Takedown Report

Five Things You Need To Know About NCAA Division II Wrestling This Season

Seven of the 10 NCAA Division II wrestling champions from last season are back, including a upperweight duo that led Central Oklahoma to a national title.
No division in college wrestling has seen more turnover at the top in recent years than Division II. Three different schools have won titles in the past three seasons and the top-four team trophies have been split between perennial powers and upstarts that are quickly establishing themselves as title contenders. 
Here’s a look at what to watch this season:

Team To Beat

Central Oklahoma ran away with the national title in March, finishing 43 points ahead of second-place Lander, and the Bronchos are in pursuit of a repeat in 2024.  Coach Todd Steidley’s roster includes five returning All-Americans, led by two-time national champion Dalton Abney (197) and reigning heavyweight champ Shawn Streck.  Abney is a three-time national finalist with a 76-6 career record. He’ll anchor the lineup until Streck returns in the second semester.  Additionally, the Bronchos return All-Americans Dylan Lucas (141), Gabe Johnson (157), and Anthony DesVigne at 184 pounds.  “No one has won it this year and we don’t have anything to defend,” Steidley said. “We’re moving forward with that mindset and trying to be prepared for March.”

Top Contenders

Lander, West Liberty and St. Cloud State figure to be in the title chase in March.  In its fourth season of competition, Lander surged to a runner-up finish. There’s no more flying under the radar for the Bearcats, especially with a roster that includes 2022 national champion Zeth Brower (141) and returning All-Americans James Joplin (125), Elijah Lusk (133), David Hunsberger (165) and Juan Edmond-Holmes (285).  “We know we are going to get everybody’s best shot every time they compete against someone in a Lander singlet,” Lander coach R.C. LaHaye said. “We are using that as motivation to do all of the little things right so when they start shootin’ we’re ready.” 
Coach Danny Irwin has had the West Liberty Hilltoppers on the doorstep to a title in recent years. They finished fourth in 2021, third in 2022 and sixth this past season. The Hilltoppers hope this is the year they put all the pieces together and take home a title. 
West Liberty is led by returning 184-pound national champion Ty McGeary. He’ll be joined by returning All-Americans Vincent Scollo (133) and Alec Cook (165). West Liberty also has high expectations for returning national qualifiers Jamar Williams (157) and Francesco Borsellino (285).  Perennial contender St. Cloud State expects to be in the title race once again in 2024. The Huskies are coming off a third-place finish at the NCAA Championships — eighth straight top-four finish at the national tournament. 
Coach Steve Constanzo’s team is led by returning champion Nick Novak at 157 pounds. … rest of story at Flowrestling.org/Five-things-you-need-to-know-about-ncaa-division-ii-wrestling-this-season…

November 11, 2023 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized