Below are my champion predictions.
125: No. 1 Thomas Gilman (Iowa)
Why: It's his year. He has shown incredible poise this year as an upper statesman in one of the best Division I college wrestling programs. I see the true freshman Nick Suriano of Penn State as his only real challenge. Gilman won by close decision in the dual meet. Suriano injured his anke in the dual meet against Oklahoma State and subsequently sat out the Big Ten Championships. The idea, of course for Suriano, is to rest and be ready for the NCAAs. He won't be. Given Suriano's questionable health and Gilman's maturity, readiness, and extensive experience in the big show, it's a no-brainer. Gilman wins rather handily.
Ohio State's Nathan Tomasello enters the NCAAs undefeated (Photo/Mark Lundy, Lutte-Lens.com)133: No. 1 Nathan Tomasello (Ohio State)
Why: He's really grown into the 133-pound weight class after bumping up from 125 pounds last year. He was strong at 125 pounds, but he's an even better version of himself at 133 pounds. He's strong, confident and relentless. His last-second win over Cory Clark at the Big Ten Championships was impressive. No one can match his strength, talent and sheer determination.
141: No. 5 Anthony Ashnault (Rutgers)
Why: Anthony Ashnault is strong and the current Big Ten champ. Kevin Jack of NC State and Dan Heil of Oklahoma State are also in the mix here. However, I think Ashnault has what it takes to win this year. He has really matured and is hungry for validation. Ashnault upsets to win.
149: No. 1 Zain Retherford (Penn State)
Why: Really? If you don't know why he wins you have not been following Division I wrestling. He is probably the most dominant wrestler in the tournament. His overtime win over Brandon Sorensen was his only real test this year. He is too strong, has incredibly heavy hands that will crush everyone in his path. No one comes close!
157: No. 1 Jason Nolf (Penn State)
Why: He's destroyed everyone in his weight class and is the man to beat at 157 pounds now that Martinez moved up to 165 pounds. Michael Kemerer of Iowa is his closest rival and they have a long training history together. However, he's beaten him twice this year. He's got Kemerer beaten on the mat and in his head. Joe Smith of Oklahoma State makes a deep run. Nolf wins easily.
165: No. 1 Isaiah Martinez (Illinois)
Why: He is on his way to being the next four-time NCAA champion. It's his destiny. His conditioning, both mental physical, are unparalleled. He has matured, gotten better, if that's even possible. Martinez is on a mission, he will not be derailed. His only college loss was to Nolf last year at 157. I think a bit of hubris crept into his head and he got caught. That's now behind him, and so is everyone else. He may get mild a challenge from Logan Massa of Michigan, or more likely from Vincenzo Joseph of Penn State.
174: No. 5 Mark Hall (Penn State)
Why: This could be the only other upset. Hall, a six-time Minnesota state champion, has a lot of experience in big tournaments. Zahid Valencia of Arizona State is now the No. 1 wrestler in this weight class, but I don't think he makes it through the bracket. Bo Jordan of Ohio State narrowly defeated Hall in overtime to win the Big Ten Championships. Jordan looked good, but I don't think he's one-hundred percent healthy, and still shows signs of rust in my opinion. I think Hall puts it all together and wins. This great talent combined with stellar preparation from his coaches is the difference here.
184: No. 2 Bo Nickal (Penn State)
Why: Even though Gabe Dean is labeled the favorite from anyone you ask, I think Nickal redeems himself in this tournament. He finds a way to move past his recent loss to Myles Martin of Ohio State at the Big Ten Championships, as well as last year in the NCCA finals at 174 pounds. Nickal has his day!
Missouri's J'den Cox will look to finish his career as a three-time NCAA champion (Photo/Mark Lundy, Lutte-Lens.com)197: No. 1 J'den Cox (Missouri)
Why: This guy should have been competing for his fourth NCAA title. I feel he got complacent his sophomore year. He did not have the same fire following his freshman year national title victory. I think he felt he could coast, he couldn't, and didn't. Not at this level of competition. Nevertheless, he will win this year and win definitively, with little resistance. Again, he should be a four-time champ, but three it shall be.
285: No. 1 Kyle Snyder (Ohio State)
Why: Please, do I really have to? Olympic gold medal for U.S. and has beaten virtually everyone, everywhere since his national title over reigning heavyweight king Nick Gwiazdowski of NC State last year.
Team: Penn State
Why: They won't have as many champions this year, but enough of them will place high enough to post the win. They are the best team, and showed it this year, especially in the dual meet against Oklahoma State, coming back from a 13-0 deficit to win. They lost the Big Ten championship to Ohio State, but the Buckeyes will not dominate this very talented national field even close to the same way.
1. Penn State
2. Ohio State
3. Oklahoma State
4. Iowa
5. Michigan
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