InterMat Staff

Custer County

With the conclusion of the NCAA wrestling tournament, you’d think that it means it’s the offseason for college wrestling and all focus should turn to the Olympic styles, right? Maybe in the past, but in a new era of collegiate athletics, once the final whistle has blown on a particular postseason, it means it’s time to turn your attention to the transfer portal. Love it or hate it, it’s the reality. Student-athletes have the ability to transfer much more freely than past generations. There was lots of movement last “offseason” and I don’t foresee that changing this year. It’s only been a few days since the NCAA Tournament finished so there haven’t been many transfers announced, however, the portal numbers are starting to grow. In Philly, we noticed a few prominent names in the portal, so it seemed like the perfect time to start our “Portal Watch.” The first list of wrestlers we’ve listed have already publicly committed to a new transfer destination. That new school is listed first, along with their projected weight, followed by their former school. Below them are notable wrestlers that have gone into the transfer portal. It is not a comprehensive list. Expect many updates to this feature in the coming weeks and months. Transfers Michigan: Taye Ghadiali (285) - Campbell Portal Nasir Bailey (133) - Little Rock Christian Carroll (197) - Iowa State Hunter Catka (285) - Virginia Tech Cody Chittum (157) - Iowa State Remy Cotton (197) - Michigan State Isaac Dean (184) - Rider David Evans (149) - Penn State Alex Facundo (157/165) - Penn State Joe Fongaro (149) - Rutgers Luke Gayer (165) - Rutgers Louie Gill (125) - NC State Bryce Hepner (157/165) - Ohio State) Chase Horne (285) - NC State Hunter Mason (141) - Virginia Tech Lachlan McNeil (149) - North Carolina Billy Meiszner (149) - Kent State Spencer Moore (125) - North Carolina Draegen Orine (133) - NC State Isaiah Powe (141) - Chattanooga Caleb Rathjen (149) - Iowa Zach Redding (141) - Iowa State Gary Steen (125/133) - Penn State Mike Slade (184/197) - Campbell Casey Swiderski (141/149) - Iowa State David Szuba (285) - Rider Kysen Terukina (125) - Iowa State Colton Washleski (157) - Rider Jordan Williams (149) - Little Rock

