Preview – 133 lbs.

133 lbs.

2011 Seeds
1. Livingston, Centenary
2. Fitzenreider, North Central
3. Ecker, Ithaca
4. McInally, RIT
5. Sheley, UW-Lax
6. Brown, Thiel
7. Herr, TCNJ
8. Mirocha, Wartburg

Returning All-Americans
Livingston, Centenary, 3rd in 2010
Ecker, Ithaca, 6th in 2009 at 125
McInally, RIT, 2nd in 2009 at 125
Brown, Thiel, 8th in 2010, 6th in 2009

Last year, Livingston ran up a lead in his second round match against the eventual champ, but he was unable to hold on, especially after a shortened season that saw him come into the NCAA tournament with only five matches under his belt. That was his last loss, however, as he stormed through to finish in third place in his first season in Division III after spending time at both Virginia Tech and Ohio State. This year, he has had a full season and has furnished a 22-0 record and a start to finish #1 ranking. There are three other All-Americans at this weight, though only Brown of Thiel placed last year and he has placed twice at 133. Ecker and McInally are old conference foes who both placed at 125 in 2009.

Fitzenreider was also the #2 seed last year, but he was upset in the first round and then ran into Livingston in the All-America round in the consolations. This year, he has not lost in Division III, and he handily won the Great Lakes Regional title two weeks ago. Yewah of La Crosse won this weight a year ago, but he has moved up to 141. Stepping right in after him, however, is Sheley. Sheley took advantage of his opportunity to put together a season with just three losses with only a default to Henle of St. John’s as a blemish against DIII. Herr, D’Alessandro, and Marcello are also back from last year looking to make it to the second day.

Prediction: Livingston follows up his 2010 turn as Centenary’s first All-American by becoming their first NCAA champion.