2021 NCAA All-American John Poznanski (Photo/Tony Rotundo/WrestlersAreWarriors.com; Graphic/Anna-Lee Marie)Welcome to a new recurring feature from InterMat as we lead into the 2021-22 collegiate season. We are about 50 days away from the start of the new season, so what better way to ring in the new year than to use that time to count down the top-50 current collegiate wrestlers. Each day a new wrestler will be released.
These rankings have been compiled by members of the InterMat staff and used a combination of collegiate achievements, with 2021 accomplishments carrying more weight than past years, along with win-loss records and notable wins. While we are counting down the top-50 wrestlers based primarily on collegiate accomplishments, it is impossible to totally ignore achievements in the international settings, so they did factor in slightly, too.
Before getting to the next wrestler on the list, look at the wrestlers previously profiled:
#50 - Greg Kerkvliet (Penn State)
#49 - Ben Darmstadt (Cornell)
#48 - Dakota Geer (Oklahoma State)
#47 - Kaleb Young (Iowa)
#46 - Rocky Elam (Missouri)
#45 - Chad Red Jr. (Nebraska)
#44 - Brandon Courtney (Arizona State)
#43 - Brock Mauller (Missouri)
#42 - Cohlton Schultz (Arizona State)
Next is…
John Poznanski
Weight: 184 lbs
Year: Freshman
Career Record: 11-4
Hometown: Colonia, New Jersey
College Accomplishments: 2021 NCAA 4th Place, 2021 Big Ten 3rd Place
2021-22 Preseason Ranking: #5 at 184 lbs
The top New Jersey high school senior in the Class of 2020, John Poznanski, decided to stay in-state and wrestle for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. #16 overall Poznanski was the cornerstone of a recruiting class that featured three top-100 recruits after finishing in the top-three at the New Jersey state tournament on three occasions. His state title, as a senior, marked the first from his high school in over four decades.
Right out of the gate, Poznanski got the nod for Rutgers at 184 lbs. Since it was a ‘free year†eligibility-wise, the Scarlet Knights staff could give Poznanski a shot and see where he stood in relation to the rest of the Big Ten. Since Covid issues impacted the Rutgers season more than most other programs, Poznanski didn't get to compete too frequently in the regular season.
He only saw action in four dual meets, all of which came in January. Win number one came over Michigan's Joseph Walker by the score of 6-1. His remaining opponents were all past national qualifiers who spent significant time in the national rankings.
Poznanski's 9-6 win over Ohio State's Rocky Jordan almost led the Scarlet Knights to an upset against the Buckeyes. He also did his part in the school's close loss to Purdue. Poznanski dropped Max Lyon, 7-4. Poznanski's lone setback occurred in his last dual against Minnesota's Owen Webster, 6-4.
As luck would have it, Poznanski was bracketed to meet Webster again in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Championships. A win over Jaden Bullock (Michigan) confirmed a second meeting between the two. This time Poznanski left no doubt and pinned the Gopher in the middle stanza. That win earned the freshman a berth in the semifinals opposite top-ranked Aaron Brooks (Penn State).
After a 10-2 major decision loss to Brooks, Poznanski dropped into the consolation semis against Layne Malczewski (Michigan State). The Spartan would have to injury default in the second period. For third place, Poznanski got his hand raised after a hard-fought battle against Nelson Brands (Iowa).
The third-place finish for Poznanski was good enough for a sixth-seed at his first NCAA Championship event. The bright lights of the national tournament in St. Louis were not too big for the true freshman as he majored Taylor Brown (Army West Point) 14-2 in his opening bout. Though he was the higher seed, most may have pegged Poznanski as the underdog in the Round of 16 against returning All-American Dakota Geer (Oklahoma State). No one mentioned that to Poznanski, who cruised to a 7-3 win.
After the Geer win, Poznanski was into the quarterfinals against the third seed, EIWA champion Louie DePrez (Binghamton). Poznanski put eight points up on the board with an 8-4 upset of DePrez. That win locked up All-American status for the true freshman and also put him in the semifinals opposite #2 Trent Hidlay (NC State). In a battle of attrition, the normal stingy Hidlay was able to nullify Poznanski for a 2-1 win in tiebreakers.
Undeterred, Poznanski would be paired off against Geer again in the consolation semifinals. Once again, it was all Poznanski in a 10-6 win. Poznanski would have to settle for fourth place after getting edged by fellow freshman Parker Keckeisen (Northern Iowa), 5-4.
Of the four losses on Poznanski's 2021 ledger, three came to the top-three finishers at the NCAA Championships and two came via a single point. The fourth-place finish for Poznanski was the highest by a Rutgers freshman in school history.
Strengths: Poznanski has heavy hands and good level changes. On his feet, he doesn't necessarily have a “go-to†takedown; rather, he can score with various attacks. The level changes help foster his explosiveness and he tends to have quick, decisive finishes. While just a freshman, Poznanski is solid on the mat. He can amass riding time here and there. From the bottom, he's active and is capable of using his good hips to get a reversal or two.
2021-22 Outlook: It will be interesting to see how Poznanski develops with another summer in the Scarlet Knight room under his belt. He also should have a more “normal†season rather than one that was disrupted by team Covid issues. Aside from the loss to Brooks, Poznanski was neck-and-neck with the other top contenders at the weight, so a possible finals berth is not out of the question. In the Big Ten (and at nationals), Poznanski will have to deal with another championship threat as Olympic bronze medalist Myles Amine (Michigan) is expected to be in action at 184.
2021 NCAA All-American John Poznanski (Photo/Tony Rotundo/WrestlersAreWarriors.com)
Recommended Comments
There are no comments to display.
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now