photo courtesy of Sam Janicki; SJanickiPhoto.com
The 2021 season has presented the college wrestling world with plenty of unique situations that we typically don’t face in a typical season. One of which is conference tournament weekend(s). Last year, all seven of the DI qualifiers were held on the same weekend. There wasn’t much time to sit around and try to figure out at-large berths. That was a task that was encountered after all of the dust settled and the last whistle blew. With two weekends of conference championship action, we can look back and analyze who needs a bid and what their chances are based on the upcoming tournaments.
Below we have listed the 2021 NCAA Championship allocations for the Big Ten and Big 12 at each weight. We’ve also listed the number of ranked wrestlers from those conferences, courtesy of the most recent coaches’ rankings. Also listed is the number of at-large berths per weight. Finally, we’ve picked out some of the top wrestlers that did not qualify for a trip to St. Louis after their conference tournament. With each wrestler, we’ve listed some of their notable accomplishments for this season.
125 lbs
Big Ten Allocations: (8)
Ranked Wrestlers in Big Ten: (11)
Big 12 Allocations: (5)
Ranked Wrestlers in Big 12: (6)
At-Large Berths Available: (7)
Notables seeking At-Large Berths:
#21 Fabian Gutierrez (Chattanooga) - 2020 national qualifier, 13-3 in 2021 (3rd SoCon); Split matches w/ Storm
#30 Brandon Kaylor (Oregon State) - 9-5 in 2021 (3rd in Pac-12)
#31 Dylan Ryder (Hofstra) - 5-2 in 2021; (5th EIWA)
#32 Micah Roes (Binghamton) - 6-2 in 2021; 1 win over AQ (Tropea) (4th EIWA); 1-0 vs. Ryder
#33 Colton Camacho (Pittsburgh) - 5-6 in 2021; 1 win over AQ (McCormick) (4th ACC)
Zurich Storm (Campbell) - 8-5 in 2021; (2nd in SoCon); Split matches w/ Gutierrez
Luke Werner (Lock Haven) - 2020 NWCA Honorable Mention All-American; 4-2 in 2021 (5th in MAC)
The disparity between ranked Big Ten wrestlers and allocations (three) should be troubling to those needing at-large berths. That doesn’t include any Big Ten wrestlers that pull upsets and qualify outside of the top-33. None of the current at-large’s are “locks” though Gutierrez probably stands a solid chance. It will be interesting to see how the committee views Werner, who was the 13th seed at nationals last year and didn’t have the opportunity to compete until the MAC Championships.
133 lbs
Big Ten Allocations: (8)
Ranked Wrestlers in Big Ten: (8)
Big 12 Allocations: (5)
Ranked Wrestlers in Big 12: (12)
At-Large Berths Available: (6)
Notables seeking At-Large Berths:
#7 Michael McGee (Arizona State) - 2x NCAA qualifier; 8-1 in 2021; (3rd in Pac-12); 2-0 vs. Bianchi
#24 Jason Miranda (Stanford) - 6-4 in 2021; (5th in Pac-12); 1-0 vs. Rich
#26 Paul Bianchi (Little Rock) - 2018 national qualifier; 9-5 in 2021; (4th in Pac-12); 1-0 vs. Miranda
#27 Drew Marten (Central Michigan) - 2020 national qualifier; 7-5 in 2021; (7th in MAC)
#28 Joe Heilmann (North Carolina) - 4-4 in 2021; 1 win vs. AQ (Hayes); (DNP ACC)
Chance Rich (CSU Bakersfield) - 3-2 in 2021; (2nd in Pac-12) 1-0 vs. McGee, 2-0 vs. Bianchi
Watch out for the Big 12! They will swallow up most of the at-large berths as there are only five allocations for 12 ranked wrestlers. Four of those ranked wrestlers from the Big 12 are either 25 or lower in this week’s rankings from TOM. For any of them, a disastrous conference tournament could cost them a spot in St. Louis. McGee is probably a sure bet for one of the six bids. The others will have to sweat it out.
141 lbs
Big Ten Allocations: (8)
Ranked Wrestlers in Big Ten: (8)
Big 12 Allocations: (4)
Ranked Wrestlers in Big 12: (7)
At-Large Berths Available: (6)
Notables seeking At-Large Berths:
#14 Brian Courtney (Virginia) - 9-4 in 2021; (4th ACC); 2 wins vs. AQ (Brito, Matthews), 2-0 vs. Hillegas
#22 Sam Hillegas (Virginia Tech) - 5-5 in 2021; (DNP ACC)
#23 Derek Spann (Buffalo) - 2x national qualifier; 7-5 in 2021 (6th MAC)
#28 Lawrence Saenz (Cal Poly) - 4-4 in 2021; (4th Pac-12)
#31 Franco Valdes (Chattanooga) - 10-1 in 2021; 1 win vs. AQ (Brito); (4th SoCon)
Gabe Willochell (Edinboro) - 13-3 in 2021; 2-0 vs. Spann (5th MAC)
Real Woods (Stanford) - 2021 NWCA 1st Team All-American; 2-1 in 2021 (2nd Pac-12)
We’re standing by to see if there’s a solution to the Real Woods issue. By rule, Woods doesn’t have enough matches to qualify for a bid. Could the committee waive the rule or can Stanford find a way to get him a match within the next week? Barring utter chaos at the two remaining tournaments, Courtney should be able to get a bid. There are arguments to be made for the others, but they’ll have to wait and see.
