Takedown Report

165-Pound Pre-Season NCAA Wrestling Preview & Predictions

A preview with predictions for the 2023-24 season at 165-pound weight class in Division 1 college wrestling
The best college wrestling rivalry gets one more season and possibly three more rounds. NCAA champions Keegan O’Toole (Missouri) and David Carr (Iowa State) seem destined to reach the 2024 NCAA tournament finals following a thrilling three-match series over the span of a month in 2023. 
Carr struck first with a 7-2 win during a dual on February 15 then struck again with a sudden victory fall in the Big 12 finals on March 4. O’Toole turned the tables with an 8-2 win in the NCAA finals on March 16 for his second title in as many years.
Rounds four, five, and six could happen on February 25 (dual in Ames), March 9-10 (Big 12 Championships in Tulsa), and March 21-23 (NCAA Championships in Kansas City). Each has only suffered defeat three times during their respective college careers, but that number will inevitably go up this season when they face off. 
This is the series to watch, and anyone other than Carr and O’Toole in the national finals will represent a big upset. 
Michigan’s Cam Amine has the best credentials of the remaining field but he’s lost three straight times to O’Toole over three NCAA Championships. Wisconsin’s Dean Hamiti is a two-time All-American who offers challenges because of his long frame and unique style. 
Iowa’s Michael Caliendo and Oklahoma State’s Izzak Olejnik are storylines to follow after transferring from North Dakota State and Northern Illinois, respectively. They met in the seventh-place match at the 2023 NCAA Championships and will likely meet in a historically contentious rivalry between the two most successful college wrestling programs. 
Penn State’s Mitchell Mesenbrink is the wild card here. There’s no telling if he’ll be in the line-up or what weight he’ll go, but Mesenbrink will be a factor if he’s in the line-up at 165. The Hartland, Wisconsin, native won the 2023 U20 World Championships following a silver medal performance in 2022. … rest of story and list at … Flowrestling.org/articles/165-pound-pre-season-ncaa-wrestling-preview-predictions

October 17, 2023 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized