Fort Bragg, NC 7:30 PM UFC Fight Pass Saturday, November 12: Air Force, Appalachian State, Edinboro, Gardner-Webb, Kent State, Ohio, Stanford, Virginia at Mountaineer Invitational (Appalachian State) 9:00 AM Northern Iowa at Grand View Open, Grimes, IA, 10:00 AM Cal Poly, Drexel, Illinois, Little Rock, Maryland, Missouri at Tiger Style Invitational, Kansas City, MO 10:00 AM FloWrestling Minnesota, North Dakota State, South Dakota State at Bison Open hosted by North Dakota State, 10:00 AM Utah Valley, Wyoming at Cowboy Open, hosted by Wyoming, 11:00 AM FloWrestling WrangleMania Army West Point vs. Sacred Heart at Bethlehem, PA 11:00 AM Journeymen Rokfin Army West Point vs. Nebraska at Bethlehem, PA 1:00 PM Journeymen Rokfin Buffalo vs. Oklahoma at Bethlehem, PA 1:00 PM Journeymen Rokfin Rutgers vs. Sacred Heart at Bethlehem, PA 1:00 PM Journeymen Rokfin Buffalo vs. Long Island at Bethlehem, PA 3:00 PM Journeymen Rokfin Lehigh vs. Oklahoma at Bethlehem, PA 3:00 PM Journeymen Rokfin Lock Haven vs. NC State at Bethlehem, PA 3:00 PM Journeymen Rokfin Arizona State vs. Rutgers at Bethlehem, PA 5:00 PM Journeymen Rokfin Long Island vs. Sacred Heart at Bethlehem, PA 5:00 PM Journeymen Rokfin NC State vs. Nebraska at Bethlehem, PA 5:00 PM Journeymen Rokfin Lindenwood at Northern Illinois, 11:00 AM Harper College at Northern Illinois, 11:00 AM Queens at George Mason, 12:00 PM ESPN+ Millersville at George Mason, 1:30 PM ESPN+ Queens vs. Williams at George Mason, 1:30 PM Williams at George Mason, 3:00 PM ESPN+ Queens vs. Millersville at George Mason, 3:00 PM Oklahoma State at Lehigh, 12:00 PM FloWrestling Northern Colorado at Binghamton, 3:00 PM ESPN+ Michigan State at Presbyterian, 6:00 PM FloWrestling Oklahoma State at Bucknell, 7:00 PM ESPN+ California Baptist at Iowa State, 9:00 PM ESPN+ Sunday, November 13: Arizona State, Army West Point, Bloomsburg, Harvard, Hofstra, Lock Haven, Long Island, NC State, Oklahoma, Penn, Sacred Heart, The Citadel, VMI at Journeymen Collegiate Classic, Bethlehem, PA, 9:00 AM FloWrestling Binghamton, Cornell, Franklin & Marshall, Navy, Northern Colorado, West Virginia at Jonathan Kaloust Bearcat Open, hosted by Binghamton, 9:00 AM American, Chattanooga, Davidson, Duke, Presbyterian, The Citadel at Battle at The Citadel, 9:00 AM Bellarmine, Cleveland State at Bob Del Rosa Intercollegiate Open, hosted by Case Western Reserve, 10:00 AM Rider at Purdue, 12:00 PM B1G+ California Baptist at Iowa, 2:00 PM B1G+ Michigan at North Carolina, 3:00 PM ESPN+ Linfield at Oregon State, 5:00 PM Clackamas CC at Oregon State, 7:00 PM

U23 World silver medalist Jacob Cardenas (photo courtesy of Kostadin Andonov/UWW) 57KG Dzhabrail Gairbekov (RUS) won the Yusup Abdusalamov tournament over Anzor Mazhidov (RUS) with Gadzhimagomed Akhmedov (RUS) taking bronze over Magomed Gazigandov (RUS). Alexey Kopylov (RUS) won the Alexander Krylov Memorial Tournament over his brother #11 Petr Kopylov (RUS) by forfeit. Bronze medalists at the Krylov were Ayaal Belolyubsky (RUS) and Kharyashal Grigoriev (RUS). #14 Nachyn Mongush (RUS) won the Second Ivan Poddubny Tournament over #8 Ramiz Gamzatov (RUS). Bronze medalists at the second Ivan Poddubny tournament were Muslim Sadulaev (RUS) and Dmitry Shamelo (BLR). Aman Aman (IND) won the U-23 world championships over Ahmet Duman (TUR) with Bekzat Almaz Uulu (KGZ) and Kamyl Kerymov (UKR) taking bronze. #9 Musa Mekhtikhanov (RUS) won the Ali Aliyev memorial over Magomed Abdurakhmanov (RUS) with Anzor Mazhidov (RUS) and Khalid Magomedov (RUS) taking bronze. Aryan Tyutrin (BLR) won the Dmitri Korkin Memorial over #5 Reineri Andreu Ortega (CUB). Bronze medalists at the Korkin were #14 Nachyn Mongush (RUS) and Dimchik Batomunkuev (RUS). From the results of these six tournaments, here is the movement in the rankings: 2021 world bronze medalist Tyutrin is back in the rankings at #5 for beating Andreu Ortega in the finals of the Dmitri Korkin memorial. Andreu Ortega falls one spot to #6 in the rankings. Mongush moved up five spots to #9 for winning the second Ivan Poddubny tournament over Gamzatov. Mongush followed up his Poddubny title with a bronze medal finish at the Korkin after a semifinal loss to Andreu Ortega. Tuskaev moves up two spots for beating Russian Nationals bronze medalist Mekhtikhanov in the second Ivan Poddubny tournament quarterfinals. Tuskaev lost in the semifinals to Gamzatov. Mekhtikhanov falls three spots to #12 for his loss to Tuskaev at the Poddubny. Tuskaev is able to move ahead of #11 Petr Kopylov (RUS) and #12 Amir Chamzyn (RUS), who beat Tuskaev at the All-Russian Spartakiad in August and Russian Nationals in June respectively, because Kopylov and Chamzyn both have losses to Mekhtikhanov: Kopylov's being at the All-Russian Spartakiad in the semifinals and Chamzyn in the bronze medal match of Russian Nationals. Gamzatov falls one spot to #9 for his loss in the finals of the second Ivan Poddubny Tournament to Mongush. 61KG Artur Chebodaev (RUS) won the Alexander Krylov Memorial Tournament over Pavlov Yakov (RUS) with Fedor Postnikov (RUS) and Zhargal Damdinov (RUS) taking bronze. #3 Abasgadzhi Magomedov (RUS) won the second Ivan Poddubny Tournament over #10 Bashir Magomedov (RUS). The Bronze medalist at the second Ivan Poddubny tournament was Andrei Bekrenev (BLR). #5 Arsen Harutyunyan (ARM) won his second U23 world title over Taiyrbek Zhumashbek Uulu (KGZ). Bronze medalists at the U23 world championships were Emrah Ormanoglu (TUR) and Assyl Aitakyn (KAZ). #3 Abasgadzhi Magomedov (RUS) won the Dmitri Korkin Memorial Tournament over #2 Akhmed Idrisov (RUS). Bronze medalists at the Korkin were Kezhik Mongush (RUS) and Andrei Bekrenev (BLR). #11 Muslim Mekhtikhanov (RUS) won the Ali Aliyev over two-time Russian Nationals bronze medalist Cherman Tavitov (RUS). Bronze medalists at the Ali Aliyev were Akhmed Zubairov (RUS) and #10 Bashir Magomedov (RUS). 2021 world champion #3 Abasgadzhi Magomedov (RUS) moves up one spot to #2 for beating Idrisov in the finals of the Korkin and avenging his loss from August at the All-Russian Spartakiad. Magomedov sits behind top-ranked 2022 world champion #1 Rei Higuchi (JPN). Magomedov has indicated he will go 65 KG for the 2024 Olympics and Higuchi has yet to declare his weight, but had a failed attempt at 57 KG in 2021 that saw him miss weight at the Asian Olympic Qualifier. Hopefully, we can see Magomedov/Higuchi in 2023. Zhumashbek Uulu is in the rankings at #17 for finishing silver at the U23 world championships where he beat Ormanoglu, who beat Yasar Dogu runner-up #17 Andrey Dzhelep (UKR) in the quarterfinals. Mekhtikhanov (RUS) got bumped up one spot to #10 for beating Bashir Magomedov at the Ali Aliyev. Magomedov (RUS) dropped one spot to #11 for his loss to Mekhtikhanov. 65KG #13 Ramazan Ferzaliev (RUS) won the Yusup Abdusalamov tournament over Magomed Magomedov (RUS). Bronze medalists at the Abdusalamov were #7 Gadzhimurad Omarov (RUS) and Magomed Zharulaev (RUS). Usman Shakhgiriev (RUS) won the Alexander Krylov Memorial Tournament over Vladislav Krivoshapkin (RUS) with Kezhik Chimba (RUS) and Viktor Zherbaev (RUS) taking bronze. #6 Ibragim Ibragimov (RUS) won the second Ivan Poddubny Tournament over Elbrus Valiev (RUS) with bronze medalists being Umar Umarov (RUS) and Muslim Saidulaev (RUS). #15 Vazgen Tevanyan (ARM) won the U23 world championships over Hamza Alaca (TUR). Bronze medalists at the U23 world championships were Ryamu Anraku (JPN) and Erik Arushanian (UKR). Abdulmazhid Kudiev (RUS) won the Dmitri Korkin Memorial Tournament over #4 Shamil Mamedov (RUS). Bronze medalists at the Korkin were Usman Shakhgiriev (RUS) and Victor Zherbaev (RUS). #13 Ramazan Ferzaliev (RUS) won the Ali Aliyev (RUS) over #7 Gadzhimurad Omarov (RUS). Bronze medalists at the Ali Aliyev were Ramazan Bagavudinov (RUS) and Magomed Tazhudinov (RUS). 2021 Russian Nationals bronze medalist Kudiev is back in the rankings at #4 for beating Mamedov (RUS). Kudiev's top five spot is justified also by his multiple wins over Ferzaliev from the 2021 season (Russian Nationals, Ali Aliyev), #13 Bajrang Punia (IND) and multiple-time Russian Nationals medalist Murshid Mutalimov (RUS). Mamedov falls one spot to #5 for his loss to Kudiev. Ferzaliev (RUS) moves up six spots in the rankings to #7 for his titles at the Yusup Abdusalamov tournament and the Ali Aliyev and his two wins over Russian Nationals runner-up #7 Gadzhimurad Omarov (RUS). Ferzaliev has also posted wins this year over elite competition the like of #8 Ibragim Ibragimov (RUS), two-time world bronze medalist Akhmed Chakaev (RUS), and two-time World/Olympic trials runner-up Joey McKenna (USA). While #10 Gadzhimurad Rashidov (RUS) does have two past wins over Ferzaliev (2021 Russian Nationals, 2022 Russian Nationals), his loss to Omarov at Nationals plus Ferzaliev's two wins over Omarov this month allow for Ferzaliev to be ranked over the 2019 world champion. 70KG Sayin Kazyryk (RUS) won the Alexander Krylov Memorial Tournament over Igor Upkhoev (RUS). Bronze medalists at the Krylov Memorial Tournament were #9 Ruslan Zhendaev (RUS) and Konstantine Kaprynov (RUS). #10 Ernazar Akmataliev (KGZ) won his showcase match at the second Ivan Poddubny Tournament against #8 Inalbek Sheriev (RUS). Sheriev won the Poddubny over Ramazan Gadzhimagomedov (RUS). Bronze medalists at the Poddubny were Abudaud Ibragimov (RUS) and Turpal Ali Khatuev (RUS). Giorgi Elbakidze (GEO) won the U23 world championships title over #3 Amir Mohammad Yazdani (IRI). Bronze medalists at the U23 world championships were Kanan Heybatov (AZE) and #13 Kota Takahashi (JPN). Evgheni Zherbaev (RUS) won the Dmitri Korkin Memorial Tournament over #7 Anzor Zakuev (RUS). Bronze medalists at the Korkin were Konstantine Kaprynov (RUS) and Narek Harutyunyan (ARM). Murad Evloev (AZE) won the Ali Aliev over Turpal Ali Khatuev (RUS). Bronze medalists at the Aliev were Akhmed Kasumov (RUS) and Dzhokhar Dzhobaev (RUS). The biggest result of this month was the dominant return of 2021 70 KG world bronze medalist Evgheni Zherbaev (RUS) who won titles at 74 KG at the Alexander Krylov Memorial Tournament and at 70 KG at the Dmitri Korkin Memorial. Zherbaev posted wins over #7 Anzor Zakuev (RUS), #2 Israil Kasumov (RUS), and Konstantine Kaprynov (RUS). Zherbaev returns to the rankings at #3. Consequently, Poddubny supermatch winner Akmataliev (KGZ) gets bumped up eight spots to #2 for his past win over Zherbaev at the 2021 world championships and for his victory over Sheriev at the Poddubny. Shiraev moved up to 74 KG where he finished as runner-up to #1 (74) Zaurbek Sidakov (RUS) at the Dmitri Korkin Memorial Invitational. Kasumov falls three spots to #5 for his losses to Zherbaev, Zakuev and Kaprynov. Zakuev moves up three spots to #4 for his win over Kasumov while Kaprynov debuts at #15 for beating Kasumov at the Korkin. Shakhiev (RUS) drops one spot to #7 for his loss to Riza Ali Abbas (IRI) in the qualification round of the Korkin. Abbas debuts in the rankings at #16 for his victory over Shakhiev. Kanan Heybatov (AZE) is in the rankings at #19 and this was due to an earlier error on my part back in the September rankings when Heybatov won Junior world's where he beat Mulayam Yadav (IND) in the semis, after Yadav had upset #13 Kota Takahashi (JPN) in the quarters. To retroactively fix this, I have put in Heybatov at #19 and dropped Takahashi to #20. Both Heybatov and Takahashi took bronze at U23 world's. Elbakidze returns to the international rankings at #11 for upsetting Amir Mohammad Yazdani in the U23 world finals. Yazdani falls nine spots to #12. The other addition to the rankings is Kazyryk, who slots in at #9 for winning the Alexander Krylov Memorial Tournament where he beat Zhendaev. 74KG Kasum Kasumov (RUS) won the Yusup Abdusalamov tournament over Alan Kudzoev (RUS). Bronze medalists at the Abdusalamov were Mokhamad Nasirkhaev (RUS) and Abdulagadzhi Magomedov (RUS). #3 (70) Evgheni Zherbaev (RUS) won the Alexander Krylov Memorial Tournament over #5 (70) Israel Kasumov (RUS). Bronze medalists at the Krylov were Semyon Tereschenko (RUS) and Tumen Bodiev (RUS) #1 Zaurbek Sidakov (RUS) won the second Ivan Poddubny tournament over #10 Magomed Dibirgadzhiev (RUS). The bronze medalist at the Poddubny was Ruslan Bogatyrev (RUS). #17 Mohammad Firouzpourbandpei (IRI) won the U23 world championships over Khadzhimurad Gadzhiev (AZE). Bronze medalists at the U23 world championships were Vasil Diacone (MDA) and Vadym Kurylenko (UKR). Sidakov won the Dmitri Korkin Memorial Tournament over #5 (70) Kurban Shiraev (RUS). Bronze medalists at the Korkin were #9 Timur Bizhoev (RUS) and Stanislav Svinoboev (RUS). Kasumov also won the Ali Aliyev over #10 Magomed Dibirgadzhiev (RUS). Bronze medalists at the Ali Aliyev were Kamil Abdulvagabov (RUS) and Anzor Ionov (RUS). The major mover of this month was Kasumov who debuts in the rankings at #11 for beating #10 Dibirgadzhiev in the finals of the Ali Aliyev and winning the Yusup Abdusalamov tournament over Kudzoev). Shiraev debuts in the 74 KG rankings at #8 after his runner-up finish to Sidakov (RUS) at the Dmitri Korkin Memorial. Shiraev is at #8 because he has a win over #6 David Baev (RUS) from the 2021 70 KG Yarygin. #19 David Carr (USA) is out of the rankings because of his quarterfinal loss at the U23 world championships to Temuri Beruashvili (GEO). Beruashvili injury defaulted out to 5th and Carr was eliminated. 79KG Dmitri Zainidinov (RUS) won the Alexander Krylov Memorial Tournament over Konstantine Vlasov (RUS). Bronze medalists at the Alexander Krylov Memorial Tournament were Timur Nikolaev (RUS) and Ayur Zhigzhitov (RUS). #19 Akhmed Usmanov (RUS) won the Poddubny over #12 Radik Valiev (RUS). Bronze medalists at the Poddubny were #4 Khalid Yakhiev (RUS) and #2 Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov (BLR). Vladimieri Gamkrelidze (GEO) won the U23 world title over Daulet Yergash (KAZ). Bronze medalists at U23 world's were #14 Carter Starocci (USA) and Arman Avagyan (ARM). #19 Akhmed Usmanov (RUS) won the Dmitri Korkin Memorial Tournament over #12 Radik Valiev (RUS). Bronze medalists at the Korkin were Azret Ulimbashev (RUS) and #17 Nikita Suchkov (RUS). Amanulla Gadzhimagomedov (RUS) won the Ali Aliyev over Begkhan Misrikhanov (RUS). Bronze medalists at the Ali Aliyev were Abdulla Tsatsaev (RUS) and Rasul Asluev (BRN). The biggest mover from October was Usmanov (RUS) who skyrockets seventeen spots up the rankings to #2 for wins over Kadimagomedov, Valiev (RUS), and Suchkov (RUS). Kadimagomedov drops one spot to #3 for his loss to #2 Akhmed Usmanov (RUS) at the Poddubny. Valiev moves up eight spots in the rankings to #4 for two runner-up finishes to Usmanov at the second Ivan Poddubny tournament and at the Dmitri Korkin Memorial Invitational. Valiev beat #11 Kakhaber Khubezhty (RUS) and #4 Khalid Yakhiev (RUS) at the Poddubny to regain his top-five spot in the rankings. Daulet Yergash (KAZ) debuts in the rankings at #16 for upsetting Starocci in the U23 world semifinals. Gamkrelidze (GEO) is back in the rankings at #15 for beating Yergash in the U23 world finals. Gamkrelidze was ranked earlier this year for taking bronze at the Senior European Championships where he had beaten 2014 Russian Nationals runner-up Yakup Shikhdzhamalov (ROU). 86KG Amanulla Gadzhimagomedov (RUS) won the Yusup Abdusalamov tournament over Yusup-Khadzi Aidaev (RUS). Magomedzagid Karimov (RUS) and Magomed Gadzhimagomedov (RUS) took bronze. Azret Ulimbashev (RUS) won the Alexander Krylov Memorial Tournament over German Ustinov (RUS) with Emil Ramazanov (RUS) taking bronze. #3 Artur Naifonov (RUS) won the second Ivan Poddubny tournament over #7 Vladislav Valiev (RUS). Bronze medalists at the Poddubny were Rasul Tikhaev (BLR) and #15 Arsenali Musalaliev (RUS). Tatsuya Shirai (JPN) won the U23 world title over Trent Hidlay (USA). Bronze medalists at the U23 world championships were Emre Ciftci (TUR) and Ivan Ichizli (MDA). #7 (92) Vladislav Valiev (RUS) won the Dmitri Korkin Memorial over Naifonov (RUS). Bronze medalists at the Korkin were #19 Slavik Naniev (RUS) and #6 Malik Shavaev (RUS). Zaur Makiev (RUS) won the Ali Aliyev over Zagid Karimov (RUS). Bronze medalists at the Ali Aliyev were Adam Anzorov (RUS) and Alan Naifonov (RUS). Valiev (RUS) is back in the 86 KG rankings at #4 for splitting matches with Naifonov (RUS), finishing silver to Naifonov at the Poddubny and beating Naifonov for gold at the Korkin. #8 Ada Bagomedov (RUS) is out of the rankings after losses to Musalaliev at the Poddubny and to Ramazan Bulatov (RUS) at the Ali Aliyev. Zaur Makiev (RUS), Zagid Karimov (RUS), Adam Anzorov (RUS), and Omar Ziyautdinov (RUS) are in the rankings at #16, #17, #18, and #19 for their Ali Aliyev performances. Makiev beat Karimov, Karimov beat Anzorov who beat Ziyautdinov for bonze after Ziyautdinov had upset four-time Russian Nationals bronze medalist Musalaliev (RUS). Makiev>Karimov>Anzorov>Ziyautdinov>Musalaliev is the simple way to look at it. Musalaliev (RUS) falls five spots to #20 for his loss to #19 Omar Ziyautdinov (RUS) at the Ali Aliyev. 92KG Ayur Nimaev (RUS) won the Alexander Krylov memorial tournament over Nurgen Sergin (RUS) with Nikita Sofronov (RUS) taking bronze. #7 (86) Dauren Kurugliev (RUS) won the second Ivan Poddubny tournament over Alan Bagaev (RUS) with #6 Guram Chertkoev (RUS) taking bronze. Two-time Junior world champion Amirhossein Firouzpour (IRI) won U23 world's over Jacob Cardenas (USA). #9 Feyzullah Akturk (TUR) and #12 Miriani Maisuradze (GEO) took bronze. Mohammad Asami (IRI) won the Dmitri Korkin Memorial Tournament over #6 Guram Chertkoev (RUS) with #4 Osman Nurmagomedov (AZE) and Nurgun Sergin (RUS) taking bronze. Kurugliev won the Ali Aliyev by forfeit over Khabib Gadzhiev (RUS). Bronze medalists at the Ali Aliyev were Khabi Khashpakov (RUS) and Gadzhimagomed Nazhmudinov (RUS). Iran had the strongest results from this month with Asami and Firouzpourbandpei (IRI) entering the top ten. Asami enters the rankings at #5 for winning the Dmitri Korkin Memorial with wins over Nurmagomedov (AZE) and Chertkoev, while Firouzpourbandpei sits at #9 for beating Akturk and Cardenas to win the U23 world's. Kurugliev (RUS) makes his debut in the 92 KG rankings at #4 for winning the second Ivan Poddubny tournament over Bagaev and winning the Ali Aliyev over Gadzhiev. Cardenas debuts in the rankings at #14 for taking silver at the U23 world championships and upsetting Senior world bronze medalist Maisuradze in the semifinals. Valiev dropped back down to 86 KG where he finished runner-up to Naifonov (RUS) at the second Ivan Poddubny tournament and then won the Korkin over Naifonov. All-Russian Spartakiad champ Chertkoev plummeted in the rankings down to #16 after losses to #4 Kurugliev, Asami, and #15 Zelimkhan Minkailov (RUS). Bagaev bumps up five spots to #13 for beating Minkailov at the second Ivan Poddubny tournament after Minkailov had beaten Chertkoev. #20 Magomed Sharipov, a Russian Nationals bronze medalist this season, transferred to Bahrain. 97KG #10 Gadzhimagomed Tazhudinov (RUS) won the Yusup Abdusalamov tournament over Magomedarip Abdulkhalikov (RUS). Bronze medalists at the Abdusalamov were Tazhudin Mukhtarov (RUS) and Tamerlan Kotsoev (RUS). Maxim Tolmachev (RUS) won the Alexander Krylov Memorial Tournament over Nikita Akulinchev (RUS) with Yuri Ivanov (RUS) taking bronze. #18 Sergey Kozyrev (RUS) won the second Ivan Poddubny tournament over Zhorik Dzhioev (RUS) with #10 Gadzhimagomed Tazhudinov (RUS) and Soslan Dzhagaev (RUS) taking bronze. Amiraali Azarpira (IRI) won his second U23 world title over Tanner Sloan (USA). Bronze medalists at the U23 world championships were Islam Ilyasov (AZE) and Vasyl Sova (UKR). Kozyrev won the Dmitri Korkin Memorial Tournament over Aleksandr Hushtyn (BLR). Maxim Tolmachev (RUS) took bronze. #14 Shamil Musaev (RUS) won the Ali Aliyev over Magomedrasul Mutaev (RUS). Bronze medalists at the Ali Aliyev were Ramazan Shakhbanov (RUS) and Magomedarip Abdulkhalikov (RUS). Musaev (RUS) moves up four spots to #10 for winning the Ali Aliyev over Mutaev. This happened because Musaev beat Ramazan Shakhbanov (RUS) in the semis after Shakhbanov had upset #10 Gadzhimagomed Tazhudinov (RUS) in the quarters. Tazhudinov had beaten #11 Igor Ovsyannikov (RUS) at the All-Russian Spartakiad after Ovsyannikov had beaten 2022 Russian Nationals champ #12 Shakhbanov (RUS) is in the rankings at #12 for upsetting Tazhudinov at the Ali Aliyev and taking bronze. Shakhbanov's best finish prior to this was a fifth-place finish at the 2020 92 KG Russian Nationals. Dzhioev debuts in the rankings at #13 for beating Tazhudinov at the second Ivan Poddubny Tournament. Kozyrev gets bumped up seven spots in the rankings to #11 for winning the Korkin and Poddubny with victories over Dzhioev (RUS) and Hushtyn. Tazhudinov (RUS) drops four spots to #14 for losses to Shakhbanov (RUS) and Dzhioev at the Ali Aliyev and Poddubny respectively. Russian Nationals bronze medalist Tazhudinov transferred to Bahrain. 125KG Abdurashid Gairbekov (RUS) won the Yusup Abdusalamov tournament over Yusup Batimurzaev (KAZ) by forfeit. Bronze medalists at the Abdusalamov were Magomedgadzhi Nurasulov (SRB) and Tamerlan Kumyshev (RUS). Nikita Khabarov (RUS) won the Alexander Krylov Memorial Tournament over Andrey Aronov (RUS) with Shota Kortiev (RUS) taking bronze. Soslan Khinchagov (RUS) won the second Ivan Poddubny Tournament over Znaur Kotsiev (RUS). Bronze medalists at the Poddubny were #11 Anzor Khizriev (RUS) and #6 Vitali Goloev (RUS). #13 Amirreza Masoumi Valadi (IRI) won the U23 world championships title over Solomon Manashvili (GEO). Bronze medalists at the U23 world championships were #18 Tony Cassioppi (USA) and #19 Alisher Yergali (KAZ). Reineris Salas Perez (CUB) won the Dmitri Korkin Memorial Tournament over #5 Erik Dzhioev (RUS). Bronze medalists at the Korkin were Khinchagov and Ostap Pasenok (RUS). Abdulla Kurbanov (RUS) won the Ali Aliyev over Magomed Alichuev (RUS). Bronze medalists at the Ali Aliyev were #7 Khasan Khubaev (RUS) and Alan Khugaev (RUS). As is the case when dealing with Russian heavyweights there is always so much turnover, so we have to start from the very beginning. Soslan Khinchagov (RUS) gets ranked at #8 for winning the Poddubny over Znaur Kotsiev (RUS) who debuts at #10. The reason for these rankings is because Khinchagov beat #6 Vitali Goloev (RUS) in the semis after Goloev had upset #5 Erik Dzhioev (RUS) in the quarters. Kotsiev is ranked because he beat #7 Khasan Khubaev (RUS) and #11 Anzor Khizriev (RUS) to make the finals. Now, remember that win for Goloev over Dzhioev, because it'll be important when we fast forward to the Korkin where #5 Erik Dzhioev beats #8 Soslan Khinchagov in the semis, effectively negating his loss to #6 Vitali Goloev (RUS) at the Poddubny as Khinchagov had beaten Goloev in the Poddubny semis. So now, we have to add a Cuban and a Canadian to this equation because Reineris Salas Perez (CUB) goes and beats #5 Erik Dzhioev (RUS) in the finals of the Korkin which is huge for him and gets him ranked. But Salas had a 4-2 loss to Amarvheer Dhesi (CAN) at the world championships in September. So Dhesi has to be over Salas, but still, Salas needs to get appreciated for the work he did at the Korkin. So the final layout is Dhesi>Salas>Dzhioev>Khinchagov>Goloev>Kotsiev at #5, $6, #7, #8, #9, and #10 respectively. 97 KG Junior and U23 Russian Nationals champion Abdulla Kurbanov (RUS) won Ali Aliyev to debut in the heavyweight rankings at #11. Kurbanov's number eleven spot in the rankings is earned for his tech fall win over #7 Khasan Khubaev (RUS) in the semifinals. Pound for Pound 2021 74 KG Olympic silver medalist #4 Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov (BLR) dropped nine spots in the rankings to #13 for his loss at the second Ivan Poddubny Tournament to Akhmed Usmanov (RUS). Akhmed Usmanov (RUS) returns to the pound-for-pound rankings at #12 for his win over #4 Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov (BLR). Usmanov's momentous September competition schedule saw him win titles at the second Ivan Poddubny tournament and at the Dmitri Korkin and skyrocket up seventeen spots in the 79KG rankings to #2 and return to the pound-for-pound rankings at #12 after a very inconsistent year that saw him fail to place at the Yarygin and Russian Nationals. There was a major shuffle on the bottom half of the rankings from #14 to #25. So let's explain it on a macroscale before explaining it individually so as to prevent any confusion. Because of Russia's ban from international competition due to the current Russia vs. Ukraine war, they have increased their domestic competition frequency exponentially. So in a calendar year that would see the big competitions traditionally broken up like this: Yarygin, the Ali Aliyev, Senior/Junior/U23 Nationals, World's (for whoever won nationals or wrestle-offs) then the Umakhanov or the Alans at the end of the year. We've now almost doubled the competition frequency for major competitions with this year's schedule being the following: The Yarygin, Junior Nationals, 1st Ivan Poddubny Tournament, Senior Nationals, All-Russian Spartakiad, U23 Nationals, 2nd Ivan Poddubny tournament, Dmitri Korkin Memorial, Ali Aliyev. This drastic increase in domestic competition frequency in Russia to accommodate for their international ban, means that the turnover at a rate for establishing new contenders and established guys falling off has been put on overdrive. A result of this new competition schedule is that the leaders of the weight can no longer sit out the majority of competition and only compete at the Yarygin or Nationals and have to wrestle more and increase their chance of losing more. Now having explained why the Russian competition schedule is so important, let's talk about why there was a huge shift in the pound-for-pound rankings. So the first big news is that four-time World/Olympic medalist #18 Gadzhimurad Rashidov (RUS) is out of the pound-for-pound rankings altogether. Rashidov had wins over the pound-for-pound competition the likes of Haji Aliyev (AZE), Takuto Otoguro (JPN), Ismail Musukaev (HUN), and Rei Higuchi (JPN) and had been a consensus top ten pound-for-pound fixture for much of 2017-2022. But the pressure cooker that was Russia's domestic competition schedule this year saw him fail to win Russian Nationals after a semifinal loss to #9 (65) Gadzhimurad Omarov (RUS) and then lose again in the All-Russian Spartakiad to #5 (65) Shamil Mamedov (RUS). Rashidov at his peak was a top-five pound-for-pound talent, but his results this year have caused him to plummet in the 65 KG rankings and is currently ranked 10th internationally and 6th domestically in Russia. He simply has not had a pound-for-pound quality year and that happens, that doesn't mean he can't come back, but it'll be the first time in half a decade he'll be out of the pound-for-pound. Now time to address the rest of 65 KG. Because the weight has been in such a state of turnover, and traditional pound-for-pound staples from Russia dropping like flies, 65 KG had to be rearranged in the pound-for-pound. #14 Rahman Amouzadkhalili (IRI), #15 Ismail Musukaev (HUN), and #16 Haji Aliyev (AZE) all dropped eight spots to #22, #23, and #24 respectively due to the ever-fluctuating nature of 65 KG and the trio not being able to establish a current resume worthy of a higher pound-for-pound ranking. #17 Shamil Mamedov (RUS) was cut from the pound-for-pound rankings for his loss in the finals of the 65 KG Dmitri Korkin Memorial Tournament to #25 Abdulmazhid Kudiev (RUS), who is in the rankings for his win over Mamedov. To accommodate for the fluctuation of 65 KG, I bumped up all the other 2022 world champions who had previously been occupying the 19-25 spots. Getting the biggest bump in the rankings was 97 KG world champion #23 Kyle Snyder (USA), who moved up nine spots in the rankings to #14 off the strength of his four World/Olympic titles plus his win #2 Abdulrashid Sadulaev (RUS). #20 Abasgadzhi Magomedov (RUS) moved up four spots to #16 for taking back his spot as Russia's #1 61 KG wrestler with a win over #17 Akhmed Idrisov (RUS) in the finals of the Dmitri Korkin Memorial. #24 Zelimkhan Abakarov (ALB) got bumped up six spots to #18 and he can't get higher because he has a loss to #16 Abasgadzhi Magomedov (RUS) from the Yarygin and doesn't have a win over Magomedov this year like #17 Akhmed Idrisov (RUS) does. 92 KG world champion #21 Kamran Ghasempour (IRI), 70 KG world champion #25 Taishi Narikuni (JPN), and 125 KG #22 Taha Akgul (TUR) got bumped up to #19, #20, and #21 respectively. I put Narikuni up ahead of Akgul because while Akgul has more titles, the title that Narikuni won this year at 70KG holds greater pound-for-pound value than the barren wasteland that is 125KG.

