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2008 Champion: Josh Chelf, UW-La Crosse
Returning All-Americans: Jerome Owens (Johnson & Wales), Kyle Vanderhyde (Olivet), Kyle Kerhli (Cornell)

This could be one of the more anticipated weights in the tournament with a very good top three and a solid group below them.  Jerome Owens and Rocky Mantella are both undefeated, and both have defeated 2x All-American Vanderhyde in close matches this year.  Mantella and Vanderhyde could meet again in the semis just two weeks after an overtime battle at the regional.  Owens defeated Vanderhyde, but has not seen the same level of schedule as Mantell and Midlands placer Vanderhyde.

It seems like a step down from the top three, but there are some dangerous wrestlers between 4 and 8.  Kehrli was an All-American and can score in bunches on top.  Priest has not lost in Division III since the first week of the season, and has wins over a number of the other competitors.  Molitor has racked up a lot of falls this year on his way to a Great Lakes title, though he was pinned by Mantella.

Carlson and Brown round out the seeds, but a number of other athletes could have been seeded as well.  Reilly and Thomason from the Metro conference have had strong years, and Reilly had his second great Metro tournament in a row, though it remains to be seen if he can keep that momentum going through the NCAA tournament.  Schmitz and Dormann may run into each other early on, but either is also capable of pulling an upset and ruining a seed’s day.

Seeds
1. Owens, JWU
2. Mantella, Delaware Valley
3. Vanderhyde, Olivet
4. Priest, Ithaca
5. Kehrli, Cornell
6. Molitor, Augsburg
7. Carlson, Chicago
8. Brown, Dubuque