Ohio State's Kollin Moore will bring a perfect 24-0 record into the postseason (Photo/Sam Janicki, SJanickiPhoto.com)Finishing unbeaten for an entire college wrestling season is no easy feat.
Just four wrestlers did it last year.
But a much larger number of competitors are on track to complete the 2019-20 season with a zero in the loss column.
This year's list is loaded with top-level wrestlers. There are 14 NCAA Division I wrestlers who will carry unbeaten records into the postseason.
Just for fun, we are ranking the undefeated wrestlers most likely to finish this season without a defeat.
Here is my list, in order of the most likely wrestlers to go unbeaten:
125: Spencer Lee (Iowa) 15-0
The two-time NCAA champion hasn't been seriously challenged this season. His toughest match was his most recent bout, a 12-3 major decision over No. 4 Nick Piccininni of Oklahoma State on Sunday night. It won't be easy for Lee, but he's the heavy favorite to win NCAAs again at 125 pounds. Lee has a knack for peaking when the stakes are highest.
197: Kollin Moore (Ohio State) 24-0
A national finalist last year, Moore has been one of the most dominant wrestlers in the country this season. He's a strong, physical and hard-charging wrestler who has been a force on the international level in freestyle as well. Moore is right on track to be a national champion this season.
141: Nick Lee (Penn State) 18-0
You can't help but love the way this guy wrestles. He gets after it. He gave up an early takedown to top-ranked Luke Pletcher of Ohio State before taking control for the rest of the match in earning an impressive win. Lee is the total package with his high level of technique, toughness and tenacity. He is going to be difficult to beat.
165: Vincenzo Joseph (Penn State) 13-0
Joseph won two NCAA titles before finishing second last season. He's bounced back with a terrific season where he's had impressive wins over All-Americans Alex Marinelli of Iowa and Evan Wick of Wisconsin. Joseph is a tough matchup with his strength and stamina. He's a difficult opponent to wrestle and he's tough to score on.
Minnesota's Gable Steveson had an undefeated regular season for the second straight year (Photo/Mark Beshey, The Guillotine)285: Gable Steveson (Minnesota) 12-0
Steveson is the most talented wrestler in the country in any weight class. He's a mobile and explosive wrestler who I really believe can make a run at an Olympic medal this year. He's that good. If he stays on the attack, he will win his first NCAA title. He will face a tough challenge with unbeaten Mason Parris of Michigan in his weight class.
174: Michael Kemerer (Iowa) 13-0
The two-time All-American has come on strong late in the season after bumping up two weight classes. Kemerer earned a huge victory over NCAA champion and three-time finalist Mark Hall of Penn State in a dual meet this season. No doubt, the talented Hall will be determined to avenge that loss in the postseason. Kemerer is starting to peak after being out with an injury last season.
157: Ryan Deakin (Northwestern) 18-0
Deakin has ascended to the No. 1 ranking with a superb season. Staying there will be a challenge with past NCAA finalist Hayden Hidlay of North Carolina State and talented freshman David Carr of Iowa State ready to challenge for the title. Deakin is a veteran with strong credentials who is certainly capable of being the top guy in late March.
285: Mason Parris (Michigan) 26-0
Is there a more improved wrestler in the country than Parris? He won a Junior world title over the summer before putting together an impressive regular season for the Wolverines. Parris is really good, but Minnesota's Gable Steveson is going to be difficult to beat. I wouldn't count Parris out though. He's a tough, gritty wrestler who is fun to watch. And he keeps improving.
149: Matthew Kolodzik (Princeton) 10-0
This weight class is still fairly wide open, but Kolodzik is a proven wrestler capable of reaching the top of the podium. But there are a number of evenly matched guys in this balanced weight class. Kolodzik has placed third and fifth at nationals. He's won his share of matches at the NCAA meet. He is definitely someone who can make a title run this year.
125: Pat Glory (Princeton) 20-0
Glory is excellent in the top position and his style could create problems for Iowa's Spencer Lee. If Lee has a weakness, it is when he's on bottom. Glory needs to avoid being taken down if he matches up with the Iowa standout and then hope he can prevail with his strength in the top position.
125: Jack Mueller (Virginia) 12-0
This is another veteran capable of winning his share of big matches. He proved that last year in reaching the NCAA finals before falling 5-0 to Iowa's Spencer Lee. Mueller is very good, but he's also in the same weight as one of the nation's best pound-for-pound wrestlers in Spencer Lee.
133: Chas Tucker (Cornell) 28-0
Tucker has had a heck of a season and he's an excellent wrestler, but he's also ranked fifth behind four studs from the Big Ten. Tucker would need a superb performance to surpass the guys ahead of him, but you never know. Crazy things are known to happen this time of year. Tucker is definitely capable of making a big splash next month.
197: Noah Adams (West Virginia) 29-0
The second-ranked Adams may not receive the recognition he deserves, but he's had an outstanding season. Adams has made big gains with his wrestling. He's won his share of big matches and he now has a big opportunity in front of him at the 2020 NCAA Championships. I wouldn't count him out.
Stanford's Shane Griffith is an undefeated freshman ranked No. 3 in the country (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)165: Shane Griffith (Stanford) 26-0
Griffith has had a superb season, but he's in a loaded weight class that includes two-time NCAA champion Vincenzo Joseph of Penn State along with a number of other high All-Americans. But you never know. A freshman wasn't expected to win this weight class last year, but that didn't stop Virginia Tech freshman Mekhi Lewis from reaching the top of the podium at 165.
Craig Sesker has written about wrestling for more than three decades. He's covered three Olympic Games and is a two-time national wrestling writer of the year.
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