Among NCAA Qualifiers:

Most Wins: 43 – Kyle Kehrli, Cornell 174
Fewest Wins: 8 – Lloyd McKinnie, UW-Lax 125

Most Matches: 50 – Kevin Sutherland, Rhode Island 149
Fewest Matches: 10 – Romeo Djoumessi, Wartburg 184

Undefeated Wrestlers:
Jake Oster, Elmhurst 125
Aaron Wernimont, Wartburg 157
Andrew Goldstein, Gettysburg 157
Michael Morin, Southern Maine 165
Rocky Mantella, Delaware Valley 174
Jerome Owens, Johnson & Wales 174
Phil Moenkedick, Concordia-Moorhead 184

21 wrestlers with less than 20 wins.
6 wrestlers with 40 or more wins.
One wrestler (Nic Barclay) with a losing record.

Here’s a list of all teams with five or more qualifiers:

9
Augsburg
Wartburg
7
UW-La Crosse
Coe
Ithaca
Luther
6
Delaware Valley
Heidelberg
Merchant Marine Academy
5
TCNJ
Wilkes

NCAA Coverage from Intermat

Click above for Intermat’s tournament page.  It has lists of qualifiers, alternates, and qualifying tournament results.  As of this morning, the results and lists are not totally complete, but that should change soon.

Metro
Team: Wilkes
OW: Mike Reilly, King’s, 174
Wildcards: Shaun Farnham, Wilkes; Tyler Branham, TCNJ; Brian Thomason, York; Frank Heffernan, Wilkes; Ed Broderick, TCNJ; Brian Scher, Hunter

Wisconsin
Team: UW-La Crosse
OW: Jake Wozniak, UW-Stevens Point, 165
The nine at-large selections include: UW-Eau Claire’s Josh Holforty, UW-La Crosse’s Cory Ferguson and Andy Moore, UW-Oshkosh’s Sam Engelland, UW-Stevens Point’s Chase DeCleene and Ben Engelland, UW-Whitewater’s Pat Nagel and Max Oldenburg and Lawrence University’s Sam Laes.

New England
Team: Williams
OW: Kevin Sutherland, Rhode Island, 149
Wildcards: Frank Cammisa, Bridgewater State; Gregory Hurd, Wesleyan, 174; Joseph Silverman, MIT, 197; Chris Brown, Springfield, 285

Centennial
Team: Merchant Marine
OW: Andrew Goldstein, Gettysburg, 157
Brackets | Team Scores
Wildcard: Rob Kein, Muhlenberg, 149

Ohio
Team: Heidelberg
OW: Luke Miller, Ohio Northern, 157
Brackets and Team Scores
Wildcard: Zach Mizer, Heidelberg

Empire
Team: Ithaca
OW: Luke Baum, RIT, 141
Brackets | Team Scores
Wildcards: Mike McInally, RIT; Derrick Smith, Oswego; John Paxos, Ithaca; Blaine Woszczak, Ithaca; Willie Horwath, Ithaca

Midwest
Team: Delaware Valley
OW: Rocky Mantella, Delaware Valley, 174
Brackets and Team Scores
Wildcards: Rob Miller, Thiel; Corey Brown, Thiel; Dale Fava, Delaware Valley; Isaac Dukes, Case; Kyle Vanderhyde, Olivet; plus three others

Great Lakes
Full Great Lakes Region Brackets
Team: Augsburg
Top 2 plus the following Wildcards: Virgil Pope, MSOE; Matt Baarson, St. John’s; Orlando Ponce, Augsburg; Gabe Youel, North Central; Toby Boltz, Wheaton; Adam Sutter, Lakeland

Click below for the d3wrestle.com home of the NCAA Championships.  You can also reach the page by clicking the link in the left sidebar.

2009 NCAA Championships Coverage

Please Note: These are predictions of what will happen at a specific tournament on a specific date.  They are not seedings or rankings.  We have seen all the results and made predictions based off those results.  We may predict someone to win, even if they recently lost to a conference opponent, but that does not mean we did not see the results.

