2021 NCAA runner-up Dalton Abney of Oklahoma City (photo courtesy of Austin Bernard; PhotographSports.com)The 42nd Midwest Classic
December 18th & 19th
University of Indianapolis
#MWC42
"Guess who's back, back again. Midwest's back, back again"! I have been looking forward to this weekend since I received the heartbreaking email from tournament organizer Jackie Paquette in 2020 that there would be no tournament in Indianapolis that year. But, new year, new tournament! And the 42nd installment of the Midwest Classic (MWC) will be the best one yet.
What would you call a tournament that is essentially a dress rehearsal for two complete Super Regionals? How about a tournament that will be hosting 46 teams from Division II? Seven teams in the top-10? There are 13 teams from the top-20 and at least one of the top two teams from every single Super Regional. This is a mini-nationals. This is the toughest NCAA wrestling regular-season wrestling tournament. Hands down! I have watched the Midlands live. You can keep your CKLV. Sure the Scuffle has been a monster tournament in the past, but it cannot compare to the MWC. I will die on this hill.
Despite not having some of the big names, including all-around He-Man Heath Gray (Central Oklahoma) and the wildman Abner Romero (Lindenwood), this tournament still features 88 athletes ranked in the top-16. There are six wrestlers ranked either first or second in their weight classes, and they are both here from 125lbs, Joe Arroyo (Parkside) and Nick Daggett (UNCP).
The real question is, is this just a dress rehearsal for Central Oklahoma as they look to be the heir apparent to St. Cloud State. A big showing here while missing their beast at 184 lber, Heath Gray, would show they are the squad to beat. Ashland can challenge them at plenty of weights but do they have the depth? And with Lindenwood missing two of their returning finalists, can they even challenge for a trophy?
#1 Central Oklahoma University
#5 Ashland University
#6 Lindenwood University
#7 Gannon University
#8 McKendree University
#10 The University of Wisconsin-Parkside
#11 The University of Findlay
#12 Mercyhurst University
#13 The University of Indianapolis
#14 Adams State University
#15 Colorado School of Mines
#18 University of North Carolina-Pembroke
#20 King University
#22 Colorado University-Mesa
#22 Newberry College
#22 Western Colorado University
125
#1 Joe Arroyo (UW-Parkside)
#2 Nick Daggett (UNCP)
#4 Christian Wellman (Ashland)
#5 Paxton Rosen (Central Oklahoma)
#9 Christian Mejia (McKendree)
#11 Isaiah Delacerda (Adams State)
#12 Melvin Rubio (Queens)
#14 Cody Fatzinger (Western Colorado)
Newly minted Joe Arroyo will put his number one ranking on the line right away as he enters a field with seven other ranked athletes. Fresh off his upset of the then-number one Cole Laya (West Liberty), Nick Daggett (UNCP) will attempt to take out another one and move to the head of the class. He is also the highest returning place winner, as he finished fourth in 2019. At the 2021 National Championships, the podium was Daggett, Arroyo, Christian Wellman (Ashland), Christian Mejia (McKendree), Paxton Rosen (Central Oklahoma), and Isaiah Delacerda (Adams State). It is a little crazy that the wrestlers who finished second through seventh at the last national championship will be at this tournament. You can add the savvy veteran, Melvin Rubio (Queens), who has twice been a national qualifier.
Rounding out the ranked athletes is Cody Fatzinger (Western Colorado), who is coming off a close loss to Colorado Mesa freshman Dawson Collins, a wrestler he beat earlier this season. Collins is a Utah Valley transfer in his second freshman year. He already has his biggest win to date after the upset. Can he keep the momentum going forward or will Fatzinger win their rubber match? Keep an eye on Arroyo; he only has one match this season, a major decision victory in early November. There is not a lot of time in Indianapolis to knock the rust off. The same issue may slow down Christian Mejia; he has not set foot on the competition mat yet this #D2Wrestle season. Mejia will be jumping right into the deep end; depending on how they seed the tournament, he could see any of the other returning All-Americans as early as the quarterfinals.
I would think that the top-two seeds would be Daggett and Arroyo in some order, but after that, I wonder how it will go. I expect Christian Wellman to land at the third spot and then will it be Mejia or will Paxton Rosen's results this year be enough to land at four? That puts the two of them on a collision course, then. That would land Isaiah Delacerda against Wellman that same round. Findlay will enter Zach Collins at this weight; the #SuperSenior has been a national qualifier in the past. Then you have Brandon Mendoza (Tiffin) and Anthony Pisciotta (Maryville). They are all capable of knocking off a seeded wrestler early. And keep an eye on Isaac Jacquez (Lindenwood); his brother had success at this tournament and coaches this maturing Lion. The one thing I can guarantee you will happen is that someone ranked will lose.
Quarterfinals
Nick Daggett (UNCP) vs. Dawson Collins (Colorado-Mesa)
Joe Arroyo (UW-Parkside) vs. Melvin Rubio (Queens)
Christian Wellman (Ashland) vs. Isaiah Delacerda (Adams State)
Paxton Rosen (Central Oklahoma) vs. Christian Mejia (McKendree)
Semifinals
Nick Daggett vs. Paxton Rosen
Joe Arroyo vs. Christian Wellman
I am looking forward to Paxton Rosen versus Nick Daggett, the two have never met and I think this is long overdue. They are both explosive athletes that can score a lot of points quickly and they both can struggle in matches where they are not able to put up big points. In the other semifinal, it is a total toss-up in my mind. Joe Arroyo and Christian Wellman are similar athletes in that they are very difficult to score upon and they put a lot of pressure on their opponents. Unstoppable force meets an immovable object. Something will have to give. The first takedown of this match will loom large.
Finals
Nick Daggett vs. Joe Arroyo
I am picking Joe Arroyo to make it out of a murderer's row of bad men on the bottom of this bracket because of how fundamentally sound he is in every position. It's tough to pull an upset on a wrestler who just doesn't make mistakes. Nick Daggett should navigate the waters of the topside if he remembers how good his offense is. He gets into trouble when he shuts down on his feet. I am looking forward to seeing these two face off. If this match is a higher-scoring affair, Daggett has all the advantages. But if Arroyo can keep it to a 5-3 or 3-1 match, the Parkside #SuperSenior will have the upper hand.