Lawndale

Case

River Ridge

Spain Park via King U

Passaic County Tech

Copper Hills

Becton

Gateway

Princeton

Nutley

The 2025 NCAA Championships are in the books and what a tournament it was! We saw history made on many different fronts. With the ending to the final match, it will certainly be talked about for years to come. Before the tournament, and after the brackets were released, we had a laundry list of random facts, stats, and trends relating to the brackets and conference tournaments. With the NCAA tournament complete, we have even more! Enjoy them and let us know what you liked best or if you have some of your own! Team Related Notes Arizona State’s one All-American (Cohlton Schultz) is the school’s smallest number since 2016 (zero). AJ Ferrari became CSU Bakersfield’s first top-three finisher since Stephen Neal won the second of his two titles in 1999. Ferrari was the first non-California native to All-American for CSU Bakersfield since Paschal Duru (Denver, Colorado) made the national finals in 1996. Lucas Byrd won the first national title by an Illinois wrestler since Isaiah Martinez in 2016. He’s also the first three-time All-American since Martinez made the national finals in 2017. Though he was a two-time NCAA 5th place finisher, before Philly, Lucas Byrd only had three championship-side wins in his three prior appearances. In 2021, he lost in the Round of 16 and took fifth. In 2022, he was upset in the first round and wrestled back to his spot on the podium. In 2023, Byrd advanced to the quarters, but lost in the bloodround. Illinois finished in the top-ten (10th) for the first time since 2016 when they tied for ninth. DJ Washington is Indiana’s first All-American since Nate Jackson in 2017. In addition, he’s the first Hoosier All-American from the state of Indiana since Adam Chalfant got on the podium since 2014. Drake Ayala is the first Iowa wrestler to lose in multiple national finals since Cory Clark in 2015 and 2016. Stephen Buchanan’s win over Josh Barr was the first by an Iowa wrestler over Penn State in the NCAA finals since Matt McDonough defeated Nico Megaludis in 2012. Penn State had won six head-to-head finals matches during that span. Since the inception of the current weights in (1998-99), Iowa had been without a national champion at 197 lbs. Stephen Buchanan is the first. The last Hawkeye in that general range to win was Lee Fullhart (190 lbs) in 1997. After not having an All-American before 2024, Little Rock now has multiple All-Americans in back-to-back seasons. Little Rock has now finished in the top 20 in back-to-back years. Michigan’s two All-Americans was the school’s lowest number since the 2024 tournament. Minnesota tied for a fifth-place finish. It was the first time that the Gophers have finished in the top five since 2014. Gable Steveson joins Steve Mocco, Tony Nelson, and Nick Gwiazdowski as heavyweights within the last 20 years who were beaten as seniors attempting to win their third national title. Navy had multiple All-Americans (Koderhandt/Wask) for the first time since 2009 when Joe Baker and Bryce Saddoris got on the podium. Vince Robinson is NC State’s first NCAA champion since Mike Macchiavello in 2018. Robinson is also NC State’s first lightweight national champion. Before him, Darrion Caldwell (149 lbs) was the smallest champion for the Wolfpack. Nebraska set a whole bunch of school records in Philly. Their second-place finish was a program high - as were their 117 team points and eight All-Americans. Ridge Lovett (and then Antrell Taylor) became Nebraska’s first national champion since Jordan Burroughs in 2011 - which also occurred in Philly’s Wells Fargo Center. Lovett and Taylor became the first Nebraska teammates to win in the same year since the Scherr’s (Jim and Bill) who both won in 1984. Coming into Lovett’s match, Nebraska was 0 for their last 5 in NCAA finals matches. Since Burroughs’ 2011 win, TJ Dudley (2016), Tyler Berger (2019), Lovett (2022), Mikey Labriola (2023), and Brock Hardy (2025) all had lost in the NCAA championship bout. For the first time in their era as a DI program, Northern Colorado put two wrestlers on the podium (Stevo Poulin and Vince Zerban). Northern Iowa’s ninth-place finish was the best for the program since they were fifth in 1962. Jesse Mendez won his second consecutive national title. He’s Ohio State’s first multi-time champion since Kyle Snyder was active in 2017. Ohio State’s two All-Americans are a low that has only bit hit one other time during the Tom Ryan era (2007-2025) With Dean Hamiti and Wyatt Hendrickson winning national titles for Oklahoma State, it marked the first time that the Cowboys have produced multiple champions in the same season since 2016 (Heil/Dieringer). CJ Composto is Penn’s first multiple-time All-American since his coach, Matt Valenti, finished his career as a three-time AA in 2007. Penn’s 16th-place finish was their first in the top-20 since they were 20th in 2016. Not only did Penn State put 10 wrestlers on the podium, but eight of them were in third place or better. Of the other two, Greg Kerkvliet lost in the semifinals and forfeited down to sixth place. Penn State’s team point record jumped from 172.5 last year to 177 this weekend. Matt Ramos became Purdue’s first two-time All-American since Chris Fleeger and Ben Wissel got on the podium in 2006. Purdue’s 13th-place finish was the program’s best since a 12th-place showing in 1992. Rider had an All-American for a third consecutive season (Sammy Alvarez/Quinn Kinner/Ethan Laird). The last time the Broncs hit that mark was 2015-17. They’ve had an AA in each of the last two years at 149 lbs. Alvarez was also the only All-American for the MAC. Caleb Henson became only the second Virginia Tech wrestler to make multiple national finals