Staying on top will require hard work and good luck, but if their prep careers and early college results are any indication, each of these wrestlers is poised to make an impact at the NCAA tournament in 2014.
Cory Clark (Iowa, 125)
About Clark: Cory Clark's redshirt year was pretty impressive. Though it seemed to start almost impossibly well, with his surprising last second 3-2 loss to two-time NCAA champion and teammate Matt McDonough, Clark's season only heated up as the winter grew colder. In December the young Hawkeye picked up a stunning 6-1 win over eventual 2013 NCAA champion Jesse Delgado (Illinois) in the finals of the UNI Open. He finished the season 20-2.
Clark, who was a four-time state champion in Iowa, will face stiff competition from fellow redshirt freshman Thomas Gilman for the starting spot at 125 pounds. However, should Clark make it out of the practice room the nation will already be on warning, and he will be considered an immediate contender for the national title.
Iowa head wrestling coach Tom Brands on Clark: "We have a unique situation with Clark and Gilman, and they're benefitting from it. Clark is super determined and super competitive, and those are two of the things that have helped him develop at the rate he's going. He's learning discipline every day."
Jason Tsirtsis (Northwestern, 149)
Jason Tsirtsis made the Junior World Team at 66 kilos (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)In high school Tsirtsis defeated former NCAA champions Darrion Caldwell at the 2012 Last Chance Olympic Qualifier. That success has continued, as the Indiana native will be representing the United States. in the freestyle competition of the 2013 FILA Junior World Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria at 66 kilos.
Northwestern head wrestling coach Drew Pariano on Tsirtsis: "I believe that Tsirtsis will be perfectly prepared to have an outstanding freshman season. With Welch graduating we will rely on Tsirtsis to score big points for our middle weights. He will also be positively impacted by our Chicago RTC and the training partners that we have lined up for him (which includes Welch) and our team. Lastly, he has a burning desire to win a World title next week. That attitude will carry over and help him reach his goals of being a national champion."
Jimmy Gulibon (Penn State, 133)
About Gulibon: Cael Sanderson' accompaniment to two-time NCAA finalist Nico Megaludis, the incoming 133-pound wrestler was a four-time state champion in Pennsylvania and a POWERade title. Potent on top and still growing into 133 pounds. Gulibon posted a 23-7 record in his redshirt campaign, including six technical falls and five major decisions.
Penn State head wrestling coach Cael Sanderson on Gulibon: "Jimmy has had a real solid redshirt year. He has a history of success being a four-time PIAA state champ. Those don't come around often. He is extremely competitive, a hard worker and disciplined. But above all that, he loves to wrestle. We're excited to get him out there on the mat this year."
Jordan Rogers (Oklahoma State, 184)
About Rogers: One of the most sought after wrestlers in 2012 and the top 182-pound prospect in the nation, Jordan Rodgers was an impressive 144-8 in high school. The pinning machine also found his way to three Washington state titles and the Junior Dan Hodge Award.
Rogers, who finished his redshirt season 8-3 including six falls, found an end-of-the-year streak of five wins. The well-built redshirt freshman is expected to fill in for Chris Chionuma at 184 pounds, and wrestle alongside returning 174-pound NCAA champion Chris Perry.
Oklahoma State head wrestling coach John Smith on Rogers: "With Rogers, I like his pinning potential. He's great at it. His development is coming along a lot quicker than I expected, and I'm excited to see what he can do for us."
Mark Grey (Cornell, 133)
Mark Grey finishes a shot against Illinois' Zane Richards (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)The two-time Junior World Team member won arguably the toughest weight class of the FILA Junior World Team trials in 2013 (60 kilos) when he beat Earl Hall, Joey McKenna, and Zane Richards in a row. He'll join several other wrestlers on this list and will be competing in Bulgaria next week at the FILA Junior World Championships.
Alex Cisneros (Cornell, 149)
About Cisneros: Like teammate Mark Grey, Alex Cisneros technically wasn't a redshirt this past season and has yet to enroll at Cornell. The young wrestler went 2-2 at the Buffalo Brawl, but bounced back and won the Mat Town Open with four straight victories.
The three-time California state champion is hoping to work his way into a Big Red lineup that is always competitive at the lower weights.
Thomas Gilman (Iowa, 125)
Thomas Gilman earned a spot on the Junior World Team at 55 kilos (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)Gilman's 2013 collegiate season included an impressive 23-5 overall record, including seven straight wins to end the season. Maybe most striking about his season was that the 55-kilo freestyler earned the chance to represent the United States in next weekend's 2013 FILA Junior World Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Iowa head wrestling coach Tom Brands on Gilman: "Gilman has made steady progress where I would call a good place. He's very serious about what he's doing. He's very committed. He's very disciplined. Very determined. He works every day and he works hard at it.
Doug Vollaro (Lehigh, 285)
About Vollaro: A star recruit from 2012, with a solid performance to start his redshirt campaign, Vollaro was forced to sit out the second half of the season due to injury. Though he only saw limited action, the heavyweight with a big future posted a respectable 18-7 record. The Mountain Hawks expect even more in 2013-2014.
A two-time high school state champion from Florida, Vollaro was also a FloNationals champion in high school and one of the top-ranked heavyweights in the country. With a history of heavyweight champions, including 2011 NCAA champion Zack Rey the future is bright for Vollaro and the Lehigh Valley.
Sam Brooks (Iowa, 174/184)
Sam Brooks defeated Oklahoma State's Jordan Rogers on his way to making the Junior World Team at 84 kilos (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)Brooks has a solid redshirt campaign going 19-9 in collegiate competition and placing eighth at Midlands. A FILA Cadet World bronze medalist, Brooks qualified for next week's FILA Junior Worlds in Sofia and will wrestle at 84 kilos.
Iowa head wrestling coach Tom Brands on Brooks: "Brooks last year went with some of the best guys in the country. He went with Ethen Lofthouse, so he has one of the best guys in the country right there in his room. He's got an opportunity every day to see where he stacks up. It's unique because he has to get ready in our room with Burak and Evans and Lofthouse. It's a good situation for him and he thrives on it. I don't think he shrinks from any challenge. From a competitive point of view, he doesn't shrink from a task."
Max Schneider (Cal Poly, 157)
About Schneider: The only wrestler on the list who didn't compete in 2013, Max Schneider's career is ready to take off. The top recruit of then first-year Cal Poly coach Brendan Buckley, Schneider has plenty of promise, and is another anchor for the young Mustang squad.
Cal Poly head wrestling coach Brendan Buckley on Schneider: "We have the highest of expectations for Max. He has a unique style with his judo background and is solid in all positions. We feel he will be very competitive this year and be a major player on our team."
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