Preview – 165 lbs.

165 lbs.

2011 Seeds
1. Terrell, Dubuque
2. Baarson, St. John’s
3. Bonitatis, TCNJ
4. Renaut, Merchant Marine
5. Miller, Ohio Northern
6. LeClere, Coe
7. Curley, Heidelberg
8. Ferguson, UW-Lax

Returning All-Americans
Terrell, Dubuque, 3rd in 2010, 6th in 2009, 4th at 157 in 2008
Bonitatis, TCNJ, 8th in 2008
Renaut, Merchant Marine, 1st in 2010
Miller, Ohio Northern, 1st at 157 in 2010, 4th at 157 in 2009
LeClere, Coe, 4th in 2010
Ferguson, UW-Lax, 8th in 2010
Weber, Wartburg, 6th at 157 in 2010
Magill, NYU, 8th at 157 in 2010

Like 141, there are eight All-Americans in the 165 weight class that is one of the deepest in the tournament. The defending champ and OW is seeded 4th and the defending champ at 157 is seeded 5th. Seeded first for the second year in a row is Terrell of Dubuque. Last year, his first round opponent stepped over a single leg attempt and pinned Terrell, but Terrell won his next five matches to place third. He is now among a handful of wrestlers looking to become a four time All-American this year. Baarson has yet to place, but comes in with a win over LeClere and a #2 seed. Bonitatis is undefeated in Division III with a win over Miller to his credit. If he gets on a roll, he could win the whole thing.

LeClere is the puzzling entry here, as everything was setting up for him to be the #3 seed until he stumbled twice at the IIAC championships to Weber and Hambleton. Fortunate to get one of the Iowa wildcards, he will have to right the ship if he expects to match or exceed last year’s 4th place finish. If everything holds, that #4/#5 matchup is intriguing, as you do not usually get to see defending champions go at it that early in the tournament. This weight is so tough that All-Americans Ferguson, Weber, and Magill almost get lost in the shuffle, and that is leaving out previous qualifiers Curley, Schulte, and Waples.

Prediction: No slip ups for Terrell this time and he gets the win, but he will have to beat three returning placewinners to pull it off.