appearances. Peyton Hall became the second West Virginia wrestler to earn All-American honors on three occasions. Greg Jones (2002-05) is the other. West Virginia (18-tie) finished in the top 20 for a second consecutive year. It was the first time they’ve achieved that feat since 2004-05. State Related Notes Zeth Romney was the only 2025 All-American to hail from California. This is the lowest total in 30+ years….maybe the lowest ever. Christopher Minto is the first freshman from Florida to make the NCAA podium since Scotti Sentes did so for Central Michigan in 2009. The three All-Americans from Georgia (Caleb Henson/Matty Singleton/Jaxon Smith) are the most ever from the state. Georgia has now produced multiple All-Americans in each of the last three years. Ridge Lovett is the first national champion from Idaho since Jake Rosholt won his third NCAA title in 2006. The five All-Americans from the state of Iowa are their most since hitting that same number in 2017. Wyatt Hendrickson is the first three-time All-American from Kansas since Kendric Maple finished his career in 2014. Hendrickson is also the first national champion from Kansas since Maple. Stephen Little is the first two-time All-American from Kentucky since Kyle Ruschell in 2009 and 2010. Tyler Knox is the first NCAA All-American from Massachusetts since Vic Avery made the podium for Edinboro in 2015. Both All-Americans from the state of Missouri are freshmen. Luke Lilledahl and Zan Fugitt. Antrell Taylor is the first national champion from the state of Nebraska since Brad Vering won in 2000. There were a pair of All-Americans from Nebraska (Taylor/Isaac Trumble) for the first time since 2009 when Brandon Browne and Craig Brester got on the podium. Connor McGonagle is the first New Hampshire native to make the NCAA podium since Eric Bradley was eighth for Penn State in 2006. Stevo Poulin was the only All-American from New York. Their one All-American is the smallest total for New York since 2001 when they had zero. The six All-Americans from Pennsylvania is the state’s lowest total in over 30+ years. Owen Trephan is the first All-American to call South Carolina home since TJ Dudley got on the podium in 2017. Brock Hardy is the first NCAA finalist from Utah since Matt Brown won a national title in 2015. This was the first time since 2013 that multiple Utah natives made the podium - this year it was Hardy/Terrell Barraclough. In 2013, it was Jason Chamberlain, Brown, and Ethen Lofthouse. The state of Wisconsin had a pair of national champions (Mesenbrink/Buchanan). The last time multiple Wisconsin natives won titles was in 2007 with Ben Askren and Cole Konrad. Wisconsin matched Pennsylvania with six All-Americans. It’s the most in 30+ years and likely the most in history for the state. Wisconsin also had a finalist in four consecutive weights (165-197). The team title for Penn State is the 12th for head coach Cael Sanderson. That puts him ahead of Ed Gallagher on the all-time list and has him trailing only Dan Gable (15). The following wrestlers earned All-American honors for the fifth time: Keegan O’Toole (Missouri), Parker Keckeisen (Northern Iowa), Carter Starocci (Penn State), Greg Kerkvliet (Penn State), Cohlton Schultz (Arizona State). The following head coaches had their first All-Americans during their head coaching tenure: Angel Escobedo (Indiana), Alex Clemsen (Maryland), Obe Blanc (North Dakota State), David Taylor (Oklahoma State), and Adam Hall (Utah Valley). Bracketing/Seeding notes The only weight class that saw the top-four seeds finish in the top-four - from #1 through #4 - was 184 lbs. The best bracket for the Big 12 was 165 lbs as they had four of the eight All-Americans. The Big Ten accounted for 37 of the 80 All-Americans. The Big Ten had five All-Americans at both 133 and 184 lbs. Some of the weirdest All-American finishes (compared to the conference tournaments) came in the 133 lb bracket. The fourth-place finisher, Zan Fugitt, was ninth in the Big Ten and the #14 seed. The seventh-place finisher, Jacob Van Dee, was eighth in the Big Ten and the #17 seed. The eighth-place finisher, Tyler Knox, did not qualify through ACC and had to get an at-large berth and was the #13 seed. Gavin Drexler and DJ Washington tied for the lowest seeds to make the podium. They were both #22 seeds. Five weight classes featured three or more double-digit seeds to make the podium. 133, 149, 157, 174, and 197. Only four top-four seeds failed to make the podium. Three #4’s and one #3. The #3 was Nasir Bailey, and the #4’s were Paniro Johnson, Rafael Hipolito, and Garrett Thompson. This tournament featured a pair of past national champions who failed to make the podium. Richie Figueroa and Andrew Alirez. 11 freshmen made the NCAA podium in 2025 - down from 15 in 2024. Luke Lilledahl was the only true freshman from the Class of 2024. Camden McDanel is classified as a true freshman, but he took a greyshirt year in 2023-24. Recruiting related Notes Of the NCAA champions, only Stephen Buchanan was not listed on the MatScouts Big Board coming out of high school. Three of the ten NCAA champions were ranked in the top-10 overall coming out of high school. #4 Jesse Mendez (2022), #6 Dean Hamiti (2021), #9 Carter Starocci (2019). Three others were ranked in the top 25. #16 Ridge Lovett (2019), #18 Lucas Byrd (2019), #25 Antrell Taylor (2022). Half of the ten NCAA runner-up’s were ranked in the top-10 overall coming out of high school. #1 Gable Steveson (2018), #4 Drake Ayala (2021), #4 Josh Barr (2023), #5 Keegan O’Toole (2020), #9 Brock Hardy (2018). Seven of the 80 All-Americans were not listed on MatScouts final Big Board in their respective senior years of high school. Caleb Smith, Matt Ramos, CJ Composto, Terrell Barraclough, DJ Washington, Buchanan, and Josh Heindselman.