Champion: Nick Daggett - University of North Carolina-Pembroke
2nd: Joe Arroyo - University of Wisconsin-Parkside
3rd: Paxton Rosen - Central Oklahoma University
4th: Christian Mejia - McKendree University
5th: Christian Wellman - Ashland University
6th: Brandon Mendoza - Tiffin University
7th: Melvin Rubio - Queens College
8th: Isaiah Delacerda - Adams State University
133
#2 Tanner Cole (Central Oklahoma)
#4 Patrick Allis (Western Colorado)
#5 Eric Bartos (Mercyhurst)
#6 Jon Andreatta (Adams State)
#7 Tanner Hitchcock (Lindenwood)
#9 Corey Gamet (Lake Erie)
#12 Collin Metzgar (Colorado-Mesa)
#13 Elijah Lusk (Lander)
#15 Ryan Ripplinger (McKendree)
More than half of the ranked wrestlers in this weight class will be walking around Indianapolis this weekend. Three of them are returning All-Americans: Tanner Cole (Central Oklahoma), Patrick Allis (Western Colorado), and Tanner Hitchcock (Lindenwood) all stood on the podium in St. Louis back in March. I am uncertain how this weight will be seeded after Tanner Cole, with Allis taking a loss to Colin Metzgar (Colorado-Mesa) just last week. It opens the door for returning Midwest Classic champion Jon Andreatta (Adams State) to move into the second-seed. Metzgar has that big win, but last season he could not make it out of his Super Regional and he does not have the history of success that many of the other athletes have. For example, Cole Jones (Moorhead) was a 2021 national qualifier and a 2019 All-American who is not even currently ranked. In 2019, Patrick Allis pulled the biggest upset of the tournament when he defeated returning national champion Carlos Jacquez in the semifinals. Now he'll have to avoid his own hiccup as he navigates this loaded bracket.
Tanner Hitchcock is entering the tournament with zero mat time and that could spell trouble for the three-time national qualifier who made it onto the podium in St Louis in 2021. In 2019, Eric Bartos (Mercyhurst) beat Hitchcock at this tournament to finish fifth. He is a two-time national qualifier looking to make it three. Corey Gamet (Lake Erie) seemed poised to make the 2021 national tournament, before having to withdraw from his Super Regional after scoring a first-round tech fall. Now the NDSU transfer is looking to break through and there is no better place to announce your presence with authority than at the Midwest Classic. Go get 'em Nuke.
Ryan Ripplinger (McKendree) has eight wins this season, with five of them falls; he too is a Bison who has moved to Division II. Elijah Lusk (Lander) has won 18 matches already this season and the true freshman from Merritt Island High School in Florida appears to be attempting to break into the century club before he can legally drink. Reece Barnhardt (Mary) is a freshman with a pedigree; his brother was a Marauder All-American in 2019. The field will also include 2021 national qualifier Ben Fielding (Belmont Abbey). Fielding made the tournament last year with just four wins; he is already halfway to that total this season.
Pitt-Johnstown is back at the Midwest Classic and at 133 they have Mason Myers, the freshman who only wrestled at the Super Regional, but now he is showing that a year in the practice room has made him a better wrestler. The top five seeds are not super important, but how the wrestlers fall after them will have a big impact on what the backside of this tournament looks like. The consolation bracket at the Midwest Classic is a bloodbath where every round seems to be the blood round and athletes leave it all out on the mat.
Quarterfinals
Tanner Cole (Central Oklahoma) vs. Reece Barnhardt (Mary)
Jon Andreatta (Adams State) vs Collin Metzgar (Colorado-Mesa)
Patrick Allis (Western Colorado) vs. Corey Gamet (Lake Erie)
Eric Bartos (Mercyhurst) vs. Tanner Hitchcock (Lindenwood)
Semifinals
Tanner Cole vs. Eric Bartos
Jon Andreatta vs. Patrick Allis
Patrick Allis is one of my favorite wrestlers; he's just a good kid and an amazing athlete. Jon Andreatta is one of the most exciting wrestlers in Division II. He holds nothing back in a match and his "go big or go home" mentality is a joy. This is one of those style matches that will come down to which athlete can find their groove. Both of these athletes are Midwest Classic finalists, so they know what it takes to get through this match. Tanner Cole is very, very good. He wrestles in one of the deepest lightweight rooms in the country with one of the best lightweight wrestlers in D2 history as a coach. In his first national championship tournament, he finished third. All of those things are great. Eric Bartos is a savvy veteran with a non-stop motor. He pushes pace better than most wrestlers and it allows him to give up points early only to storm back later. To beat Cole, he will need to force the Bronc into uncomfortable positions. Good luck.
Finals
Tanner Cole vs. Jon Andreatta
I believe that Andreatta is one of the best wrestlers in the country at this weight despite not making it to the national tournament. In last year's totally bogus allocation process, he was left out despite a third-place finish. Only two wrestlers made the trip from Super Regional VI at the weight, Patrick Allis and Wes Dawkins (Nebraska-Kearney). Tanner Cole made it out of a very tough Super Regional IV and his only loss at the national tournament was to national runner-up Garrett Vos (St. Cloud State). This is a match that I have been waiting for after their showings at the weight last season. They are going to treat the audience to a show. Cole is not known for big moves and he is going to need to be ready for Andreatta to throw everything and the kitchen sink at him.
Champion: Jon Andreatta - Adams State University
2nd: Tanner Cole - University of Central Oklahoma
3rd: Patrick Allis - Western Colorado University
4th: Eric Bartos - Mercyhurst University
5th: Corey Gamet - Lake Erie University
6th: Tanner Hitchcock - Lindenwood University
7th: Collin Metzgar - Colorado Mesa University
8th: Reece Barnhardt - University of Mary
141
#2 Christian Small (King)
#5 Branson Proudlock (Findlay)
#6 Colby Smith (Lindenwood)
#7 Luke Wymer (Ashland)
#8 Alexis Soriano (Mercyhurst)
#10 Peter Kuster (Drury)
#11 Nate Keim (Central Oklahoma)
#12 Taylor Jokerst (Maryville)
#13 Dean Noble (Western Colorado)
Two years ago, Noah Hermosillo (Adams State) and Peter Kuster (Drury) were in the Midwest Classic finals. This season that means that 10th-ranked Kuster returns as the highest placewinner. He faces a field full of bad, bad men at the weight. All-Americans Colby Smith (Lindenwood), Christian Small (King), and Branson Proudlock (Findlay) are all in the field and currently ranked in the top-six. Luke Wymer was a national qualifier in 2021 and is 1-0 in his career against Proudlock. Alexis Soriano was a 2019 All-American at 133 and a national qualifier in 2020 at 141. Nate Keim (Central Oklahoma) is going to be important to the team race for the Broncs. The junior has not been a national qualifier yet and with all of Super Regional IV here, this will be a real test for him. He already owns two wins this season over Kuster.
