Wiltz

From the Hawkeye Wrestling Newsletter. I will put my thoughts underneath each weight


125
Two time All-American Charlie Falck leaves some big shoes to fill for the Hawks, but several athletes are ready to step in. Academic All-Big Ten Sophomore J.J. Krutsinger recorded a 12-8 overall record last year, including a 1-4 stint while wrestling for the injured Falck last year. Krutsinger will be challenged by a trio of freshmen that carry impressive resumes from their high school careers. Matt McDonough was a three-time Iowa High School state champion who finished his red shirt campaign with a 22-8 record competing at 133 lbs. McDonough also placed third at 60 kg/132.25 pounds at FILA Junior National Freestyle Championships and third at FILA Junior Freestyle World Team Trials earlier this year. Nate Moore, who may also compete at 133, was a two-time Iowa state champion and four-time state finalist who posted a 23-4 record last year at 133 lbs. during his red shirt year. Moore also won two Fargo Junior National titles. True freshman Tony Ramos was a three-time Illinois state champion who also finished fifth at this year's Junior World Championships. Iowa State transfer Tyler Clark was not granted a release, and will red shirt this season. Freshman Nick Trizzino could also add depth here.

Matt McDonough is going to be the guy here with Moore moving up to 133. Matt is making the drop from 133 and has really worked hard a managing his weight over the summer, the kid is talented and a hard worker

133
Daniel Dennis returns for his senior season as the front-runner at this weight after a 31-6 record last season that ended with a 7th place finish and his first All-American recognition. The aforementioned Nick Trizzino, son of 1984 Hawkeye All-American Mark Trizzino will push Dennis. Trizzino was an Iowa state champion with a 118-18 career record at Bettendorf (IA) High School. Red shirt freshmen Nate Moore and two-time Iowa state champion Mark Ballweg will also compete for the 133lbs. spot.

Dennis will be backed up by Nate Moore

141
A couple of seniors with a wealth of experience headline what may be considered the weight with the most depth. 2008 All-American Joe Slaton returns with 2008 National Qualifier Dan LeClere. LeClere posted a 9-2 season last year wrestling behind starter Alex Tsirtsis and Slaton compiled a 17-1 record while he settled into his new weight class. Slaton and LeClere will be pushed by talented sophomore Montell Marion, who finished 17-4 last year; true freshman and Colorado state champion Phillip Sheridan, and former Iowa state champion, sophomore Tyler Halverson.

Total toss up weight with LeClere and Marion vying for the starting spot this fall. With Slaton waiting until 2nd semester to crack the line-up

149
Brent Metcalf returns for his senior season and looks to build upon two All-American honors and a 2008 national title. In the off-season, Metcalf placed second at 66kg/145.5 pounds at U.S. Senior National Freestyle Championships, and tied for the freestyle 66 kg bronze medal at Pan American Senior Championships in Maracaibo, Venezuela. Sophomores Stew Gillmor and Ethan Sebert join freshmen Dylan Carew and Jeret Chiri, as well as several wrestlers that could move up from the 141 pound spot, in providing depth for Metcalf.

Metcalf

157
Last season's starter Matt Ballweg returns for his junior season after placing seventh at the ASICS men's freestyle University National Championships this spring. Ballweg will be pushed by juniors Aaron Janssen and Brooks Kopsa as well as true freshman Derek St. John, who captured a Fargo Junior National title this summer. Don't be surprised if Junior Jake Kerr makes a decision to compete for a spot on the team at 157 lbs. as well.

I keep hearing how this will be a much improved weight for the Hawkeyes. My money is on Aaron Janssen but, I wouldn't be shocked to see Ballweg here either. IMO it's to big of a cut for Kerr to be effective

165
Returning All-American Ryan Morningstar looks to build upon his 65 consecutive dual meet start, and his third place finish in last year's NCAA Tournament. Morningstar placed second at 74 kg at ASICS men's freestyle University National Championships this spring. Junior Jake Kerr, who posted a 15-6 record last year and also finished sixth at 74 kg at ASICS men's freestyle University National Championships will push Morningstar as will senior Michael Fahrer and true freshman and Colorado state champion, Joe DuCharme.

M* with an improved offense this year will surprise some.

174
Senior Jay Borschel returns to improve on his 30-6 record from last year and his 2008 All-American finish. Borschel will be backed up by a trio of freshman. Two-time Iowa state champion Grant Gambrall finished his red shirt season with a 18-5 record; true freshman Tomas Lira is in the mix, as is true freshman Ethen Lofthouse, who is a four-time Utah state champion as well as winning a Cadet National Greco-Roman national title, a Junior National Greco-Roman title and a Junior National freestyle title.

Borschel is going get back to his old form

184
Two time All-American Phil Keddy is back for his senior season after a 35-5 junior season that finished with a fourth place at the NCAA Championships. Keddy's five losses were to two competitors (three to Northwestern's NCAA Champion Jake Herbert and two to Doug Umbehauer of Rider). Former Iowa state champion Vinny Wagner returns to the team for his sophomore season to provide depth. Grant Gambrall could also move up from 174 if needed.

Keddy makes big improvements once again.

197
Senior Chad Beatty returns to improve on his NCAA qualifier status last year. He posted a 19-6 record last year and finished fourth in the Big Ten Championships. Senior Rick Loera also returns after a 3-9 junior campaign as he grew into his new weight class. Junior Luke Lofthouse returns as does sophomore Brodie Ambrose.

Oh no it's Chad Beatty!! Makes a splash this year and stays healthy

285
Senior All-American Dan Erekson will be back this year to improve on his 4th place finish at the NCAA Championships. Erekson will be pushed by a pair of sophomores in Jordan Johnson (9-5 last year) and Blake Rasing; as well as true freshman Trayvonious Pendleton.

Erekson is out for 2-3 months. Blake Rasing is the guy until Danimal is healthy. Rasing is a kid that is a beast if he stays motivated could spell trouble for the rest of the field

__________________
"He quits, not because he wants to, but because he has to. He has no choice.
" -Tom Brands 01/20/08

vaisforlovers

cant wait to see how 41 pans out

__________________
"Go the other way ding-dong!"
-Tom Brands

goferphan

That line-up looks alot less intimidating with Erekson out of it.

Flop The Nuts

Damn, 25 through 41 are stacked. Great depth.

Herkey#1

Wiltz, No one ever, and I'm not exagerating when I say ever, mentions Metcalfs backup, Ethan Sebert. I have a feeling that if Brent ever got hurt that one of the guys from 141 would move up and fill in but can you give any insight on this guy. Will he ever get any sort of recognition besides being an answer to a trivia question a few years down the road?

discalimer...I'm not trying to pick on Ethan, we just never hear anything about him except that he is a good student, which is the most important thing in the long run.

Wiltz

I think if Carew was healthy this year he would be the 2nd string guy at 149 and not Sebert. Truthfully I don't know a whole lot about Sebert. Sebert wrested 141 last year or the year before so I don't think he is a big 149 pounder. If Metcalf weren't in the line-up I could see some of the guys on the roster cutting to 149.

__________________
"He quits, not because he wants to, but because he has to. He has no choice.
" -Tom Brands 01/20/08