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2008 Champion: Tyler Burkle, Coe
Returning All-Americans: Burkle, Justin Hanson (Wartburg), Ben Hoover (Maranatha), Ben Youel (North Central), Josh Terrell (Dubuque, 157), Justin Bonitatis (TCNJ)

Lots of returning quality at this weight, including both finalists.  Unlike the last two weights, the returning champ has fallen all the way to the 5th seed.  Burkle was undefeated last year on his way to the championship, but he has had more trouble this year, finishing 3rd in his conference and taking six losses, including three to Hanson and two to Terrell.  Hanson takes over as the top seed, getting in a full season after only 12 matches last year.  Hoover, last year’s runner-up comes in at #2, and like last year, he is wrestling well when it means the most.

Ben Youel has split with Hanson and Hoover this year, winning his last against Hanson, but losing the Great Lakes final to Hoover.  Terrell has made his name this year with two wins over Burkle against one loss, though he has lost to the seventh seeded Wozniak.  Michael Morin is one of a half dozen undefeated wrestlers in the tournament, coming in at the sixth seed.  He has wrestled mostly against his own conference, but has a win over the currently injured Zempel.

Bonitatis placed here last year and is very explosive.  His first round matchup with Dahlheimer will be quite a contrast in styles.  Renaut was the champ at the All-Academies, and he is not one to overlook, even though he has not seen much of this competition before.  Nagel of Whitewater is the last returner not to be mentioned yet, though he fell to Ferguson of La Crosse in the WIAC tournament as well as Wozniak.

Seeds
1. Hanson, Wartburg
2. Hoover, Maranatha
3. Youel, North Central
4. Terrell, Dubuque
5. Burkle, Coe
6. Morin, Southern Maine
7. Wozniak, UW-Stevens Point
8. Bonitatis, TCNJ