2015 NCAA Preview: 285 lbs.
2014 Champion: James Buss, Loras
2015 Field (with rankings)
West 1 | (2) Longendyke | Augsburg |
West 2 | Davis | Concordia-Moorhead |
West 3 | Karkula | Eau Claire |
Central 1 | (4) Nagle | Wartburg |
Central 2 | Seaman | Augustana |
Central 3 | Herman | Luther |
Midwest 1 | (3) Green | Trine |
Midwest 2 | (8) Edgren | Whitewater |
Midwest 3 | Maresh | Alma |
Mideast 1 | (1) Lovejoy | Ohio Northern |
Mideast 2 | (9) Tristram | Brockport |
Mideast 3 | (10) Majoy | Heidelberg |
East 1 | (5) Roseberry | Delaware Valley |
East 2 | Florek | Stevens |
East 3 | Peleg | Ursinus |
Northeast 1 | (6) Bethel | Oneonta |
Northeast 2 | (7) Jean-Jacques | Rhode Island |
Northeast 3 | Foster | Roger Williams |
Cody Lovejoy improved from 0-2 in 2013 to 7th place last year to a number one ranking in 2015. This year, he is 42-0 with 26 falls and wins over previous All-Americans Mack Green of Trine and Anthony Edgren of Whitewater. He has also won the NCAA’s Elite 89 Award each of the past two seasons for having the highest GPA of all NCAA Qualifiers. With only one other returning All-American from 2014 in the bracket (Green), Lovejoy could be in position to bring home a title for the Polar Bears. It will not be easy, especially with Augsburg’s Donny Longendyke on the other side of the bracket. Longendyke is a tranfer from Nebraska who is also undefeated as a member of the Auggies. He was once the top ranked 285 lbs. high school recruit and has been dominant this semester, including a major decision over #4 Nagle of Wartburg.
Another Division I transfer is Terrance Jean-Jacques of Rhode Island College. Jean-Jacques wrestled for Iowa before making his way closer to home in New England. He has been in the NCAA Most Dominant standing for much of the season, though his schedule has not matched the other top contenders in difficulty. His only loss this year came in the regional final to Oneonta freshman James Bethel. Zach Roseberry of Delaware Valley was 4th last season, Matan Peleg is a two time qualifier for Ursinus, and Conner Herman of Luther last appeared in the tournament in 2012 before returning this season.