West Deptford

Athens

Rockhurst

Marshalltown

Roland-Story

Louisa County

Owen J. Roberts

Glenbard North

Dominion

Thomas Edison

Two days after wrapping up their 12th NCAA team title under Cael Sanderson, Penn State got some good news on the recruiting front. 2024 World Champion Masanosuke Ono of Japan announced on FloWrestling’s “FRL” that he will wrestle for the Nittany Lions next year. There were some rumblings that this was in the works after Ono’s name appeared on the school’s directory as a registered student last week. In 2024, Ono won 61 kg titles at the U20 and Senior levels. In both events, he notched one-sided victories over American competitors. At U20’s, he downed Marcus Blaze (future Penn State teammate) 7-2 in the semifinals. At the World Championships for non-Olympic weights, Ono teched Vito Arujau 12-0, also in the semifinals. Ono recently competed in America, where he took on Spencer Lee in February’s “Night in America: Lee vs Ono” card in Coralville, Iowa. In that bout, he edged Lee 3-2 in a bout that took place at 59.5 kg. During his announcement interview, Ono did not state a weight class preference. His current 61 kg weight class comes out to about 134.4 lbs. At a few events in 2024, before the World Championships, Ono competed at 65 kg (143 lbs). If I had to guess, I would say probably 141 lbs, but perhaps 133 lbs. We’re not sure if Ono would be able to hold 133 lbs with the frequent weigh-ins that occur during the collegiate season. The Nittany Lions will also have a hole at 141 lbs, as three-time All-American Beau Bartlett is out of eligibility. Ono will have to get accustomed to folkstyle, but we have seen recent success with foreign wrestlers who’ve had to adjust to the American style (Anthony Echemendia, Yonger Bastida are a few recent examples). Oklahoma State brought over Japanese wrestler Rin Sakamoto for the 2024-25 campaign. His only competition was an 11-1 loss to NCAA finalist Drake Ayala in a match that was closer than the scoreboard would indicate. There will likely be an adjustment period for Ono in actual folkstyle competitions, but there’s no reason to think he couldn’t be a huge star for the Nittany Lions.