The 2022 Michigan State Open (photo courtesy of Sam Janicki; SJanickiPhoto.com) The 2022-23 NCAA wrestling season is in full swing, as many teams got their first taste of action last weekend. The opening week had its ups and downs for Big Ten teams. Wisconsin and Nebraska suffered upset losses to Iowa State and North Dakota State, respectively. Meanwhile, Maryland went 3-0 and Indiana started its season with a win. The weekend also saw some impressive individual performances in open tournaments. Here are five things we learned from Week1: True freshman Jesse Mendez puts 133 pounds on notice In just his first week of collegiate wrestling, Ohio State's Jesse Mendez went from promising freshman talent to a podium threat at 133 pounds. Yes, I know it's early. But beating last season's fifth-place finisher is nothing to sniff at. The true freshman showed all the poise and restraint of a seasoned veteran in his 3-2 win over Illinois No. 5 Lucas Byrd on Saturday in the Michigan State Open final. The pair battled evenly throughout seven minutes, trading a pair of escapes, until about five seconds left when Mendez secured a takedown on the edge from the front headlock position. That win was Mendez's fourth of the day. He earned a tech fall, a fall and a 5-0 decision over Utah Valley's No. 20 Haiden Drury to reach Byrd in the finals. He made his Covelli Center debut in style the week prior, pinning teammate Dylan Koontz in 58 seconds during intrasquad wrestle-offs. Koontz finished in sixth place at the open. Even though he's a true freshman, Mendez clearly isn't afraid to take on older, more experienced competition. He competed in the senior division this summer at the U.S. Open, placing third to qualify for World Team trials. And upon entering Ohio State's wrestling room this summer, assistant coach Logan Stieber said Mendez immediately wanted to “crush” three-time All-American and national runner-up Sammy Sasso, and got frustrated when it wasn't happening right away. While the collegiate sample size is small, what we know points to Mendez making an immediate impact for the Buckeyes this season. We'll find out, as the season progresses, how far he can climb in his first year. He should get another good test this week as Ohio State hosts Virginia Tech and ACC champ and All-American Sam Latona on Friday. No Deakin, no problem Ryan Deakin was a national title contender for several years for the Northwestern Wildcats at 157 pounds, up until the point when he finally got the job done last year. It's a great way for a fan favorite to end his career, and transition to international wrestling on the West coast with Stanford. Traditionally losing a national champion is a huge blow to a team's chance at a trophy. In speaking with Joe Colon, he feels that there's a lot of chances to make up those points elsewhere. The goal for the year is to get a team trophy, which seems like a reasonable goal that brings back 9/10 NCAA qualifiers. The only one not returning is Deakin, so a team that feels they belong helps. Also, they hadn't scored any points at NCAAs in a couple of those weights (165, 174, 184, 197), so at minimum, there's some more chances to score some more points and make up for the 0's towards the team score. Not to mention Yahya Thomas, an All-American two years ago, was eliminated in the Bloodround last season, and will be hungry to get another AA status. Most importantly though, Trevor Chumbley looked too legit to quit. He beat Paddy Gallagher, a highly touted Ohio State 157-pounder, in the finals by a score of 5-3 in OT. It was a wild match with a lot of action and back-and-forth momentum shifts, but the poise that Chumbley showed under fire was very impressive. In addition to beating Gallagher, Chumbley also beat Jacob Butler of Oklahoma, who placed second, as well as Max Mayfield, his teammate at Northwestern who took 4th. It was an impressive day all around for the Northwestern 157-pounders, and clear to me that they might not have an NCAA Champ there this year, but they will still be scoring points at NCAAs from 157. There will be blood First of all, can you imagine Derek St.John lumbering down a bowling alley like Daniel Plainview in the final scene of There Will Be Blood? I imagine Derek only eats steak with his bare hands as well. Anyway, Wisconsin lost by 20 to Iowa State on Saturday night. It would have been 21 if a team point hadn't been deducted from the Cyclones. They were upset in half of the matches, including the first four. I was talking this Saturday before the MSU Open started with Lou Rosselli and Sean Bormet (shameless name drop, but it's applicable here) about how crazy some dual meet results can be if one or two matches shift in an unexpected direction. In this dual, everything that could have gone wrong for the Badgers seemed to, and quickly. I didn't watch it live though, I had an event I needed to be at that night, so I got to absorb the results through group chats initially, and a series of tweets. Many of these tweets and messages were about the 20-minute brawl between Swiderski and Zargo. Early in the match, an explosive double leg from Swiderski caught Zargo in the nose which caused a fountain of blood to begin pouring out. I've watched a lot of wrestling, but I've never seen them give up and just wrap a dude's nose all the way around his head like that. Then you had Swiderski get a cut on his eye shortly thereafter. This match was so bloody it was as if it were being directed by Quentin Tarantino. In the end, it was one of the initial four upsets to start the match. Maybe I was wearing red and white glasses when I watched the matches after the fact, but I didn't think it was anything that had to linger for this Badgers team. If anything, this could be helpful to a team that came in with big expectations of themselves. I'm pretty sure you schedule tough competition for the purpose of having tough competition. This was supposed to be their toughest dual of the Battle in the River City, and it proved to be every bit of that. As evidenced by the Badgers having lost only three matches in their previous two duals earlier in the day against Buffalo and Chattanooga. I didn't see a Badger team that lacked intensity, even in most of the matches they lost. They just ran into buzz saws, which is again, what you want to see early in the season in tough matches. These can be opportunities to find things to improve on, whether it's positioning, technique, or preparation. It would have been bad to watch the Wisconsin wrestlers just get the doors blown off of them, but I didn't see that in most of these matches. Gomez looked particularly intense in his approach, and you'd think so being that he transferred away from Iowa State. Paniro was certainly prepared for what Gomez was about to throw at him, and was excellent at winning some tough positions. Hamiti lost to David Carr in what was an excellent match to watch. Carr is a special wrestler, and was able to get the better of Hamiti here, but let's not forget, Carr was favored in the match. It'll be interesting to see them match up again down the road. Braxton Amos lost a close match to sixth-ranked Yonger Bastida, but certainly didn't look outmatched by a guy who is 14 spots higher than him in the rankings. Then of course the intensity from Zargo and Swiderski was referenced above. It wasn't not intense. If you're Wisconsin, you're not happy with how this dual ended, and I'm not trying to make excuses for them. It's early in the season though. This is the time of year you want wake-up calls. The time of year when you can make adjustments. If you're going to get punched in the mouth, now is the time. Iowa State and Wisconsin will see each other again in a couple of weeks at the Harold Nichols Cyclone Open, and I'll be interested to see what adjustments are made by then. Spartans looking to peak at the right time While at the MSU Open this weekend, I had the opportunity to speak with the coaching staff, as well as some of the veterans in their lineup over the last couple of years. Despite hosting the tournament, the Spartans used it mostly for their younger guys to get their hands on some solid D1 competition rather than throwing out many of their experienced wrestlers. Michigan State wasn't the only team to not send out all of their veteran athletes, but in speaking with them this was clearly something they discussed and had planned on sitting out. It makes sense though, not just for them, but with several other teams. With the extra year granted, we are fortunate enough to get to see many wrestlers with extra years, and it's pretty clear now that most people are taking the extra year when they can. That being said, these extra matches absolutely add up and can affect when wrestlers feel their best. It was clear that the Spartans I spoke with weren't dealing with active or serious injuries, just trying to make sure that they are using their time effectively. I think this is going to be the norm for a lot of teams moving forward. Gone are the days of guys entering NCAAs with 48-3 records. Especially with the redshirt rules allowing younger guys to see competition without burning their redshirt season, we'll likely see some guys getting extra rest days. The Big Ten schedule is a meat grinder, and can beat up on even the youngest and freshest of athletes. Specific to MSU though, both coaches and athletes shared the same vision, which was that they had peaked earlier last year than they intended to, which they felt had led to disappointing postseason results. It'll be interesting to see if this approach will help them perform in March as they hope to. That being said, this was just the first tournament of the year. They are slated to go to the Navy Classic in a couple weeks (November 19th) and the Reno Tournament of Champions a month later (December 18th), so they'll have other chances to get multiple matches in a day before the Big Ten schedule gets going. Penn State again faces uncertainty at 125 pounds It appears that the Nittany Lions will again enter the season with questions surrounding its 125-pound weight class. Sophomore Robert Howard and Ohio State transfer Will Betancourt, two of the wrestlers Penn State hoped would contribute at that weight this season, won't be available, coach Cael Sanderson confirmed Monday. Howard will likely again miss the season due to injury and Betancourt is no longer on the team. Sanderson named redshirt freshman Gary Steen as the likely starter for the Nittany Lions' season opener against Lock Haven on Friday. We have a few different guys who will be competing for that spot but Gary Steen has done a nice job and will probably kick things off,” Sanderson said. “And hopefully get things rolling there.” Steen, a two-time Pennsylvania state champ and four-time placewinner out of Reynolds High School in Hermitage, compiled a 5-5 record last season in open tournaments. Since then, Steen said that working with the athletes in Penn State's wrestling room has helped him improve on top and bottom. “I've worked with the best every day, like Thomas Gilman, who helps me a lot,” Steen said of the World and Olympic medalist. “I'm just coming in here every day and having a purpose of getting better at every position.” Also listed at 125 pounds on Penn State's roster are sophomores Marco Vespa and Timothy Levine and freshman Karl Shindledecker. Junior Baylor Shunk is listed at 133 pounds but has also wrestled at 125 for the Nittany Lions. For his part, Steen is looking at this situation as an opportunity and not putting too much pressure on himself to break Penn State's long string of bad luck at 125 pounds. “My goal is to be an All-American and a national champ, so I just want to go out there and wrestle hard every match, put faith in God and get to the tournament and get on top of that podium,” he said.