Taylor Jokerst (Maryville) is ranked 12th in his #SuperSenior run; he is trying to get back to the national tournament again. Dean Noble (Western Colorado) just took an upset loss to Erik Contrera-Lobato (Colorado Mesa) in their dual, so he will be looking to bounce back while Contreras will want to continue the momentum. Northern State will have the return of Kolton Roth at the weight and that is a big boost for a lineup reeling from injuries and, more devastating, the loss of a teammate. If Roth is all healthy and mentally ready, he is going to give wrestlers in this weight class fits at this tournament. Coach Jason Welch has a good one in Joshua Fuentes-Norikiyo, a #SuperSenior who joined the team after placing twice in the California Community College State tournament. He is fresh off an upset of returning All-American Nick James (Nebraska Kearney) with a sudden victory takedown. With Zeth Brower (Lander) not in attendance, Omar Armengol (Coker) will be carrying the Super Regional II banner, at 7-1; he is an upset waiting to happen in the early rounds.
Quarterfinals
Christian Small (King) vs. Taylor Jokerst (Maryville)
Branson Proudlock (Findlay) vs. (Alexis Soriano)
Colby Smith (Lindenwood) vs. Peter Kuster (Drury)
Nate Keim (Central Oklahoma) vs. Luke Wymer (Ashland)
Semifinals
Christian Small vs. Nate Keim
Branson Proudlock vs. Colby Smith
I am probably way off on what the quarterfinals will look like. With the number of talented athletes in this field, there are plenty of wrestlers who can break through to that round and set themselves up for a big Midwest Classic finish. I am fairly certain that I can narrow down the semifinals. Peter Kuster has beaten Colby Smith this season, but I think he can find his offense again and score more than one point the next time they meet. That could be the spark he needs as he goes into a tough battle with Branson Proudlock. When the Findlay sophomore is on, he is really, really good. When he goes into a slump, though, things start to snowball. Smith has a way of pushing people to frustration. I am even more excited for a possible Nate Keim and Christian Small semifinal. Small finished fifth last season as a true freshman; this year, he continues his quest to become a five-time All-American. Keim is after his first trip to the podium. This is important for nationals seeding if both these athletes make it that far and it is a total battle of styles.
Finals
Christian Small vs. Colby Smith
Christian Small and Colby Smith met at the 2021 NCAA tournament in St. Louis, with Smith earning a hard-fought 3-1 win. It's rematch time. The talent these two have is off the charts and this would have been a fun rivalry to see a few more times. Smith has been nearly perfect since joining Division II, only losing one match to a Division II competitor. The Midwest Classic will be his first test this season and I think that the finals are where the lack of action finally catches up to him.
Champion: Christian Small - King University
2nd: Colby Smith - Lindenwood University
3rd: Branson Proudlock - Findlay University
4th: Peter Kuster - Drury University
5th: Luke Wymer - Ashland University
6th: Nate Keim - Central Oklahoma University
7th: Alexis Soriano - Mercyhurst University
8th: Kolton Roth - Northern State University
149
#3 Noah Hermosillo (Adams State)
#4 Carson Speelman (Ashland)
#6 Brik Filippo (Central Oklahoma)
#7 Logan Bailey (Indianapolis)
#8 Jacob Ealy (UPJ)
#11 Zachary VanAlst (Coker)
#13 Gavin Quiocho (Glenville State)
#14 Jake Piccirilli (UNCP)
Noah Hermosillo (Adams State) is a returning Midwest Classic champion and a returning All-American. If you were not aware already, that often goes hand-in-hand. The #SuperSenior is another outstanding wrestler who is stepping onto the mat in the 2022 season for the first time at the toughest tournament he could find. He is joined by two other All-Americans, Carson Speelman (Ashland), who finished fifth, and Jacob Ealy (UPJ), who finished eighth.
There are a couple of "old men" at this weight too. Zachary Van Alst (Coker) is looking for his third straight trip to the national tournament for the Cobras. He has looked happy and comfortable at the school after leaving the Air Force Academy after his freshman year in 2018. Speaking of "old men," how good is your memory? Do you remember an All-American from Maryville who won the Gorrarian award for most falls at the national tournament way back in 2014? Darick Lapaglia (Central Missouri) is back in Division II wrestling and he just handed undefeated Eric Faught (Upper Iowa) his first loss of the season. He is not quite 30, but he is past 25. Beware the "old man" strength. Ealy and Speelman met last week with the Mountaincat winning 5-3 and handing Speelman his second loss of the season. Logan Bailey (Indianapolis) handed him his first loss and the second-time freshman is off to another solid start. He is now 16-1 with nine falls and just the lone loss to the 6th-ranked Brik Filippo (Central Oklahoma). Filippo has not lost to a Division II wrestler this season and, like Bailey, was a 2021 national qualifier.
2020 national qualifier Dom Means (Gannon) will wrestle his first contested match this season after receiving a forfeit the only time he weighed in so far. Means is 31-13 since transferring to Gannon, after a season at Pitt-Johnstown. Gavin Quiocho (Glenville State) is 19-4 overall this season, but since moving to 149, has not lost to anyone outside of Division I. He has four falls in 0:48 or less, with three of them coming in less than 0:17. That is insane! He also has a win over Jake Piccirilli (UNCP), the freshman who, at the Carolina Clash, took out Jake Barzowski (St. Cloud State) in sudden victory. They are both true freshmen who are going to be absolute handfuls for guys at this tournament. There is no fear in their eyes.
The last time Josh Blatt (Newberry) wrestled, he was a freshman at Belmont Abbey, qualifying for the national tournament in 2020. The sophomore is now a member of the Newberry Wolves and is looking for a repeat of a campaign that saw him finish 22-3 and win a Super Regional II championship. There are only eight ranked wrestlers at this weight class, but this might be the most ridiculously loaded of any of them. This seeding meeting should just be done like a Bingo parlor; throw the names in the roller and let fate decide.