On Thursday morning, 330 wrestlers entered the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia with the goal of being a national champion. After the final match was wrestled on Saturday night, only ten wrestlers were left standing without a loss and declared champions. They'll get to add their name to the very exclusive list of NCAA champions. Below we've added the 2025 champions into the list of wrestlers who have won national titles since the year 2000. 125 lbs 2025: Vince Robinson (NC State) 2024: Richie Figueroa (Arizona State) 2023: Patrick Glory (Princeton) 2022: Nick Suriano (Michigan) 2021: Spencer Lee (Iowa) 2019: Spencer Lee (Iowa) 2018: Spencer Lee (Iowa) 2017: Darian Cruz (Lehigh) 2016: Nico Megaludis (Penn State) 2015: Nathan Tomasello (Ohio State) 2014: Jesse Delgado (Illinois) 2013: Jesse Delgado (Illinois) 2012: Matt McDonough (Iowa) 2011: Anthony Robles (Arizona State) 2010: Matt McDonough (Iowa) 2009: Troy Nickerson (Cornell) 2008: Angel Escobedo (Indiana) 2007: Paul Donahoe (Nebraska) 2006: Joe Dubuque (Indiana) 2005: Joe Dubuque (Indiana) 2004: Jason Powell (Nebraska) 2003: Travis Lee (Cornell) 2002: Stephan Abas (Fresno State) 2001: Stephan Abas (Fresno State) 2000: Jeremy Hunter (Penn State) 133 lbs 2025: Lucas Byrd (Illinois) 2024: Vito Arujau (Cornell) 2023: Vito Arujau (Cornell) 2022: Roman Bravo-Young (Penn State) 2021: Roman Bravo-Young (Penn State) 2019: Nick Suriano (Rutgers) 2018: Seth Gross (South Dakota State) 2017: Cory Clark (Iowa) 2016: Nahshon Garrett (Cornell) 2015: Cody Brewer (Oklahoma) 2014: Tony Ramos (Iowa) 2013: Logan Stieber (Ohio State) 2012: Logan Stieber (Ohio State) 2011: Jordan Oliver (Oklahoma State) 2010: Jayson Ness (Minnesota) 2009: Franklin Gomez (Michigan State) 2008: Coleman Scott (Oklahoma State) 2007: Matt Valenti (Penn) 2006: Matt Valenti (Penn) 2005: Travis Lee (Cornell) 2004: Zach Roberson (Iowa State) 2003: Johnny Thompson (Oklahoma State) 2002: Johnny Thompson (Oklahoma State) 2001: Eric Juergens (Iowa) 2000: Eric Juergens (Iowa) 141 lbs 2025: Jesse Mendez (Ohio State) 2024: Jesse Mendez (Ohio State) 2023: Andrew Alirez (Northern Colorado) 2022: Nick Lee (Penn State) 2021: Nick Lee (Penn State) 2019: Yianni Diakomihalis (Cornell) 2018: Yianni Diakomihalis (Cornell) 2017: Dean Heil (Oklahoma State) 2016: Dean Heil (Oklahoma State) 2015: Logan Stieber (Ohio State) 2014: Logan Stieber (Ohio State) 2013: Kendric Maple (Oklahoma) 2012: Kellen Russell (Michigan) 2011: Kellen Russell (Michigan) 2010: Kyle Dake (Cornell) 2009: J Jaggers (Ohio State) 2008: J Jaggers (Ohio State) 2007: Derek Moore (UC Davis) 2006: Nate Gallick (Iowa State) 2005: Teyon Ware (Oklahoma) 2004: Cliff Moore (Iowa) 2003: Teyon Ware (Oklahoma) 2002: Aaron Holker (Iowa State) 2001: Michael Ligthner (Oklahoma) 2000: Carl Perry (Illinois) 