2010 Weight Class Preview: 184

Qualifiers at 184
Returning qualifiers in italics, All-Americans in bold, any year:
Ben Adams (John Carroll)
Nic Barclay (Luther)

Todd Becker (Wartburg)
Tyler Burkle (Coe)
Mike Denver (TCNJ)
Ben Engelland (UW-Stevens Poing)
Nick Kraus (Trine)
Phil Moenkedick (Concordia Moorhead)
Nate Murren (Ursinus)
Corbin Semple (Waynesburg)
Josh Wake (Oneonta)
Brennan Ward (Johnson & Wales)
Gabe Youel (North Central)

Heads turned at the beginning of the season when Tyler Burkle moved up two weight classes from 165 to 184, but right now, it looks like a good decision, as Coe has filled 165 with the #3 seed, and Burkle comes in at 184 ranked #1.  No DIII losses and a win over last year’s runner-up have him poised to make a run for a second title to go with his championship at 165 in 2008.  Ben Engelland of Stevens Point is the top challenger with a 30-0 record and a win over Youel of North Central.  Phil Moenkedick of Concordia was the runner-up here last year and sits at #3, just ahead of Gabe Youel of North Central.  Youel has been fourth here twice, and he split with Moenkedick, losing in the Great Lakes final to cede the #3 spot and settle in at #4.

Mike Denver of TCNJ missed most of last year with an injury, but he has come back very strong, winning 42 matches and racking up a lot of bonus point wins.  He rarely sits on a lead.  Becker of Wartburg lost in overtime to Burkle in the IIAC final, serving notice that he will not be overlooked.  Corbin Semple of Waynesburg was a qualifier at 197 last year, but dropped for this season and won the Midwest again.  Brennan Ward of Johnson & Wales is 37-3 and handled New England without too much trouble.  Interestingly, all three of his losses were first period falls.  Adams of John Carroll is making his third trip to the tournament, but is looking for his first All-American award.  Kraus of Trine is a dangerous wrestler who scores in bunches and tries to put matches away early.  One of the more interesting entries here is Nic Barclay of Luther.  This is the third year in a row that Barclay has come into the IIAC tournament with a record suggesting a subpar season, but this will also be his third consecutive trip to the championships.  His records going into the NCAA finals each year: 12-9, 12-3, 17-14.  He’s not yet an All-American, but in a weight with only 13 athletes, everyone here has a reasonable shot.

Seeds
1. Burkle
2. Engelland
3. Youel
4. Moenkedick
5. Denver
6. Becker
7. Semple
8. Ward