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2008 Champion: Dan Laurent (Lacrosse)
Returning All-Americans: Glenn Geesman (MIT), Kyle Bilquist (Delaware Valley), Mark Corsello (Elmhurst)

Kyle Bilquist is the top seed, but could be tested early.  His potential quarterfinal match will be with the only DIII wrestler to beat him this season in eighth seeded Andrew Witzel of Augsburg.  Also in the top half of the bracket is the third place finisher at the national tournament from a year ago; fourth seeded Glenn Geesman is a powerful wrestler who has the ability to get hot and run the table.  Geesman did have a loss at the New England tournament to the dangerous Chris Brown of Springfield.  If Brown can find a way to beat returning All American Mark Corsello (Elmhurst), we could have a pair of top half quarterfinals featuring potential bracket busting rematches.

Defending National Champion Dan Laurent of Lacrosse highlights the bottom half of the bracket.  Laurent took a couple of early losses this year, but has been wrestling very well in the second half of the season.  His experience proves that he knows what it takes to go all the way at the big show.  Other top challengers in this half of the bracket include John Helgerson and Brock Glotfelty.  Helgerson of Wartburg is the three seed and he has plenty of quality wins.  It is his first time in the starting lineup, but being a part of Wartburg’s tradition should take care of any inexperience.  McDaniels Glotfelty holds the weights best overall record with 34 wins to only 1 loss.

One other first round match features a pair of darkhorse contenders at the weight.  Seventh seeded Mitch Sander was considered one of the favorites for much of the season, however a poor showing at the Iowa conference tournament leaves him with a bit of an uphill battle.  His first round match will pit Sander against Anthony Carothers of Heidelberg.  Since becoming the starter part way into the season, the unseeded Carothers owns a number of impressive wins including beating Corsello.  Carothers could be a trap match for a seeded wrestler either in the championship or the consolation rounds.

Heavyweight is loaded with potential champions and All Americans.  With a lot of intriguing matchups any number of guys could end up in the finals as well as the placing rounds.

Seeds
1. Bilquist, Delaware Valley
2. Laurent, UW-Lacrosse
3. Helgerson, Wartburg
4. Geesman, MIT
5. Corsello, Elmhurst
6. Glotfelty, McDaniel
7. Sander, Coe
8. Witzel, Augsburg