Well, with the football disappointment from Saturday, and the Vikings continuing to find ways to let me down, I am ready for wrestling season to begin. Below are my weight by weight expectations for the upcoming season!
125- I like how hard Mackall wrestles, and think he improved as the year went on last year. His ceiling is probably 7-8th place at NCAA, but with some of the studs coming off redshirt at 125, I am expecting similar results to last year where he is a R12 or just missing the R12 season. He is the type of guy that can get some points on the back side as he is pretty good at getting majors or going for pins against lesser competition. Prediction for NCAA's: R12. Side note: real excited to see what Aden Reeves can do this year as a redshirt. I think he is the real deal and will push Mackall for the spot next season.
133- First off, Gomez needs to work on weight management in order to achieve his true potential this year. I wouldn't be surprised if Todd Small is the guy to start the season at 133. However, if Gomez can manage his weight and work on being solid in all positions, I think he can get to the 3/4th place match. If he struggles with weight management, probably looking at another R12 type season from Austin. I'll go somewhere in the middle. Prediction for NCAA's: 6th place. Also, it is nice to have depth here as I believe Todd would be a top 20 wrestler if forced into action.
141- Ian seems to sneak in one or two big upsets in the month of January that always gives us hope for NCAAs, but then falters as the season goes on. I think a lot of this is due to guys struggling with his pace when they first wrestle him, and then he also has been dinged up at the end of the year the last couple seasons. I think he can be a R12 type wrestler, but not sure he will reach R12 this year. Prediction: 2-2 at NCAAs. Hot take for the season- If Echemendia qualifies and enrolls sometime this semester, I think he could be the guy at 141 come big 12s.
149- I really like Jarrett, and he always peaks at the end of the season. However, I think he is a little overrated in Flo's preseason rankings at 3. That being said, if he doesn't wrestle some of the guys like Sasso, Lee, or O'Connor until NCAAs, he could very well beat them as it takes a match or two to adjust to Jarrett's style. I am guessing he takes another step up from last year though and reaches the 5th/6th place match. Prediction: 5th place.
157- It's been a while since there has been this much hype for an Iowa State redshirt, and I think Carr is legit. He has some tough matches right off the bat, and while he might lose some of them, by the time NCAAs roll around I think David will be one of the top title contenders. May have some cardinal glasses on for this prediction, but we haven't had a champ since Kyven and we are due. Prediction: NCAA Champ
165- I am assuming Chase will win this spot in the lineup. Chase came on at the end of the year last year and really bought into the coaching staff. I am curious to see if he will be big enough to compete at 165 as I still believe 157 is his better weight, but he will have a motor and be able to wear some guys out at 165. I am expecting similar results to what he had last year. Prediction: 1-2 at NCAAs.
174- I think the length of the season took its toll on Marcus. He looked really good at the beginning of the year, but just looked tired in every match at the end of the year. He still had what I would consider a successful freshman season, and think he has a chance to take another step this year. He has the talent to be an AA at 174 if he can handle the full season. I am hoping he hit the weights hard this off season. I am expecting him to take a step forward. Prediction: R12.
184- Man, what could've been last year. I don't think anyone has improved as much as Sammy has the last couple years. Like Austin, weight control will be big for him, but I think he is taking the right steps and has a chance to continue to grow and start to dominate opponents. Zahid moving up to 184 hurts his title chances, but Colbray has the talent to still challenge this year. I don't think he gets to the title match, but do think he will AA. Prediction: 6th place.
197- I think either Shapiro or Duggan will be solid at this weight. I am curious to see how they handle a full season, and how either Shapiro handles wrestling up a weight or how Duggan handles the cut down to 197. Either way, I am expecting they qualify for nationals and maybe sneak a win, but qualifying will be a good season. Prediction: NCAA Qualifier, but 0-2.
Hwt- Gannon has beat a few of the guys ranked ahead of him preseason, and I am hoping another off season in the weight room will have him stronger than ever. I am expecting Gremmel to take another step this year and get close to AA honors, but fall just short. Prediction: R12
4 AAs and 10 qualifiers would have me ecstatic at the end of the year, so I am probably being rather optimistic with my picks, but I really believe this staff will have the team ready to take another step and get into the top 10 in Minneapolis. Excited for the season to start and watch this team continue to grow!
Circa Sports just released Week 6 lines, I would guess this will move our way when wagers go live but who knows.
