Mark Manning's squad is shaping up to be a well rounded diverse mix of experience and youth. About half of the 10 starters are seniors, which is honestly rare in Div 1 wrestling. Manning, along with assistant Bryan Snyder, have done a great job of evaluating and developing talent as of late; it helps to have alums Jordan Burroughs and James Green still behind the scenes in terms of both instruction and recruiting. I will give a cliff notes summary of what I have learned after two larger tournaments, weight by weight (and by my memory so there may be a couple of mistakes!).
125: Senior Tim Lambert is rated about 10th in the nation and looks improved from last year. He did however struggle to beat his back up in Ames this past weekend winning by a point to Kris Williams. I predict an All American finish in his final season.... Say 7th place.
133: Senior Eric Montanya is rated fourth in most polls. Very much improved over two years ago. Last year was a breakout season for him as he earned all American status. He was invited to the preseason all star dual and lost 4-3 against the second ranked wrestler from Illinois. A repeat looks to be in order and hopefully he can make the finals and go out a champion! Predict 2nd place.
141: There are three pretty even wrestlers here, but I would guess that Colton McCrystal holds a slight advantage over big time freshman recruit Chad Red. They wrestled in the finals at Ames and I believe the final was 13-9 in a see saw match. Purrington is in the mix as well. McCrystal came into the rankings at #15 this week I believe. Predict a National Tournament birth going 2-2.
149: A couple guys here that are trying to replace a graduated jake sueflohn. I am blanking on names. They are solid, but young, placing in the middle of their brackets the last few weeks. Predict a year away from going to nationals.
157: Junior? Tyler Berger has solidified this spot. He made nationals last year and he appears to have gained major strides over the off season. He is ranked about 8th I beleive... And in this weight class that is where I predict he finishes......
Half way done and I need to come back to this! Thanks for reading.....
125: Senior Tim Lambert is rated about 10th in the nation and looks improved from last year. He did however struggle to beat his back up in Ames this past weekend winning by a point to Kris Williams. I predict an All American finish in his final season.... Say 7th place.
133: Senior Eric Montanya is rated fourth in most polls. Very much improved over two years ago. Last year was a breakout season for him as he earned all American status. He was invited to the preseason all star dual and lost 4-3 against the second ranked wrestler from Illinois. A repeat looks to be in order and hopefully he can make the finals and go out a champion! Predict 2nd place.
141: There are three pretty even wrestlers here, but I would guess that Colton McCrystal holds a slight advantage over big time freshman recruit Chad Red. They wrestled in the finals at Ames and I believe the final was 13-9 in a see saw match. Purrington is in the mix as well. McCrystal came into the rankings at #15 this week I believe. Predict a National Tournament birth going 2-2.
149: A couple guys here that are trying to replace a graduated jake sueflohn. I am blanking on names. They are solid, but young, placing in the middle of their brackets the last few weeks. Predict a year away from going to nationals.
157: Junior? Tyler Berger has solidified this spot. He made nationals last year and he appears to have gained major strides over the off season. He is ranked about 8th I beleive... And in this weight class that is where I predict he finishes......
Half way done and I need to come back to this! Thanks for reading.....
