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2008 Champion: Matt Miller, Lycoming
Returning All-Americans: Rob Kramer (Coe), Alec Bonander (Luther), Josh Holforty (UW-Eau Claire), Anthony Neumann (Concordia Moorhead)

Alec Bonander has gone wire to wire in the top spot in the rankings and comes in as the top seed, one spot higher than last year.  He underperformed his seed last year, but he comes in undefeated in DIII and will be favored.  The second seed, Massey from Augsburg, has 15 falls and also hasn’t lost to a DIII opponent.  These two are obviously favored to meet in the finals, but 197 is a thick weight with a number of very talented wrestlers who could spoil the party.

Voeck of Whitewater has come on strong, winning 29 of his last 30 matches, including a WIAC title over Moore of La Crosse.  Boston University transfer Malo of Williams started the year at 184 before moving up to 197 and defeating a number of top contenders first semester before moving up to this weight for good in January.  Five seed Neumann and seven seed Kramer are returning All-Americans sandwiched around six seed Wonderlin.  Andy Moore of La Crosse has had a breakout year for the Eagles.

Indicative of the strength of the weight is the fact that All-American Holforty is unseeded.  He drew Bonander in the first round again.  Holforty won last year, so Bonander will be looking to get revenge and to get off on the right foot in his quest for a national title.  The weight is one of the biggest in the tournament, and it’s a good bet that there will be a number of upsets.

Seeds
1. Bonander, Luther
2. Massey, Augsburg
3. Voeck, UW-Whitewater
4. Malo, Williams
5. Neumann, Concordia Moorhead
6. Wonderlin, Dubuque
7. Kramer, Coe
8. Moore, UW-La Crosse