One of NCAA’s most impressive streaks is in jeopardy coming into this week’s EIWA tournament.  Cornell is the winner of an astounding 9 straight EIWA tournament titles.  Considering the strength of this conference, a streak of this nature is incredibly impressive.  It’s no secret what team poses the biggest threat to Cornell this year, it’s Pat Santoro’s Lehigh Mountain Hawks.  Lehigh took out Cornell in their dual 25-13 this year.  That is not necessarily a strong indicator of how things will play out, however.  

Cornell has an extremely powerful big 3 that are unlikely to be touched in Nahshon Garrett, Gabe Dean and Brian Realbuto.  Lehigh has better depth in my opinion, but fewer air-tight locks than Cornell.  

Below you’ll find a weight by weight breakdown with very approximate pre-seeds.  These are my best guess and we’ll see when the pre-seeds come out Thursday officially. Remember, you can watch every match of EIWA's LIVE on FloWrestling. 

125 Potential Pre-seeds
Automatic Qualifiers: 3
1. Paul Petrov, Bucknell
2. Darian Cruz, Lehigh
3. David Terao, American
4. Dalton Macri, Cornell

There’s an extremely interesting triangle here with the first 3.  Petrov is 3-0 against Cruz.  Terao is 3-0 against Petrov and Cruz is 2-0 against Terao!  So obviously how this gets seeded is incredibly important.  

Looming as an extremely talented darkhorse is Dalton Macri. He’s had a few nice moments this year including a win over Barlow McGhee.  However, he was handled by Cruz this year and hasn’t faced the other two big dogs.  A semi between he and Petrov will be interesting, but I’m not really prepared to pick Macri for an upset, though it’s not beyond the realm.

So there’s pretty strong history between these three.  If the seeds hold and we’re given a Cruz/Terao semi, I like Cruz to get the job done in the semi against Terao.  Coincidentally, these are two of my favorites to watch.  Their bout earlier this year was an 11-8 win by Cruz.  The last time they faced was at NCAA’s where Cruz won a wild 3-2 bout.  Any of these three can bring it home, so I’m sticking with history.  Give me Cruz over Terao in the semi’s.  

That will set up a Petrov/Cruz final.  You look at their history and say “Well, Petrov is 3-0 against Cruz, he’s a big favorite.” That could be the proper stance but look a bit deeper.  Cruz has lost 2 of those matches in OT and the 3rd he lost by one point.  These bouts easily could go the other way.  It’s really really hard to win 4 straight matches like that. I’m picking Cruz to get over the hump this time around.  Both these guys can scramble at an extremely high level.  I think Cruz will be able to execute an ankle pick and that’ll be the difference.  

CP’s Predictions:
1. Darian Cruz - Lehigh
2. Paul Petrov - Bucknell
3. David Terao - American
4. Dalton Macri - Cornell

Flashback to last year when Terao stuck Petrov!

133 Potential Pre-seeds:
Automatic Qualifiers: 3
1. Nahshon Garrett, Cornell
2. Mason Beckman, Lehigh
3. Angelo Amenta, Columbia
4. Zachary Davis, Nayv
5. Caleb Richardson, Penn


Nahshon Garrett comes into this bracket potentially the biggest favorite of any weight class.  The three-time All American from Cornell is on a blistering pace for bonus points and has put himself in contention for the Hodge Trophy.  Looking at this weight pre-season, many would have thought this could have been among the tougher weights in the conference.  

What we’ve seen this regular season is some odd regression from both Mason Beckman and Caleb Richardson.  Beckman is already at two time All American for the Mountain Hawks, and a year ago Caleb Richardson notched some monster wins, including one over AJ Schopp at NCAA’s. Both started the year inside the top 10 of the ASICS FloRankings and now are both currently unranked.  In a vacuum, I view them as the two most talented guys in this weight despite their shortcomings.

I can’t say I have any real insight as to what’s been going on with Richardson or Beckman, but I think they’ll rise to the occasion this weekend.  Seeds will be huge here.  Whoever ends up opposite Nahshon will have a great chance at the finals.  End up on Garrett’s side and it’s trouble and you can’t lose again or you’ll be on the outside of the automatic bid.  

I like Beckman to get back into the EIWA finals.  For all his struggles, he’s been solid within the EIWA for the most part.  Him being opposite of Richardson could be a huge benefit as Caleb defeated him this year.  Beckman barrel roll’s to the finals.  I like Richardson to make the semi before falling to Nahshon.  I think he wrestles back to take third and punch his ticket to NCAA’s.