149 lbs
Big Ten Allocations: (7)
Ranked Wrestlers in Big Ten: (12)
Big 12 Allocations: (5)
Ranked Wrestlers in Big 12: (6)
At-Large Berths Available: (6)
Notables seeking At-Large Berths:
#19 Casey Cobb (Navy) - 2020 national qualifier; 8-1 in 2021; 2 wins vs. AQ’s (Hoffman, Robinson)
#28 Ed Scott (NC State) - 6-6 in 2021; 1 win vs. AQ (Finesilver); (4th ACC)
#31 Cory Crooks (Arizona State) - 8-4 in 2021; (3rd Pac-12)
In a situation very unique to 2020-21, there’s a rule that states if you do not compete at your conference meet for a COVID-related issue and your team does not replace you, you’ll be eligible for an at-large berth. That could be the case for Casey Cobb. Cobb has a strong resume and should stand a good chance at getting a berth. Watch out for the Big Ten, with 12 ranked wrestlers battling for seven spots.
157 lbs
Big Ten Allocations: (8)
Ranked Wrestlers in Big Ten: (8)
Big 12 Allocations: (3)
Ranked Wrestlers in Big 12: (6)
At-Large Berths Available: (6)
Notables seeking At-Large Berths:
#13 Requir van der Merwe (Stanford) - 2019 national qualifier, 7-2 in 2021; 2 wins vs. ranked opps (J. Thomas, DeVos)
#15 Markus Hartman (Army West Point) - 2020 NWCA 2nd Team All-American; 5-2 in 2021
#17 Justin Ruffin (SIU Edwardsville) - 2x national qualifier; 9-4 in 2021; 1 win vs. AQ (Petite)
#25 Ben Barton (Campbell) - 2019 national qualifier, 10-2 in 2021 (2nd SoCon); 2 wins vs. AQ’s (Brady, Bond); 1-0 vs. Slivka
#33 Jordan Slivka (Ohio) - 5-4 in 2021
The first three wrestlers in the at-large pool look like solid picks. Ruffin defaulted out of the MAC Championships, so his health could be a concern. Hartman entered the EIWA’s and immediately defaulted out of the tournament. Provided nothing crazy happens, Barton stands a decent chance at making it, also.
165 lbs
Big Ten Allocations: (8)
Ranked Wrestlers in Big Ten: (9)
Big 12 Allocations: (5)
Ranked Wrestlers in Big 12: (5)
At-Large Berths Available: (7)
Notables seeking At-Large Berths:
#2 Mekhi Lewis (Virginia Tech) - 2019 NCAA champion; 8-2 in 2021; 2 wins vs. AQ’s (Keating, Bullard), 1-0 vs Monday
#10 Kennedy Monday (North Carolina) - 2x national qualifier; 7-5 in 2021; (4th ACC); 2 wins vs. AQ’s (Bullard x2)
#16 Will Formato (Appalachian State) - 15-2 in 2021; (3rd SoCon); 2 wins vs AQ’s (Bullard, Nicholson); 1-1 vs Casto; 2-0 vs. Mosley
#21 RJ Mosley (Gardner-Webb) - 11-4 in 2021; (4th SoCon); 1 win vs AQ (Nicholson); 1-0 vs. Casto
#30 Brevin Casella (Binghamton) - 4-3 in 2021; (8th EIWA); 1-0 vs. Silverstein
#31 Jake Silverstein (Rider) - 9-3 in 2021; (5th MAC); 2 wins vs. AQ’s (Meyer, Barczak)
#33 Dazjon Casto (The Citadel) - 7-5 in 2021; (2nd SoCon); 1-1 vs. Formato
165 lbs was the SoCon’s deepest weight, so it appeared we’d probably have an at-large berth or two from the conference. Then Drew Nicholson upset the balance and knocked off Will Formato. Will looks like he should get a bid, but Mosley and Casto will have to see what happens this weekend. Mekhi Lewis is sure to get one, as is Kennedy Monday, so between the two and the Big Ten/12, there will probably be only one or two others from this list.
