Post by johnnythompsonnum1 on Aug 8, 2014 9:28:49 GMT -5
125 - The 125 lbs weight class in the MAC looks to be quite competitive. Senior Alan Waters of Missouri, returns off of a redshirt looking to finish out his career as a Tiger with a MAC title, but has the highly competitive and talented Dylan Peters of Northern Iowa to go through in order for that to happen. Also look for Central Michigan's Cory Keener, Old Dominion's Brandon Jeske and Buffalo's Max Soria to contend for qualification status as well.
133 - With the graduation of Northern Iowa's Joe Colon, the weight class at first glance looks like a battle between Kent State's Mackenzie McGuire and Eastern Michigan's Vinnie Pizzuto. However, I think the guy to watch at this weight will be Colon's backup from last year, Levi Wolfensperger. In 2012, Wolfensperger upset his way to a WWC title, when Northern Iowa was in the conference. In 2013, Wolfensperger made the R12 at the NCAA tournament. I believe some fans have forgotten Wolfensperger, and it's only a matter of time before they are reminded of him. Look for some big things out of Wofensperger this season.
141 - Look for this weight class to be a rather competitive one. All American potential Zach Horan looks to win a title for the Chippewa's but will have very tough competition out of Lavion Mayes of Missouri, as well as about three other wrestlers who look to make a name for themselves this season. Look for Kent State's Tyler Small to step it up a notch and make the most out of his final season as a Golden Flash. Tyler Argue of Northern Illinois as well as Gunner Wolfensperger of Northern Iowa, could also play into the mix as well.
149 - Senior Tiger Drake Houdashelt looks to secure himself another title in the MAC this year as he'll also be a contender for the NCAA title. In the hunt for 2nd place will be a war between Lenny Richardson of Old Dominion, Mike DePalma of Kent State and Tywan Claxton of Ohio.
157 - Without a doubt the toughest weight class in the MAC. I can see as many as seven qualifiers for the NCAA tournament. Ian Miller of Kent State should be heads and shoulders above the rest of the competition, but who places where 2nd through 7th will be highly competitive. Luke Smith of Central Michigan is coming off of a great season, which included him placing second last season at the MAC and being one match away from All American. Joey LaValle of Missouri, filled in very nicely for the Tigers last season, and then we have Old Dominion's Tristan Warner and Kent State's Spartak Chino who have both been known at times to wrestle exceptionally well and defeat higher ranked competition. If that isn't enough Brandon Zeerip of Eastern Michigan also looks to be in the fight as well.
165 - Northern Iowa's Cooper Moore looks to win his second MAC title as he'll have a little competition from Harrison Hightower of Ohio.
174 - Another rather competitive weight class, that will most likely be won by 2013 All American Cody Walters of Ohio, but could very well be won by Central Michigan's Mike Ottinger, or Northern Iowa's Cody Caldwell. Look for Missouri's Mikey England and Kent State's Caleb Marsh to compete for qualification status as well.
184 - The 184 lbs weight class in the NCAA was introduced to three new faces that really took things by storm. One of those individuals was the MAC's very own Jack Dechow of Old Dominion, who looks to become the school's best wrestler of all time. Another one of those wrestlers was Ken State's Sam Wheeler, who showed us with such victories as his win over Kevin Steinhaus of Minnesota what he was capable of as well. Wheeler missed out on the post season last year, because of disciplinary reasons, but will be back this year for his junior season to perhaps challenge Dechow, and Cornell's Gabe Dean for an NCAA title this season. Look for the battle between Dechow and Wheeler to be an all out war.
197 - Many have a severe amount of faith in J'Den Cox to win another MAC title and compete for another NCAA title. Things look pretty solid for him to do just that, but I have not completely written off Ohio's Phil Wellington either.
HWT - With the graduation of Jeremy Johnson of Ohio, look for Missouri's Devin Mellon to take the title here, with the possibility of a surprise championship out of Blaize Cabell of Northern Iowa.
I love how competitive the MAC has become between Missouri, Kent State, Central Michigan and Northern Iowa. All four teams look to qualifier between 4-7 wrestlers, if not more apiece. Old Dominion, is slowly but surely beginning to compete pretty tough within the conference as well. Ohio, is a team full of about four guys that have all proven their ability to upset higher ranked opponents and could be a huge surprise as a team this upcoming season in the MAC. I think this will be a rebuilding year for Eastern Michigan and unfortunately I don't see a lot of hope for Northern Illinois, other than the possibility of Argue qualifying. It's funny to me how things change significantly over time.
I don't know how many of you remember, but Northern Illinois used to be a fairly competitive team in the MAC and as a duel team, competitive in general. Year's ago they used to have full line ups, up and down with rather competitive wrestlers at each weight. Sam Hiatt, Pat Castillo, Mike Grimes, Scott Owen, Ben Heizer and a few other names I'm forgetting. The Huskies used to produce year in and year out, but have been struggling as of late. I hope to see things turn around for them soon. ON the same hand, it's nice to see how well some of the other teams have come along. 10-12 years ago, teams like Old Dominion would maybe qualifier 1 wrestler every two years. Now O.D. is qualifier multiple wrestlers and have All Americans year in and year out. That's what wrestling needs.