In the finals, I don’t see Nahshon being pressed.  Beckman can hand fight with just about anyone, but I think Nahshon will create angles with his movement and heavy hands.  Once on the leg he’s a nightmare to fight off.  I think a one-sided decision is the way this one plays out.

CP’s Predictions:
1. Nahshon Garrett, Cornell
2. Mason Beckman, Lehigh
3. Caleb Richardson, Penn
4. Angelo Amenta, Columbia
5. Grimaldi Gonzalez, Bucknell

141: Potential Pre-seeds
Automatic Qualifiers: 6
1. Rick Durso, Franklin & Marshall
2.Todd Preston, Harvard
3. Tyler Smith, Bucknell
4. Randy Cruz, Lehigh
5. Logan Everett, Army
6. Jordan Laster, Princeton
7. Nic Gil, Navy
8. Jamel Hudson, Hofstra

Quite a field here with a number of strong competitors.  With 6 automatic bids to NCAA’s, the consolation side will be fiercely competed with a number of guys who have been in the rankings potentially being on the outside looking in on the NCAA tournament.  The lone All American in the bunch is F&M’s Rick Durso.  Durso had a rough start to his year but has been tough as of late.  

Durso, Preston and Cruz I view as the biggest talents in this weight.  Preston for years has been among the most consistent competitors.  The Harvard 41 pounder had a brutal break last year at EIWA’s, ending his season.  He’s been as good as ever with a number of solid wins, including one over Tommy Thorn. Durso won the head to head match this season.  Durso also beat Cruz this year as well.

I like Durso to beat Cruz(though nearly called the Cruz upset) and for Preston to beat Smith.  There’s a lot of upset potential in this bracket.  Good guys will be hitting early.  I wouldn’t be surprised to see this bracket completely blown up by a Hudson or Laster.  

Still, they’re bracket busters for a reason: You never saw it coming.  Durso has been the most consistent guy coming in and I think he keeps it rolling for an EIWA title. Preston will be right there to win the match without question.  I think Cruz wrestles back for 3rd after his loss to Durso.

CP’s Final Predictions:
1. Rick Durso - F&M
2. Todd Preston - Harvard
3. Randy Cruz - Lehigh
4. Jordan Laster - Princeton
5. Logan Everett - Army
6. Jamel Hudson - Hofstra


149: Potential Pre-seeds
Automatic Qualifiers: 5
1. CJ Cobb, Penn
2. Matt Cimato, Drexel
3. Laike Gardner, Lehigh
4. Steven Gallardo, Brown
5. Victor Lopez, Bucknell
6. Joe Galasso, Cornell

We’ve got a couple of giant killers here at 149.  CJ Cobb made major waves last year when he took out Brandon Sorensen at NCAA’s.  Likewise, Matt Cimato announced himself with a win over NCAA Champion Jason Tsirtsis.  In terms of proven results, those two are a cut above.  

When Cimato is clicking for 7 minutes, he’s unquestionably dangerous.  Cobb has shown similar holes in his game but has proven he is an extremely prolific leg attacker. Cobb won the head to head match against Cimato this year in a 7-6 bout.  If those two make the finals we could be in for a real treat.  

I was pretty high on Galasso coming into this year.  He hasn’t been exactly what I thought he’d be, but a win late over CJ Cobb leads me to think he could be rounding into good form late.  He’s the biggest dark-horse in the bracket. Seeding will be huge.  I think Galasso can beat Gardner, but Cimato handled him in their meeting.  So if Joey is on his side, it could be problematic.  I’m inclined to go chalk with the first two seeds.  Cobb downs Cimato in the finals.  Galasso finishes on a high note to place 3rd.

CP’s Final Predictions:
1. CJ Cobb, Penn
2. Matt Cimato, Drexel
3. Joey Galasso, Cornell
4. Laike Gardner, Lehigh
5. Victor Lopez, Bucknell
6. Steven Gallardo, Brown


157: Potential Pre-seeds
Automatic Qualifiers: 6
1. John Boyle, American
2. Justin Staudenmayer, Brown
3. Markus Scheidel, Columbia
4. Russell Parsons, Army
5. May Bethea, Penn
6. Dylan Palacio, Cornell
7. Mitch Minotti, Lehigh

Palacio and Minotti throw ridiculous wrenches into the seeding process.  When healthy and competing there’s little question that there’s the two best talents in this field.  

