I figured as we are very near the start of the season, let's see what everyone's predictions for this team is going weight by weight:
125- I think Stevo has a very good year with maintaining a ranking between 7-12 throughout the year. 125 always seems to have some crazy upsets, and Stevo has liked to wrestle close matches in the past, but he is solid and consistent. I am guessing we see the 5 "free" event dates from Castillo and he shows flashes that he can hold the weight down the next 4 years (but a redshirt year will be very good for Christian).
Prediction: 2nd at Big 12s, 6th at NCAAs
133- Can Frost make his way down and maintain weight? Will Reineri gain eligibility? If neither can happen, will Grice be able to step in and be a point scorer for Iowa State? This weight has the most question marks to me heading into the year, but I am betting on Evan being able to manage the weight effectively, and if healthy be a high point scorer for the Cyclones. He was wrestling as well as anyone before tweaking his hammy against UNI. Even with that injury, a crap Big 12, and poor NCAA seeding, he still made the Blood Round and was a questionable call away from taking out Davis and AAing again.
Prediction: Big 12 champ, 3rd at NCAAs
141- Welcome back to 141 Ech! I predict it takes him a bit to find his groove (no bad losses, but might be some closer matches than expected), but by the end of the year he is rolling and a true title threat. He is one of the most fun guys on the team to watch and can let it fly when needed. I am expecting big things from Anthony in March.
Prediction: Big 12 champ, 4th at NCAAs
149- Will it be Paniro or will it be Jacob? I trust Jacob more, but Paniro probably has higher upside. Regardless of who ends up being the guy, I like their chances in March. I think they face off against Swid in the Big 12 finals and there are fireworks. We know how well Swid handles losing
and 3 champs in a row for the Clones will have the Cowboy fans in Tulsa on edge.
Prediction: Big 12 champ, 2nd at NCAAs
157- Zerban is a funky wrestler and will certainly bring fireworks to Hilton this winter. Zerban (along with Poulin) will be wrestling the toughest schedule they have seen in college, and it will be interesting to see how they adjust. Sometimes the funk can catch people off-guard the first time you wrestle against it, but guys adapt and can fend it off better later in the season (see Feldkamp from a couple years ago). I think Zerban is a better wrestler than Feldkamp and will still score points for Iowa State in March.
Prediction: Big 12 3rd place, NCAA R12
165- If Euton is healthy, I think he has the higher ceiling between him and Riggins. Euton looked pretty solid in the wrestle off, but this weight probably won't be decided until after the Cyclone Open. I think whoever wins the spot is much more consistent than we were last year at this weight and proves to be a top 15 guy throughout the year. Hopefully Euton can stay healthy and build on the flashes he showed prior to tearing his ACL against Caliendo.
Prediction: Big 12 5th, NCAA R16
174- MJ looked bigger at the wrestle offs and seems to be at least a decent sized 174 going into the season. Has he developed a go-to shot? Or is he going to continue living and dying by the big moves? I want to see him consistently hit solid shots early in the year and prove he has a solid move to get takedowns while having the headlock and big throws ready if needed. Need to see a consistent MJ for this team to reach it's peak.
Prediction: Big 12 4th, NCAA R12
184- Has Dean developed offense since being in Ames? He is extremely athletic and is very tough to score on, but will need to be more aggressive to truly place himself into AA contention. 184 might be the most fun weight to follow this year and there are some serious studs at this weight class. Big 12 will be an absolute grind too. I think Dean will show flashes of offense, but it might not be enough to AA.
Prediction: Big 12 3rd, NCAA R12
197- Will Rocky stay healthy? Will he wrestle enough matches to find a groove? Such a fine balance to wrestle him enough to find that groove, but also hold him out enough to not risk his health. 197 seems pretty open this year, and Rocky is an elite level wrestler, but my biggest concern will be how he holds up and if he gets enough matches to peak in March. Other concern is if he makes the semis and loses, how does he mentally respond the next day? Rocky can win it all if healthy.
Prediction: Big 12 Champ, NCAA 6th
Hwt- Yonger is a beast and the best Heavyweight in the nation if he is focused. Saturday will give us a good idea on how Yonger is feeling heading into the season, but I am expecting big things from the big Cuban.
Prediction: Big 12 Champ, NCAA Champ
Overall, this is the best team that we have had since KJs first year with Cael's guys. Health will be the biggest thing for the team, but they have a chance to be special. This team should beat Iowa, should win the Big 12, and should be a trophy team in Cleveland. I'm excited for wrestling season to be here and to watch the guys compete.