Quarterfinals
Noah Hermosillo (Adams State) vs. Dom Means (Gannon)
Jacob Ealy (UPJ) vs. Josh Blatt (Newberry)
Brik Filippo (Central Oklahoma) vs. Gavin Quiocho (Glenville State)
Logan Bailey (Indianapolis) vs. Carson Speelman (Ashland)
Semifinals
Noah Hermosillo vs Logan Bailey
Brik Filippo vs Jacob Ealy
If the quarterfinals are wrestled 100 times, we would probably see 100 different semifinalist combinations (I am probably way off on the math of that). The point is, anyone who makes it to the quarterfinals is capable of making it through to the semis and into the finals. I think that Noah Hermosillo can shake off the rust and get back to his winning ways right away. He split with Sam Turner (Nebraska-Kearney) last season and is the type of competitor to push into the young Bailey. But we can take a second to appreciate home cooking for a second and just how talented Bailey is. He owns wins over Speelman, the tough Sean O'Hearon (Lake Erie), and the talented Alec Cook (West Liberty). I believe that the difference in this match is that he has not wrestled Hermosillo yet and until you feel his strength and explosiveness, you cannot prepare for it. Brik Filippo is as steady as the rolling plains he hails from in Oklahoma. He finished eighth here in 2019 and I expect him to challenge for a title this season. He will take on Jacob Ealy, who has been nothing but great for the Mountain Cats. As a true freshman, he qualified for the national tournament and in his first sophomore season, he made it to the podium in St Louis. This season he has already earned quality wins over good opponents and brings an undefeated record into Indianapolis.
Finals
Noah Hermosillo vs Jacob Ealy
These two have never met and it is only due to the return of Pitt-Johnstown to the Midwest Classic that they have the opportunity. Coach Pat Pecora has had his team take on all comers after they were forced to sit for nearly the entire 2021 season. It is going to pay dividends. Adams State is known for being athletes that leave it all out on the mat every match. Noah Hermosillo is no different. This is going to be a battle between an experienced All-American and a young All-American. Who do you think can handle the pressure better?
Champion: Noah Hermosillo - Adams State University
2nd: Jacob Ealy - University of Pitt-Johnstown
3rd: Carson Speelman - Ashland University
4th: Brik Filippo - University of Central Oklahoma
5th: Josh Blatt - Newberry College
6th: Logan Bailey - Indianapolis
7th: Gavin Quiocho - Glenville State College
8th: Zachary Van Alst - Coker College
157
#1 James Wimer (Findlay)
#3 (165) Mitch Dean (Belmont Abbey)
#5 Tyler Lucas (Central Oklahoma)
#6 JoJo Gonzalez (American Intl)
#7 Nick Young (Gannon)
#9 Braydon Huber (Mary)
#12 Josiah Rider (Adams State)
#14 John Ridle (Central Missouri)
#15 Jamar Williams (Alderson Broaddus)
#16 Mason Boutain (San Francisco State)
It seems crazy to think that there will be ten ranked wrestlers at this weight class and one of them will not be returning finalist Ronnie Gentile (Lindenwood). We will have to wait a little longer for him to make his season debut, but we will get to see 2021 national champion James Wimer (Findlay). All the #SuperSenior has done in recent memory is win. In 2019, he finished as an All-American and then was on a redshirt during the 2020 season. Now he looks to become a first-time Midwest Classic champion and push his season forward. No Gentile, no problem. He will have plenty of competition, including Mitch Dean (Belmont Abbey). The two-time national qualifier was sixth last season at 165 and this will be his first foray into the lighter weight class. Can he hold the weight for two days?
Six wrestlers in the top-10 are in Indianapolis, including 5th-6th-7th. Tyler Lucas (Central Oklahoma), JoJo Gonzalez (American Intl), and Nick Young (Gannon) are all off to great starts. Gonzalez was 7th at 165 in 2021 and is a three-time national qualifier with just one loss on his record to start the year. Tyler Lucas is 8-0 and will finally be tested after cruising through the first half of his season. Nick Young is 9-3 and could have a chance to avenge his only #D2Wrestle loss so far this season to the talented Tyler Swiderski (Lake Erie). Who is he? Just a true freshman whose only loss in Division II was an absolute last-second fall against Ben Durocher (UW-Parkside). When I say last second, I mean the time of the fall was 7:00.
Chance Esmont (Ashland) is 10-3 and took Wimer to sudden victory and he is not even in my rankings. Nate Smith (UPJ) just beat Esmont 7-5 and his undefeated record of 6-0 does not have him in my rankings. This weight is stacked with athletes looking to break into the top 16 and this is their chance to do it because this is the last time they will see this level of talent in one weekend until the postseason. Will Evans (Newberry) finished eighth place last season to earn All-American honors; this year, he is just 3-5. Can he regain that momentum that saw him earn the upset of Chase Luensman (Upper Iowa) and make it to the podium?
James Burks (Northern State) is one of the most talented wrestlers in the country to never make it to the national tournament and this will be a test for him. He could see Super Regional foes Durocher and ninth-ranked Braydon Huber (Mary). Huber was a 2021 national qualifier and he split his season series with Burks last year. Huber will need to bounce back from a loss to Nathan Baca (Minot State) last week, where he found himself pinned in the first 35 seconds. True freshman Josiah Rider (Adams State) has wins over Huber, Anthony Scantlin (Fort Hays), and Ryan Wilson (Western), and his prize is maybe getting to wrestle all three of them again this weekend. Next to him alphabetically and in the rankings is 11-1 John Ridle (Central Missouri), who will look to bounce back from a loss to Luensman last week. With Upper Iowa not attending, at least he can breathe a little easier. If you want an under-the-radar guy who has made it into the rankings, Jamar Williams (Alderson Broaddus) was undefeated until a disqualification hung two on him at the Messiah Petrofes International. He is still rocking that perfect record against D2, though and he does have a win over the wildman Quiocho, while he was up at this weight. And, of course, do not sleep on the Gator from out west. Mason Boutain (San Francisco State) has only given up an escape to athletes from Division II this season. I am not sure that streak can continue, but I guarantee the young man will try to keep shutting them out. This field could have been even scarier if Gentile, Luensman, Dawson Combest (Indianapolis), and John Burger (Limestone) had entered, but we will just have to suffer through this bevy of great wrestlers instead.
Quarterfinals
James Wimer (Findlay) vs. Jamar Williams (Alderson Broaddus)
Ty Lucas (Central Oklahoma) vs. Braydon Huber (Mary)
Mitch Dean (Belmont Abbey) vs. Josiah Rider (Adams State)
JoJo Gonzalez (American Intl) vs. Tyler Swiderski (Lake Erie)
Semifinals
James Wimer vs. JoJo Gonzalez
Tyler Lucas vs. Mitch Dean
I like watching JoJo Gonzalez wrestle; he has an enthusiasm about the sport that is infectious. Did you know that his high school coach was also an All-American for American International College? Well, he was, so go ahead and use that for your next trivia night. James Wimer just grinds on athletes until they make a mistake and even if he is down early, the pressure eventually gets to you. I worry that even if he can score an early lead, I just do not think JoJo will be able to keep up with the pressure for three periods. Tyler Lucas and Mitch Dean will be a war. Lucas was a 2019 Midwest Classic finalist and knows what it takes to be there. Mitch Dean won a Super Regional title in 2020 and 2021, so do not expect him to be shaken. It is funny to think that the semifinals of the Midwest Classic at 157 could have two All-Americans from 165. I think at least one of them finds their way into the finals.