Top potential seed John Boyle is far from a finals lock.  He beat Browns Staudenmayer just 1-0 and fell to Columbia’s Markus Scheidel.  It’s tough to say what direction they’ll go seeding wise as they all have their blemishes and bright spots.  Staudenmayer beat Scheidel earlier this year, however.
Minotti’s health is a major question coming into this tournament, his effectiveness coming into this tournament is a huge mystery.  I think all things considered, we see Minotti secure top 6 status and default out.  That wouldn’t surprise me one iota.

I think Palacio is the man to beat here.  Regardless of seed, I think he has the goods to get it done.  He can score in all positions and is the best athlete in this field.  I like him to bust through the bracket regardless of where he’s placed seeding wise.

CP’s Final Predictions
1. Dylan Palacio - Cornell
2. John Boyle - American
3. Justin Staudenmayer - Brown
4. May Bethea - Penn
5. Russell Parsons - Army
6. Mitch Minotti - Lehigh

Here's my favorite match from last year's EIWA's!

165: Potential Pre-seeds
Automatic Qualifiers: 4
1. Duke Pickett, Cornell
2. Ryan Preisch, Lehigh
3. Devin Gobbo, Harvard
4. Ray Bethea, Penn
5. Mitch Wightman, American

Pickett and Preisch will make for a great final in my opinion.  I’d be surprised to see either outside of the top two.  Doing a comparison between the two, it’s very interesting.  Against common opponents they are completely identical, if Preisch won, Pickett won and vice versa.

So looking at their two meetings, it’s been split.  Preisch looked great at the Scuffle.  He was able to get to legs, finish and ride tough.  However, in the dual it was another story.  I didn’t get to watch the match and it never wound up online, but I do know that it was a 5-2 win for Pickett.  I also know that after that we say him wrestle one match between that 1/23 dual against Pickett.  That was a 2/20 match against Perrotti.  That to me suggests injury.  

So I can say, well Preisch lost because he was injured, he’ll win now if he’s healthy.  The thing is, I have no idea if he is in fact healthy enough to beat Pickett.  I’m going to err on the side of both guys being close to their best.  My belief is if that’s the case, it’s Preisch’s to lose.  Also, this could have major team implications as well.

CP’s Final Prediction:
1. Ryan Preisch - Lehigh
2. George Pickett - Cornell
3. Mitchell Wightman - American
4. Devin Gobbo - Harvard
5. Ray Bethea - Penn

174: Potential Pre-seeds
Automatic Qualifiers: 7
1. Brian Realbuto, Cornell
2. Casey Kent, Penn
3. Jonathan Schleifer, Princeton
4. Brian Harvey, Army
5. Jadaen Bernstein, Navy
6. Frank Affronti, Harvard

Really juicy weight here.  Realbuto had his lapse at the Scuffle against Kent.  He’s since rebounded significantly and has looked fantastic, frankly. He avenged the Kent loss from the Scuffle and won by a decisive 8-2 margin.  Realbuto is back in full effect, and I think the EIWA title is his to lose.

I believe this group of five is pretty tight.  I don’t think we’ll see anyone break into this top 6, though I could be wrong about that.  People may think the Kent/Realbuto final is inevitable, but Kent fell to Harvey in January.  Fortunately for Kent, Harvey looks like he could be seeded on the opposite side.  Apart from that, Kent has been very solid within the EIWA.

I have been bullish on Schleifer coming into this season.  He split with Kent this year and lost their most recent bout 11-9!  If we get that as a semi, you won’t want to miss it.  I’m going to go (slightly) out on a limb and pick Schleifer to make the finals. Kent may have the advantage defensively and from the top position, but I think Schleifer has the goods on his feet to get it done.

Ultimately, as I said before, it’s all Realbuto here. TD’s, turns, etc, he won’t be matched here.