149 lbs 2025: Ridge Lovett (Nebraska) 2024: Caleb Henson (Virginia Tech) 2023: Yianni Diakomihalis (Cornell) 2022: Yianni Diakomihalis (Cornell) 2021: Austin O’Connor (North Carolina) 2019: Anthony Ashnault (Rutgers) 2018: Zain Retherford (Penn State) 2017: Zain Retherford (Penn State) 2016: Zain Retherford (Penn State) 2015: Drake Houdashelt (Missouri) 2014: Jason Tsirtsis (Northwestern) 2013: Jordan Oliver (Oklahoma State) 2012: Frank Molinaro (Penn State) 2011: Kyle Dake (Cornell) 2010: Brent Metcalf (Iowa) 2009: Darrion Caldwell (NC State) 2008: Brent Metcalf (Iowa) 2007: Gregor Gillespie (Edinboro) 2006: Dustin Schlatter (Minnesota) 2005: Zack Esposito (Oklahoma State) 2004: Jesse Jantzen (Harvard) 2003: Eric Larkin (Arizona State) 2002: Jared Lawrence (Minnesota) 2001: Adam Tirapelle (Illinois) 2000: Tony Davis (Northern Iowa) 157 lbs 2025: Antrell Taylor (Nebraska) 2024: Levi Haines (Penn State) 2023: Austin O’Connor (North Carolina) 2022: Ryan Deakin (Northwestern) 2021: David Carr (Iowa State) 2019: Jason Nolf (Penn State) 2018: Jason Nolf (Penn State) 2017: Jason Nolf (Penn State) 2016: Isaiah Martinez (Illinois) 2015: Isaiah Martinez (Illinois) 2014: Alex Dieringer (Oklahoma State) 2013: Derek St. John (Iowa) 2012: Kyle Dake (Cornell) 2011: Bubba Jenkins (Arizona State) 2010: JP O’Connor (Harvard) 2009: Jordan Burroughs (Nebraska) 2008: Jordan Leen (Cornell) 2007: Trent Paulson (Iowa State) 2006: Ben Cherrington (Boise State) 2005: Ryan Bertin (Michigan) 2004: Matt Gentry (Stanford) 2003: Ryan Bertin (Michigan) 2002: Luke Becker (Minnesota) 2001: TJ Williams (Iowa) 2000: Brett Matter (Penn) 165 lbs 2025: Mitchell Mesenbrink (Penn State) 2024: David Carr (Iowa State) 2023: Keegan O’Toole (Missouri) 2022: Keegan O’Toole (Missouri) 2021: Shane Griffith (Stanford) 2019: Mekhi Lewis (Virginia Tech) 2018: Vincenzo Joseph (Penn State) 2017: Vincenzo Joseph (Penn State) 2016: Alex Dieringer (Oklahoma State) 2015: Alex Dieringer (Oklahoma State) 2014: David Taylor (Penn State) 2013: Kyle Dake (Cornell) 2012: David Taylor (Penn State) 2011: Jordan Burroughs (Nebraska) 2010: Andrew Howe (Wisconsin) 2009: Jarrod King (Edinboro) 2008: Mark Perry (Iowa) 2007: Mark Perry (Iowa) 2006: Johny Hendricks (Oklahoma State) 2005: Johny Hendricks (Oklahoma State) 2004: Troy Letters (Lehigh) 2003: Matt Lackey (Illinois) 2002: Joe Heskett (Iowa State) 2001: Donny Pritzlaff (Wisconsin) 2000: Donny Pritzlaff (Wisconsin) 174 lbs 2025: Dean Hamiti (Oklahoma State) 2024: Carter Starocci (Penn State) 2023: Carter Starocci (Penn State) 2022: Carter Starocci (Penn State) 2021: Carter Starocci (Penn State) 2019: Zahid Valencia (Arizona State) 2018: Zahid Valencia (Arizona State) 2017: Mark Hall (Penn State) 2016: Myles Martin (Ohio State) 2015: Matt Brown (Penn State) 2014: Chris Perry (Oklahoma