Lehigh 157 lber Josh Humphreys (photo courtesy of Sam Janicki; SJanickiPhoto.com) Summary What else is there to say!? Wrestling season is back baby! Most teams competed in opens to start off the season. A few squads had duals - so it was a nice mix of events for the conference. We saw a superstar, Patrick Glory, compete (and win) at the Princeton Open. He put on a nice show for the crowd to start his final season as a Princeton Tiger. The talent in the conference, as a whole, was put on display as well. Two underclassmen defeated highly-ranked, NCAA All-American opponents. Because of this, I have to share my (newly created) weekly EIWA Outstanding Wrestler Award. This week's co-OW is Ethan Berginc from Army. The freshman from Hempfield Area High School in PA, knocked off Brandon Kaylor, a returning All-American from Oregon State currently holding the #7 ranking. Admittedly, Ethan was not on my radar much before the season began. Obviously, he is now, and he's near the top! I'll be on the lookout for him in the next few weeks. He's set the expectation bar pretty high at these early stages of the season. My other co-OW of the conference is 133lber Pat Phillips of Franklin & Marshall. He beat returning All-American from 2021 and round of 12 finisher last season from Virginia Tech, Sam Latona - currently 13th ranked in the nation. Pat ended the weekend runner-up at the Southeast Open. He has already made giant leaps this off-season. I'm excited to see if he can keep this momentum rolling. American The Eagles went 2-1 in duals this weekend. They won over Duke (21-15) and Bloomsburg (29-10), and a loss to Maryland (10-29). It's only the opening weekend, and the team has more victories than last year already. Now that Coach Borrelli and staff have had a full year under their belt, expect more winning from them. I like the direction they are heading, figuratively speaking. This upcoming weekend, literally speaking, they will be heading south to compete in the Citadel Open in Charleston, SC. Army West Point The Black Knights hosted a scramble - not the golf type, however. Oregon State, LIU, and Queens University of Charlotte (D2) were also competing there. Basically, it was a round-robin format where the goal was to have each wrestler receive three matches. I mentioned Berginc's monster performance, going undefeated. Harkins at 165lbs, had a 5-1 win over Olguin (#25) of Oregon State, winning his weight class. He's my darkhorse - already knocking off ranked opponents. Army continues action this weekend at the Journeymen Duals (Sacred Heart and Nebraska) and Round Robin matches in Bethlehem, PA. Binghamton No action this past weekend besides their black versus green wrestle-off matches. They begin their season with a dual this Saturday (11/12) against Northern Colorado. The following day, they host the Jon Kaloust Bearcat Open. Expect to see a bunch of talent from the EIWA, and other conferences in action as well. Brown The Bears' new Head Coach, Jordan Leen, made his debut at the Clarion Open. Their top placer was Hunter Adrian at 133lbs - placing third. Fourth place finishers include Blake Saito at 149lbs and Sam McMonagle up at 157lbs. Both Justin Bierdumpfel (141lbs) and Ricky Cabanillas (149lbs) ended in eighth. Expect Leen's ability to develop wrestlers to be on full display this season. I am looking forward to increasingly better results week after week. They have a weekend off coming up. Bucknell The Bison had a few guys wrestle unattached at the Clarion Open. Place finishers include Sam Barnes (3rd @ 197), Dylan Chappell (4th @ 141), Mason McCready (4th @ 197), and Kurt Phipps (5th @133). Phipps showed a lot of heart, losing first round and wrestling back strong. Most starters were home preparing for their opening weekend showdown at home when seventh-ranked Oklahoma State rolls into town Saturday night. Interestingly, Oklahoma State wrestles Lehigh at noon the same day. We'll see how/if this affects Oklahoma State in their second match within a few hours. Columbia Overall, the Lions had three champs at the Southeast Open. Josh Ogunsanya took home the open division's 165lbs title while Nick Fine took home the 174lbs championship. In the freshman/sophomore division, Jack Wehmeyer won the 184lbs bracket. Returning 141lbs EIWA Champion, Matt Kazimir took a first round last then won three in a row for fifth. Also, at 141lbs, freshman Kai Owen followed in Matt's footsteps - losing the first match then battling back to win a few matches for fifth place. The Lions had 10 placers of their 21 competitors in the open division and 8 of 11 place in the freshman/sophomore division. Very solid performance by Columbia. They will have a weekend off before traveling to both Ohio State (#4) and Michigan (#8) in two weeks. Cornell The Big Red had no action this past weekend, although some of their high school commits were busy making noise in opens. Cornell starts their season this weekend at the Jon Kaloust Bearcat Open hosted by Binghamton. Drexel The Dragons were not in action this past weekend. They kickoff their season this weekend at the Mizzou Tiger Style Invitational along with Missouri, Maryland, Little Rock, Illinois, and Cal Poly. Franklin & Marshall The Diplomats took the trip down south to the Southeast Open. Pat Phillips was the highest placer, earning silver at 133lbs in the open division. I previously mentioned his huge win over Latona of Virginia Tech. At 197lbs, John Crawford defeated a national qualifier from Virginia last season, Michael Battista before taking fourth place in the open. Battista is currently ranked 31st in the nation. Finally, my 184lbs darkhorse, James Conway placed 6th. In the freshman/sophomore division, Mason Leiphart took home bronze at 125lbs in his first-ever college experience. The Dips have a home match against a local D3 team, Elizabethtown on Wednesday 11/9 before heading to the John Kaloust Bearcat Open hosted by Binghamton on Sunday. Harvard The Crimson were not involved with any action this weekend. They will make their debut at the Journeymen Classic Round Robin on Sunday 11/13 in Bethlehem. Hofstra The Pride competed in the Princeton Open. They walked away with two place winners in Joe Sparacio (2nd @ 133lbs) and Nikolas Miller (4th @ 197lbs). There were plenty of starters not competing, which is reflected in the lack of placers. Hofstra is one of those teams that has talent, especially in the upper weights. I expect them to improve this year with a revamped lineup and utilizing some incoming transfers. We will see them back in action at the Journeymen Classic Round Robin on Sunday 11/13 in Bethlehem. Lehigh The Mountain Hawks went 2-0 on the weekend, as they defeated Oregon State (#30) and Sacred Heart on consecutive days. NCAA All-American Michael Beard went 2-0 in his Lehigh debut, after transferring from Penn State this offseason. Connor McGonagle (133lbs), Max Brignola (149lbs), Josh Humphreys (157lbs), Jake Logan (174lbs), and Nathan Taylor (285lbs) all won both matches this weekend. They also had a handful of wrestlers place at the Princeton Open. Catch Lehigh take on the state of Oklahoma this weekend, as they dual #7 Oklahoma State at home at noon and then make the short trip to Liberty High School to take on Oklahoma at 3PM at the Journeyman Duals. Long Island The Sharks were part of the Black Knight scramble hosted by Army. One main performance stuck out here. Rhise Royster was 2-1 at 157lbs. His lone, two-point loss came to Army's Nathan Lukez - who currently holds the number 31 ranking nationally. Not surprising that the 157lb wrestler is off to a hot start, considering his new coach is the NCAA runner-up at that weight class from 2021 - Jesse Dellavecchia. This team will get better this season. As the newest member of the conference, they've been fighting an uphill battle. It's an arduous one, but they are slowly overcoming it. I am excited to see them at the Journeymen Duals (Buffalo, and Sacred Heart) and the round-robin matches this weekend in Bethlehem. Navy The Midshipmen competed at the Clarion Open with a few other EIWA schools. The lone champ from Navy was Grady Griess at heavyweight. He had two nice wins over Jake Slinger of Pitt and Hayden Copass of Purdue - both by decision. At 141lbs, Navy's Josh Koderhandt lost in an 18-10 barnburner to Filius of Purdue (#13). Josh is settling into his new weight class nicely, it appears. Navy's second runner-up on the day was Val Park at 165lbs. He was an EIWA placer last season. Navy had a great day overall, with eight more placewinners in addition to the finalists I mentioned. Veteran starters including Jacob Koser (third) and David Key (fifth) are included in that group. This weekend, Navy will travel to the John Kaloust Bearcat Open hosted by Binghamton. Penn The Quakers had wrestle-offs this past weekend. They will begin their season at the Journeymen Round Robin Classic at Freedom HS in Bethlehem, PA on Sunday 11/13. The following weekend, they will host their annual event, The Keystone Classic, on Sunday 11/20. Princeton The Tigers hosted a men's and women's open simultaneously. They earned 3 gold medals in the process, without Quincy Monday competing. Pat Glory (#2 @ 125lbs) won the open. He had two close matches with two different Rutgers opponents - including Shawver (#22). Freshman 174lber for the Tigers, Kole Mulhauser earned gold as well. There were no ranked opponents were in his bracket, but it was a nice showing for his first collegiate outing. Lastly, Matt Cover (#22) won the heavyweight title over his own teammate, Travis Stefanik. The match came down to tiebreaker. Keep an eye on this weight during the year, as this will be a year-long battle. Other placers include Luke Stout (#17 @ 197lbs) and Nate Dugan (184lbs) - both getting second place. Stout lost to 13th ranked Laird of Rider. Dugan lost to former All-American Poznanski of Rutgers. Overall, a nice showing for the Tigers on the mat. This week, catch them at the Jon Kaloust Bearcat Open hosted by Binghamton - alongside a handful of EIWA teams. Sacred Heart The Pioneers had a tough task ahead of them on Sunday when they kicked off the season at Lehigh, in Grace Hall. Even though they did not win a match, there were a few positives. Starting the match at 133lbs, Andrew Fallon lost a close 4-1 match to McGonagle (#29). McGonagle is a returning NCAA qualifier at 141lbs. Also, Nick Palumbo, a former NCAA qualifier, lost to (#10) Humphreys by an 8-0 decision. It sounds bizarre to highlight, I know. But, go watch Humphreys wrestle and tell me anything less than an 8-0 major is not impressive. He's an absolute animal on top. This weekend, they will wrestle LIU, Rutgers, and Army at the Journeymen Duals. The following day, they will be at the Round Robin portion of the Journeymen Classic.

Iowa State head coach Kevin Dresser (photo courtesy of Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com) D1 wrestling kicked off last week and the Big 12 came out blazing with two of the premiere duals of the weekend and a host of other events. Let's dive in and look at some of the highlights from the weekend. Iowa State puts everyone on notice Iowa State dominated the Battle in the River City at Jacksonville University on Saturday defeating Little Rock, Campbell, and most notably picking apart the 12th ranked Wisconsin Badgers from the Big 10. Just winning the dual vs. Wisconsin likely would have turned some heads, but this was absolute domination by the Cyclones. Ranked upset after ranked upset, and it wasn't fluke pins or bad calls, it was a lot of 5- and 6-point comfortable wins. This was a very good dual for ISU that makes the Big 12 race with Missouri seem a lot more interesting than it might have been a few weeks ago. North Dakota State tops Nebraska Another big dual win for the Big 12 came on Friday night when North Dakota State went to Nebraska and ruined “Jordan Burroughs Night” for the Huskers in front of 3,097 fans. A pin for Michael Caliendo at 165, a tech fall for DJ Parker at 184, and an overtime win for Michael Weber at 149 all proved to be huge catalysts for the Bison's upset. Nebraska was ranked #8 going into this giving NDSU their highest ranking road dual win in program history. All the way around, a huge win in a very exciting dual to kick off the season. Valley doing some lineup shuffling Utah Valley has been making some “interesting” (I guess that's what I'd call it) moves around the middle of their lineup. In their intersquad matches at 141 Isaiah Delgado knocked off 18th ranked Ty Smith 4-2. At the Michigan State Open, Delgado wrestled at 149 and finished fourth with a solid win over Kevon Davenport. Their next highest placer at the weight was Stockton O'Brien, who finished just outside the placement matches. Will Delgado be 41 or 49? Will be interested to see what they do with Delgado and Smith here as they seem to have a minor logjam with two of their top guys around the same size.

Stanford 125 lber Nico Provo (photo courtesy of Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com) Stanford storms through Menlo Open Stanford made an early statement at the Menlo Open by winning nine of the ten weight classes. Ranked wrestlers for the Cardinal coasted to first-place finishes and a combined four falls and five tech falls. Freshman Nico Provo stood out for Stanford too. Provo earned a fall and tech over smaller competition and swept his Pac-12 opponents. Cal State Bakersfield had a handful of podium finishes too. The Roadrunners took three of the top four spots in the 141-pound class, Jose Landin first, Tyler Deen second, Luis Ramos fourth. In addition, Richard Sandoval finished second in the 125-pound class and Jonathan Viveros finished third in the 149-pound class. Cal Poly's Cash Stewart stood out for the Mustangs. The freshman finished third in the 165-pound class after falling to Shane Griffith 4-1 in the quarterfinals. Cal Poly dominates Cal Baptist Cal Poly took an early 24-0 lead over Cal Baptist. Coach Jon Sioredas said in a post-match interview, “Our guys were fired up. Proud of our effort up and down the lineup.” Truax made an impact in the 197-pound class with an 18-0 tech fall over Elijah Sobas. Pac-12's 157-pound favorite Luka Wick began the season with a 16-0 tech fall over Joseph Mora. Lastly, Dom Demas won his debut match with a 12-4 major decision over Chaz Hallmark. Arizona State stands outs in scrimmage Arizona State's transfers and freshmen stood out on a lineup that proves to have much-needed depth. Jonathan Fagen and Anthony Montalvo added a few highlights to their career with four combined takedowns and two decision victories. Penn State transfer Tony Negron showed off with a fall in the second period over Gavin Priest. Lastly, Jesse Vasquez looked to show forms of where he left off before his injury last season. Vasquez earned six takedowns that led to a major decision over Cody Foote. Little Rock's middleweights lead to dual wins Since becoming a Division 1 program, Little Rock has won four duals, including one D1 dual last season. The Trojans already have two wins this season over Ouachita Baptist and Chattanooga. Little Rock's power has come from the middleweights. From 149 to 174 pounds, the starters have a combined record of 12-4. Although Little Rock is off to a hot start, the momentum may slow down as the schedule gets tougher. The Trojans will be in the Tiger Style tournament next weekend then face Oklahoma on Nov. 18.

Oklahoma State recruit Christian Carroll (photo courtesy of Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com) This evening, the top recruit in the high school Class of 2023, Christian Carroll (New Prairie, IN), announced his collegiate plans via our own Willie Saylor. Carroll will attend Oklahoma State University and wrestle for legendary head coach John Smith. Carroll is a two-time Super 32 champion and a Junior freestyle national champion in 2021. Over the summer, Carroll made the U20 World Team in Greco-Roman. In the best-of-three final, Carroll shut out Robert Plympton 8-0 in the first period of both of their bouts. He was also selected to wrestle in a super-match at FloWrestling's Who's #1 in 2021 against Nick Feldman, the top recruit in the Class of 2022. Feldman prevailed via 3-2 score. Carroll fits in well with the Cowboys who are slated to start redshirt freshman Konner Doucet at 285 lbs this season. The previous starter, Luke Surber, dropped down to 197 lbs for the 2022-23 season. Doucet was 8-2 last year. While Oklahoma State has options at the weight, they don't have an established long-term starter in place. The addition of Carroll to the Class of 2023 gives OSU quite the impressive group. He's the second top-ten recruit in the bunch joining #6 Brayden Thompson (IL). #20 Cael Hughes (OK) and #40 AJ Heeg (OK) are two other top-50 recruits committed to the Cowboys.