All week long, d3wrestle.com will be publishing previews of each of the NCAA qualifying tournaments to be held this weekend.  In addition to predicting winners and identifying the top athletes at each weight, we will attempt to predict all 160 qualifiers based on the number of wildcards available for each qualifying tournament.  This is the last of those previews, as most of the tournaments get going tomorrow.

Great Lakes Region – 26 qualifiers
Predicted Team Champ: Augsburg College

Top Individual: Willy Holst, Augsburg

Returning NCAA Qualifiers: Seth Flodeen (Augsburg 125, 1st NCAA), Jake Oster (Elmhurst 125, 5th NCAA), Mogi Baatar (St. John’s 133, 7th NCAA), Travis Lang (Augsburg 133, 5th NCAA), Minga Batsukh (St. John’s 141, 2007), Ben Anderson (Concordia 141), Willy Holst (Augsburg 149, 3rd NCAA), Jason Adams (Augsburg 157, 2nd NCAA), Ben Hoover (Maranatha 165, 2nd NCAA), Ben Youel (North Central 165, 4th NCAA), Matt Schrupp (St. John’s 165); Phil Moenkedick (Concordia 184), Dustin Baxter (St. John’s 184), Gabe Youel (North Central 184, 4th NCAA), Anthony Neumann (Concordia 197, 8th NCAA), Mark Corsello (Elmhurst 285, 7th NCAA)

A great performance by the Great Lakes last year resulted in 3 extra qualifiers in 2009.  A strong group is back, including 11 All-Americans.  Willy Holst has moved to the top of this group with two wins over last year’s NCAA champ and an undefeated D3 record.  Other top returners include NCAA champ Seth Flodeen and finalists Jason Adams and Ben Hoover.  184 is the deepest weight and could see four qualifiers.  Top ranked Augsburg should see their Great Lakes reign continue as d3wrestle.com is predicting seven champs and eight qualifiers for the Auggies and first year head coach Mark Matzek.  Other contending teams will be Concordia-Moorhead, North Central, and St. John’s.

Weight by Weight (predicted qualifiers in bold)
125 Prediction: Jake Oster, Elmhurst
Top Challengers: Seth Flodeen, Augsburg; Joe Norton, North Central; Daron Hohbein, Concordia; Chad Henle, St. John’s

133 Prediction: Travis Lang, Augsburg
Top Challengers: Mogi Baatar, St. John’s; Ryan Timmerman, St. Olaf

141 Prediction: Tony Valek, Augsburg
Top Challengers: Minga Batsukh, St. John’s; Ben Anderson, Concordia

149 Prediction: Willy Holst, Augsburg
Top Challengers: Jason Fitzenreider, North Central; Charlie Curran, Elmhurst; Joey Massman, Concordia University; Justin Berns, Concordia Moorhead

157 Prediction: Jason Adams, Augsburg
Top Challengers: Matt Baarson, St. John’s; Lane Lunde, Concordia; Joel VandeBoom, MSOE

165 Prediction: Ben Youel, North Central
Top Challengers: Ben Hoover, Maranatha; Greg Horn, Elmhurst; Brandon Bahr, Augsburg; Matt Schrupp, St. John’s

174 Prediction: Zach Molitor, Augsburg
Top Challengers: Troy Carlson, Chicago; Greg Schroeder, North Central

184 Prediction: Gabe Youel, North Central
Top Challengers: Phil Moenkedick, Concordia; Dustin Baxter, St. John’s; Toby Boltz, Wheaton

197 Prediction: Jared Massey, Augsburg
Top Challengers: Anthony Neumann, Concordia; Tony Willaert, St. John’s; Vinnie Sapienza, North Central

285 Prediction: Andy Witzel, Augsburg
Top Challengers: Mark Corsello, Elmhurst; Adam Sutter, Lakeland

Please Note: These are predictions of what will happen at a specific tournament on a specific date.  They are not seedings or rankings.  We have seen all the results and made predictions based off those results.  We may predict someone to win, even if they recently lost to a conference opponent, but that does not mean we did not see the results.

All week long, d3wrestle.com will be publishing previews of each of the NCAA qualifying tournaments to be held this weekend.  In addition to predicting winners and identifying the top athletes at each weight, we will attempt to predict all 160 qualifiers based on the number of wildcards available for each qualifying tournament.  With nine qualifiers, d3wrestle.com will publish two each day, with the last one appearing Friday morning.

