2019 NCAA Preview: 149 lbs.
- Da’mani Burns, Johnson & Wales
- Zachary Cooper, Alma
- Stephen Maloney, Messiah
- Kristian Rumph, Wartburg
- Brett Kaliner, Stevens
- Alex Wilson, Augsburg
- Tyler Gazaway, Roger Williams
- Gregory Warner, York
Jarrad Lasko, John Carroll
Kevin Kelly, Loras
Logan Schlough, La Crosse
Luke Hernandez, Mount Union
Max Tempel, Castleton
Michael Heinl, Washington & Jefferson
Ryan Budzek, TCNJ
Ryan Snow, Brockport
Sean Sax, Westminster
Ty Johnson, Concordia-Moorhead
This is the lightest weight without a returning champion, as Cross Cannone has moved up to 157. There are a good number of wrestlers with a shot at taking this weight. Top seed Da’mani Burns of Johnson & Wales is tied for 2nd in DIII with 21 falls and is 6th in dominance heading into the weekend. He has wins over #3 Maloney and #5 Kaliner this season. Second seeded Zachary Cooper of Alma has a single loss this year which avenged in the regional final. He had to work to get here, winning in overtime in the region semis and making a 2nd period rideout stand up in a 1-0 finals win.
Brett Kaliner of Stevens was the national runner up at 141 last season. This year, he has losses to Maloney and Burns and wins over several others in the bracket including 3x All-American Gregory Warner of York. Stephen Maloney qualified for Messiah last year and comes in as the 3rd seed this year after a good season. Alex Wilson of Augsburg fell in the round of 12 last year and hopes to finish his career on the podium.
Sean Sax is the first ever qualifier for Westminster College in their second season as a program. Logan Schlough of La Crosse qualified this year while his brother Hayden qualified at 141 last year for the Eagles. Ryan Budzek of TCNJ made it back to the NCAA Championships in 2019 after last qualifying in 2016. Kristian Rumph started the year at 141 but moved up to 149 at the end of January and found his way to the top of the regional podium with a win over Kevin Kelly of Loras, a round of 12 finisher at 141 a year ago.