North Carolina 133 lber Joey Melendez (photo courtesy of Sam Janicki; SJanickiPhoto.com) Most of the conference opened the 2022-2023 season on the Open circuit. North Carolina, Virginia and Virginia Tech were at the Southeast Open, while Pittsburgh was at the Clarion Open. NC State opened with a dual at home, while Duke was at the Maryland Duals for three duals to start the year. We saw good performances by the limited upperclassmen that wrestled this weekend, but I was incredibly impressed by the performance of the freshmen across all of the teams. Duke The Blue Devils went 1-2 on the day at the Maryland Duals. They dropped matches to Maryland (37-0) and American (21-15) while picking up a win over Bloomsburg (32-6). Five wrestlers notched up two wins on the day. Patrick Rowland (149), Gaetano Console (165), Conor Becker (174), Vince Baker (197) and Jonah Neisenbaum (285) all picked up two wins for the Blue Devils. Also adding a win on the day were Logan Agin (125), Christian Colman (133), Nick Tattini (157), Luke Chakonis (184), Jack Wimmer (184) and Jared Papscy (149). The Blue Devils will be back in action at the Battle at the Citadel next Sunday. #17 Pittsburgh The Panthers sent 18 to the Clarion Open on Sunday with a mix of true freshmen, starters, and others looking to break into the lineup. They sent four to the finals and were highlighted by a title at 197 from true freshman Mac Stout. Colton Camacho had a good start at 125. He had a tech fall, two major decisions and a decision win on his way to the finals against #10 Matt Ramos (Purdue). Camacho dropped a 6-3 decision in the finals to Ramos, but looked solid all day. At 149, Tyler Badgett made a fantastic run to the finals; he had a tech fall, a major decision and two decision wins to make the finals. He finished in second, dropping to former U17 World Champion Meyer Shapiro in the finals. The Panthers had two on the podium at 184 in Reece Heller and Nicholas Meglino. Heller went tech fall, decision, major decision on his way to the finals, where he lost to Will Feldkamp (Clarion); it was a strong Pitt debut for Heller. Meglino was 4-2 on the day to finish in 4th. Mac Stout had a fantastic debut for the Panthers. He was 4-0 with a fall and a major decision on his way to earning the coveted helmet of the Clarion Open. His biggest win was over #24 Jake Koser (Navy) in the semifinals; he then topped Tyler Bagoly (Clarion) to win the title. The final placer on the day was Jake Slinger who went 3-2 on his way to a 4th-place finish. The Panthers will be back in action in a dual at Cleveland State on Friday. #18 North Carolina The Tar Heels took a smaller roster that was a mix of starters and freshmen to compete in both divisions. In the Freshman/Sophomore division, Cade Tenold was the highest placer with a 2nd place finish at 174. The Heels had seven top-4 placers in some pretty solid brackets. They were led by Joey Melendez who took home the title at 133 with a win over Pat Phillips of Franklin & Marshall. Phillips took out Sam Latona earlier in the day. Clay Lautt also made the finals at 174, but defaulted out to take 2nd. Finishing in third place were Brandon Whitman (285), Max Shaw (197) and Gavin Kane (184) while Jayden Scott (149) and Lachlan McNeil (141) ended the day in fourth. On Sunday, Marisol Nugent traveled to the Princeton Open to wrestle in the Women's Division. She had an impressive day, going tech fall, pin, pin on her way to the finals. She dropped a tight match in the finals to earn a second-place finish. The Tar Heels have a big week coming up with two non-traditional duals. They will face Campbell at the Battle at Ft. Bragg on Friday, then will host Michigan in Doubles on the Diamond on the UNC baseball field Sunday afternoon. I will have a story to go behind the scenes at both of these events later this week. #9 North Carolina State The Wolfpack opened the season with a dual against Appalachian State at home in Reynolds Coliseum. They were led by pins from #3 Trent Hidlay and #18 Isaac Trumble in back-to-back matches. #21 Ryan Jack opened the night with a 9-2 decision over a tough Heath Gonyer. This was followed by the debut of true freshman Jackson Arrington; unfortunately, his draw was two-time All-American #6 Jon Millner. Arrington wrestled well and was able to keep Millner's scoring to a minimum, but dropped his first match 6-0. In the first ranked versus ranked match of the evening, #7 Ed Scott controlled the match against #24 Cody Bond and earned the 14-5 major decision. At 165 we saw the impressive, yet frustrating, first match as a starter for Donald Cates. He wrestled very well against #14 Will Formato; who has given the Wolfpack fits for the past few years. Cates was warned for stalling early in the match for backing out on the edge without trying to return to the center. For those who were upset, this is a point of emphasis this year and we will see this call a lot, especially early in the season, to get the wrestlers used to the new interpretation. Cates kept the match tight and it went into overtime at 2-2. In the first overtime period, Cates was hit with his second stalling call for backing up, giving Formato the win 3-2 with the penalty point. After this tough loss, the Wolfpack went on a run of four wins straight. Brock Delsignore won by decision, followed by the back-to-back pins from Hidlay and Trumble and a decision win from Owen Trephan at 285. The final two matches of the night were much-anticipated ranked-versus-ranked-matchups featuring four pretty scrappy wrestlers. #17 Jarrett Trombley dropped a tight 3-2 decision to #18 Caleb Smith and #11 Kai Orine also lost a heartbreaker 3-2 to #26 Sean Carter. The Wolfpack took the dual 26-12 and stretched their dual winning streak to 10. They will be back in action next week at Journeymen WrangleMania on Saturday where they will face #14 Nebraska and Lock Haven followed by the Journeymen Classic tournament on Sunday. Virginia I've been talking a lot about the young talent in the ACC and highlighted some of them after the UVA wrestle-offs last week. They showed out this weekend. In a big way. The true freshmen for UVA brought home five titles in the freshman/sophomore division at the Southeast Open. Kyle Montaperto (125), Garrett Grice (133), Michael Gioffre (149), Nick Sanko (157) and Nick Hamilton (165) all earned titles on Saturday; Keyveon Roller also got onto the podium, placing 3rd at 133. The Hoos had a solid day in the Open Division as well. Dylan Cedeno beat #24 Collin Gerardi (VT) in the semifinals, but lost by decision in the finals to Tom Crook (VT) to earn second place. The Cavaliers had a trio earn 3rd place finishes on the day. At 133, Marlon Yarbrough lost to Joey Melendez (UNC) in the semifinals before receiving a medical forfeit to take third. #21 Jarod Verkleeren wrestled well throughout the day; he lost a 3-1 decision to #30 Sammy Hillegas (WVU) in the semifinals and came back to beat Jayden Scott (UNC) 8-3 to finish in 3rd. Vic Marcelli dropped a 2-1 decision to All-American #5 Clay Lautt (UNC) in the semifinals and received a MFF in the bronze match. Neil Antrassian had a great debut for the Hoos, finishing in fourth, dropping a tight match to #10 Gavin Kane 6-3. Joe Haynes (125), Denton Spencer (149) and Haydn Danals (184) all finished in fifth place. UVA is on the road next weekend for a tournament at Appalachian State. #15 Virginia Tech When I say the freshmen showed out this weekend, I meant it. Three true freshmen also took home titles for the Hokies this weekend. In the Freshman/Sophomore division, TJ Stewart took the title at 197, going 4-0 on the day; Ty Finn dropped a decision in the finals to earn a 2nd place finish. In the Open Division, the Hokies cleaned up. They finished with five champions, three 2nd place, two 3rd place and one each in 4th and 5th. For the second-straight year, we had an all-Hokies final at 125 with #28 Eddie Ventresca and Cooper Flynn. For the second-straight year, and for the second time in two weeks, it was a one-point match that ended in overtime. Ventresca took his second-straight title with a one-point win in tiebreakers over Flynn. At 133, Sam Latona got off to a slow start, dropping a close 5-3 decision in his opening match to Pat Phillips (F&M) before reeling off four straight wins to finish in 5th. In what may be the story of the tournament, true freshman Tom Crook made his presence known, navigating a tough weight on his way to his first Southeast Open title. He had a decision win over #10 Matt Kazimir (Columbia), an NCAA qualifier, before topping #20 Lachlan McNeil (UNC) in the semifinals; he finished off his day with a 7-3 decision over Dylan Cedeno (UVA) to get to the top step of the podium. Crook looked fantastic in every position; he had a phenomenal day. He certainly made his case to earn the starting spot at 141; I will be watching this one closely. #24 Collin Gerardi finished third at this weight; dropping a 4-2 decision in sudden victory to Cedeno in the semifinals before beating Lachlan McNeil 7-1 in the 3rd place bout. At 149, true freshman Caleb Henson earned his second Southeast Open title. He won last year as a high school senior. Henson was methodically working his way through his bracket to finish 5-0 and win the title. He had a pin, a tech fall and three decisions, topping #30 Sam Hillegas 3-0 in the finals. The Hokies had two placers at 165 with Drew Nicholson in second and Conor Brady in third. Both had their only loss to #10 Josh Ogunsanya (Columbia); Brady lost in the semifinals 3-1 in sudden victory and Nicholson lost 9-6 in the finals. #2 Mekhi Lewis made his season debut, albeit a shortened one. Lewis went 2-0 to open the tournament with two tech falls (22-7 and 21-6) in the opening rounds before medically defaulting from the tournament as planned. Sam Fisher had a great tournament at 184 and finished in 2nd. He had a huge win over #10 Gavin Kane in the semifinals before falling to Anthony Carman (WVU) in the finals. The finals two placers for the Hokies were at the top two weights. Andy Smith took the title at 197 with a major decision over Austin Cooley (WVU) in the finals. #19 Hunter Catka rolled through the tournament with a tech fall and two pins before winning the title over #20 Michael Wolfgram (WVU) 4-1. All in all, it was a strong day for the Hokies. They showcased their young talent and got some matches in to prepare a lot of their starters for a big dual on Friday at #4 Ohio State.

Maryland 149 lber Ethen Miller (photo courtesy of UMD athletics) College Wrestling is back! We now have a week's worth of results and action to study and replay to get us through the work week. And what a week it was! There were two huge dual upsets and plenty of outstanding performances from the open tournament circuit. Throughout the year, every Monday, I will release this column with 7 Big Stories from the Week in College Wrestling. Some of the topics will be results-based, while others may address larger themes within the sport and its participants. So, let's get to it! A Cyclone in the River City Late last week, we previewed the final bout and main event of the “Battle in the River City,” an enticing clash between #10 Wisconsin and #13 Iowa State. It looked like a matchup that could go either way, depending on the results of a few, key swing matches. What was shocking wasn't that Iowa State prevailed, but the manner in which they did so. The Cyclones took eight of ten matches from the Badgers in a 26-6 romp. Iowa State was actually two match points away from a shutout. Both Wisconsin wins, by Garrett Model at 157 and James Rowley at 174, came via a single point. All five of Wisconsin's returning All-American's were held without a win by Iowa State and only one of them (Dean Hamiti at 165 lbs) was the lower-ranked wrestler. #24 Kysen Terukina downed #6 Eric Barnett at 125, unranked Zach Redding knocked off #12 Taylor LaMont, freshman #24 Paniro Johnson shocked #2 Austin Gomez, and #16 Sam Schuyler stunned #11 Trent Hillger at heavyweight. For the full article, Subscribe to InterMat's Rokfin Page