Midwest Region – 15 qualifiers
Predicted Team Champion: Delaware Valley

Top Individual: Mike Wilcox, Delaware Valley

Returning NCAA Qualifiers: Chris Sheetz (Delaware Valley 125, 6th NCAA), Rob Miller (Thiel 125), Brandon Clemmer (Delaware Valley 133), Jason Brew (Olivet 157, 2nd NCAA), Kyle Vanderhyde (Olivet 174, 4th NCAA), Mike Wilcox (Delaware Valley 184, 2nd NCAA), Kyle Bilquist (Delaware Valley 285, 5th NCAA)

A very strong group of qualifiers will come out of the Midwest this year.  Led by NCAA #2 Delaware Valley, this group could realistically come home with 10-12 All-Americans out of 15 qualifiers. Delaware Valley could have as many as nine qualifiers as they attempt to make a run at a national championship.  #1 Mike Wilcox is the top athlete as a returning runner up, but Olivet has a pair with NCAA finals experience in high school teammates Jason Brew and Kyle Vanderhyde.   One of the more intriguing matchups in all the NCAA qualifying tournaments should take place at 174 between two time All-American Vanderhyde and the very talented Rocky Mantella of Delaware Valley.  Vanderhyde is ranked 2nd in the nation, and Mantella is undefeated in half a season of work.

Weight by Weight (predicted qualifiers in bold)

125 Prediction: Chris Sheetz, Delaware Valley
Top Challengers: Rob Miller, Thiel; Brandon Harvey, Trine; Zach Cecchetti, Washington & Jefferson

133 Prediction: Brandon Clemmer, Delaware Valley
Top Challengers: Cory Brown, Thiel; Nick Garber, Waynesburg

141 Prediction: Rob Yahrmarkt, Olivet
Top Challenges: Eric McCann, Delaware Valley; Eric Meyer, Mount St. Joseph

149 Prediction: Andrew Gardella, Case Western Reserve
Top Challengers: Dale Fava, Delaware Valley; Dave Harris, MSJ; Jared Tribbett, Wabash; Jesse Byerly, Waynesburg

157 Prediction: Jason Brew, Olivet
Top Challengers: Isaac Dukes, Case; Bryan Massong, MSJ

165 Prediction: Justin Barowski, Delaware Valley
Top Challengers: Tyler Goble, Rose-Hulman; Kyle Long, Trine

174 Prediction: Kyle Vanderhyde, Olivet
Top Challengers: Rocky Mantella, Delaware Valley; Nick Kraus, Trine

184 Prediction: Mike Wilcox, Delaware Valley
Top Challengers: Louis Posa, Trine; Chad Craft, MSJ

197 Prediction: Corbin Semple, Waynesburg
Top Challengers: Jeff Siciliano, Delaware Valley; Alex Fleet, Trine

285 Prediction: Kyle Bilquist, Delaware Valley
Top Challenger: Sean Misko, Olivet

Please Note: These are predictions of what will happen at a specific tournament on a specific date.  They are not seedings or rankings.  We have seen all the results and made predictions based off those results.  We may predict someone to win, even if they recently lost to a conference opponent, but that does not mean we did not see the results.

All week long, d3wrestle.com will be publishing previews of each of the NCAA qualifying tournaments to be held this weekend.  In addition to predicting winners and identifying the top athletes at each weight, we will attempt to predict all 160 qualifiers based on the number of wildcards available for each qualifying tournament.  With nine qualifiers, d3wrestle.com will publish two each day, with the last one appearing Friday morning.