Finals
James Wimer vs. Mitch Dean
James Wimer is the best wrestler in the country at this weight barring a catastrophic injury and you had better not even think about that happening. Don't you put that evil on him, Ricky Bobby! The #SuperSenior is an absolute monster at this weight as one of the strongest, fastest, and most technique sound wrestlers there are. Mitch Dean is no slouch, but he is not James Wimer. Dean will be good at this weight and I think he should challenge for a finals spot as a two or three seed come tournament time. But right now, how would I beat James Wimer? With a stick, while he slept.
Champion: James Wimer - Findlay University
2nd: Mitch Dean - Belmont Abbey College
3rd: Tyler Lucas - Central Oklahoma University
4th: Jamar Williams - Alderson Broaddus University
5th: JoJo Gonzalez - American International College
6th: Nate Smith - University of Pitt-Johnstown
7th: Tyler Swiderski - Lake Erie College
8th: Braydon Huber - University of Mary
165
#4 Kameron Frame (Newman)
#5 Shane Gantz (UW-Parkside)
#6 James Penfold (Lake Erie)
#7 Corey Peterson (McKendree)
#8 Drew Weichers (Ashland)
#9 Bryan LaVearn (Tiffin)
#10 Hunter Mullin (Western Colorado)
#12 Jack Eiteljorge (Indianapolis)
#13 Dillon Keane (UPJ)
#15 Will Kuster (Drury)
#16 Gage Bernall (Lander)
The deepest weight class at the tournament in terms of ranked athletes will be an absolute Battle Royale and worth the price of admission to the Midwest Classic by itself. Just think of the other stacked nine weight classes as a $100 bill you found at the bottom of your ice cream sundae.
This weight does not have a returning Midwest Classic place winner from 2019, which is crazy, but it also makes sense given how loaded it was that year with seniors. This weight class is led by Kameron Frame (Newman) and Shane Gantz (UW-Parkside). Neither of these athletes was an All-American in 2021, but they were both national qualifiers who logged some big wins. Corey Peterson (McKendree) was an All-American, finishing fourth, but he has already been handed two D2 losses this season. One of those to Gantz and the other to Austin Morgan (Central Missouri). Morgan will not be in the tournament, as the spot currently belongs to teammate Emmet Kuntz.
Jack Eiteljorge is another of those good wrestlers who just have not been able to break through to the national tournament. His path does not get any easier in 2021, now that Indianapolis has joined the warzone that is Super Regional IV, but this could be his season. At the Classic, and in the Super Regional, he will need to go through Kameron Frame, as well as, Anthony Desvignes (Central Oklahoma). The Bronc lost his match-up with Peterson but was victorious when he took on Eiteljorge. This is a big tournament for him for seeding going forward.
If James Penfold (Lake Erie) is healthy, he could fight for a finals berth, but his health will be a question mark after having to withdraw from the Storm Open. True freshman Will Kuster (Drury) is undefeated after winning the Dan Harris Open and the Lindenwood Open to start his college career. Can he keep it going with a third straight tournament title? Hunter Mullin (Western Colorado) was able to avoid the "upset bug" that hit some of his teammates in their last dual and he entered the Midwest with only a loss to 2019 national champion Matt Malcom on his resume. Mullin sat out last season but was a 2020 national qualifier.
Bryan LaVearn (Tiffin) is a three-time national qualifier, which is weird to me because I do not really remember that about him. I do remember that he's stupid dangerous and pins people from anywhere. This season he has stumbled against top-ranked Alex Faranchek and Ashland backup Cam Jenkins. This is his tournament to run big moves and score an upset to help his national standing. Drew Weichers (Ashland) will take the starting spot back and he wants to right the ship after an overtime loss to Dillon Keane (UPJ) last week. Weichers was a 2020 national qualifier for Mount Olive in their inaugural season. Speaking of Keane, when your only loss is in overtime to Ashton Eyler of Lock Haven, you are having a good season.
Gage Bernall (Lander) will be the highest-ranked Super Regional II athlete at the weight, but he will have to contend with Corey Christie (Coker), transfer Talon Seitz (Newberry), Jay Skalecki (Queens), and Rashaan Vereen (UNCP) to be the highest finisher. This tournament is going to go a long way in deciding who is seeded where at that Super Regional. Evan Fisler (Gannon) will fill in for Faranchek, do not sleep on his skills. He was a 2020 national qualifier.
Quarterfinals
Kameron Frame (Newman) vs. Hunter Mullin (Western Colorado)
Shane Gantz (UW-Parkside) vs. Jack Eiteljorge (Indianapolis)
Corey Peterson (McKendree) vs. Dillon Keane (UPJ)
Drew Weichers (Ashland) vs. James Penfold (Lake Erie)
Semifinals
Kameron Frame vs. Drew Weichers
Shane Gantz vs. Dillon Keane
Dillon Keane has been off to a remarkable run to start the 2022 season, but I think it comes to an end when he meets up with the talented Parkside wrestler Shane Gantz. Gantz just wins. It is straightforward and not always exciting to watch, but it is effective. Dillon Keane has improved this season, but Gantz is a known element. Kameron Frame taking on Drew Weichers is going to be all kinds of fun. Over his career, Frame has scored some very big wins. Just last season, he turned eventual national champion off the mat with a 17-2 tech fall. He has beaten the best and routinely beats the very good. Drew Weichers has to have some rust after only wrestling in the GMAC tournament last season. The Midwest Classic is a great place to take a test drive if you are trying to find out how your vehicle will perform climbing up the side of the Rocky Mountains. I am going to go with Frame here.
Finals
Kameron Frame vs Shane Gantz
A battle between Newman and Parkside should get people out of their seats. This match should not have a lot to do with the team race, which means these two will be wrestling for bragging rights. They will not have the opportunity to see each other again until the national tournament, so this is a big one for two wrestlers who we expect to make it that far. The horrendous seeding a year ago played all kinds of havoc on placement and I think athletes and coaches are very cognizant of that this season. Get the big win and lock down a good spot in the bracket.