Northwestern 157 lber Trevor Chumbley (photo courtesy of Sam Janicki; SJanickiPhoto.com) Southeast Open Open Division 125 lbs 1st Place - Eddie Ventresca (Virginia Tech) dec Cooper Flynn (Virginia Tech) 1-1TB 3rd Place - Jack Wagner (North Carolina) dec Nick Babin (Columbia) 6-5 5th Place - Joe Haynes (Virginia) dec Cooper Hilton (Unattached) 2-1 133 lbs 1st Place - Joey Melendez (North Carolina) dec Pat Phillips (Franklin & Marshall) 8-1 3rd Place - Marlon Yarbrough (Virginia) MedFFT Angelo Rini (Columbia) 5th Place - Sam Latona (Virginia Tech) MedFFT Brandon Wittenberg (Virginia Tech) 141 lbs 1st Place - Tom Crook (Virginia Tech) dec Dylan Cedeno (Virginia) 7-3 3rd Place - Collin Gerardi (Virginia Tech) dec Lachlan McNeil (North Carolina) 7-1 5th Place - Matt Kazimir (Columbia) MedFFT Evan Buchanan (Virginia) 149 lbs 1st Place - Caleb Henson (Virginia Tech) dec Sam Hillegas (West Virginia) 3-0 3rd Place - Jarod Verkleeren (Virginia) dec Jayden Scott (North Carolina) 8-3 5th Place - Denton Spencer (Virginia) dec Danny Fongaro (Columbia) 8-3 157 lbs 1st Place - Sonny Santiago (Unattached) MedFFT Caleb Dowling (West Virginia) 3rd Place - Alex Hornfeck (West Virginia) dec Tommy Askey (Appalachian State) 4-3 5th Place - Cesar Alvan (Columbia) fall Clay Ulrey (Virginia Tech) 2:08 165 lbs 1st Place - Josh Ogunsanya (Columbia) dec Drew Nicholson (Chattanooga) 9-6 3rd Place - Connor Brady (Virginia Tech) MedFFT Peyton Hall (West Virginia) 5th Place - Joey Mazzara (North Carolina) dec Oren Bost (Appalachian State) 6-1 174 lbs 1st Place - Nick Fine (Columbia) MedFFT Clay Lautt (North Carolina) 3rd Place - Vic Marcelli (Virginia) MedFFT Mekhi Lewis (Virginia Tech) 5th Place - Aaron Ayzerov (Columbia) dec Kyle Mosher (Columbia) 4-3 184 lbs 1st Place - Anthony Carman (West Virginia) dec Sam Fisher (Virginia Tech) 7-3 3rd Place - Gavin Kane (North Carolina) dec Neil Antrassian (Virginia) 6-3 5th Place - Hadyn Danals (Virginia) dec James Conway (Franklin & Marshall) 10-6 197 lbs 1st Place - Andy Smith (Virginia Tech) maj Austin Cooley (West Virginia) 10-2 3rd Place - Max Shaw (North Carolina) maj John Crawford (Franklin & Marshall) 18-6 5th Place - Tyler Mousaw (VMI) fall Michael Battista (Virginia) 2:15 285 lbs 1st Place - Hunter Catka (Virginia Tech) dec Michael Wolfgram (West Virginia) 4-1 3rd Place - Brandon Whitman (North Carolina) fall Jacob Sartorio (Appalachian State) :21 5th Place - Dan Conley (Columbia) dec Gabe Christensen (Virginia) 4-2SV Michigan State Open Open Division 125 lbs 1st Place - Malik Heinselman (Ohio State) dec Joey Prata (Oklahoma) 5-3 3rd Place - Blake West (Northern Illinois) dec Andre Gonzales (Ohio State) 5-3 5th Place - Brady Koontz (Ohio State) MedFFT Benny Gomez (Michigan State) 133 lbs 1st Place - Jesse Mendez (Ohio State) dec Lucas Byrd (Illinois) 3-2 3rd Place - Wyatt Henson (Oklahoma) MedFFT Haiden Drury (Utah Valley) 5th Place - Jake Manley (Cleveland State) dec Dylan Koontz (Ohio State) 6-4SV 141 lbs 1st Place - Cole Mattin (Michigan) dec Mosha Schwartz (Oklahoma) 5-4SV 3rd Place - Jordan Decatur (Ohio State) dec Jordan Hamdan (Michigan State) 3-1 5th Place - Jaivon Jones (Northern Illinois) MedFFT Ty Smith (Utah Valley) 149 lbs 1st Place - Sammy Sasso (Ohio State) fall Johnny Lovett (Central Michigan) 1:56 3rd Place - Mitch Moore (Oklahoma) dec Isaiah Delgado (Utah Valley) 3-1 5th Place - Kevon Davenport (Illinois)/Mason Shrader (Central Michigan) No Match 157 lbs 1st Place - Trevor Chumbley (Northwestern) dec Paddy Gallagher (Ohio State) 5-3SV 3rd Place - Jacob Butler (Oklahoma) MedFFT Maxx Mayfield (Northwestern) 5th Place - Corbyn Munson (Central Michigan) MedFFT Daniel Segura (Ohio) 165 lbs 1st Place - Izzak Olejnik (Northern Illinois) dec Danny Braunagel (Illinois) 6-2 3rd Place - Caleb Fish (Michigan State) dec Sean O'Dwyer (Ohio) 6-1 5th Place - Tracy Hubbard (Central Michigan) MedFFT Gerrit Nijenhuis (Oklahoma) 174 lbs 1st Place - Ethan Smith (Ohio State) dec Troy Fisher (Northwestern) 10-5 3rd Place - Edmond Ruth (Illinois) dec Darrien Roberts (Oklahoma) 3-1SV 5th Place - Max Maylor (Michigan) MedFFT Alex Cramer (Central Michigan) 184 lbs 1st Place - Kaleb Romero (Ohio State) dec Matt Finesilver (Michigan) 12-5 3rd Place - Jaden Bullock (Michigan) MedFFT Greyden Penner (Oklahoma) 5th Place - DeAndre Nassar (Cleveland State) MedFFT Tate Picklo (Oklahoma) 197 lbs 1st Place - Zac Bruanagel (Illinois) fall Gavin Hoffman (Ohio State) 4:20 3rd Place - Andrew Davison (Northwestern) maj Anthony Perrine (Cleveland State) 10-1 5th Place - Seth Seago (Oklahoma) MedFFT Evan Bockman (Utah Valley) 285 lbs 1st Place - Mason Parris (Michigan) maj Josh Heindselman (Oklahoma) 12-1 3rd Place - Daniel Bucknavich (Cleveland State) fall Bryan Caves (Central Michigan) :13 5th Place - Chase Trussell (Utah Valley) MedFFT Ryan Vasbinder (Michigan State) Maryville Open Elite Division 125 lbs 1st Place - Jacob Moran (Indiana) dec Christian Mejia (McKendree) 3-1SV 3rd Place - Luke Lilledahl (Unattached) dec Davian Guanajuato (SIU Edwardsville) 3-0 5th Place - Reid Nelson (Little Rock) fall Ben Lindley (Lindenwood) 6:19 133 lbs 1st Place - Henry Porter (Indiana) maj Joseph Semerad (McKendree) 11-3 3rd Place - Ryan Ripplinger (McKendree) fall Hayden Williams (Missouri Valley) 2:33 5th Place - Austin Wadlow (Maryville) MedFFT Tyler Delaware (McKendree) 141 lbs 1st Place - Kannon Webster (Unattached) dec Tyler Jokerst (Maryville) 11-4 3rd Place - Cayden Rooks (Indiana) dec Ronan Schuelke (McKendree) 3-2 5th Place - Cole Rhemrev (Indiana) MedFFT Ethan Harsted (Unattached) 149 lbs 1st Place - Graham Rooks (Indiana) dec Nico Bolivar (Indiana) 3-2 3rd Place - Luke Baughman (Indiana) dec Tyler Stegall (Maryville) 10-5 5th Place - Jacob Adams (Little Rock) maj Jaylen York (U of the Ozarks) 8-0 157 lbs 1st Place - Derek Gilcher (Indiana) dec Grant LaDuke (SIU Edwardsville) 6-1 3rd Place - Austin Keal (Little Rock) dec Gavin Morawitz (Quincy) 4-2 5th Place - Ryan Haynes (McKendree) fall Luke Ebers (Maryville) :46 165 lbs 1st Place - Cory Peterson (McKendree) dec Matt Ortiz (McKendree) 3-2 3rd Place - Cole Ritter (Maryville) dec Robert Major (Indiana) 4-3 5th Place - Drew Kreitzer (Indianapolis) MedFFT Owen Zablocki (Indianapolis) 174 lbs 1st Place - DJ Washington (Indiana) maj Nick South (Indiana) 12-3 3rd Place - Bret Heil (Maryville) fall Zeke Waltz (McKendree) 1:43 5th Place - Owen Butler (Indianapolis) MedFFT Warren Hoyt (Little Rock) 184 lbs 1st Place - Deron Pulliam (SIU Edwardsville) dec Micah Ervin (SIU Edwardsville) 3-2 3rd Place - Tylynn Lukens (Little Rock) fall Joey Williams (Maryville) 4:17 5th Place - Josh Jones (McKendree) MedFFT Brooks Sacharczyk (Little Rock) 197 lbs 1st Place - Derek Blubaugh (Indianapolis) dec Logan Kvien (McKendree) 4-0 3rd Place - Phoenix Rodgers (Indianapolis) tech Athonie Banuelos (Missouri Valley) 17-1 5th Place - Griffin Stine (Indianapolis) dec Drayden McKerrow (Kentucky Wesleyan) 2-1 285 lbs 1st Place - Jacob Kaminski (Indiana) fall Aric Bohn (SIU Edwardsville) 4:03 3rd Place - Joshua Isaac (Missouri Valley) InjDef Ian Kuehl (McKendree) 5th Place - Ryan Herman (Maryville) dec Dan McKiernan (SIU Edwardsville) 7-4 Clarion Open 125 lbs 1st Place - Matt Ramos (Purdue) dec Colton Camacho (Pittsburgh) 6-3 3rd Place - Jax Forrest (Unattached) maj Aiden Lewis (Edinboro) 16-5 5th Place - Zach Espalin (Navy) dec Drew West (Gardner-Webb) 6-4 133 lbs 1st Place - Dustin Norris (Purdue) MedFFT Jacob Mactangay (Purdue) 3rd Place - Hunter Adrian (Brown) fall Clayton Bashor (Clarion) 2:26 5th Place - Kurt Phipps (Bucknell) dec Brendan Ferretti (Navy) 9-6 141 lbs 1st Place - Parker Filius (Purdue) maj Josh Koderhandt (Navy) 18-10 3rd Place - Seth Koleno (Clarion) dec Dylan Chappell (Bucknell) 7-3 5th Place - Luke Lucerne (Navy) fall Amonn Ohl (Edinboro) 3:59 149 lbs 1st Place - Meyer Shapiro (Unattached) fall Tyler Badgett (Pittsburgh) 2:09 3rd Place - Ryan Burgos (Edinboro) dec Blake Saito (Brown) 10-3 5th Place - Kaemen Smith (Navy)/Kelin Laffey (Pittsburgh) 157 lbs 1st Place - Kendall Coleman (Purdue) MedFFT Nate Camiscioli (Purdue) 3rd Place - Luke Kemerer (Edinboro) dec Sam McMonagle (Brown) 9-6 5th Place - Dylan Evans (Unattached) dec Jack Pletcher (Pittsburgh) 6-4SV 165 lbs 1st Place - Enrique Munguia (Kent State) dec Val Park (Navy) 6-4 3rd Place - Cooper Noehre (Purdue) tech Gaven Bell (Maryland) 16-0 5th Place - Jared Keslar (Pittsburgh) dec Rodrick Mosley (Gardner-Webb) 4-4RTTB 174 lbs 1st Place - Jared McGill (Edinboro) InjDef John Worthing (Clarion) 3rd Place - Samuel Barnes (Bucknell) dec Sammy Starr (Navy) 7-4 5th Place - Brody Baumann (Purdue) dec Suds Dubler (Clarion) 9-8 184 lbs 1st Place - Will Feldkamp (Clarion) fall Reece Heller (Pittsburgh) 1:41 3rd Place - Ben Vanadia (Purdue) fall Nicholas Meglino (Pittsburgh) 4:12 5th Place - David Key (Navy) dec Jha'Quan Anderson (Gardner-Webb) 3-1 197 lbs 1st Place - Mac Stout (Pittsburgh) dec Tyler Bagoly (Clarion) 9-5 3rd Place - Jake Koser (Navy) maj Mason McCready (Bucknell) 12-1 5th Place - Geoff Magin (Pittsburgh) maj Hayden Filipovich (Purdue) 13-5 285 lbs 1st Place - Grady Griess (Navy) dec Hayden Copass (Purdue) 3-1 3rd Place - Brendan Fuhrman (Spartan Combat) dec Jake Slinger (Pittsburgh) 5-3 5th Place - Tristan Ruhlman (Purdue) dec Austin Chapman (Clarion) 4-0 Princeton Open 125 lbs 1st Place - Patrick Glory (Princeton) dec Dylan Shawver (Rutgers) 11-9 3rd Place - Dean Peterson (Rutgers) MedFFT Matt Maloney (Lock Haven) 5th Place - Sheldon Seymour (Lehigh) dec Markel Barker (George Mason) 3-2 133 lbs 1st Place - Gable Strickland (Lock Haven) maj Joe Sparacio (Hofstra) 11-2 3rd Place - Jacob Brasseur (Presbyterian) dec D'amani Almodovar (Rider) 4-3 5th Place - Nico Messina (Rutgers) dec Ryan Luna (Presbyterian) 12-6 141 lbs 1st Place - Joey Olivieri (Rutgers) dec Ty Linsenbigler (Lock Haven) 9-3 3rd Place - Kyle Slendorn (Stevens Tech) dec Braden Basile (USMAPS) 7-5 5th Place - Michael Rapuano (George Mason) tech McKenzie Bell (Rider) 20-4 149 lbs 1st Place - Quinn Kinner (Rider) tech Connor Eck (Lock Haven) 15-0 3rd Place - Drew Munch (Lehigh) dec Hunter Gutierrez (Stevens Tech) 8-5 5th Place - Nick Stonecheck (Lock Haven) dec Rocco Camillaci (Princeton) 8-7 157 lbs 1st Place - Andrew Clark (Rutgers) dec Al DeSantis (Rutgers) 3-0 3rd Place - Trevor Tarsi (Unattached) dec Colton Washleski (Rider) 9-2 5th Place - Ashton Eyler (Lock Haven) dec Cole McComas (Rider) 14-10 165 lbs 1st Place - Simon Ruiz (Unattached) dec Hunter Mays (Rider) 2-1 3rd Place - Luca Frinzi (Lehigh) maj Connor O'Neill (Rutgers) 17-3 5th Place - Gunner Filipowicz (USMAPS) dec Luke Gayer (Rutgers) 6-4 174 lbs 1st Place - Kole Mulhauser (Princeton) MedFFT Thayne Lawrence (Lehigh) 3rd Place - Tyler Stoltzfus (Lock Haven) tech Michael Wilson (Rider) 16-0 5th Place - Logan Messer (George Mason) dec Raymond Weed (Rider) 9-3SV 184 lbs 1st Place - John Poznanski (Rutgers) dec Nate Dugan (Princeton) 7-0 3rd Place - Malachi Duvall (George Mason) dec Tyler Kocak (George Mason) 6-4SV 5th Place - Michael Squires (Princeton) MedFFT Jack Wilt (Lehigh) 197 lbs 1st Place - Ethan Laird (Rider) dec Luke Stout (Princeton) 4-3 3rd Place - Aiden Conner (Princeton) tech Nik Miller (Hofstra) 15-0 5th Place - Malcolm Wiley (Presbyterian) MedFFT Jon List (George Mason) 285 lbs 1st Place - Matthew Cover (Princeton) dec Travis Stefanik (Princeton) 2-2RTTB 3rd Place - PJ Casale (Rutgers) fall Evan Anderson (USMAPS) 1:28 5th Place - David Szuba (Rider) dec Karam Chakif (Lehigh) 11-7 Women's Division 101 lbs 1st Place - Samantha Miller (Presbyterian) fall Emma Acampora (Rider WC) :23 3rd Place - Hope Eastes (Emmanuel) fall Sheila Cortez (Rider WC) 3:27 5th Place - Anni Futch (Lehigh WC) MedFFT Gabi Severin (Crash GWC) 109 lbs 1st Place - Kaelani Shufeldt (Lock Haven) over Kaura Coles (Alverna) 10-0 3rd Place - Johnae Drumright (Rider WC) over Cassy Lopez (Presbyterian) 12-0 5th Place - Julia Horger (Misfits Girls) fall Dinayah Vasquez (Emmanuel) 3:39 116 lbs 1st Place - Alex Szkotnicki (Headhunters WC) over Chloe Ayres (Princeton WC) 10-0 3rd Place - Ainslie Lane (Presbyterian) over Calli Gilchrist (Unattached) 12-2 5th Place - Ava Rose (Princeton WC) over Sara McLaughlin (Doughgirls WC) 11-0 123 lbs 1st Place - Savannah Witt (Palisades) over Katrina Kling (NYC RTC) 12-1 3rd Place - Valarie Maldonado (Unattached) fall Zoe Pasetsky (MIT) :46 5th Place - Bridgette Schoultz (Delaware Valley) fall Caroline Schmitt (Limestone) :15 130 lbs 1st Place - Sierramarie Miller (Presbyterian) fall Lily Sherer (Lock Haven) :28 3rd Place - Olivia Palmer (Unattached) fall Maya Hemo (Cherry Hill East) 1:02 5th Place - Evelyne Vazquez (Emmanuel) fall Viveca Pannell (MIT) 2:11 136 lbs 1st Place - Paige Wehrmeister (Presbyterian) over Marisol Nugent (North Carolina) 10-0 3rd Place - Haylie Jaffe (Kennet) fall Madison Matta (Lock Haven) 5:05 5th Place - Melinda Modisette (Harvard WC) MedFFT Sam Larios (Emmanuel) 143 lbs 1st Place - Grace Stem (Lock Haven) over Veloria Pannell (MIT) 10-0 3rd Place - Alina Antillon (NYC RTC) fall Gianna Anaya (Emmanuel) :38 5th Place - Clara Padua Cruz (Limestone) over Morgan Edwards (Blair Academy) 12-2 155 lbs 1st Place - Maya Letona (NYC RTC) over Chloe Ogden (Tar Heel WC) 6-3 3rd Place - Genevieve An (Level Up) over Jessica Johnson (Lock Haven) 8-8 5th Place - Shelsy Renous (Limestone) fall Emma Matera (Rider WC) 4:03 170 lbs 1st Place - Cristina Santoyo (Emmanuel) fall Jessica Kemgne (NYC RTC) :47 3rd Place - Kalani Rivas (Limestone) fall Kascidy Garren (Olentangy Orange) :47 5th Place - Brianna Felipe (Rutgers WC) InjDef Precious Opara (Rutgers WC) 191 lbs 1st Place - Sarah Sams (MIT) fall Alyssa Arana (Emmanuel) 1:26 3rd Place - Journey Land (Limestone) fall Trinity Monaghan (Lock Haven) 2:26 5th Place - Talia Mitchell (Olentangy Orange) fall Giselle Kimball (Lehigh WC) 1:03 Menlo Open 125 lbs 1st Place - Nico Provo (Stanford) dec Richard Sandoval (CSU Bakersfield) 6-1 3rd Place - Zachary Wright (San Francisco State) dec Dom Mendez (Cal Poly) 14-10 133 lbs 1st Place - Jackson Disario (Stanford) dec Jovan Garcia (Menlo) 3-0 3rd Place - Johnny Lopez (Cal Poly) fall Antonio Margiotta (San Francisco State) :42 141 lbs 1st Place - Jose Landin (CSU Bakersfield) dec Tyler Deen (CSU Bakersfield) 6-5 3rd Place - Jason Miranda (Stanford) fall Luis Ramos (CSU Bakersfield) 2:32 149 lbs 1st Place - Jaden Abas (Stanford) dec Joshua Fuentes Norikiyo (San Francisco State) 8-2 3rd Place - Jonathan Viveros (CSU Bakersfield) fall Thomas Chapman (Menlo) 4:38 157 lbs 1st Place - Daniel Cardenas (Stanford) dec Charlie Darracott (Stanford) 7-4 3rd Place - Kydyn Lima (Unattached) MedFFT Marco Ruffinelli (San Francisco State) 165 lbs 1st Place - Shane Griffith (Stanford) dec Hunter Garvin (Stanford) 4-1 3rd Place - Cash Stewart (Cal Poly) dec Conrad Trevino-Oceguera (San Francisco State) 7-1 174 lbs 1st Place - Tyler Eischens (Stanford) fall Maximus Zamora (Menlo) :35 3rd Place - Kendall LaRosa (Cal Poly) dec Kweli Hernandez (Unattached) 3-2 184 lbs 1st Place - Brook Byers (Stanford) dec Jack Darrah (Stanford) 5-4 3rd Place - Nick Addison (Stanford) InjDef Isaiah Morales (Menlo) 197 lbs 1st Place - Nick Stemmet (Stanford) maj Hunter Gonzalez (Unattached) 16-7 3rd Place - Afton Silvis (Menlo) InjDef Laith Gilmore (San Francisco State) 285 lbs 1st Place - Seamus O'Malley (Stanford) fall Antonio Dacosta (Menlo) 4:45 3rd Place - Nate Glass (Cal Poly) fall Peter Ming (Stanford) 4:00