Empire Collegiate Wrestling Conference – 15 qualifiers
Predicted Team Champ: Ithaca College

Top Individual: Paul LeBlanc, Cortland

Returning NCAA Qualifiers: Mike McInally (RIT 125), Dave Colagiovanni (Cortland 133), Derrick Smith (Oswego 141), Luke Baum (RIT 141), Paul LeBlanc (Cortland 149, 7th NCAA), Blaine Woszczak (Ithaca 149), Willie Horwath (Ithaca 157), Chris Dahlheimer (Lycoming 165), Donnie Williams (Brockport 165, 2006), Eric Van Patten (Brockport 174), David Priest (Ithaca 174)

A rough NCAA tournament last year dropped the Empire down to 15 qualifiers for 2009, and the conference is looking to bounce back this March.  The talent seems to be concentrated in the lower 2/3 of the weight classes, and several weights have multiple All-American contenders.  Two time All-American Paul LeBlanc of Cortland may be the top wrestler in the conference, as he was ranked first in the country at the beginning of the year and has yet to drop a match in Division III.  Also very good in the Empire is 125 lb. Mike McInally of RIT at 27-0.  He will be looking to climb the podium for the first time.  141 is the most competitive weight class where four wrestlers have a chance to win.  A good battle should also take place at 174 between Van Patten and Priest.

Weight by Weight (predicted qualifiers in bold)
125 Prediction: Mike McInally, RIT
Top Challengers: Seth Ecker, Ithaca; Peppy Cabrera, Cortland

133 Prediction: Chad Winowich, Ithaca
Top Challengers: Sterling/Colagiovanni, Cortland; Fallott/Distefano, Brockport; Dom Commodore, Messiah

141 Prediction: John Paxos, Ithaca
Top Challengers: Luke Baum, RIT; Derrick Smith, Oswego; Stephen Perez, Cortland

149 Prediction: Paul LeBlanc, Cortland
Top Challengers: Blaine Woszczak, Ithaca; Mike Bressler, Messiah; Mike Maurer, Lycoming

157 Prediction: Willie Horwath, Ithaca
Top Challenger: Craig Gin, Messiah

165 Prediction: Chris Dahlheimer, Lycoming
Top Challengers: Jason Wake, RIT; David Jones, Messiah; Donnie Williams, Brockport

174 Prediction: David Priest, Ithaca
Top Challengers: Eric Van Patten, Brockport; Josh Wake, Oneonta

184 Prediction: Josh Lancaster, Brockport
Top Challenger: Martino Sottile, Cortland

197 Prediction: Joel Ford, Oswego
Top Challengers: Tom Voorhis, Brockport; Chris Carabello, Ithaca; Bryan Kopesky, Lycoming

285 Prediction: Joseph Goetz, Ithaca
Top Challengers: Jabril Patterson, Brockport; Joe Murphy, Cortland

Please Note: These are predictions of what will happen at a specific tournament on a specific date.  They are not seedings or rankings.  We have seen all the results and made predictions based off those results.  We may predict someone to win, even if they recently lost to a conference opponent, but that does not mean we did not see the results.

All week long, d3wrestle.com will be publishing previews of each of the NCAA qualifying tournaments to be held this weekend.  In addition to predicting winners and identifying the top athletes at each weight, we will attempt to predict all 160 qualifiers based on the number of wildcards available for each qualifying tournament.  With nine qualifiers, d3wrestle.com will publish two each day, with the last one appearing Friday morning.

New England Wrestling Association – 14 qualifiers
Predicted Team Champ: Johnson & Wales

Top Individual: Jerome Owens, JWU

Returning NCAA Qualifiers: Ethan Cohen (Williams 125), Steve Valastro (Southern Maine 133, 2007), Frank Cammissa (Bridgewater State 149), Dylan Rittenburg (Williams 149), Mike Martini (Rhode Island 157), Mike Morin (Southern Maine 165), Jerome Owens (JWU 174, 8th NCAA), Bryan Lenhardt (JWU 184, 6th NCAA), Glen Geesman (MIT 285, 3rd NCAA)

Fifteen teams is a lot for a conference with just four wildcards, so disbursing those wildcards will be a challenge for the NEWA coaches.  An easy choice, however, was Jerome Owens as the top wrestler.  He is ranked #1 and has yet to lose.  Other top wrestlers include the undefeated Morin at 165, All-Americans Lenhardt (184) and Geesman (285), 2x qualifier Cammissa, and the dangerous Malo, who could end up as the best finisher of any NEWA wrestler.  The NEWA got just its third NCAA champion in history last year.  Perhaps this year they will go for four.