133 - With the graduation of Northern Iowa's Joe Colon, the weight class at first glance looks like a battle between Kent State's Mackenzie McGuire and Eastern Michigan's Vinnie Pizzuto. However, I think the guy to watch at this weight will be Colon's backup from last year, Levi Wolfensperger. In 2012, Wolfensperger upset his way to a WWC title, when Northern Iowa was in the conference. In 2013, Wolfensperger made the R12 at the NCAA tournament. I believe some fans have forgotten Wolfensperger, and it's only a matter of time before they are reminded of him. Look for some big things out of Wofensperger this season.
141 - Look for this weight class to be a rather competitive one. All American potential Zach Horan looks to win a title for the Chippewa's but will have very tough competition out of Lavion Mayes of Missouri, as well as about three other wrestlers who look to make a name for themselves this season. Look for Kent State's Tyler Small to step it up a notch and make the most out of his final season as a Golden Flash. Tyler Argue of Northern Illinois as well as Gunner Wolfensperger of Northern Iowa, could also play into the mix as well.
149 - Senior Tiger Drake Houdashelt looks to secure himself another title in the MAC this year as he'll also be a contender for the NCAA title. In the hunt for 2nd place will be a war between Lenny Richardson of Old Dominion, Mike DePalma of Kent State and Tywan Claxton of Ohio.
157 - Without a doubt the toughest weight class in the MAC. I can see as many as seven qualifiers for the NCAA tournament. Ian Miller of Kent State should be heads and shoulders above the rest of the competition, but who places where 2nd through 7th will be highly competitive. Luke Smith of Central Michigan is coming off of a great season, which included him placing second last season at the MAC and being one match away from All American. Joey LaValle of Missouri, filled in very nicely for the Tigers last season, and then we have Old Dominion's Tristan Warner and Kent State's Spartak Chino who have both been known at times to wrestle exceptionally well and defeat higher ranked competition. If that isn't enough Brandon Zeerip of Eastern Michigan also looks to be in the fight as well.
165 - Northern Iowa's Cooper Moore looks to win his second MAC title as he'll have a little competition from Harrison Hightower of Ohio.
174 - Another rather competitive weight class, that will most likely be won by 2013 All American Cody Walters of Ohio, but could very well be won by Central Michigan's Mike Ottinger, or Northern Iowa's Cody Caldwell. Look for Missouri's Mikey England and Kent State's Caleb Marsh to compete for qualification status as well.
184 - The 184 lbs weight class in the NCAA was introduced to three new faces that really took things by storm. One of those individuals was the MAC's very own Jack Dechow of Old Dominion, who looks to become the school's best wrestler of all time. Another one of those wrestlers was Ken State's Sam Wheeler, who showed us with such victories as his win over Kevin Steinhaus of Minnesota what he was capable of as well. Wheeler missed out on the post season last year, because of disciplinary reasons, but will be back this year for his junior season to perhaps challenge Dechow, and Cornell's Gabe Dean for an NCAA title this season. Look for the battle between Dechow and Wheeler to be an all out war.
197 - Many have a severe amount of faith in J'Den Cox to win another MAC title and compete for another NCAA title. Things look pretty solid for him to do just that, but I have not completely written off Ohio's Phil Wellington either.
HWT - With the graduation of Jeremy Johnson of Ohio, look for Missouri's Devin Mellon to take the title here, with the possibility of a surprise championship out of Blaize Cabell of Northern Iowa.
I love how competitive the MAC has become between Missouri, Kent State, Central Michigan and Northern Iowa. All four teams look to qualifier between 4-7 wrestlers, if not more apiece. Old Dominion, is slowly but surely beginning to compete pretty tough within the conference as well. Ohio, is a team full of about four guys that have all proven their ability to upset higher ranked opponents and could be a huge surprise as a team this upcoming season in the MAC. I think this will be a rebuilding year for Eastern Michigan and unfortunately I don't see a lot of hope for Northern Illinois, other than the possibility of Argue qualifying. It's funny to me how things change significantly over time.
I don't know how many of you remember, but Northern Illinois used to be a fairly competitive team in the MAC and as a duel team, competitive in general. Year's ago they used to have full line ups, up and down with rather competitive wrestlers at each weight. Sam Hiatt, Pat Castillo, Mike Grimes, Scott Owen, Ben Heizer and a few other names I'm forgetting. The Huskies used to produce year in and year out, but have been struggling as of late. I hope to see things turn around for them soon. ON the same hand, it's nice to see how well some of the other teams have come along. 10-12 years ago, teams like Old Dominion would maybe qualifier 1 wrestler every two years. Now O.D. is qualifier multiple wrestlers and have All Americans year in and year out. That's what wrestling needs.