State) 2013: Chris Perry (Oklahoma State) 2012: Ed Ruth (Penn State) 2011: Jon Reader (Iowa State) 2010: Jay Boschel (Iowa) 2009: Steve Luke (Michigan) 2008: Keith Gavin (Pittsburgh) 2007: Ben Askren (Missouri) 2006: Ben Askren (Missouri) 2005: Chris Pendleton (Oklahoma State) 2004: Chris Pendleton (Oklahoma State) 2003: Robbie Waller (Oklahoma) 2002: Greg Jones (West Virginia) 2001: Josh Koscheck (Edinboro) 2000: Byron Tucker (Oklahoma) 184 lbs 2025: Carter Starocci (Penn State) 2024: Parker Keckeisen (Northern Iowa) 2023: Aaron Brooks (Penn State) 2022: Aaron Brooks (Penn State) 2021: Aaron Brooks (Penn State) 2019: Drew Foster (Northern Iowa) 2018: Bo Nickal (Penn State) 2017: Bo Nickal (Penn State) 2016: Gabe Dean (Cornell) 2015: Gabe Dean (Cornell) 2014: Ed Ruth (Penn State) 2013: Ed Ruth (Penn State) 2012: Steve Bosak (Cornell) 2011: Quentin Wright (Penn State) 2010: Max Askren (Missouri) 2009: Jake Herbert (Northwestern) 2008: Mike Pucillo (Ohio State) 2007: Jake Herbert (Northwestern) 2006: Shane Webster (Oregon) 2005: Greg Jones (West Virginia) 2004: Greg Jones (West Virginia) 2003: Jake Rosholt (Oklahoma State) 2002: Rob Rohn (Lehigh) 2001: Cael Sanderson (Iowa State) 2000: Cael Sanderson (Iowa State) 197 lbs 2025: Stephen Buchanan (Iowa) 2024: Aaron Brooks (Penn State) 2023: Nino Bonaccorsi (Pittsburgh) 2022: Max Dean (Penn State) 2021: AJ Ferrari (Oklahoma State) 2019: Bo Nickal (Penn State) 2018: Michael Macchiavello (NC State) 2017: J’den Cox (Missouri) 2016: J’den Cox (Missouri) 2015: Kyven Gadson (Iowa State) 2014: J’den Cox (Missouri) 2013: Quentin Wright (Penn State) 2012: Cam Simaz (Cornell) 2011: Dustin Kilgore (Kent State) 2010: Jake Varner (Iowa State) 2009: Jake Varner (Iowa State) 2008: Phil Davis (Penn State) 2007: Josh Glenn (American) 2006: Jake Rosholt (Oklahoma State) 2005: Jake Rosholt (Oklahoma State) 2004: Damion Hahn (Minnesota) 2003: Damion Hahn (Minnesota) 2002: Cael Sanderson (Iowa State) 2001: Mark Munoz (Oklahoma State) 2000: Brad Vering (Nebraska) 285 lbs 2025: Wyatt Hendrickson (Oklahoma State) 2024: Greg Kerkvliet (Penn State) 2023: Mason Parris (Michigan) 2022: Gable Steveson (Minnesota) 2021: Gable Steveson (Minnesota) 2019: Anthony Cassar (Penn State) 2018: Kyle Snyder (Ohio State) 2017: Kyle Snyder (Ohio State) 2016: Kyle Snyder (Ohio State) 2015: Nick Gwiazdowski (NC State) 2014: Nick Gwiazdowski (NC State) 2013: Tony Nelson (Minnesota) 2012: Tony Nelson (Minnesota) 2011: Zach Rey (Lehigh) 2010: David Zabriskie (Iowa State) 2009: Mark Ellis (Missouri) 2008: Dustin Fox (Northwestern) 2007: Cole Konard (Minnesota) 2006: Cole Konrad (Minnesota) 2005: Steve Mocco (Oklahoma State) 2004: Tommy Rowlands (Ohio State) 2003: Steve Mocco (Iowa) 2002: Tommy Rowlands (Ohio State) 2001: John Lockhart (Illinois) 2000: Brock Lesnar (Minnesota)