Weight by Weight (predicted qualifiers in bold)
125 Prediction: Dan Bloom, Wesleyan
Top Challengers: Ethan Cohen, Williams; Billy Cole, USM; James Soprano, JWU; Grant Kadokura, MIT

133 Prediction: Stephen Valastro, USM
Top Challengers: Nicholas Cucciniello, JWU; Scott Legacy, Rhode Island

141 Prediction: Corey Paulish, Williams (note: Van Dyk of JWU is not competing)
Top Challengers: Mike Trasso, Rhode Island; Andrew Hawley, RWU; Ryan McGilvray, Springfield

149 Prediction: Frank Cammisa, Bridgewater State
Top Challengers: Dylan Rittenburg, Williams; Kevin Sutherland, Rhode Island

157 Prediction: Mike Martini, Rhode Island
Top Challengers: Carl Breitenstein, Williams; Marcus Moyer, USM

165 Prediction: Mike Morin, USM
Top Challengers: Chris Perry, Springfield; Josh Berkovic, Wesleyan; Clayton Brittingham, Norwich

174 Prediction: Jerome Owens, JWU
Top Challenger: Greg Hurd, Wesleyan

184 Prediction: Bryan Lenhardt, JWU
Top Challenger: Nick Logan, Rhode Island; Greg Dussol, Springfield; James Woods, RWU

197 Prediction: Ryan Malo, Williams
Top Challengers: Joe Silverman, MIT; Dan Woods, RWU; Josh StOurs, Plymouth State

285 Prediction: Glen Geesman, MIT
Top Challengers: Chris Brown, Springfield; Greg Vaughn, Trinity; Phil Kelly, RWU

Tuesday February 17th, 2009 – Hosted by Luther College

Team Champion: Wartburg – 17th straight championship
Coach of the Year: Jim Miller, Wartburg
Outstanding Wrestler: Aaron Wernimont, Wartburg, 157

Brackets | Team Scores

NCAA Qualifiers (in placement order, wildcards in italics):
125: Clayton Rush, Coe; Mark Kist, Wartburg; Jayson Swanson, Luther
133: Brandon Ball, Coe; Matt Kelly, Wartburg; Zac Bartlett, Luther; Nick Nothern, Cornell
141: Zach McKray, Wartburg; Jordan Loy, Loras; Kevin Donahue, Cornell
149: Jacob Naig, Wartburg; Jason Pyle, Luther; Ryan Mulnix, Cornell
157: Aaron Wernimont, Wartburg; Erik Hanson, Loras; Johanson Quist, Luther
165: Josh Terrell, Dubuque; Justin Hanson, Wartburg; Tyler Burkle, Coe
174: Kyle Kehrli, Cornell; Evan Brown, Dubuque; Bryon Grothus, Coe
184: Romeo Djoumessi, Wartburg; Nic Barclay, Luther; Seth Rehn, Coe
197: Alec Bonander, Luther; Matthew Wonderlin, Dubuque; Rob Kramer, Coe; Nick Shandri, Wartburg
285: John Helgerson, Wartburg; Allyn Plattner, Luther; Trevor Kaufman, Loras; Mitch Sander, Coe

Jim Brown has the latest installment of his Road to Cedar Rapids series online this week.  This time, he profiles some heavyweight wrestlers getting the job done on the mat and the classroom.

Road to Cedar Rapids: Heavyweights in the Classroom

Please Note: These are predictions of what will happen at a specific tournament on a specific date.  They are not seedings or rankings.  We have seen all the results and made predictions based off those results.  We may predict someone to win, even if they recently lost to a conference opponent, but that does not mean we did not see the results.

All week long, d3wrestle.com will be publishing previews of each of the NCAA qualifying tournaments to be held this weekend.  In addition to predicting winners and identifying the top athletes at each weight, we will attempt to predict all 160 qualifiers based on the number of wildcards available for each qualifying tournament.  With nine qualifiers, d3wrestle.com will publish two each day, with the last one appearing Friday morning.

Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference – 33 qualifiers
Predicted Team Champion: Wartburg College

Top Individual: Aaron Wernimont, Wartburg

Returning NCAA Qualifiers: Clayton Rush (Coe 125, 2nd NCAA), Nicholas Nothern (Cornell 133, 6th NCAA), Zac Bartlett (Luther 133, 7th NCAA), Matt Kelly (Wartburg 133, 5th NCAA), Jacob Naig (Wartburg 149, 1st NCAA), Yonny Quist (Luther 149, 8th NCAA), Aaron Wernimont (Wartburg 157, 1st NCAA), Erik Hanson (Loras 157), Justin Hanson (Wartburg 165, 7th NCAA), Tyler Burkle (Coe 165, 1st NCAA), Josh Terrell (Dubuque 165), Kyle Kehrli (Cornell 174, 6th NCAA), Evan Brown (Dubuque 174), Romeo Djoumessi (Wartburg 184, 1st NCAA), Nic Barclay (Luther 184), Alec Bonander (Luther 197, 5th NCAA), Rob Kramer (Coe 197, 4th NCAA)

The IIAC is again the toughest conference in the division and will bring 33 qualifiers to the tournament in 2009.  Among these are four returning NCAA champions, though only Wartburg’s Aaron Wernimont would get a top seed if they were announced today.  Jacob Naig, Tyler Burkle, and Romeo Djoumessi have all taken losses this season to opponents who are now ranked above them.  The tournament started this morning, so the action should be well underway by now.  Check it out at the IIAC Tournament Website.

Weight by Weight (predicted qualifiers in bold)
125 Prediction: Clayton Rush, Coe
Top Challengers: Mark Kist, Wartburg; Jayson Swanson, Luther; Timothy Hood, Cornell

133 Prediction: Matt Kelly, Wartburg
Top Challengers: Brandon Ball, Coe; Nicholas Nothern, Cornell; Zac Bartlett, Luther

141 Prediction: Zach McKray, Wartburg
Top Challengers: Johnny Siegel, Coe; Jordan Loy, Loras; Kevin Donahue, Cornell

149 Prediction: Jacob Naig, Wartburg
Top Challengers: Yonny Quist, Luther; Ryan Mulnix, Cornell; Tyler Baker, Coe

157 Prediction: Aaron Wernimont, Wartburg
Top Challengers: Erik Hanson, Loras; Aron Kindlesperger, Cornell

165 Prediction: Justin Hanson, Wartburg
Top Challengers: Tyler Burkle, Coe; Josh Terrell, Dubuque

174 Prediction: Kyle Kehrli, Cornell
Top Challengers: Evan Brown, Dubuque; Bryon Grothus, Coe; Grant Jenkins, Wartburg

184 Prediction: Romeo Djoumessi, Wartburg
Top Challengers: Greg Lalla, Coe; Brian Stueve, Buena Vista; Nic Barclay, Luther; Carmen Sacco, Cornell

197 Prediction: Alec Bonander, Luther
Top Challengers:  Rob Kramer, Coe; Nick Shandri, Wartburg; Matt Wonderlin, Dubuque

285 Predictions: John Helgerson, Wartburg
Top Challengers: Mitch Sander, Coe; Allyn Plattner, Luther; Trevor Kaufman, Loras

Please Note: These are predictions of what will happen at a specific tournament on a specific date.  They are not seedings or rankings.  We have seen all the results and made predictions based off those results.  We may predict someone to win, even if they recently lost to a conference opponent, but that does not mean we did not see the results.

All week long, d3wrestle.com will be publishing previews of each of the NCAA qualifying tournaments to be held this weekend.  In addition to predicting winners and identifying the top athletes at each weight, we will attempt to predict all 160 qualifiers based on the number of wildcards available for each qualifying tournament.  With nine qualifiers, d3wrestle.com will publish two each day, with the last one appearing Friday morning.