Champion: Shane Gantz - University of Wisconsin Parkside
2nd: Kameron Frame - Newman University
3rd: Drew Weichers - Ashland University
4th: Dillon Keane - University of Pitt-Johnstown
5th: Corey Peterson - McKendree University
6th: Jack Eiteljorge - University of Indianapolis
7th: Hunter Mullin - Western Colorado University
8th: Bryan LaVearn - Tiffin University
174
#3 Daniel Beemer (Ashland)
#4 Josh Jones (McKendree)
#5 Caleb Spears (Newberry)
#6 Brock Biddle (UPJ)
#7 Andrew Sams (Indianapolis)
#10 Ryan Fidel (Colorado School of Mines)
#12 Job Ayala (UW-Parkside)
#15 Max Bruss (Mary)
It seems like a bit of a letdown after 165 that 174 only has half the ranked wrestlers showing up to throw down, but bear with me, it is still pretty awesome. No returning national champion Abner Romero (Lindenwood)? No problem. Six of the wrestlers are from the top-10, with three of them in the top-five. Four of them are returning All-Americans, with Dan Beemer (Ashland) having defeated Josh Jones (McKendree) in the consolation finals. Andrew Sams (Indianapolis) beat Brock Biddle (UPJ) for fifth place and Caleb Spears was a national qualifier, as was Max Bruss (Mary).
Job Ayala (Parkside) apparently cut a leg off to make the drop to 174, as he had been wrestling 197 the last three seasons. He just took a loss to Dom Murphy (St. Cloud State) in their dual but has had a very impressive showing at the weight with wins over Andrew Sams and Hunter Reed (Findlay). Ryan Fidel (Colorado School of Mines) finished 3-1 at the Super Regional VI tournament in 2021 and was left out of the tournament. That will not happen this season.
Bret Heil (Maryville) finished 5th at the 2019 Midwest Classic and is the highest returning place winner. His season has been a little rough, but Maryville tends to show up at big tournaments. Seth Latham (Mesa) is a 2020 national qualifier and he just earned a win over Jimmy Laconte (Western Colorado). Both of his losses this season are to the Kearney boys Terrell Garraway and Billy Higgins; good news for him is, they will not be here. Much like Job Ayala, Kaleb Winkler (Central Oklahoma) was for the majority of his career wrestling at 197. In 2019 he went 4-2 at this tournament with three falls and finished in seventh place at the weight. I kind of, and by kind of, I mean, I want to see Ayala and Winkler square off. Andrew Sams does have a win over Winkler already this season, but he also has a loss to Ayala. The consolation side of this bracket will be a battlefield with very good wrestlers just trying to stay alive. An early-round upset could throw this whole weight into a fun spiral of chaos and anarchy sure to make Jackie Paquette pull her hair out, which would be super mean because she is a god dang Saint!
Quarterfinals
Dan Beemer (Ashland) vs. Seth Latham (Mesa)
Josh Jones (McKendree) vs. Job Ayala (UW-Parkside)
Caleb Spears (Newberry) vs. Ryan Fidel (Colorado School of Mines)
Brock Biddle (UPJ) vs. Andrew Sams (Indianapolis)
Semifinals
Dan Beemer vs. Andrew Sams
Josh Jones vs. Caleb Spears
Run it again! It is rubber-match time for Dan Beemer and Andrew Sams. The two split the series last year, with Beemer earning the win at the Super Regional tournament. These two are in different Super Regionals now, so this is where we could see national seeding consequences from this match. The first takedown in the match will loom large as in both previous bouts, the first wrestler to secure it won. Beemer only has one loss this season to Division I Joseph Walker (Michigan). Josh Jones and Caleb Spears have never met and they might never wrestle each other again after this weekend. Spears is a #SuperSenior looking to earn his first All-American honors this season and an upset win over Jones would show just how serious he is.
Finals
Dan Beemer vs. Josh Jones
Dan Beemer defeated Josh Jones twice in St Louis by identical 3-1 scores. The second time it allowed him to finish third, while knocking Jones down to the fourth spot. Now they meet again for the first time in the 2021-22 season and I am here for the fireworks! And by fireworks, I mean a 1-1 score with 45 seconds left in the third period as neither athlete wants to risk giving up a takedown before a fresh period in SV-1.
Champion: Josh Jones - McKendree University
2nd: Daniel Beemer - Ashland University
3rd: Andrew Sams - University of Indianapolis
4th: Brock Biddle - University of Pitt-Johnstown
5th: Caleb Spears - Newberry College
6th: Job Ayala - University of Wisconsin Parkside
7th: Ryan Fidel - Colorado School of Mines
8th: Kalin Winkler - Central Oklahoma University
184
#5 Aidan Pasiuk (Ashland)
#6 Anderson Salisbury (Mines)
#9 Noah Curreri (Queens)
#11 Martin Verhaeghe (FHSU)
#12 Nolan Krone (Colorado Mesa)
#13 Reece Worachek (UW-Parkside)
#14 Cole Houser (Glenville State)
#16 Luke McGonigal (Mercyhurst)
#16 (174) Gage Roaldson (Moorhead)
Now we are back to weights where more than half of the ranked wrestlers are showing up, and in a big surprise, we will not see Heath Gray here. The defending Midwest Classic and NCAA champion will not defend his title in Indianapolis. Gray has been one of the most dominating wrestlers in the country the last two seasons and his absence opens the door for other talented wrestlers to kick it off the hinges.
Start with two-time All-American and four-time national qualifier Aidan Pasiuk. The 2019 MWC runner-up should earn the top-seed over fellow All-American Anderson Salisbury (Colorado School of Mines). Salisbury was fourth at the last Classic and these two met in the seventh-place match at the national tournament.
We know who the top-two will be, but after them, things could devolve into a shouting match in the rankings meeting. Noah Curreri was Queens University's first All-American in program history last season and is a two-time national qualifier. He looks fat and happy up at the 184 weight class and has been easily handling his D2 competition this season with a 4-0 record with all wins earning his team bonus. Martin Verhaeghe (FHSU) has been an absolute thorn in my rankings side for a while now. If I do not rank him or I rank him low, he goes out and just trashes someone ahead of him. If I move him up, he takes a head-scratching loss. I am honestly starting to think he is doing it to just mess with me. The 2021 national qualifier has all the talent in the world and I expect it to be on display; he showed it in a 4-2 win over Nolan Krone (Colorado-Mesa) earlier this season. It would not surprise me to see them seeded 4th and 5th to set up another head-to-head.
