Continuing the wrestling talk, with the review below after yesterday's 125 review. Again, feel free to jump in with additional facts, insights, and comments. 62 days till the first countable practice, 84 days will the first allowable competition.
133
Four weight classes graduate only one All-American, with 133 among them. Only Scott Delvecchio departs, leaving Seth Gross (SDST, 1st), Steven Micic (MICH, 2nd), Tariq Wilson (NCST, 3rd), Luke Pletcher (tOSU, 4th), Kaid Brock (OKST, 5th), Scott Parker (LEH, 7th), and Montorie Bridges (WYO, 8th), as returning AA’s. That’s impressive enough, but isn’t the whole story. As mentioned in the 125 write-up, two 125’s are moving up, in Nick Suriano (2nd @ 125) and Ethan Lizak (4th @ 125). And while 5th Place Kaid Brock from Oklahoma State is back, it won’t be at 133, as either Piccinnini will move up, or Daton Fix will be inserted. Neither will weaken this weight class, though Fix strengthens it if he ends up here (I’m guessing he does), and is plenty good enough as a freshman to make the finals. Still, there’s even more that makes this weight class arguably the best, top-to-bottom, as all four of the R12 guys are back, Jack Mueller (UVA), John Erneste (MIZZ), Austin DeSanto (Iowa, by way of DREX), and Mitch McKee (MINN, but moving to 141 to make room for Lizak). So, here’s a review;
-- Six (6) of eight (8) All-American’s return, plus 125 AA’s Suriano and Lizak arrive, meaning there are eight (8) AA’s at 133
-- Daton Fix arrives as a NC contender as a freshman
-- Three R12 guys return
Wow!! Let’s mention a few of the others that will battle at this weight class during the season, all capable of making noise; Vito Arajua (CORN, if he goes), Austin Gomez (IAST), Josh Terao (AMER), Sean Fausz (NCST, up from 125), and Cam Kelly (OHIO), among others. Incoming freshmen starters that may also make noise are few that I can see, but Penn State’s Roman Bravo-Young (or RBY, if you prefer) is among them, and Real Woods (STAN) is also a solid talent, though should be RS’ing.
All told, 133 will be the toughest weight class of all, one man’s opinion. Whomever AA’s here will have earned it, as the early look shows that the entire bracket should be stacked come tournament time.
NOTE: Missed this the first time through...AA Tariq Wilson is being pinched in the NCST line-up. Sean Fausz' likely move from 125 to 133, plus the presence of Jamel Morris at 141 leave the Wolfpacker in a pickle. His RS is burned, so it'll be best man up. I have no insight into the situation beyond that. Tariq's story was near the top of my list when he arrived from nowhere to place 3rd in March, doing so with wrestling flair. Sure was fun to follow him through the tourney.
133
Four weight classes graduate only one All-American, with 133 among them. Only Scott Delvecchio departs, leaving Seth Gross (SDST, 1st), Steven Micic (MICH, 2nd), Tariq Wilson (NCST, 3rd), Luke Pletcher (tOSU, 4th), Kaid Brock (OKST, 5th), Scott Parker (LEH, 7th), and Montorie Bridges (WYO, 8th), as returning AA’s. That’s impressive enough, but isn’t the whole story. As mentioned in the 125 write-up, two 125’s are moving up, in Nick Suriano (2nd @ 125) and Ethan Lizak (4th @ 125). And while 5th Place Kaid Brock from Oklahoma State is back, it won’t be at 133, as either Piccinnini will move up, or Daton Fix will be inserted. Neither will weaken this weight class, though Fix strengthens it if he ends up here (I’m guessing he does), and is plenty good enough as a freshman to make the finals. Still, there’s even more that makes this weight class arguably the best, top-to-bottom, as all four of the R12 guys are back, Jack Mueller (UVA), John Erneste (MIZZ), Austin DeSanto (Iowa, by way of DREX), and Mitch McKee (MINN, but moving to 141 to make room for Lizak). So, here’s a review;
-- Six (6) of eight (8) All-American’s return, plus 125 AA’s Suriano and Lizak arrive, meaning there are eight (8) AA’s at 133
-- Daton Fix arrives as a NC contender as a freshman
-- Three R12 guys return
Wow!! Let’s mention a few of the others that will battle at this weight class during the season, all capable of making noise; Vito Arajua (CORN, if he goes), Austin Gomez (IAST), Josh Terao (AMER), Sean Fausz (NCST, up from 125), and Cam Kelly (OHIO), among others. Incoming freshmen starters that may also make noise are few that I can see, but Penn State’s Roman Bravo-Young (or RBY, if you prefer) is among them, and Real Woods (STAN) is also a solid talent, though should be RS’ing.
All told, 133 will be the toughest weight class of all, one man’s opinion. Whomever AA’s here will have earned it, as the early look shows that the entire bracket should be stacked come tournament time.
NOTE: Missed this the first time through...AA Tariq Wilson is being pinched in the NCST line-up. Sean Fausz' likely move from 125 to 133, plus the presence of Jamel Morris at 141 leave the Wolfpacker in a pickle. His RS is burned, so it'll be best man up. I have no insight into the situation beyond that. Tariq's story was near the top of my list when he arrived from nowhere to place 3rd in March, doing so with wrestling flair. Sure was fun to follow him through the tourney.
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