Centennial Conference – 11 qualifiers
Predicted Team Champ: Merchant Marine Academy

Top Individual: Andrew Goldstein, Gettysburg

Returning NCAA Qualifiers: Steve Kingsland (Ursinus 133), Phil Greene (USMMA 133), Billy Hall (Muhlenberg 133, 2007), James Beshada (USMMA 141), Dan Twito (USMMA 149), Rob Kein (Muhlenberg 149, 2007), Andrew Goldstein (Gettysburg 157, 8th NCAA), Eric Vincent (USMMA 197)

The Centennial had three All-Americans last year, but only Gettysburg 157 Andrew Goldstein returns.  With only 11 qualifiers, winning the tournament is paramount.  Beyond Goldstein, wrestlers with a good chance to place in the NCAA include  Beshada, Twito, and Renaut from Merchant Marine, Kein from Muhlenberg, and Glotfelty from McDaniel.  Glotfelty, in particular is having a good year with a single loss and nearly 20 falls.  A few weights have more than one returning qualifier, so someone who has been to the NCAA championships before will not be back this year.

Weight by Weight (predicted qualifiers in bold)
125 Prediction: Jordan Alfaro, USMMA
Top Challengers: Ben Ersing, Washington & Lee; Alex Blank, Ursinus

133 Prediction: Phil Greene, USMMA
Top Challengers: Steve Kingsland, Ursinus; Mark Bistis, Stevens

141 Prediction: James Beshada, USMMA
Top Challenger: Rocky Barilla, Johns Hopkins

149 Prediction: Rob Kein Muhlenberg
Top Challengers: Dan Twito, USMMA; Connor McCormick, Ursinus

157 Prediction: Andrew Goldstein, Gettysburg
Top Challenger: Leo Dormann, Stevens; Scott Lowe, USMMA

165 Prediction: Vincent Renaut, USMMA
Top Challenger: Joey Favia, Stevens; Zach Hetrick, McDaniel

174 Prediction: Ryan Dormann, Stevens
Top Challengers: Erik Schott, USMMA; Justin Fitch, Muhlenberg

184 Prediction: Matt Horn, Muhlenberg
Top Challengers: Nate Murren, Ursinus; Hector Cintron, Johns Hopkins

197 Prediction: Eric Vincent, USMMA
Top Challengers: Tyler Schmidt, Johns Hopkins; Connor McNamara, Ursinus

285 Prediction: Brock Glotfelty, McDaniel
Top Challengers: Bobby Christopher, Gettysburg; James Roarty, Stevens

Please Note: These are predictions of what will happen at a specific tournament on a specific date.  They are not seedings or rankings.  We have seen all the results and made predictions based off those results.  We may predict someone to win, even if they recently lost to a conference opponent, but that does not mean we did not see the results.

All week long, d3wrestle.com will be publishing previews of each of the NCAA qualifying tournaments to be held this weekend.  In addition to predicting winners and identifying the top athletes at each weight, we will attempt to predict all 160 qualifiers based on the number of wildcards available for each qualifying tournament.  With nine qualifiers, d3wrestle.com will publish two each day, with the last one appearing Friday morning.

Ohio Athletic Conference – 11 qualifiers
Predicted Team Champ: Heidelberg

Top Individual: Ben Adams, John Carroll

Returning NCAA Qualifiers: Jerrad Hoxie (Heidelberg 125), David Penny (Ohio Northern 125), Zach Mizer (Heidelberg 157),  Ben Adams (John Carroll 184)

The Ohio Athletic Conference returns just a handful of qualifiers and no All-Americans from last year, so there will be a good number of first time NCAA participants coming from this group.  John Carroll’s duo of Ben Adams and Adam Kriwinsky could both score points at the NCAA tournament.  Boomer Fechko of Heidelberg is tough on top and could do well if he gets on a roll.  Kriwinsky, Adams, and Heidelberg’s Zach Mizer all appear in the latest rankings from the NWCA.  Most of the other top wrestlers seems to be on the outside looking in when it comes to All-American chances, but the right draw and a good weekend could lead to spots on the podium.