CP’s Final Predictions:
1. Brian Realbuto, Cornell
2. Jonathan Schleifer, Princeton
3. Casey Kent, Penn
4. Bryan Harvey, Army
5. Jadaen Bernstein, Navy
6. Frank Affronti, Hofstra
7. Rustin Barrick, Bucknell


184: Potential Pre-seeds
Automatic Qualifiers: 7
1. Gabe Dean, Cornell
2. Nate Brown, Lehigh
3. Mathew Miller, Navy
4. Lorenzo Thomas, Penn
5. Steven Schneider, Binghamton
6. Abe Ayala, Princeton

By far the toughest weight at the EIWA’s.  It’s been that way for a few years now it seems.  The pecking order is fairly well defined as well.  Dean has taken care of business within conference for 2.5 years now.  In fact, he’s never lost to a conference opponent. I don’t see anything changing that this year. I’m not ignorant of his loss to Nolan Boyd.  To me, Gabe didn’t look himself.  

Brown has had no issues with any of these guys, and though Mat Miller has been on a pinning rampage, I don’t see him having the goods to hang with Brown.  Brown is so tough to open up and even tougher to finish on.  His game doesn’t lead him to be prone to many upsets.

Lorenzo Thomas has wrestled Dean tough before.  He’s taken Dean to OT 2 times and had 3 other matches within 2 points.  The bad news is he is 0-7 against him. The optimist says “he’s bound to win one of these.” The realist says “no.”  I’m a realist.

Dean takes out Brown one more time in the finals.  He’s so strong, persistent and good at finishing his attacks. One final rematch looming in the Garden?

CP’s Final Predictions:
1. Gabe Dean, Cornell
2. Nate Brown, Lehigh
3. Mathew Miller, Navy
4. Lorenzo Thomas, Penn
5. Abe Ayala, Princeton
6. Steven Schneider, Binghamton

Here's one of Brown's best performances against Dean:
You guys remember this controversial classic between Dean and Thomas?
197: Potential Pre-seeds
Automatic Qualifiers: 4
1. Brett Harner, Princeton
2. John Bolich, Lehigh
3. Michael Woulfe, Navy
4. Owen Scott, Cornell
5. Frank Mattiace, Penn
6. Bryce Barnes, Army

The top potential seed, Brett Harner is stumbling a bit into the conference tournament having lost to Ryan Wolfe in his last regular season match. All things considered, he is a favorite here.  He’s beaten the likely two seed Bolich in their only meeting.  Harner came in with a high ranking and has struggled to maintain it.  

As a whole I don’t have a strong reason to believe this weight will have any major shifts.  However, with it being very even, any of these top 6 guys could come in and poach a high seed.  Nobody is safe.

CP’s Final Predictions:
1. Brett Harner, Princeton
2. John Bolich, Lehigh
3. Owen Scott, Cornell
4. Frank Mattiace, Penn
5. Bryce Barnes, Army
6. Michael Woulfe, Navy


285: Potential Pre-seeds
Automatic Qualifiers: 6
1. Joe Stolfi, Bucknell
2. Max Wessell, Lehigh
3. Michael Hughes, Hofstra
4. Jeramy Sweany, Cornell
5. Ray O’Donnell, Princeton
6. Garrett Ryan, Columbia

Couldn’t be more excited for a potential final than I am for a Stolfi/Wessell match up.  Stolfi is a ridiculous pinner.  Almost unprecedented for the 285 class.  He’s been that way for awhile now.  Wessell is also incredibly athletic and agile for a 285.  His issue is his durability.  So far, so good for this season.  

Michael Hughes had a cup of coffee in the rankings this year.  You cannot count out someone like Sweany or O’Donnell who have both had fine moments this season.  I just can’t picture those guys cracking through Stolfi or Wessell.

In the final, I think Max will prove to be too tough to turn.  I think he’s got an edge from neutral so I expect him to get it done from there and avoid the turns of Stolfi.

Or Stolfi could just pin him.  

Joe Stolfi pins people:

CP’s Final Predictions:
1. Max Wessell, Lehigh
2. Joe Stolfi, Bucknell
3. Ray O’Donnell, Princeton
4. Michael Hughes, Hofstra
5. Garrett Ryan, Columbia

Team Predictions:
1. Lehigh
2. Cornell
3. Penn
4. Princeton
5. Bucknell
6. American
7. Army
8. Navy
9. Hofstra
10. Harvard

So yeah, plugged the predictions to the scoring rubric I'm predicting the streak to fall.  Want to know how close it will be? If something as simple as Darian Cruz losing his semi and placing 3rd happens, it had Cornell winning.  So this will be back and forth the entire tournament.  Cornell has more sure things and that could be their great advantage.  Lehigh will need contributions from 9 guys.