165
Along with already-mentioned 133 and 157, 165 and 184 are the other two weight classes that only graduate one All-American from 2018. That guy at 165 is Isaiah Martinez, two-time champ and 4-time finalist. As noted, plenty of talent back, with Cenzo Joseph (PSU, 1st), Evan Wick (WIS, 3rd), Chance Marsteller (LH, 4th), David McFadden (VT, 5th), Alex Marinelli (IOWA, 6th), Jon Jay Chavez (CORN, 7th), and Chandler Rogers (OKST, 8th). Isaiah White (NEB) is the only returning R12 guy, as Wanzek (MINN), Lewis (RUT), and Walsh (RID) depart.
165 is another weight class that needs a deeper look to see the whole picture. Logan Massa is back, and hopefully full strength after an injury-plagued 2017-18. He’s a past AA, in 2017 (mentioned for Jammenz sake), and can go with anyone. Also back are Anthony Valencia (AZST), and Branson Ashworth (WYO), as well as 2017-18 RS’s Bryce Steiert (UNI) and Thomas Bullard (NCST). All-in-all, a competitive group on paper, where any of the 13 guys listed, among a few others, could end the year as AA.
Oklahoma State has an interesting situation here, and the weight classes that surround 165. 2x AA Joe Smith wrestled 157 in 2015-16 and 2016-17 before going 165 last year in his RS season. He’s back, and could go 165 this year. Some of the Cowboy fans (see “34 and Holding”) have Smith going 165 or 174, and the linchpin for the 165-184 portion of their line-up. The Cowboys have Chandler Rogers (see above, 2018 AA 8th Place @ 165), Jacobe Smith (2018 AA, 8th Place @ 174), and newcomer Dakota Geer (2018 RS, by way of Edinboro). That’s four really good guys for three weights, and none of them have a RS year to burn. I should note here that the combinations and permutations are too many to list here. I’m going Rogers at 165.
True freshmen most likely to make starting line-ups and rise to the top-10 are David Carr (IAST, who could also go 157), and Shane Griffins (STAN). Coach Dresser said, specifically of Carr, that time would tell, and a decision is likely after the Southern Scuffle).
Again, overall looks like a very competitive weight class, with a good bit of parity. The PSU guy here is two-time champ Cenzo Joseph. While I really like his chances, there’s less separation than at other weight classes. Win again, and he’ll have earned it.
Along with already-mentioned 133 and 157, 165 and 184 are the other two weight classes that only graduate one All-American from 2018. That guy at 165 is Isaiah Martinez, two-time champ and 4-time finalist. As noted, plenty of talent back, with Cenzo Joseph (PSU, 1st), Evan Wick (WIS, 3rd), Chance Marsteller (LH, 4th), David McFadden (VT, 5th), Alex Marinelli (IOWA, 6th), Jon Jay Chavez (CORN, 7th), and Chandler Rogers (OKST, 8th). Isaiah White (NEB) is the only returning R12 guy, as Wanzek (MINN), Lewis (RUT), and Walsh (RID) depart.
165 is another weight class that needs a deeper look to see the whole picture. Logan Massa is back, and hopefully full strength after an injury-plagued 2017-18. He’s a past AA, in 2017 (mentioned for Jammenz sake), and can go with anyone. Also back are Anthony Valencia (AZST), and Branson Ashworth (WYO), as well as 2017-18 RS’s Bryce Steiert (UNI) and Thomas Bullard (NCST). All-in-all, a competitive group on paper, where any of the 13 guys listed, among a few others, could end the year as AA.
Oklahoma State has an interesting situation here, and the weight classes that surround 165. 2x AA Joe Smith wrestled 157 in 2015-16 and 2016-17 before going 165 last year in his RS season. He’s back, and could go 165 this year. Some of the Cowboy fans (see “34 and Holding”) have Smith going 165 or 174, and the linchpin for the 165-184 portion of their line-up. The Cowboys have Chandler Rogers (see above, 2018 AA 8th Place @ 165), Jacobe Smith (2018 AA, 8th Place @ 174), and newcomer Dakota Geer (2018 RS, by way of Edinboro). That’s four really good guys for three weights, and none of them have a RS year to burn. I should note here that the combinations and permutations are too many to list here. I’m going Rogers at 165.
True freshmen most likely to make starting line-ups and rise to the top-10 are David Carr (IAST, who could also go 157), and Shane Griffins (STAN). Coach Dresser said, specifically of Carr, that time would tell, and a decision is likely after the Southern Scuffle).
Again, overall looks like a very competitive weight class, with a good bit of parity. The PSU guy here is two-time champ Cenzo Joseph. While I really like his chances, there’s less separation than at other weight classes. Win again, and he’ll have earned it.
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