Weight by Weight (predicted qualifiers in bold)
125 Prediction: Jerrad Hoxie, Heidelberg
Top Challengers: David Penny, Ohio Northern; Elie Naoum, John Carroll

133 Prediction: Adam Kriwinsky, John Carroll
Top Challengers: Tony Lawler, Heidelberg; Brian Bucher, Baldwin-Wallace; Jeff Penny, Ohio Northern

141 Prediction: Boomer Fechko, Heidelberg
Top Challengers: Joe Spooner, Heidelberg; Josh Cintron, Mount Union

149 Prediction: Dan Mizener, John Carroll
Top Challengers: Josh Levy, Heidelberg; Kevin Shadrach, Mount Union

157 Prediction: Zach Mizer, Heidelberg
Top Challenger: Luke Miller, Ohio Northern

165 Prediction: Matt Curley, Heidelberg
Top Challengers: Joe Incorvaia, Baldwin-Wallace; Michael Manypenny, Mount Union

174 Prediction: Andrew Scavuzzo, Baldwin-Wallace
Top Challenger: Andy Jenkins, Mount Union

184 Prediction: Ben Adams, John Carroll
Top Challengers: Ed Bizorik, Heidelberg; Matthew Alexander, Ohio Northern

197 Prediction: Bill Schindel, Mount Union
Top Challengers: Bill Rice, Heidelberg; Tom Neptune, Muskingum

285 Prediction: Adam Salyers, Wilmington
Top Challenger: Anthony Carothers, Heidelberg

Please Note: These are predictions of what will happen at a specific tournament on a specific date.  They are not seedings or rankings.  We have seen all the results and made predictions based off those results.  We may predict someone to win, even if they recently lost to a conference opponent, but that does not mean we did not see the results.

All week long, d3wrestle.com will be publishing previews of each of the NCAA qualifying tournaments to be held this weekend.  In addition to predicting winners and identifying the top athletes at each weight, we will attempt to predict all 160 qualifiers based on the number of wildcards available for each qualifying tournament.  With nine qualifiers, d3wrestle.com will publish two each day, with the last one appearing Friday morning.

Metropolitan Wrestling Conference – 16 qualifiers
Predicted Team Champ: The College of New Jersey

Top Individual: Justin Bonitatis, TCNJ

Returning NCAA Qualifiers: Kyle Flickinger (York 133), John Barnett (TCNJ 149), Tyler Branham (TCNJ 149, 2007), John Niedrich (York 157), Justin Bonitatis (TCNJ 165, 8th NCAA), Frank Heffernan (Wilkes 174), Gregory Osgoodby (TCNJ 174, 7th NCAA), Michael Reilly (King’s 174)

The always tough Metro conference has a good number of returning qualifiers and a pair of All-Americans in Bonitatis and Osgoodby.  Bonitatis is likely the top wrestler in the conference this year, though freshman phenom Tyler Erdman is giving him a run for his money.  Both could place high in March.  The talent is somewhat bunched in this conference, as there are weights like 174 that could conceivably have four qualifiers who could be All-Americans, while weights like 141 and 184 are unlikely to result in any place winners.  The team battle should come down to Wilkes and TCNJ, but it seems like TCNJ’s 149-184 should be able to score enough points to get the job done.

Weight by Weight (predicted qualifiers in bold)
125 Prediction: Tyler Erdman, Elizabethtown
Top Challenger: Shaun Farnham, Wilkes

133 Prediction: Josh Pauling, Wilkes
Top Challengers: Sean Messina, Hunter; Kyle Flickinger, York

141 Prediction: Anthony Dattolo, Wilkes
Top Challengers: Gregg Martino, NYU; David Alsieux, Centenary; Bill Tenpenny, TCNJ

149 Prediction: Tyler Branham, TCNJ
Top Challengers: Erik Smith, Wilkes; Jon Stillo, Centenary

157 Prediction: John Niedrich, York
Top Challengers: Dan DiColo, TCNJ; Taylor Green, King’s

165 Prediction: Justin Bonitatis, TCNJ
Top Challengers: Patrick Knight, NYU; Matt Regan, Centenary

174 Prediction: Gregory Osgoodby, TCNJ
Top Challengers: Brian Thomason, York; Frank Heffernan, Wilkes; Michael Reilly, King’s

184 Prediction: Scott Kelley, TCNJ
Top Challengers: Joey Scott, Hunter; William Gouger, Wilkes

197 Prediction: Zach Pizarro, Wilkes
Top Challenger: Brian Scher, Hunter

285 Prediction: Andrew Feldman, Wilkes
Top Challengers: Deron Sharp, Elizabethtown; Arkadiy Levitin, Hunter