174 lbs
Big Ten Allocations: (8)
Ranked Wrestlers in Big Ten: (10)
Big 12 Allocations: (4)
Ranked Wrestlers in Big 12: (9)
At-Large Berths Available: (7)
Notables seeking At-Large Berths:
#13 Thomas Flitz (Appalachian State) - 14-3 in 2021; (2nd SoCon); 1 win vs. AQ (Bullard); 1-0 vs. Marcelli
#18 Mason Kauffman (Northern Illinois) - 13-4 in 2021; (4th MAC); 1 win vs. AQ (Oliver); 1 win vs. ranked opp (Runyon); 1-0 vs. Garcia
#30 Vic Marcelli (Virginia) - 8-5 in 2021 (4th ACC); 1 win vs. AQ (Howard)
#31 Ross McFarland (Hofstra) - 5-4 in 2021 (8th EIWA)
#33 Angel Garcia (Rider) - 5-3 in 2021; (DNP MAC)
Watch out, as the Big 12 could gobble up a handful of the at-large berths! Six of them are ranked #20 or lower, so a good or bad conference tournament could turn their fortunes. The top-two wrestlers in our current at-large pool stand a good chance at getting tickets to St. Louis.
184 lbs
Big Ten Allocations: (8)
Ranked Wrestlers in Big Ten: (10)
Big 12 Allocations: (4)
Ranked Wrestlers in Big 12: (7)
At-Large Berths Available: (6)
Notables seeking At-Large Berths:
#20 Michael Battista (Virginia) - 6-4 in 2021; (DNP ACC); 1-1 vs. Harvey
#24 Gregg Harvey (Pittsburgh) - 6-6 in 2021; (4th ACC); 1-1 vs. Battista
#25 George Walton (Rider) - 6-4 in 2021; (6th MAC)
#27 Ryan Reyes (Oregon State) - 6-4 in 2021; (2nd Pac-12)
#31 Cade Belshay (Arizona State) - 5-6 in 2021; (3rd Pac-12)
#32 Jha’Quan Anderson (Gardner-Webb) - 9-2 in 2021; (3rd SoCon); 1-0 vs. Brown
#33 Zach Brown (VMI) - 9-4 in 2021; 1 win vs. AQ (Accousti)
This weight class in the Big Ten is totally unpredictable after Aaron Brooks. None of this group is currently ranked lower than 17th, so you’ll have to assume that all ten are probably going to St. Louis. That doesn’t account for any upsets. The Big 12 is pretty deep at 184 lbs, too. With so many possibilities still out there, it’s hard to say anyone on this list is a lock to get a bid.
197 lbs
Big Ten Allocations: (6)
Ranked Wrestlers in Big Ten: (10)
Big 12 Allocations: (5)
Ranked Wrestlers in Big 12: (8)
At-Large Berths Available: (7)
Notables seeking At-Large Berths:
#25 Nick Reenan (NC State) - 2x national qualifier; 7-3 in 2021 (ACC 4th)
#29 Landon Pelham (Central Michigan) - 2020 national qualifier; 7-5 in 2021 (MAC 7th); 1-0 vs. McCracken; 1-0 vs. Braun
#32 Colin McCracken (Kent State) - 8-5 in 2021; (DNP MAC); 1-0 vs. Braun
#33 Tyler Mousaw (VMI) - 12-2 in 2021 (SoCon 3rd)
Logan Andrew (Chattanooga) - 9-6 in 2021 (SoCon 2nd); 2-0 vs Mousaw
Matt Correnti (Rider) - 2017 national qualifier; 5-6 in 2021; (MAC 4th); 1-0 vs. Braun, 1-0 vs. Pelham
Gage Braun (Northern Illinois) - 2020 national qualifier; 8-7 in 2021 (MAC 5th);
Based on the strength of the Big Ten and Big 12, I’d anticipate that most of the at-large berths come from those two conferences. Nick Reenan is the highest-ranked of this bunch. He shared starting duties for most of the year with true freshman Isaac Trumble, but emerged as the entrant at ACC’s. Reenan doesn’t have any huge wins this year, but a proven track record. I’m sure it’s not a real “thing”, but it seems like sometimes a program without any qualifiers can get the benefit of the doubt with at-larges. Could Mousaw and VMI benefit from that here?
285 lbs
Big Ten Allocations: (7)
Ranked Wrestlers in Big Ten: (8)
Big 12 Allocations: (5)
Ranked Wrestlers in Big 12: (8)
At-Large Berths Available: (6)
Notables seeking At-Large Berths:
#23 John Birchmeier (Navy) - 7-2 record in 2021; (EIWA 5th); 1 win vs AQ (Heald)
#24 Sam Schuyler (Buffalo) - 8-2 record in 2021; (MAC 5th); 1-1 vs. Spaulding; 1-0 vs McKiernan
#28 Jon Spaulding (Edinboro) - 2020 national qualifier (MAC 4th); 1-1 vs Schuyler; 1-0 vs. Ihry
#31 Colton McKiernan (SIU Edwardsville) - 2019 national qualifier (MAC 6th), 2-0 vs. Ihry
#33 Max Ihry (Northern Illinois) - 2020 national qualifier (MAC 7th)
We knew when the qualifier allocations came out, there would be a handful of MAC heavyweights in this discussion. Only three spots were given out to a conference that had eight returning national qualifiers competing. With some turmoil in the Big 12, a few of the six available at-large berths could be used by them. John Birchmeier probably has the best shot of the current group; those Schuyler/Spaulding are right behind him.
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