Iowa State 125 lber Kysen Terukina (photo courtesy of Mark Lundy; LutteLens.com) Saturday's Dual Results American 21 Duke 15 125 - Raymond Lopez (American) fall Logan Agin (Duke) 2:16 133 - Jack Maida (American) dec Drake Doolittle (Duke) 7-2 141 - Ethan Szerencsits (American) maj Christian Colman (Duke) 11-2 149 - Patrick Rowland (Duke) dec Patrick Ryan (American) 5-4 157 - Jack Nies (American) maj Nick Tattini (Duke) 12-3 165 - Gaetano Console (Duke) dec Ryan Zimmerman (American) 6-4 174 - Conor Becker (Duke) dec Lucas White (American) 7-5 184 - Colin Shannon (American) maj Luke Chakonis (Duke) 10-2 197 - Vincent Baker (Duke) dec Connor Bourne (American) 3-1SV 285 - Jonah Niesenbaum (Duke) dec Isaac Righter (American) 6-2 Maryland 37 Bloomsburg 6 125 - Braxton Brown (Maryland) fall Bronson Garber (Bloomsburg) 1:35 133 - Cole Rhone (Bloomsburg) fall Jackson Cockrell (Maryland) 7:35 141 - Kal Miller (Maryland) dec Josh Mason (Bloomsburg) 3-1SV 149 - Ethen Miller (Maryland) maj William Morrow (Bloomsburg) 9-0 157 - Michael North (Maryland) dec Cade Balestrini (Bloomsburg) 9-6 165 - John Martin Best (Maryland) maj Trenton Harder (Bloomsburg) 13-3 174 - Dom Solis (Maryland) maj Matt Benedetti (Bloomsburg) 13-4 184 - Kevin Makosy (Maryland) dec David Tuttle (Bloomsburg) 6-4 197 - Jaxon Smith (Maryland) tech Anthony DeRosa (Bloomsburg) 15-0 285 - Jaron Smith (Maryland) tech Shane Noonan (Bloomsburg) 15-0 American 29 Bloomsburg 10 125 - Raymond Lopez (American) maj Bronson Garber (Bloomsburg) 13-3 133 - Cole Rhone (Bloomsburg) dec Jack Maida (American) 7-6 141 - Josh Mason (Bloomsburg) dec Elijah White (American) 6-0 149 - Patrick Ryan (American) dec William Morrow (Bloomsburg) 6-0 157 - Cade Balestrini (Bloomsburg) maj Antonio Segura (American) 15-7 165 - Caleb Campos (American) fall Trenton Harder (Bloomsburg) 3:54 174 - Lucas White (American) dec Matt Benedetti (Bloomsburg) 7-3 184 - Carsten Rawls (American) maj David Tuttle (Bloomsburg) 10-2 197 - Connor Bourne (American) dec Anthony DeRosa (Bloomsburg) 285 - Will Jarrell (American) fall Shane Noonan (Bloomsburg) 4:16 Maryland 37 Duke 0 125 - Braxton Brown (Maryland) maj Logan Agin (Duke) 11-2 133 - Jackson Cockrell (Maryland) dec Drake Doolittle (Duke) 6-5 141 - Kal Miller (Maryland) dec Christian Colman (Duke) 7-5 149 - Ethen Miller (Maryland) tech Patrick Rowland (Duke) 19-4 157 - Michael North (Maryland) fall Nick Tattini (Duke) 5:22 165 - Lucas Cordio (Maryland) dec Gaetano Console (Duke) 10-8 174 - Dom Solis (Maryland) dec Conor Becker (Duke) 9-2 184 - Kevin Makosy (Maryland) dec Luke Chakonis (Duke) 5-2 197 - Jaxon Smith (Maryland) maj Vincent Baker (Duke) 18-6 285 - Jaron Smith (Maryland) dec Jonah Niesenbaum (Duke) 7-3 Maryland 29 American 10 125 - Braxton Brown (Maryland) dec Raymond Lopez (American) 6-2 133 - Jack Maida (American) maj Jackson Cockrell (Maryland) 10-1 141 - Kal Miller (Maryland) maj Devon Capato (American) 10-2 149 - Ethen Miller (Maryland) tech Garrett Washington (American) 21-1 157 - Michael North (Maryland) dec Jack Nies (American) 10-3 165 - John Martin Best (Maryland) dec Caleb Campos (American) 5-4 174 - Dom Solis (Maryland) maj Lucas White (American) 11-3 184 - Colin Shannon (American) InjDef Kevin Makosy (Maryland) 197 - Jaxon Smith (Maryland) maj Liam Volk-Klos (American) 18-5 285 - Jaron Smith (Maryland) dec Will Jarrell (American) 5-3 Duke 32 Bloomsburg 6 Still attempting to obtain full results Lehigh 20 Oregon State 13 125 - Brandon Kaylor (Oregon State) dec Carter Bailey (Lehigh) 5-3 133 - Connor McGonagle (Lehigh) dec Jason Shaner (Oregon State) 9-2 141 - Cleveland Belton (Oregon State) dec Malyke Hines (Lehigh) 8-6SV 149 - Max Brignola (Lehigh) dec Noah Tolentino (Oregon State) 9-5 157 - Josh Humphreys (Lehigh) tech Isaiah Crosby (Oregon State) 18-3 165 - Matthew Olguin (Oregon State) maj Brian Meyer (Lehigh) 12-2 174 - Jake Logan (Lehigh) dec Mason Christenson (Oregon State) 6-5 184 - Trey Munoz (Oregon State) dec Tate Samuelson (Lehigh) 7-3 197 - Michael Beard (Lehigh) dec Tanner Harvey (Oregon State) 9-5 285 - Nathan Taylor (Lehigh) dec JJ Dixon (Oregon State) 7-4 Cal Poly 38 California Baptist 9 125 - Antonio Lorenzo (Cal Poly) fall Eli Griffin (California Baptist) 1:49 133 - Ethan Rotondo (Cal Poly) dec Hunter Leake (California Baptist) 6-2 141 - Zeth Romney (Cal Poly) fall Christian Nunez (California Baptist) 1:55 149 - Dom Demas (Cal Poly) maj Chaz Hallmark (California Baptist) 12-4 157 - Luka Wick (Cal Poly) tech Joseph Mora (California Baptist) 16-0 165 - Mitchell Mesenbrink (California Baptist) fall Daniel Vizcarra (Cal Poly) 3:42 174 - Jarad Priest (Cal Poly) dec Louis Rojas (California Baptist) 7-2 184 - Caden Gerlach (California Baptist) dec Brawley Lamer (Cal Poly) 8-2 197 - Bernie Truax (Cal Poly) tech Elijah Sobras (California Baptist) 18-0 285 - Trevor Tinker (Cal Poly) fall Chris Island (California Baptist) 2:42 California Baptist 32 Vanguard 6 125 - Eli Griffin (California Baptist) fall Zack Stone (Vanguard) 2:39 133 - Hunter Leake (California Baptist) maj Julian Leon (Vanguard) 10-0 141 - Christian Nunez (California Baptist) dec Steven Kroesen (Vanguard) 9-7 149 - Marcus Peterson (California Baptist) dec Gabriel Cortez (Vanguard) 9-3 157 - Joey Navarro (Vanguard) dec Nolan Miller-Johnston (California Baptist) 7-3 165 - Mitchell Mesenbrink (California Baptist) fall Omar Rosas (Vanguard) 1:36 174 - Gerardo Hernandez (Vanguard) dec Louis Rojas (California Baptist) 10-5 184 - Caden Gerlach (California Baptist) maj Baron Gaunt (Vanguard) 12-3 197 - Elijah Sobras (California Baptist) dec Isaiah Hernandez (Vanguard) 3-2 285 - Chris Island (California Baptist) dec Michael Ruiz (Vanguard) 4-2 Air Force 29 Western Colorado 18 125 - Patrick Allis (Western Colorado) dec Quinn Melofchik (Air Force) 9-3 133 - Cody Phippen (Air Force) maj Alex Alvarez (Western Colorado) 12-0 141 - Garrett Kuchan (Air Force) maj Dean Noble (Western Colorado) 15-5 149 - Jason Hanenburg (Western Colorado) fall Josh Miller (Air Force) 3:00 157 - Walker Heckendorf (Western Colorado) fall Garrett Bowers (Air Force) 4:21 165 - Giano Petrucelli (Air Force) maj Cole Mortensen (Western Colorado) 13-2 174 - Sam Wolf (Air Force) tech Cole Hernandez (Western Colorado) 17-1 184 - Noah Blake (Air Force) fall Cole Gray (Western Colorado) 6:36 197 - Porter Fox (Western Colorado) dec Calvin Sund (Air Force) 4-0 285 - Wyatt Hendrickson (Air Force) FFT Campbell 18 Little Rock 15 125 - Jayden Carson (Little Rock) dec Zak Thompson (Campbell) 9-6 133 - Dom Zaccone (Campbell) tech Josh Sarpy (Little Rock) 22-7 141 - Shannon Hanna (Campbell) dec Jayden Gomez (Little Rock) 6-2 149 - Joey Bianchi (Little Rock) dec Callum Sitek (Campbell) 5-1 157 - Troy Nation (Campbell) dec Matt Bianchi (Little Rock) 5-3 165 - Tyler Brennan (Little Rock) dec Dom Baker (Campbell) 3-0 174 - Triston Wills (Little Rock) dec Cole Rees (Campbell) 3-1 184 - Caleb Hopkins (Campbell) maj Mason Diel (Little Rock) 10-2 197 - Stephen Little (Little Rock) dec Levi Hopkins (Campbell) 9-5 285 - Taye Ghadiali (Campbell) dec Josiah Hill (Little Rock) 10-4 Wisconsin 35 Chattanooga 3 125 - Eric Barnett (Wisconsin) dec Logan Ashton (Chattanooga) 4-0 133 - Taylor LaMont (Wisconsin) dec Brayden Palmer (Chattanooga) 2-0 141 - Joe Zargo (Wisconsin) dec Franco Valdes (Chattanooga) 10-5 149 - Austin Gomez (Wisconsin) fall Grant Lundy (Chattanooga) 2:44 157 - Garrett Model (Wisconsin) dec Lincoln Heck (Chattanooga) 6-2 165 - Dean Hamiti (Wisconsin) maj Weston Wichman (Chattanooga) 11-3 174 - Rocky Jordan (Chattanooga) dec Josh Otto (Wisconsin) 4-0 184 - Tyler Dow (Wisconsin) dec Sergio Desiante (Chattanooga) 5-3 197 - Braxton Amos (Wisconsin) tech Landon Lewis (Chattanooga) 17-2 285 - Trent Hillger (Wisconsin) tech Nicholas Benton (Chattanooga) 16-0 Wisconsin 31 Buffalo 6 125 - Eric Barnett (Wisconsin) maj Patrick Adams (Buffalo) 13-2 133 - Tyler LaMont (Wisconsin) dec Cole Minnick (Buffalo) 6-1 141 - Joe Zargo (Wisconsin) maj Jack Marlow (Buffalo) 15-7 149 - Austin Gomez (Wisconsin) fall Kaleb Burgess (Buffalo) 2:24 157 - Garrett Model (Wisconsin) dec Nick Stampoulos (Buffalo) 8-3 165 - Dean Hamiti (Wisconsin) maj Ty Raines (Buffalo) 16-5 174 - Jay Nivison (Buffalo) dec James Rowley (Wisconsin) 3-1 184 - Guiseppe Hoose (Buffalo) dec Tyler Dow (Wisconsin) 4-3 197 - Braxton Amos (Wisconsin) dec Sam Mitchell (Buffalo) 5-2 285 - Trent Hillger (Wisconsin) maj Greg Hodulick (Buffalo) 10-0 Iowa State 33 Little Rock 7 125 - Jeremiah Reno (Little Rock) maj Caleb Fuessley (Iowa State) 12-4 133 - Zach Redding (Iowa State) maj Josh Sarpy (Little Rock) 14-5 141 - Jacob Frost (Iowa State) dec Jayden Gomez (Little Rock) 6-2 149 - Paniro Johnson (Iowa State) dec Joey Bianchi (Little Rock) 3-2 157 - Matt Bianchi (Little Rock) dec Jason Kraisser (Iowa State) 4-1 165 - David Carr (Iowa State) maj Tyler Brennan (Little Rock) 11-1 174 - MJ Gaitan (Iowa State) fall Triston Wills (Little Rock) 5:27 184 - Marcus Coleman (Iowa State) tech Mason Diel (Little Rock) 18-2 197 - Yonger Bastida (Iowa State) maj Stephen Little (Little Rock) 11-3 285 - Sam Schuyler (Iowa State) maj Josiah Hill (Little Rock) 21-7 Buffalo 21 Chattanooga 9 125 - Tristan Daugherty (Buffalo) dec Logan Ashton (Chattanooga) 3-1 133 - Brayden Palmer (Chattanooga) dec Mason Bush (Buffalo) 4-0 141 - Jack Marlow (Buffalo) dec Franco Valdes (Chattanooga) 3-2 149 - Kaleb Burgess (Buffalo) dec Grant Lundy (Chattanooga) 5-1 157 - Lincoln Heck (Chattanooga) dec Nick Stampoulos (Buffalo) 6-4 165 - Ty Raines (Buffalo) dec Caleb Waddell (Chattanooga) 10-7 174 - Rocky Jordan (Chattanooga) dec Marcus Petite (Buffalo) 12-5 184 - Guiseppe Hoose (Buffalo) dec Sergio Desiante (Chattanooga) 10-5 197 - Eli Sheeran (Buffalo) dec Jake Boyd (Chattanooga) 3-1 285 - Sam Mitchell (Buffalo) dec Logan Andrew (Chattanooga) 3-2 Iowa State 34 Campbell 3 125 - Kysen Terukina (Iowa State) maj Zak Thompson (Campbell) 12-4 133 - Zach Redding (Iowa State) dec Dom Zaccone (Campbell) 3-2 141 - Casey Swiderski (Iowa State) dec Shannon Hanna (Campbell) 7-4 149 - Cam Robinson (Iowa State) maj Dom DeFalco (Campbell) 13-4 157 - Troy Nation (Campbell) dec Isaac Judge (Iowa State) 11-8 165 - David Carr (Iowa State) fall Riley Augustine (Campbell) 4:23 174 - Julien Broderson (Iowa State) dec Cole Rees (Campbell) 5-2 184 - Marcus Coleman (Iowa State) maj Caleb Hopkins (Campbell) 13-5 197 - Yonger Bastida (Iowa State) maj Levi Hopkins (Campbell) 16-5 285 - Sam Schuyler (Iowa State) dec Taye Ghadiali (Campbell) 6-5 Campbell 36 Buffalo 3 125 - Zander Phaturos (Campbell) maj Patrick Adams (Buffalo) 13-5 133 - Dom Zaccone (Campbell) maj Cole Minnick (Buffalo) 14-6 141 - Shannon Hanna (Campbell) maj Jack Marlow (Buffalo) 16-6 149 - Callum Sitek (Campbell) dec Kaleb Burgess (Buffalo) 6-5 157 - Troy Nation (Campbell) dec Nick Stampoulos (Buffalo) 7-2 165 - Dom Baker (Campbell) fall Ty Raines (Buffalo) 5:16 174 - Marcus Petite (Buffalo) dec Cole Rees (Campbell) 8-3 184 - Caleb Hopkins (Campbell) fall Guiseppe Hoose (Buffalo) 8:54 197 - Levi Hopkins (Campbell) dec Eli Sheeran (Buffalo) 6-4 285 - Chad Nix (Campbell) dec Greg Hodulick (Buffalo) 3-2 Little Rock 28 Chattanooga 5 125 - Jeremiah Reno (Little Rock) dec Logan Ashton (Chattanooga) 6-1 133 - Brayden Palmer (Chattanooga) tech Josh Sarpy (Little Rock) 15-0 141 - Jayden Gomez (Little Rock) dec Franco Valdes (Chattanooga) 5-3 149 - Joey Bianchi (Little Rock) dec Grant Lundy (Chattanooga) 5-3 157 - Matt Bianchi (Little Rock) dec Cole Cochran (Chattanooga) 5-2 165 - Tyler Brennan (Little Rock) dec Weston Wichman (Chattanooga) 7-1 174 - Triston Wills (Little Rock) dec Thomas Sell (Chattanooga) 6-2 184 - Mason Diel (Little Rock) dec Sergio Desiante (Chattanooga) 6-3 197 - Stephen Little (Little Rock) maj Landon Lewis (Chattanooga) 22-8 285 - Josiah Hill (Little Rock) dec Logan Andrew (Chattanooga) 5-0 Iowa State 26 Wisconsin 6 125 - Kysen Terukina (Iowa State) dec Eric Barnett (Wisconsin) 9-7 133 - Zach Redding (Iowa State) dec Taylor LaMont (Wisconsin) 10-4 141 - Casey Swiderski (Iowa State) dec Joe Zargo (Wisconsin) 10-5 149 - Paniro Johnson (Iowa State) dec Austin Gomez (Wisconsin) 9-4 157 - Garrett Model (Wisconsin) dec Jason Kraisser (Iowa State) 6-5 165 - David Carr (Iowa State) dec Dean Hamiti (Wisconsin) 7-5 174 - James Rowley (Wisconsin) dec MJ Gaitan (Iowa State) 4-3 184 - Marcus Coleman (Iowa State) fall Tyler Dow (Wisconsin) 1:45 197 - Yonger Bastida (Iowa State) dec Braxton Amos (Wisconsin) 5-3 285 - Sam Schuyler (Iowa State) dec Trent Hillger (Wisconsin) 3-2 Sunday's Dual Results Lehigh 44 Sacred Heart 0 125 - Carter Bailey (Lehigh) tech Mike Manta (Sacred Heart) 18-1 133 - Connor McGonagle (Lehigh) dec Andrew Fallon (Sacred Heart) 4-1 141 - Malyke Hines (Lehigh) maj Seth Brown (Sacred Heart) 11-0 149 - Max Brignola (Lehigh) tech Matt Laurie (Sacred Heart) 18-3 157 - Josh Humphreys (Lehigh) maj Nick Palumbo (Sacred Heart) 8-0 165 - Brian Meyer (Lehigh) maj Aidan Zarrella (Sacred Heart) 15-2 174 - Jake Logan (Lehigh) maj Ryan Bolletino (Sacred Heart) 17-5 184 - Tate Samuelson (Lehigh) maj Hunter Perez (Sacred Heart) 13-5 197 - Michael Beard (Lehigh) tech Nick Copley (Sacred Heart) 22-7 285 - Elijah Jones (Lehigh) fall Marc Berisha (Sacred Heart) 1:26 Missouri 55 Lindenwood 0 125 - Noah Surtin (Missouri) fall Austin Kegley (Lindenwood) 2:16 133 - Connor Brown (Missouri) fall Caiden Pelc (Lindenwood) 4:37 141 - Allan Hart (Missouri) tech Kalen Napier (Lindenwood) 26-10 149 - Brock Mauller (Missouri) fall Tucker Kinsaul (Lindenwood) 4:14 157 - Jarrett Jacques (Missouri) tech Brian Flanagan (Lindenwood) 16-1 165 - Keegan O'Toole (Missouri) maj Gavin Londoff (Lindenwood) 16-5 174 - Peyton Mocco (Missouri) fall Zac Russell (Lindenwood) 2:23 184 - Sean Harman (Missouri) tech Drew Gvillo (Lindenwood) 18-2 197 - Jesse Cassett (Missouri) fall McKinley Kemper (Lindenwood) 2:38 285 - Zach Elam (Missouri) fall David Hernandez (Lindenwood) :09

Wisconsin's 197 lber Braxton Amos (photo courtesy of Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com) Before we get too deep into the season, we've decided to turn to our conference correspondent team and ask for some of their “bold predictions.” They were instructed to focus on someone from their respective conference, be it an individual wrestler or a team, or possibly the conference, overall. Here's what they came up with: Robbie's Bold Prediction: The ACC, both dual and tournament titles, will be decided by freshmen. As the ACC teams continue to bring in high-level recruiting classes, the competitive level of the conference rises. Multiple nationally prominent seniors/5th/6th/7th-year guys graduated last year and opened up weights that hadn't been as competitive conference-wide. There will be multiple true freshmen and redshirt freshmen who will be in lineups and competing for ACC titles. The ability of these freshmen to win matches will dictate the team finish in the ACC. I, for one, am very excited to see how it all shakes out. Seth's Bold Prediction: “All-Big 12 NCAA final at 165. Probably not that bold considering I'm sure there are some people already picking this, but I don't see Keegan O'Toole falling off any from last season and think David Carr comes out hungry to bounce back after his loss last year at the NCAA tournament last year” Austin's Bold Prediction: “My bold prediction(s) - I think the conference (EIWA) will double its 7AAs from last season and end up with 14 this year. Extra BOLD - 1 of the 10 weights will contain 3 AAs from the EIWA conference.” Nick's Individual bold prediction: “Cael Valencia wins the Pac-12 conference at 174 pounds and at best makes it to blood rounds of NCAAs. Zeke has continued to praise that Cael has much more untapped potential than his brothers and last season, several people questioned if his redshirt was going to be pulled after a win over Hayden Hastings and a few others. Zeke continued to weigh the option of pulling the redshirt, but decided not to and he will be coming out with another year of experience under his belt. Team bold prediction- The loss of Teemer places Arizona State out of the top-7 at NCAAs. Besides Schultz, Teemer is ASU's best shot at an NCAA individual champion. Therefore, the loss of Teemer means a huge loss of points and a weaker lineup in the middleweights. Another prediction is Cal Poly finally makes the leap to second at Pac-12s. They brought in a few top transfers from the JUCO and NCAA level as well as developing Luka Wick and the Brawley brothers. They may not pack a heavy punch at any weight but they can pick up points at nearly any weight” Rachel's bold prediction: “Davidson will have their first national qualifier since 2015 and the SoCon will have the most national qualifiers ever this year” Kevin's bold prediction: “Big year for Braxton Amos. By big, I'm talking like an NCAA title contender, big. He fought through a lot last season and is ready to go now.” Courtney's bold prediction: “The MAC will have a total of five All-Americans. After the season, there will be three coaching changes.”

North Dakota State head coach Roger Kish (photo courtesy of Sam Janicki; SJanickiPhoto.com) Friday's Dual Results (11/4/2022) VMI 53 Southern Virginia 0 125 - Austin Zehring (VMI) FFT 133 - Dyson Dunham (VMI) fall Jaden Nelson (SVU) 4:21 141 - Freddy Junko (VMI) tech Preston Holt (SVU) 17-2 149 - Ryan Vigil (VMI) tech Elijah Blackwell (SVU) 17-2 157 - Josh Yost (VMI) maj Weston Hirschi (SVU) 15-5 165 - Braxton Lewis (VMI) fall Morgan Peterson (SVU) 4:37 174 - Jon Hoover (VMI) dec Tyson Hoopes (SVU) 10-3 184 - Zach Brown (VMI) fall Loyal Holm (SVU) :33 197 - Tyler Mousaw (VMI) fall Jaden Markus (SVU) 4:17 285 - Josh Evans (VMI) fall Igor Lakicevic (SVU) 4:43 NC State 26 Appalachian State 12 125 - Caleb Smith (Appalachian State) dec Jarrett Trombley (NC State) 3-2 133 - Sean Carter (Appalachian State) dec Kai Orine (NC State) 3-1SV 141 - Ryan Jack (NC State) maj Heath Gonyer (Appalachian State) 149 - Jon Jon Millner (Appalachian State) dec Jackson Arrington (NC State) 6-0 157 - Ed Scott (NC State) maj Cody Bond (Appalachian State) 165 - Will Formato (Appalachian State) dec Donald Cates (NC State) 3-2TB 174 - Brock DelSignor (NC State) dec Will Miller (Appalachian State) 12-8 184 - Trent Hidlay (NC State) fall Luke Uliano (Appalachian State) 197 - Isaac Trumble (NC State) fall Wyatt Miller (Appalachian State) 285 - Owen Trephan (NC State) dec Jacob Sartorio (Appalachian State) 8-3 North Dakota State 20 Nebraska 16 125 - Liam Cronin (Nebraska) dec Carlos Negrete (North Dakota State) 5-1 133 - Boo Dryden (Nebraska) dec McGwire Midkiff (North Dakota State) 6-2 141 - Dylan Droegemueller (North Dakota State) dec Brock Hardy (Nebraska) 10-4 149 - Michael Weber (North Dakota State) dec Dayne Morton (Nebraska) 3-2TB 157 - Peyton Robb (Nebraska) dec Jared Franek (North Dakota State) 7-4 165 - Mike Caliendo (North Dakota State) fall Jagger Condomitti (Nebraska) 1:20 174 - Mikey Labriola (Nebraska) maj Gaven Sax (North Dakota State) 15-7 184 - DJ Parker (North Dakota State) tech Brandyn Van Tassell (Nebraska) 17-2 197 - Silas Allred (Nebraska) dec Owen Pentz (North Dakota State) 4-2SV 285 - Juan Mora (North Dakota State) dec Cale Davidson (Nebraska) 2-1 Indiana 26 SIU Edwardsville 15 125 - Jacob Moran (Indiana) maj Austin Macias (SIU Edwardsville) 13-2 133 - Henry Porter (Indiana) fall Aaron Schulist (SIU Edwardsville) 5:22 141 - Cayden Rooks (Indiana) dec Caine Tyus (SIU Edwardsville) 9-3 149 - Graham Rooks (Indiana) dec Caleb Tyus (SIU Edwardsville) 4-3 157 - Derek Gilcher (Indiana) maj Max Kristoff (SIU Edwardsville) 11-2 165 - Cardeionte Wilson (SIU Edwardsville) dec Robert Major (Indiana) 4-2 174 - DJ Washington (Indiana) fall Chase Diehl (SIU Edwardsville) :33 184 - Sergio Villalobos (SIU Edwardsville) dec Drayton Harris (Indiana) 4-0 197 - Ryan Yarnell (SIU Edwardsville) dec Gabe Sollars (Indiana) 6-0 285 - Colton McKiernan (SIU Edwardsville) fall Jacob Bullock (Indiana) 2:56 Northern Colorado 43 Fort Hays State 3 125 - Stevo Poulin (Northern Colorado) fall Kevin Honas (Fort Hays State) :30 133 - Jace Koelzer (Northern Colorado) tech Corbin White (Fort Hays State) 17-0 141 - Andrew Alirez (Northern Colorado) fall Mason Woodward (Fort Hays State) 1:33 149 - Chris Sandoval (Northern Colorado) maj Drew Burgoon (Fort Hays State) 17-5 157 - Vince Zerban (Northern Colorado) tech Cody Hicks (Fort Hays State) 17-2 165 - Baylor Fernandes (Northern Colorado) tech Blaise Ronnau (Fort Hays State) 17-1 174 - Andrew Berreyesa (Northern Colorado) dec Cade Lindsey (Fort Hays State) 7-0 184 - Branson Britten (Northern Colorado) dec Bryce Westmoreland (Fort Hays State) 7-2 197 - Tereus Henry (Fort Hays State) dec Xavier Vasquez (Northern Colorado) 5-2 285 - Xavier Doolin (Northern Colorado) fall Tony Caldwell (Fort Hays State) :52

2022 U17 Greco-Roman world champion Joel Adams (photo courtesy of Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com) This afternoon, in a live broadcast on the NEWrestle Facebook page, 2022 U17 Greco-Roman world champion Joel Adams made his collegiate decision. He will attend the University of Michigan. Adams is ranked #22 overall in the Class of 2023, prior to his announcement, was one of only three uncommitted wrestlers in the top-50. At the World Championships, Adams outscored the competition 36-0 and became the first American since Joshua Etu in 1997 to capture a gold medal at the Cadet/U17 event. While making the U17 world team in Greco, Adams also was a finalist in freestyle. He lost in three matches to Tyler Kasak who ended up getting silver at worlds. A year ago, he was a runner-up at UWW Greco WTT's as well. Recently, Joel placed at the Super 32 for the second time. In 2021, Adams was a finalist, while this year he defaulted to sixth after falling in the semifinals. Last summer, Adams was a double national champion in Fargo, winning both styles at the 16U level at 138 lbs. After the Super 32, Adams went to #7 in MatScouts national rankings of 145 lbers. Adams noted in his announcement that he will take a gap year and train Greco-Roman full-time with hopes of making the 2024 Olympic Team. Adams is another cog in an absolutely loaded recruiting Class of 2023 for the Wolverines. Sean Bormet's team now has commitment's from six of the top 35 seniors in the country. Adams will join #10 Beau Mantanona (CA), #11 Sergio Lemley (IN), #25 Caden Horwath (MI), #26 Dylan Gilcher (MI), and #35 Hayden Walters (OR) in the Class of 2023. He projects as a 149 lber at the next level. Michigan currently has redshirt freshman Chance Lamer as their starter at the weight; however, it will be another two years before Adams hits Ann Arbor. With a redshirt year in play, either Adams or Lamer could grow into 157, a weight class inhabited by All-American Will Lewan, who has two years of eligibility left.

