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We conclude our preview of all ten NCAA Wrestling Championships weight classes with 141 lbs, the one weight where Ohio State has the top seed and overall favorite. Jesse Mendez is the two-time defending National Champion and has an undefeated season this year. This is also, by far, Penn State's weakest weight class, and the only one where the Nittany Lions are unlikely to even earn All-American honors. So it won't be Braeden Davis who stops Mendez. Can anyone? Let's look at the draw and see.
So, who can beat Mendez? Let's start with the No. 2 seed, Sergio Vega (Oklahoma State). Vega is an elite freshman, and also undefeated on the season. Vega has not been as dominant in his victories as Mendez this year, though he did have an impressive pin of No. 3 seed Brock Hardy (Nebraska) back in December. If Vega makes it to the final, he should provide a stiff challenge to Mendez.
Of wrestlers Mendez faced during the season, only two gave him relatively tough matches. Mendez beat Hardy three times this year, and their first match was the closest. On the other hand, Hardy did not successfully take Mendez down once in three matches. Then again, no one has taken down Mendez this year, so I don't know what that means.
Anthony Echemendia (Iowa State) is the No. 4 seed. And, honestly, he did way better against Mendez than Hardy did. In fact, Echemendia gave Vega his two toughest matches of the season. Mendez shouldn't be scared of Echemendia (who transferred from Ohio State after 2022), but he would probably wish that Hardy and Echemendia had their seeds flipped.
I actually expect Braeden Davis (Penn State) to wrestle well above his seed, after he was placed at No. 14. But picking a Nittany Lion as a sleeper just seems unfair. Instead, I have my eye on the No. 6 seed, Cornella. He has lost just one match this year, a very close one-point match against No. 5 seed Luke Stanich (Lehigh). Cornella has a better draw than Stanich, though. I think he has a real chance to possibly upset Hardy and reach the semifinals, at least. It's a likelier upset than Stanich taking out Mendez would be.
Heavyweight (Nick Feldman)
197 lbs (Luke Geog)
184 lbs (Dylan Fishback)
174 lbs (Carson Kharchla)
165 lbs (Paddy Gallagher)
157 lbs (Brandon Cannon)
149 lbs (Ethan Stiles)
125 lbs (Nic Bouzakis)
This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: NCAA Wrestling Championships Preview: 141 lbs
Continue reading...
Favorite: Jesse Mendez (Ohio State)
So, who can beat Mendez? Let's start with the No. 2 seed, Sergio Vega (Oklahoma State). Vega is an elite freshman, and also undefeated on the season. Vega has not been as dominant in his victories as Mendez this year, though he did have an impressive pin of No. 3 seed Brock Hardy (Nebraska) back in December. If Vega makes it to the final, he should provide a stiff challenge to Mendez.
Of wrestlers Mendez faced during the season, only two gave him relatively tough matches. Mendez beat Hardy three times this year, and their first match was the closest. On the other hand, Hardy did not successfully take Mendez down once in three matches. Then again, no one has taken down Mendez this year, so I don't know what that means.
Anthony Echemendia (Iowa State) is the No. 4 seed. And, honestly, he did way better against Mendez than Hardy did. In fact, Echemendia gave Vega his two toughest matches of the season. Mendez shouldn't be scared of Echemendia (who transferred from Ohio State after 2022), but he would probably wish that Hardy and Echemendia had their seeds flipped.
Sleeper: Vince Cornella (Cornell)
I actually expect Braeden Davis (Penn State) to wrestle well above his seed, after he was placed at No. 14. But picking a Nittany Lion as a sleeper just seems unfair. Instead, I have my eye on the No. 6 seed, Cornella. He has lost just one match this year, a very close one-point match against No. 5 seed Luke Stanich (Lehigh). Cornella has a better draw than Stanich, though. I think he has a real chance to possibly upset Hardy and reach the semifinals, at least. It's a likelier upset than Stanich taking out Mendez would be.
Other Previews:
Heavyweight (Nick Feldman)
197 lbs (Luke Geog)
184 lbs (Dylan Fishback)
174 lbs (Carson Kharchla)
165 lbs (Paddy Gallagher)
157 lbs (Brandon Cannon)
149 lbs (Ethan Stiles)
125 lbs (Nic Bouzakis)
This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: NCAA Wrestling Championships Preview: 141 lbs
Continue reading...