What to do with Cole House (Glenville State), the junior transfer from now-defunct Urbana is 18-4 with only a single loss to Division II wrestlers. His sixteen wins with bonus points are impressive, but his past history has shown that he has trouble winning the big matches. Every match at the Midwest Classic is a big one and if he wants to finally get the monkey off his back and become a national qualifier, he can build confidence this weekend. Second-time true freshman Reecer Worachek (UW-Parkside) seems to struggle on the bottom; this is not a great weight class to have the problem. The guys ranked ahead of him are very good on top and he needs to find a way to break that cycle. Gage Roaldson (Moorhead) just broke into my rankings recently at 174 and that was not enough for him because now he has moved up and is going to try to break in here as well.
Wyatt Lidberg (Mary) handed him his first loss just over a week ago, so we will be able to see which repeat true freshman can build on their early-season success. Mercyhurst has some very good athletes and Luke McGonigal fits that build. The two-time national qualifier at 197 has looked fit and nimble at 184 this season. He has wins over Cameron Page (Gannon) and Rocky Jordan (Ohio State) and this tournament will help evaluate the move to a new weight class for the junior. Gleason Mappes (Indianapolis) is a two-time national qualifier and a good run here will see him move back into the rankings. He is looking for that win that will show he is a contender for a return to St Louis. The weight class may not be wide-open, but it certainly has a chance to be very exciting on the championship side of the bracket.
Quarterfinals
Aidan Pasiuk (Ashland) vs. Luke McGonigal (Mercyhurst)
Anderson Salisbury (Colorado School of Mines) vs. Reece Worachek (UW-Parkside)
Noah Curreri (Queens) vs. Cole Houser (Glenville State)
Martin Verhaeghe (FHSU) vs Nolan Krone (Colorado-Mesa)
Semifinals
Aidan Pasiuk vs. Martin Verhaeghe
Anderson Salisbury vs. Noah Curreri
If I have the seeds right, I have this tournament playing out to the seeds. If I have them wrong, I still think these are the four best wrestlers at this weight. Aidan Pasiuk will not be sad that Gray and Filipek are both out of the tournament, because it opens the door for him to become a Midwest Classic champion. Martin Verhaeghe has the skill set to cause him trouble, but I think that his ability to control the top position will allow him to counter Verhaeghe's own best position. But this could come down to the wrestler that scores first and starts to roll up that riding time. Anderson Salisbury managed to wrestle 30 matches in a shortened season, he is slacking a bit in 2022. I expect he will rack up some wins on his way to the finals and a battle with Pasiuk. Curreri is very good and his historic All-American finish was great to watch. This will be a match where it might come down to strength and Salisbury has been a 184 longer.
Finals
Aidan Pasiuk vs. Anderson Salisbury
Aidan Pasiuk was part of that history-making Wheeling Jesuit team that had their college dreams stolen from them. He has found a home at Ashland and has continued to be one of the best wrestlers in the country. Last season, he ran into some very tough athletes at the national tournament, but he was still able to find the podium. This is his first major test in 2022 and could set him up as someone who could sneak into the top three.
Champion: Aidan Pasiuk - Ashland University
2nd: Anderson Salisbury - Colorado School of Mines
3rd: Martin Verhaeghe - Fort Hays State University
4th: Reecer Worachek - University of Wisconsin Parkside
5th: Noah Curreri - Queens University
6th: Nolan Krone - Colorado Mesa University
7th: Gleason Mappes - University of Indianapolis
8th: Cole Houser - Glenville State University
197
#1 Dalton Abney (Central Oklahoma)
#4 Donald Negus (Colorado-Mesa)
#6 Gino Sita (Alderson Broaddus)
#8 Nicholas Mason (Tiffin)
#9 Chris Droege (Lake Erie)
#11 Jordan Williams (Glenville State)
#12 Bryce Walker (UNCP)
#13 Matt Kaylor (Mary)
#14 Nathan Blubaugh (Indianapolis)
#16 Darius Parker (Lander)
Ladies and gentlemen, let's get ready to rumble! Top-ranked Dalton Abney (Central Oklahoma) will need to bring his A-game to Indianapolis or he might find himself in some trouble. With teammate Heath Gray, not wrestling, his points become even more important in the race for the team championship. Nicholas Mason (Tiffin) is the highest returning place winner, a three-time national qualifier, 2019 national champion and is always dangerous. When he gets on a roll, lookout! That is more of a warning to his competitors than you readers. I do not think he usually creates collateral damage.
Donald Negus (Mesa) and Chris Droege (Lake Erie) were both All-Americans last season and are fighting for those honors again. Gino Sita (Alderson Broaddus) has looked very good at 197 and now that he can compete for a full season, he has just been eating up the competition. He has wins over Jordan Williams (Glenville State) and Chris Droege already this year. He also bested his teammate "The Rock" earlier. I can smell what he's cooking. Speaking of Jordan Williams, the Glenville State true freshman has a win over Bryce Walker (UNCP) this season and Logan Kemp (West Liberty) to offset his losses to Sita and Darius Parker (Lander). Parker was the first national qualifier for coach RC LaHaye at Lander and his season has hit a hot streak with five straight dual wins. He is big and strong and can pose all kinds of problems for other wrestlers. Bryce Walker was also a 2021 national qualifier and his season has hit a tough run with three losses in his last four matches. He needs to rebound and do it quickly or he could be staring down the barrel of a full-blown slump.
Matt Kaylor (Mary) is running hot himself as the redshirt freshman has started to find his own identity on the mat. He will not have to wrestle the Mesa wrestler who beat him this season, but he may end up wrestling the Mesa wrestler who is the starter. Nathan Blubaugh is another redshirt freshman who is ready to happily usher the old guard out the front door, but his last attempt to evict Nicholas Mason did not go so well. Adams State has struggled a bit at the upper weights recently, but they did add Hunter Tobiasson this season. So far, the former Queens University wrestler has struggled to settle in out west and this tournament is sort of a make-or-break moment for him. There will probably be a wrestler whose name pops up as a major upset early, but this weight class is so top-heavy it is hard to see it having an overall-all negative bracket effect.