2022 Big 12 champion Andrew Alirez (photo courtesy of Sam Janicki; SJanickiPhoto.com) It's opening week of the college wrestling season and it's a pretty good one for the Big 12. Let's dive in and look at the slate for this week and some of the highlights for the conference. Friday 11/04 Northern Colorado vs. Fort Hays State at Monster Mash-Denver, Colo. (National Western Complex) North Dakota State at Nebraska Saturday 11/05 Oklahoma-Michigan State Open West Virginia-Southeast Open Utah Valley-Michigan State Open Iowa State vs. Little Rock/Campbell/Wisconsin at Battle in the River City at Jacksonville University Cal Poly and Vanguard at California Baptist Western Colorado at Air Force Sunday 11/06 Air Force at Colorado Mines Rookie Open Lindenwood at Missouri-Softball Stadium North Dakota State and Iowa State with a chance to prove something for the Big 12 The Big 12 didn't have the best run at the NCAA tournament last year. But to open the early part of the season, two teams have a chance to help the conference' status nationally. North Dakota State with a shot at #8 Nebraska on Friday and Iowa State taking on three opponents, most notably #10 Wisconsin at the Battle in River City. North Dakota State-Nebraska is a solid non-conference dual to kick off the season and Iowa State-Wisconsin might be the best matchup in the opening weekend of college wrestling. Northern Colorado and Missouri using unique venues Missouri wrestles Lindenwood outside in a softball stadium and Northern Colorado wrestles at the Monster Mash tournament. We see a lot of things like what Missouri is doing here. Oklahoma State and Iowa have wrestled in both a football and baseball stadium and countless other programs have done similar. Something I don't think I've seen a lot of is what Northern Colorado is doing at the Monster Mash, and I really like this one a lot. Most college wrestling fans are at one time youth wrestlers that eventually grow into older wrestling fans and ticket holders and even at times become college wrestlers themselves. Wrestling a college match at a youth tournament seems like a great way to capture that group and reel them in early. I don't know if it's worth it for the traditional powers of the wrestling world to host events like this. For example, Iowa would probably rather have a home event that brings in 10,000 ticket sales but I really like this idea for any college trying to grow the sport in their own state like Northern Colorado is doing here.

2022 141 lb SoCon champion Shannon Hanna (photo courtesy of Sam Janicki; SJanickiPhoto.com) The SoCon: From A to V Appalachian State Preseason Poll Rank: 2 Preseason All-Conference Team Members: Caleb Smith (125), Jon Jon Millner (149), Cody Bond (157) What's up this season? JohnMark Bentley and the Mountaineers welcomed 14 newcomers for the '22-'23 season; of the 14 there are 10 state champions, two state finalists, and two state placers/qualifiers. Among the veterans of the team, three made the All-Conference team and are nationally ranked. Caleb Smith (125) comes in at #18, Jon Jon Millner (149) picks up the #6 ranking, Cody Bond (157) takes #24, and Will Formato (165) secured #14. The Mountaineers locked up the highest national rankings in their respective weight classes in the conference. Appalachian kicks off their season against the NC State Wolfpack in Raleigh on Nov 4, the Mountaineers are coming back from a 25-10 loss against the Wolfpack last season with barnburner match-ups at 125 - Smith vs. Camacho (NCST), 133 - Carter vs Trombley (NCST), and 165 - Formato vs Bullard (NCST). The Mountaineers will host 11 home events this season, 9 dual meets, one invitational and one open tournament. Two events that keep Varsity Gym rocking and rolling are when UT-Chattanooga and Campbell come to town. And that's what's happening on Feb 5 (UTC) and Feb 19 (Campbell). The Appalachian-UTC wrestling rivalry has spanned decades, while a new rivalry has blossomed with Appalachian and Campbell. Another home match you won't want to miss is Jan 13 when Virginia Tech travels to Boone for some SoCon/ACC action. Socials: @AppWrestling (twitter, instagram) Bellarmine University Preseason Poll Rank: T8 Preseason All-Conference Team Members: n/a What's up this season? Ned Shuck and the Knights are ready for their second season of SoCon action - kicking off the school year by announcing the hire of their graduate assistant Noah Hardy. The Knights will face off against two newly minted DI wrestling programs this season - Lindenwood University and Queens University of Charlotte, in two of their six home dual meets this season. The sole in-conference win last season for Bellarmine came in at a tie-breaking 19-18 win over Presbyterian College. The Knights will be ready for redemption, when they travel to Davidson College, to avenge their 20-19 loss from the previous year, again by tie-breaker criteria. Bellarmine is still unable to compete at the Southern Conference Championships this season. Socials: @BUKnightsWre (twitter, instagram) Campbell University Preseason Poll Rank: 1 Preseason All-Conference Team Members: Shannon Hanna (141), Caleb Hopkins (184), Levi Hopkins (197), Taye Ghadiali (HWT) What's up this season? The Camels are the favorite to win it again this season - with three nationally ranked (by InterMat) returning starters. Shannon Hanna (#18, 141), Caleb Hopkins (#20, 184), and Taye Ghadiali (#12, HWT), all returning SoCon Champs, locked and loaded for another action-packed season. Campbell is hosting a unique event this season with a great cause - Battle at Bragg, on Veterans Day. The Camels will face off against #5 Michigan at 5:00pm and #16 North Carolina at 7:30 pm, the first college wrestling program to ever host an event on UFC Fight Pass. The view should be spectacular, as it will be on Pope Army Airfield - I'm definitely looking forward to this first-of-its-kind event. The rest of the season is absolutely stacked for the Camels, the home duals kick off on December 4th against UVA. More top-tier competition will be coming to the Creek on January 7th - Nebraska. The dual meet season finale will be a newly blossomed rivalry: Campbell at App State. Like I mentioned above, nothing and I mean NOTHING gets Varsity Gym rolling like this rivalry right here. If you're free on February 19 - be there and be ready for pure electricity. Socials: @GoCamelsWrestle (twitter, instagram) UT-Chattanooga Preseason Poll Rank: 3 Preseason All-Conference Team Members: Brayden Palmer (133), Rocky Jordan (174) What's up this season? This summer was *insert fire emoji here* for head coach Kyle Ruschell and the Chattanooga Mocs, after picking up transfers Logan Ashton (Gr, 125), Jacob Boyd (Sr, 197), and Rocky Jordan (Gr, 174). A staff addition was made as well - Kyle Massey was named Assistant Coach. Three of the Mocs are named in InterMat's preseason poll: Logan Ashton - 30, Brayden Palmer - 23, Noah Castillo - 26, Rocky Jordan - 17, and Matthew Waddell - 26. McKenzie Arena will be the place to be on Dec 10, as UTC is slated to host Iowa for a dual meet competition. Two duals to watch as always are Feb 5 at App State and Feb 12 hosting the Campbell Camels. With the addition of these three transfers to the roster, I have a feeling the Mocs will be a force to be reckoned with. While they've had some close bouts with App State and Campbell, only losing by 5 points or less, these are some conference bouts to be on the lookout for this season. Socials: @UTCWrestling (twitter, instagram) The Citadel Preseason Poll Rank: 5 Preseason All-Conference Team Members: n/a What's up this season? The Citadel opened their home dual series with a 45-0 shutout against Queens University of Charlotte. The Bulldogs are returning from a 4-3 conference dual meet record, picking up wins over Presbyterian, Davidson, Bellarmine, and VMI. The conference's military rivalry has The Citadel traveling to VMI for a SoCon showdown at Cormack Hall. Last season, The Citadel made big noise at the NCAA tournament, with Dazjon Casto taking down returning National Champion Austin O'Connor (UNC); Casto recently transferred to Pitt, bringing Selwyn Porter in the 157lb spot. Another one to watch is 174 - Ben Haubert, who's continued to show great development and success on the mat. Socials: @CitadelWrestle (twitter, instagram) Davidson College Preseason Poll Rank: 6 Preseason All-Conference Team Members: n/a What's up this season? Davidson Wrestling stirred up quite the buzz this summer, once Nate Carr Jr. was named the 13th head wrestling coach of the wrestling program. The Wildcats will host six home duals and will travel for 12 dual meets and open tournaments. They'll host Michigan State on Nov 11 to kick off their home duals. Coming back from a 5-10 dual season, Coach Carr and the Cats have some unfinished business from last season. A close conference loss against UTC (16-18) and an 8-point deficit from The Citadel (15-23) are two duals to keep in mind when watching these matchups this season. Socials: @DavidsonWRES (twitter), @davidsonwrestling (instagram) Gardner-Webb University Preseason Poll Rank: 4 Preseason All-Conference Team Members: RJ Mosley (165) What's up this season? Gardner-Webb hired a graduate assistant coach as well, recent graduate Evan Schenk. Schenk wrestled 174 for the Runnin' Bulldogs, with an 8-13 record last season. Other familiar faces returning on the lineup this season include returning SoCon Champion RJ Mosley (165), Jha'Quan Anderson (184), and Todd Carter (133). Mosley comes in at #29 on InterMat's preseason rankings. Some major non-conference matchups of the season will include a face-off against Nebraska at Buies Creek, and Army West Point will come to Boiling Springs. As y'all can tell, there's a theme with Queens University of Charlotte…most SoCon schools (seven) are wrestling them this season, we might see them as an addition to the conference in the near future. But let's bring it back to the Bulldogs - coming off of a 5-2 dual meet record in the conference, I think there's potential for a higher team finish this season. *Note: Gardner-Webb and Campbell did not compete in a dual meet. Socials: @GWUWrestling (twitter, instagram Presbyterian College Preseason Poll Rank: T8 Preseason All-Conference Team Members: n/a What's up this season? Presbyterian College released its schedule last month, aiming to host 6 home duals and traveling to 7. The Blue Hose are slated to compete in the Brawl at the Beach in their backyard at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. As the season progresses, we'll see more action on the road as they travel to Queens University of Charlotte, a freshly minted Division I program, Franklin & Marshall, and will have four conference dual meets on the road. This will be Zach Sheaffer's second season at the helm of Presbyterian's wrestling program, coming off a 1-9 dual meet record last season, securing a win over NAIA's Truett McConnell University (37-7). Socials: @pcmenswrestle (twitter), @pcmenswrestling (instagram) Virginia Military Institute Preseason Poll Rank: 7 Preseason All-Conference Team Members: n/a What's up this season? The Keydets are slated to host 10 dual meets at Cormack Hall, and will be on the road for 12 dual meets and tournaments. A tradition that kicked off the season is The Barracks Brawl, VMI's annual intrasquad scrimmage; and a Brawl it was. The Black team defeated the Red team 19-18 by tiebreaker criteria. One of the ten home duals of the season will host conference rival, The Citadel. Last season VMI fell to The Citadel, 32-5; posting wins from Freddy Junko, (Jr, 141) and Tyler Mousaw (Jr, 197). Another dual meet match-up to watch is the Keydets' season finale at home, wresting against Queens University of Charlotte. This will be the first time the Keydets meet the Royals in Queens' debut DI wrestling season. Coach Gibson and company will head to Iowa City for the inaugural Soldier Salute, hosted at Xtream Arena in December 2022. There will be men's and women's open divisions, with 100% of proceeds split between the United Service Organization (USO) and funds that are to aid in the growth of women's wrestling. Socials: @VMI_Wrestling (twitter, instagram) And before the season can wrap up, the Southern Conference Championship will be held yet again in Boone, North Carolina on March 4, 2023. Then we're off to Tulsa, Oklahoma for the NCAA Tournament. So break out your wrestling-watching boots and get ready for a rootin' tootin' good time this season!

2022 157 lb ACC champion Ed Scott (photos courtesy of Sam Janicki; SJanickiPhoto.com) NC State will look to add a fifth-straight ACC title to the trophy case, but will be doing it with a lot of new faces in the lineup. The Wolfpack have had a lot of consistency in the lineup over the past few years, but will have a major shift with the graduation of some of the most credentialed wrestlers to come through Raleigh. Three-time All-American Tariq Wilson and four-time All-American Hayden Hidlay both graduated after utilizing their extra year of eligibility. They were both key leaders on the team, but have passed the torch to the new generation, including younger Hidlay brother Trent, who truly embodies the culture that Pat Popolizio and crew have built. Coach Popolizio has put together very strong recruiting classes and that will pay dividends this year, with at least one true freshman in the lineup and others fighting to take a spot. TOP RETURNERS Ed Scott made a major jump last year; he went from a 6-6 record his freshman year to 24-3 last season. He knocked off three-time All-American and 2021 National Champion Austin O'Connor to take the ACC title; he was also named ACC Rookie of the Year. He qualified for the NCAA tournament and went 2-2 in Detroit, falling in the blood round to Peyton Robb, in what may have been the quickest pin ever recorded on a roll through… Scott is in a loaded weight class in the ACC which sees returning All-Americans, Bryce Andonian (moving up from 149) and Austin O'Connor, as well as Dazjon Casto and Jake Keating, both of whom are ranked in the preseason top-15. Trent Hidlay has been one of the emotional leaders of this team since he entered the lineup; I highly encourage everyone to watch him during a dual while his teammates wrestle, it is highly entertaining. He has put together an impressive career in Raleigh already, and I still think the best is yet to come. He is a three-time NCAA qualifier and earned All-American honors in both tournaments where he actually wrestled; he was a finalist in 2021 and took home fifth-place honors last season. Hidlay was 21-2 last season and earned his second ACC title; he is 78-10 in his career and has a nearly 50% BONUS rate. Isaac Trumble made the most of his first year as a full-time starter, He put together a 21-6 record that saw him making the ACC finals and earning a trip to the NCAA championships where he went 1-2. Trumble uses his length incredibly well and has proven to be a dangerous top wrestler. The coaching staff has said that he has been focusing on improving from neutral and is ready to make the jump to the podium this season. KEY DEPARTURES Hayden Hidlay finished his NC State career as one of the most accomplished wrestlers to come through Raleigh. He was a five-time NCAA qualifier, four-time ACC Champion, NCAA finalist and four-time All-American (2nd, 4th, COVID, 5th, 3rd). He finished with an overall record of 132-14 with a 61% BONUS rate. You will see Hayden as he joined the staff as the Student-Athlete Development Coordinator. Tariq Wilson will also go down in the NC State record books after his stellar career. He was a five-time NCAA qualifier, three-time All-American (3rd, R12, COVID, 3rd, 7th), and two-time ACC Champion. Wilson finished with a career record of 122-31 for the Wolfpack. While Thomas Bullard may have never made the All-American podium, he was critical to the success of the Wolfpack program over the past six years. He was a five-time NCAA qualifier and won many crucial matches for the Pack on his way to a career record of 104-46. NEWCOMERS Jackson Arrington will be jumping into the lineup as a true freshman for the Wolfpack, filling the spot left by the graduation of Tariq Wilson. He was a major recruit for Coach Popolizio. A three-time PA State Champion, he was #28 on the Big Board and has an incredibly high ceiling. He knocked off fellow true freshman Finn Solomon to earn the starting spot. Matty Singleton is another true freshman that may see time in the starting lineup for the Wolfpack at 174. He was a four-time Georgia State Champion with an overall record of 213-3 and was #13 on the Big Board. Singelton was beaten by Brock Delsignore in the finals of the wrestle-offs, so Delsignore will get the nod to start, but I expect that we will see Singleton in the lineup at points, as well, to see where he stands in competition. WRESTLERS TO WATCH Kai Orine won the starting spot last year at 133 and had a good freshman year. He made the round of 16 at the NCAA tournament, going 2-2 in Detroit. He finished the year at 18-7 and took third place at the ACC tournament. We got glimpses of his potential last year and I think he can be something special at 133. The 125 weight class will be a big one to watch for the potential impact it could have on the ACC race. Jarrett Trombley will start the season, and enters with a #17 ranking to start the year. He is a two-time NCAA qualifier at 133--where he made the round of 16 in 2021. Jakob Camacho, who has been the starter at 125 the past three seasons, is recovering from offseason knee surgery. Camacho is a three-time NCAA qualifier and two-time ACC Champion. The coaching staff will make the call over the course of the season on whether Camacho will be healthy enough to return in the second half of the season, or whether Trombley will hold the weight for the entire season. The weight class will be in good hands with either wrestler, so this will be an interesting one to watch. TOP OUT-OF-CONFERENCE DUAL Coach Popolizio and crew have put together another strong schedule that will see them dual several top-20 teams, including a second trip to the Journeymen Collegiate Duals in New Orleans. Both pool matches, #28 Cal Poly and #21 Lehigh, in New Orleans, will feature great individual matchups. I am very intrigued by the early season dual they will have against Nebraska at the inaugural WrangleMania in Bethlehem, PA. They will face #14 Nebraska to open the event. The matchup between #7 Ed Scott and #4 Peyton Robb alone will be worth the price of admission, but there are several other fun matchups as well. Keep an eye on Isaac Trumble facing his home-state school--this is probably more interesting to me as a Nebraska-native than it is to most people… #14 Nebraska 149 #4 Ridge Lovett (possible redshirt) v Jackson Arrington 157 #4 Peyton Robb v #7 Ed Scott 174 #3 Michael Labriola v Brock Delsignore/Matty Singleton 197 #27 Silas Allred v #18 Isaac Trumble POTENTIAL LINEUP 125: #17 Jarrett Trombley (10-4) 2x NCAA Qualifier *Jakob Camacho (18-5) 3x NCAA Qualifier 2x ACC Champ *Out with injury--may return 2nd semester 133: #11 Kai Orine (18-7) NCAA Qualifier 141: #21 Ryan Jack (18-9) NCAA Qualifier 149: Jackson Arrington True Freshman/Finn Solomon True Freshman/Hunter Lewis (14-8) 157: #7 Ed Scott (26-4) NCAA Qualifier (R12) ACC Champ 165: Donald Cates (15-6)/Derek Fields (24-9) 174: Brock Delsignore (20-8)/Matty Singleton True Freshman 184: #3 Trent Hidlay (21-2) 3x NCAA Qualifier 2x All-American (2nd 2021, 5th 2022) 2x ACC Champion 3x ACC Finalist 197: #18 Isaac Trumble (21-6) NCAA Qualifier ACC Finalist 285: #13 Tyrie Houghton (22-11) NCAA Qualifier/Owen Trephan (18-6)