125- I think Stevo has a very good year with maintaining a ranking between 7-12 throughout the year. 125 always seems to have some crazy upsets, and Stevo has liked to wrestle close matches in the past, but he is solid and consistent. I am guessing we see the 5 "free" event dates from Castillo and he shows flashes that he can hold the weight down the next 4 years (but a redshirt year will be very good for Christian).
Prediction: 2nd at Big 12s, 6th at NCAAs
133- Can Frost make his way down and maintain weight? Will Reineri gain eligibility? If neither can happen, will Grice be able to step in and be a point scorer for Iowa State? This weight has the most question marks to me heading into the year, but I am betting on Evan being able to manage the weight effectively, and if healthy be a high point scorer for the Cyclones. He was wrestling as well as anyone before tweaking his hammy against UNI. Even with that injury, a crap Big 12, and poor NCAA seeding, he still made the Blood Round and was a questionable call away from taking out Davis and AAing again.
Prediction: Big 12 champ, 3rd at NCAAs
141- Welcome back to 141 Ech! I predict it takes him a bit to find his groove (no bad losses, but might be some closer matches than expected), but by the end of the year he is rolling and a true title threat. He is one of the most fun guys on the team to watch and can let it fly when needed. I am expecting big things from Anthony in March.
Prediction: Big 12 champ, 4th at NCAAs
149- Will it be Paniro or will it be Jacob? I trust Jacob more, but Paniro probably has higher upside. Regardless of who ends up being the guy, I like their chances in March. I think they face off against Swid in the Big 12 finals and there are fireworks. We know how well Swid handles losing
and 3 champs in a row for the Clones will have the Cowboy fans in Tulsa on edge.Prediction: Big 12 champ, 2nd at NCAAs
157- Zerban is a funky wrestler and will certainly bring fireworks to Hilton this winter. Zerban (along with Poulin) will be wrestling the toughest schedule they have seen in college, and it will be interesting to see how they adjust. Sometimes the funk can catch people off-guard the first time you wrestle against it, but guys adapt and can fend it off better later in the season (see Feldkamp from a couple years ago). I think Zerban is a better wrestler than Feldkamp and will still score points for Iowa State in March.
Prediction: Big 12 3rd place, NCAA R12
165- If Euton is healthy, I think he has the higher ceiling between him and Riggins. Euton looked pretty solid in the wrestle off, but this weight probably won't be decided until after the Cyclone Open. I think whoever wins the spot is much more consistent than we were last year at this weight and proves to be a top 15 guy throughout the year. Hopefully Euton can stay healthy and build on the flashes he showed prior to tearing his ACL against Caliendo.
Prediction: Big 12 5th, NCAA R16
174- MJ looked bigger at the wrestle offs and seems to be at least a decent sized 174 going into the season. Has he developed a go-to shot? Or is he going to continue living and dying by the big moves? I want to see him consistently hit solid shots early in the year and prove he has a solid move to get takedowns while having the headlock and big throws ready if needed. Need to see a consistent MJ for this team to reach it's peak.
Prediction: Big 12 4th, NCAA R12
184- Has Dean developed offense since being in Ames? He is extremely athletic and is very tough to score on, but will need to be more aggressive to truly place himself into AA contention. 184 might be the most fun weight to follow this year and there are some serious studs at this weight class. Big 12 will be an absolute grind too. I think Dean will show flashes of offense, but it might not be enough to AA.
Prediction: Big 12 3rd, NCAA R12
197- Will Rocky stay healthy? Will he wrestle enough matches to find a groove? Such a fine balance to wrestle him enough to find that groove, but also hold him out enough to not risk his health. 197 seems pretty open this year, and Rocky is an elite level wrestler, but my biggest concern will be how he holds up and if he gets enough matches to peak in March. Other concern is if he makes the semis and loses, how does he mentally respond the next day? Rocky can win it all if healthy.
Prediction: Big 12 Champ, NCAA 6th
Hwt- Yonger is a beast and the best Heavyweight in the nation if he is focused. Saturday will give us a good idea on how Yonger is feeling heading into the season, but I am expecting big things from the big Cuban.
Prediction: Big 12 Champ, NCAA Champ
Overall, this is the best team that we have had since KJs first year with Cael's guys. Health will be the biggest thing for the team, but they have a chance to be special. This team should beat Iowa, should win the Big 12, and should be a trophy team in Cleveland. I'm excited for wrestling season to be here and to watch the guys compete.