Quarterfinals
Dalton Abney (Central Oklahoma) vs. Darius Parker (Lander)
Donald Negus (Mesa) vs. Nathan Blubaugh (Indianapolis)
Nicholas Mason (Tiffin) vs. Chris Droege (Lake Erie)
Gino Sita (Alderson Broaddus) vs. Jordan Williams (Glenville State)
Semifinals
Dalton Abney vs. Gino Sita
Donald Negus vs. Nicholas Mason
I want to start with Nicholas Mason taking on Donald Negus, because I think this will be one of the best matches of the entire tournament. Negus does so well controlling athletes while Mason wants to turn a match into a free-for-all. When he loses, he does so spectacularly; when he wins, it is much the same. I think that his last Midwest Class semifinal left a bad taste in his mouth and he wants that title. I look for him to be restrained and calculated as he finds a way to pull Negus out of his comfort zone. Dalton Abney is very good; if it was not for Ryan Vasbinder (Michigan State) transferring out, he might still be the second-best wrestler at the weight. Now though, he is the clear number one and I think he shows it. Gino Sita is silky smooth on his feet, but it is hard to score on a wrestler who presses forward in a good position with heavy hands. That is precisely who Dalton Abney is and what he does.
Finals
Dalton Abney vs. Nicholas Mason
This is just like the semifinals where Nicholas Mason is going to try to open the match up into a wide-open scramble and conditioning battle. Dalton Abney is the kryptonite to that kind of style, though. The wildcard here is if Mason gets on one of his "hot streaks" where it doesn't matter who he is facing, he just wins. A run to the finals could heat him up and spell big trouble for my rankings.
Champion: Dalton Abney -University of Central Oklahoma
2nd: Nicholas Mason -Tiffin University
3rd: Gino Sita - Alderson Broaddus University
4th: Donald Negus - Colorado Mesa University
5th: Jordan Williams - Glenville State College
6th: Chris Droege - Lake Erie College
7th: Nathan Blubaugh - University of Indianapolis
8th: Darius Parker - Lander University
Hwt
#3 Weston Hunt (Mines)
#6 Jacob Robb (Mercyhurst)
#9 Ian Kuehl (McKendree)
#10 AJ Cooper (FHSU)
#14 Cam Coffman (Lander)
#16 Zach Schaffer (UNCP)
Heavyweight is a chance for some of the wrestlers who are not currently in the top-16 to make a splash and show that they should be considered for one of those spots. Weston Hunt (Colorado School of Mines) is the head of the class right now; the 2021 national finalist is ranked behind Andrew Dunn (Kutztown) and Kam Teacher (St Cloud State). Those two wrestlers won the last two national championships, so it is not like he is a slouch. There was a moment where he took Teacher across his back and nearly broke the hopes and dreams of every Huskies fan in the building. He will be on a collision course with the pinning machine Jacob Robb (Mercyhurst) in the finals. Robb had what should have been a potential finals berth type season taken from him when Covid ended his 2021. He is back with natural immunity, so I do not expect the Delta or Omicron to be too much of a problem (fingers crossed). In 2019 both Hunt and Robb placed at the Midwest Classic, but it was Robb winning the tournament while Hunt settled for 6th with a double forfeit. Robb has four falls in his eight wins and I expect that he will add more this weekend.
AJ Cooper (FHSU) is the second-highest returning All-American at the weight after finishing fifth in St Louis. Cooper has the best head of hair in wrestling and he also has some tough losses this season. I expect that he can quickly straighten things up, though, as he is already back on a winning streak after dominating the Bob Smith Open. If conditioning really does not matter to heavyweights, Ian Kuehl (McKendree) should be just fine. The Midwest Classic will be the first competition of the 2022 season for the returning national qualifier. Cam Coffman (Lander) was a national qualifier last season and this year, he has been solid in his sophomore run. Zach Shaffer (UNCP) is a true freshman who has earned some big wins, including beating Coffman by fall earlier this season. They could meet along the way at this tournament in the consolation quarters or semifinals.
Braden Morgan (Central Oklahoma) and Cale Gray (Indianapolis) already met this season, with the Greyhound handing Morgan his only D2 loss on the season. That was the biggest win of the season, so far, for the second-time true freshman who is looking strong for Indianapolis. Ogden Atwood was a national qualifier for Mount Olive and now he is the starting big man for Pitt-Johnstown two seasons later. A year in one of the best rooms in the country could pay dividends at the Midwest Classic. Northern State will bring Ali'i Loyola, who had some big wins a year ago. There are also the veterans Sammy DeSeriere (Western Colorado) and Nate Lloyd (UW-Parkside) who have the experience to place in the tournament and maybe pull an upset. Johnny Green (Ouachita) has struggled in the postseason, but the sophomore is off to a good start this year and this is a chance to put those demons behind him. I would argue that the top three or four big men are pretty easy to identify and after that, this weight class is going to be all kinds of fun.
Quarterfinals
Weston Hunt (Mines) vs. Ogden Atwood (UPJ)
Jacob Robb (Mercyhurst) vs. Cale Gray (Indianapolis)
AJ Cooper (FHSU) vs Zach Schaffer (UNCP)
Ian Kuehl (McKendree) vs Cam Coffman (Lander)
Semifinals
Weston Hunt vs. Ian Kuehl
Jacob Robb vs. AJ Cooper
My prediction for the semifinal between Jacob Robb and AJ Cooper is that it will end with a pin. You can flip a coin to decide how that goes, though, if you want to. This is another of those matches I wish I could be there for, because they did not meet up at the 2019 tournament I attended. People should not try to leave during these matches because you might miss a big move. Weston Hunt taking on Ian Kuehl will probably not have the same flair as the other semifinal, but it will have sound wrestling and a chance for Kuehl to pull a big upset. Weston Hunt made the finals wrestling smart and it was nearly enough to hoist a national championship plaque. I think he makes his way into the finals here as well.
Finals
Weston Hunt vs. Jacob Robb
This match is going to mean a lot to Jacob Robb. A win and he is vaulted right into the talk alongside Dunn and Teacher as a national finalist threat. It also will hand him his second Midwest Classic crown and that is something special. For Weston Hunt, a win shows that last season was not just a run of good luck at a tournament that was missing some of the top big men due to the pandemic. It's weird to be talking like a national finalist has something to prove, but I believe that Hunt does and he may be right. For Jacob Robb, this win will make people reevaluate seeds heading into the postseason and set him up on a path in SR I for a collision with Andrew Dunn. Their last two matches ended 3-2, which for big men is a razor-thin margin for error.
Champion: Jacob Robb - Mercyhurst University
2nd: Weston Hunt - Colorado School of Mines
3rd: AJ Cooper - Fort Hays State University
4th: Ian Kuehl - McKendree University
5th: Cam Coffman - Lander University
6th: Zach Schaffer - University of North Carolina Pembroke
7th: Cale Gray - University of Indianapolis
8th: Johnny Green - Ouachita Baptist University
The Team Champions:
The University of Central Oklahoma
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