Zach Sherman in a 2021-22 dual with Ohio State's Sammy Sasso (photos courtesy of Sam Janicki; SJanickiPhoto.com) As the ACC continues to rise in national prominence, the programs continue to challenge themselves with scheduling high-level out-of-conference duals. This year is no exception with the ACC programs matching up with multiple top-10 programs both at home and on the road. We are going to take a quick trip through the out-of-conference schedules for each team and highlight their biggest duals, and the matches I am most looking forward to in each dual. All the rankings are based on the Intermat's Preseason Dual Team Rankings and individual weight class rankings. Duke @ Maryland November 5 285 #27 Jaron Smith v Jonah Neisenbaum @ Appalachian State January 24 141 Heath Gonyer v Jared Papscy 165 #14 Will Formato v Gabe Dinette #17 Pittsburgh Home vs #21 Lehigh November 19 157 #10 Josh Humphreys vs #12 Dazjon Casto 197 #8 Michael Beard vs #10 Nino Bonaccorsi @ #24 Illinois December 3 133 #5 Lucas Byrd vs #8 Micky Phillippi 174 #16 Edmond Ruth vs Luca Augustine 197 #14 Zac Braunagel vs #10 Nino Bonaccorsi Home vs #13 Iowa State February 4 141 Casey Swideirski v #1 Cole Matthews 197 #6 Yonger Bastida vs #10 Nino Bonaccorsi #18 UNC Home vs #8 Michigan November 13 133 #6 Dylan Ragusin v #14 Jaime Hernandez 157 #3 Will Lewan v #8 Austin O'Connor 184 #15 Zach Finesilver v #10 Gavin Kane Home vs #4 Ohio State November 20 141 #7 Dylan D'Emilio v #20 Lachlan McNeil 149 #3 Sammy Sasso v #16 Zach Sherman 157 #23 Paddy Gallagher v #8 Austin O'Connor 174 #6 Ethan Smith v #5 Clay Lautt 184 #4 Kaleb Romero v #10 Gavin Kane Collegiate Duals in New Orleans December 20 #1 Penn State 133 #1 Roman Bravo-Young v #14 Jaime Hernandez 141 #15 Beau Bartlett v #20 Lachlan McNeil 174 #1 Carter Starocci v #5 Clay Lautt 184 #1 Aaron Brooks v #10 Gavin Kane #12 NC State Journeymen WrangleMania Bethlehem PA #14 Nebraska November 12 157 #4 Peyton Robb v #7 Ed Scott 174 #3 Michael Labriola v Brock Delsignore/Matty Singleton 197 #27 Silas Allred v #18 Isaac Trumble Journeymen Arm Bar at the Armory Albany NY #24 Illinois November 18 133 #5 Lucas Byrd v #11 Kai Orine 174 #16 Edmond Ruth v Brock Delsignore/Matty Singleton 197 #14 Zac Braunagel v #18 Isaac Trumble Journeymen Collegiate Duals December 20 #28 Cal Poly 149 #13 Dom Demas v Jackson Arrington 157 #29 Luka Wick v #7 Ed Scott 184 #19 Adam Kemp v #3 Trent Hidlay 197 #5 Bernie Truax v #18 Isaac Trumble Journeymen Collegiate Duals December 20 #21 Lehigh 141 #22 Malyke Hines v #21 Ryan Jack 157 #10 Josh Humphries v #7 Ed Scott 184 #14 Tate Samuelson v #3 Trent Hidlay 197 #8 Michael Beard v #18 Isaac Trumble Virginia Home vs #9 Northwestern November 20 141 #8 Frankie Tal-Shahar v Dylan Cedeno 149 #9 Yahya Thomas v #21 Jarod Verkleeren 197 #31 Andrew Davison v #32 Michael Battista @ #29 Campbell 141 #18 Shannon Hanna v Dylan Cedeno 184 #20 Caleb Hopkins v #24 Neil Antrassian #15 Virginia Tech @ #4 Ohio State November 11 125 #11 Malik Heinselman v Cooper Flynn/#28 Eddie Ventresca 149 #3 Sammy Sasso v Caleb Henson 157 #23 Paddy Gallagher v #6 Bryce Andonian 174 #6 Ethan Smith v #2 Mekhi Lewis 184 #4 Kaleb Romero v #11 Hunter Bolen Home vs #6 Cornell January 6 133 #3 Vito Arujau v #13 Sam Latona 149 #1 Yianni Diakomihalis v Caleb Henson 174 #11 Chris Foca v #2 Mekhi Lewis 285 #9 Lewis Fernandes v #19 Hunter Catka Home vs #3 Mizzou December 11 149 #5 Brock Mauller v Caleb Henson 157 #17 Jarrett Jacques v #6 Bryce Andonian 174 #10 Peyton Mocco v #2 Mekhi Lewis @ Stanford December 18 149 #10 Jaden Abas v Caleb Henson

4x NCAA All-American Hayden Hidlay (photos courtesy of Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com) Hey there, college wrestling season. How are you? It's been awhile. Did you have a good summer? That's cool, I did, too. No, I haven't quit yet. I'm working on it. No, I haven't been fired from the mailbag yet. I know, I know. I'm a hack, but I've actually done more wrestling talk lately. We actually have the forum here now and it's just like the old one. The ghost of Bob Dole put it together and he did quite a fine job. Yeah, Cinnabon popped up but who cares. So are you going to give us a good season this year? You gonna keep Spencer Lee healthy for us? Is Micic still around? Is Gable coming back? He left you on read? That's cold. Alright, I'll stop asking for spoilers but you better have something good for us in store. If you could hand one wrestler a Money In The Bank briefcase that they could cash in on the number one ranked wrestler at any event for the number one ranking, who are you booking to carry that briefcase? Rhino184 It's the last match of the Cliff Keen finals. Mason Parris just disposed of Cohlton Schultz to finally claim the number one spot. He's exhausted from hauling big Cohl all over the mat. Music hits. That's Gable Steveson! He's back and he's gonna cash in the briefcase! How will Mason handle this! The referee tells Gable he's not eligible until the next semester. The next thing you know is Gable is at the Royal Rumble and you never see him on a wrestling mat again. Who booked this crap? How many dual meets watched per season qualifies you as having a problem? Like fifty? I felt a little worried the other night after watching Queens and The Citadel that I might be addicted to dual meets. Hayden Hidlay All-Americans! They're just like us! And don't worry my friend, you can do way better than fifty per season. That's like one month for the hardcore fans. I first realized I had a problem when I was tweeting about the woman at Utah Valley who waves pom-poms on the edge of the mat when I was watching it at like 11:30 at night. I love dual meets and I love to watch multiple meets at a time. Luckily for us, my man Earl lists what's on and where to watch them every week and you can find that here. Don't forget, the ESPN app has the multi-screen option for both Apple TV and Xbox so don't worry about having to pick one or the other. You can watch them all. The sicko in me is a little upset that Vanguard-California Baptist (don't you dare call them Cal Baptist) isn't streaming anywhere this week. Editor's Note: Hayden will be on the call for ACC matches this year starting with tonight's dual between Appalachian State and NC State Would you pay eight dollars for a blue check? Would I? Willie Saylor I told you awhile back to get us all blue check marks and you told me to go have intercourse with myself. Now you're going to buy them for us as Christmas gifts. So I guess the answer is yes, you would buy one. Maybe there's a deal where you buy in bulk so Seth Petarra can get one. It's all he talks about. Would you rather pay for a blue check mark or watch the Greco World Cup? Richard A Mann You watch and score slap fights, but don't watch Greco? Alright, that's a lie. Richard here watches every single sport that consists of one human trying to physically harm another human. Be it real or fake. I, on the other hand, have yet to really sink my teeth into Greco-Roman, but I respect it. You can all check it out this weekend on the UWW app and get back to me with a full report. Is Lantern Fly season over? Drop Tweetin Sadly, no. It hasn't been as bad lately, but they do tend to come out more when it's hot and it's been unseasonably warm lately. Apparently, we have Game of Thrones summers now. I will be training a salt gun militia this winter if they come back next year. Will you accept the results of this year's NCAA championships? Pelikan Head That would depend on how many Jersey guys end up on the podium. If it's not to my liking then my salt gun militia is storming a Casey's Pizza or something. Top three D1 wrestlers with the most swag for this upcoming season? Old School Wrestling Clips You're asking the wrong guy there. My swag days went away with denim jackets and rope chains. I will back any team that wears a robe, so I'm all about Iowa State. Would Steve Bartman have made it out of the stadium if he robbed a Phillies player in Philadelphia? Baby Grajales Why would Bartman go to Philly to rob someone? The man has been off the grid for twenty years and he's just gonna show up at a baseball game and do a rip and run on an actual player? Sounds crazy to me. Enjoy week one all you Jagoffs and Jaggettes! On a personal note, I lost my dog on the last day of the season last year and we are adopting a new dog on the first day of the season this year. What does that mean? Nothing really, but I think we will name her Amit Elor because she's a champion.

clockwise from top left, Cohlton Schultz, Keegan O'Toole, Jonathan Millner, Mekhi Lewis, Izzak Olejnik, Yianni Diakomihalis and Spencer Lee (Schultz/O'Toole photos courtesy of Tony Rotundo; others from Sam Janicki) All-ACC Team 125: Eddie Ventresca (Virginia Tech) 133: Micky Phillippi (Pittsburgh) 141: Cole Matthews (Pittsburgh) 149: Zach Sherman (North Carolina) 157: Bryce Andonian (Virginia Tech) 165: Justin McCoy (Virginia) 174: Mekhi Lewis (Virginia Tech) 184: Trent Hidlay (NC State) 197: Nino Bonaccorsi (Pittsburgh) 285: Hunter Catka (Virginia Tech) Freshman of the Year: Lachlan McNeil (North Carolina) Wrestler of the Year: Mekhi Lewis (Virginia Tech) Preseason Team Pick: Virginia Tech All-Big Ten Team 125: Spencer Lee (Iowa) 133: Roman Bravo-Young (Penn State) 141: Real Woods (Iowa) 149: Austin Gomez (Wisconsin) 157: Brayton Lee (Minnesota) 165: Cam Amine (Michigan) 174: Carter Starocci (Penn State) 184: Aaron Brooks (Penn State) 197: Max Dean (Penn State) 285: Greg Kerkvliet (Penn State) Freshman of the Year: Jesse Mendez (Ohio State) Wrestler of the Year: Spencer Lee (Iowa) Preseason Team Pick: Penn State All-Big 12 Team 125: Killian Cardinale (West Virginia) 133: Daton Fix (Oklahoma State) 141: Andrew Alirez (Northern Colorado) 149: Brock Mauller (Missouri) 157: Jared Franek (North Dakota State) 165: Keegan O'Toole (Missouri) 174: Dustin Plott (Oklahoma State) 184: Parker Keckeisen (Northern Iowa) 197: Stephen Buchanan (Wyoming) 285: Wyatt Hendrickson (Air Force) Freshman of the Year: Mitchell Mesenbrink (California Baptist) Wrestler of the Year: Keegan O'Toole (Missouri) Preseason Team Pick: Missouri All-EIWA Team 125: Patrick Glory (Princeton) 133: Vito Arujau (Cornell) 141: Matt Kazimir (Columbia) 149: Yianni Diakomihalis (Cornell) 157: Quincy Monday (Princeton) 165: Julian Ramirez (Cornell) 174: Mickey O'Malley (Drexel) 184: Jonathan Loew (Cornell) 197: Louie DePrez (Binghamton) 285: Yaraslau Slavikouski (Harvard) Freshman of the Year: Vince Cornella (Cornell) Wrestler of the Year: Yianni Diakomihalis (Cornell) Preseason Team Pick: Cornell All-MAC Team 125: Anthony Noto (Lock Haven) 133: Richie Koehler (Rider) 141: Saul Ervin (SIU Edwardsville) 149: Johnny Lovett (Central Michigan) 157: Ashton Eyler (Lock Haven) 165: Izzak Olejnik (Northern Illinois) 174: Jay Nivison (Buffalo) 184: Will Feldkamp (Clarion) 197: Ethan Laird (Rider) 285: Isaac Reid (Lock Haven) Freshman of the Year: Blake West (Northern Illinois) Wrestler of the Year: Izzak Olejnik (Northern Illinois) Preseason Team Pick: Lock Haven All-Pac-12 Team 125: Brandon Courtney (Arizona State) 133: Michael McGee (Arizona State) 141: Jesse Vasquez (Arizona State) 149: Kyle Parco (Arizona State) 157: Luka Wick (Cal Poly) 165: Shane Griffith (Stanford) 174: Tyler Eischens (Stanford) 184: Trey Munoz (Oregon State) 197: Bernie Truax (Cal Poly) 285: Cohlton Schultz (Arizona STate) Freshman of the Year: Cael Valencia (Arizona State) Wrestler of the Year: Cohlton Schultz (Arizona State) Preseason Team Pick: Arizona State All-SoCon Team 125: Caleb Smith (Appalachian State) 133: Brayden Palmer (Chattanooga) 141: Shannon Hanna (Campbell) 149: Jonathan Millner (Appalachian State) 157: Cody Bond (Appalachian State) 165: Will Formato (Appalachian State) 174: Rocky Jordan (Chattanooga) 184: Caleb Hopkins (Campbell) 197: Levi Hopkins (Campbell) 285: Taye Ghadiali (Campbell) Freshman of the Year: Kamdyn Munro (Chattanooga) Wrestler of the Year: Jonathan Millner (Appalachian State) Preseason Team Pick: Campbell

2x NCAA qualifier Patrick McCormick (photos courtesy of Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com) The Hoos return the bulk of their lineup as they look to build off the successes of last season. They will be led by five returning NCAA qualifiers including preseason #9 Justin McCoy and #13 Jake Keating. They will have a great balance led by experienced starters with young talent working to break into the lineup. Coach Garland and company have put together some solid recruiting classes and have several redshirt and true freshmen pushing the starters. A few of those freshmen put on a show during the wrestle-offs and made the case that they are ready to go. Garrett Grice, Kyle Montaperto, and Nick Sanko all looked phenomenal last week; I am very excited to see how their five dates are used to get them experience. The future is bright for the Hoos. The coaching staff took a different approach to off-season conditioning this year and they are entering the season healthier than they have been the past few years; Coach Garland has also spoken very highly of the team nutritionist and the improvements the team has made in regard to weight management. Both of these things could prove to be very beneficial in March. TOP RETURNER Justin McCoy returns for his fourth year in the starting lineup coming off his best year in Charlottesville. Last season he put together a 20-4 record and nearly made the podium in Detroit, falling to Peyton Hall in the bloodround. He is a three-time NCAA qualifier and a two-time ACC finalist; falling to Hayden Hidlay and Jake Wentzel. McCoy returns healthy and ready to make a run at an ACC title and the podium in Tulsa. He is an integral part of the culture in the room and is a leader on the team and is poised to have another great season. KEY DEPARTURES Jay Aiello made his mark on the UVA program in his time in Charlottesville. He was an ACC champ, a three-time ACC finalist and a four-time NCAA qualifier. He dropped in the bloodround in Detroit after some…uh, questionable officiating…in his match against Max Dean, who would go on to win an NCAA title. Jay also won a bronze medal at the U23 World Championships in his final season. He made the USA Wrestling National Team and is still living in Charlottesville, training with the Cavalier Wrestling RTC. Quinn Miller graduated last year after a successful career with the Hoos. He was a three-time NCAA qualifier and an anchor for the team in many duals. He was also the winner of the inaugural InterMat ACC Award for Best Facial Hair. He was at the wrestle-offs this weekend, and I'm happy to report that he still has a fantastic mustache. Brian Courtney quietly put together an impressive resume during his time in Charlottesville. He bounced between 133 and 141 depending on the needs of the team and qualified for the NCAA tournament at both weights. He had a great run in Detroit to make the bloodround where he fell in a tough match to Devan Turner. NEWCOMERS Neil Antrassian transferred from Penn to UVA for grad school and will finish out his eligibility with the Hoos. He was a two-year starter for the Quakers--the Ivy League did not compete in 2021--and comes to Charlottesville with an above .500 record for his career. Gabe Christensen transferred mid-year last season from Iowa as a 197 and has bulked up to fill the spot left by the graduation of Quinn Miller. He has looked strong and will be competitive at the weight. WRESTLERS TO WATCH McCoy enters the year with a preseason top-10 ranking and will definitely be one to watch, but there are two others that I'm keeping an eye on. Jake Keating is coming off his second trip to the NCAA tournament where he went 2-2. He had an injury-shortened season but made the most of his time on the mat. He went 17-7 in a compressed season and placed 3rd at the ACC tournament. He finds himself in the toughest weight in the ACC but will be challenging for the top spot. Michael Battista has improved every year he has been in the UVA room and I expect that trend to continue. He is coming off his first NCAA appearance and a 15-8 record. He will make the move up a weight class to fill the spot vacated with the graduation of Jay Aiello; I think this will be a great move for Battista. He was big at 184 and I think the weight management took away from some of the horsepower he has that makes him dangerous. He will be able to compete on full feed at 197 and the schedule lines up well for him at that weight. TOP OUT-OF-CONFERENCE DUAL The Hoos will have an early-season test at home when they face #9 Northwestern in Memorial Gym. This serves as the back half of a home and home dual that was made after the late cancellation of the Midlands last year. There will be several good head-to-head matches and several that will be a good measuring stick for the younger guys in the lineup. 141 #9 Frankie Tal-Shahar v Dylan Cedeno 149 #9 Yahya Thomas v #20 Jarod Verkleeren 184 Jack Jessen v #24 Neil Antrassian 197 #32 Andrew Davison v #33 Michael Battista POTENTIAL LINEUP 125: Patrick McCormick (14-13) 2x NCAA Qualifier 133: Eric Roggie (12-6) Southeast Open Champ Freshman/Sophomore Div Garrett Grice True Freshman 141: Dylan Cedeno (5-8) NCAA Qualifier 149: #21 Jarod Verkleeren (16-10) NCAA Qualifier 157: #13 Jake Keating (17-7) 2x NCAA Qualifier 165: #9 Justin McCoy (20-4) 3x NCAA Qualifier (Blood Round 2022) 174: Vic Marcelli (5-4) NCAA Qualifier Justin Phillips (15-11) 184: #24 Neil Antrassian (16-10 at Penn) 197: #32 Michael Battista (15-8) NCAA Qualifier 285: Gabe Christensen (10-6)