2022 Collegiate Duals Preview & Predictions
2022 Collegiate Duals Preview & Predictions
A full preview and prediction for the Collegiate Duals taking place on December 19-20 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
The Collegiate Duals will go down in New Orleans, Louisiana on December 19-20 and will feature some of the top college programs in the country. While this event won’t be streamed live on Flo, you can watch with the FloWrestling team during our watch party, and check out a preview below of the event highlighting every potential matchup.
Collegiate Duals Format
Before we get into the preview, let's break down the tournament format. There are two pools consisting of 6 teams apiece - the red pool and the blue pool. Within those pools, teams are split into 2 divisions and will wrestle a two-match round-robin on Monday, December 19 to determine the finals of each pool. The winners of each division will wrestle in the pool finals on Tuesday, December 20. It’s also worth noting that teams in the red pool will not wrestle teams in the blue pool.
Red Pool Divison 1
- #4 Ohio State
- #21 Northern Iowa
- Lock Haven
Red Pool Divison 2
- #12 NC State
- #18 Lehigh
- Cal Poly
Blue Pool Division 1
- #8 Iowa State
- #10 Cornell
- Oregon State
Blue Pool Division 2
- #1 Penn State
- North Carolina
- Central Michigan
The matches will be live-streamed on the Collegiate Duals Rokfin page with the purchase of a subscription ($15) and pay-per-view charge ($15).
Round 1 - 11:00 am (ET)
#21 Northern Iowa vs Lock Haven (Red Pool)
125 - Kyle Golhoffer, UNI vs #22 Anthony Noto, Lock Haven
133 - #10 Kyle Biscoglia/Julian Farber, UNI vs HM Gable Strickland, Lock Haven
141 - #7 Cael Happel, UNI vs Ty Linsenbigler, Lock Haven
149 - #24 Colin Realbuto, UNI vs Connor Eck, Lock Haven
157 - Derek Holschlag/RJ Weston, UNI vs Ashton Eyler, Lock Haven
165 - #12 Austin Yant, UNI vs Avery Bassett, Lock Haven
174 - #12 Lance Runyon/Carson Babcock, UNI vs Tyler Stoltzfus, Lock Haven
184 - #3 Parker Keckeisen, UNI vs Colin Fegley, Lock Haven
197 - Noah Glaser/Kaleb Runyon, UNI vs Brad Morrison, Lock Haven
285 - #11 Tyrell Gordon, UNI vs #16 Isaac Reid, Lock Haven
Best Match: #11 Tyrell Gordon, UNI vs #16 Isaac Reid, Lock Haven
Dual Prediction: Northern Iowa over Lock Haven
This dual is pretty cut and dry with Northern Iowa as the big favorite over Lock Haven. The match of the dual between Gordon and Reid should be competitive. Last year Reid had wins over Sam Schuyler, Grady Griess, and Josh Heindselman but has yet to wrestle this year. Meanwhile, Gordon is coming off a fantastic CKLV where he defeated Tate Orndorff and AJ Nevills.
#8 Iowa State vs Oregon State (Blue Pool)
125 - Corey Cabanban/Ethan Perryman, Iowa State vs #10 Brandon Kaylor, Oregon State
133 - #19 Ramazan Attasauov, Iowa State vs #16 Jason Shaner/Gabe Whisenhunt, Oregon State
141 - #8 Casey Swiderski, Iowa State vs #18 Cleveland Belton, Oregon State
149 - #5 Paniro Johnson, Iowa State vs Noah Tolentino/Riley Gurr, Oregon State
157 - Jason Kraisser/Isaac Judge, Iowa State vs Isaiah Crosby/Graham Gambrall, Oregon State
165 - #3 David Carr, Iowa State vs #18 Matthew Olguin, Oregon State
174 - Julien Broderson/MJ Gaitan/Joel Devine, Iowa State vs HM Aaron Olmos, Oregon State
184 - #5 Marcus Coleman, Iowa State vs #8 Trey Munoz/Jackson McKinney, Oregon State
197 - #2 Yonger Bastida, Iowa State vs #12 Tanner Harvey, Oregon State
285 - #9 Sam Schuyler, Iowa State vs JJ Dixon/Ryan Reyes, Oregon State
Best Match: #5 Marcus Coleman, Iowa State vs #8 Trey Munoz, Oregon State
Dual Prediction: Iowa State over Oregon State
This has the potential to be a really fun dual with Oregon State coming in as the clear favorite at 3 weights. The Beavers could also win toss-up matches at 157 and 184 giving this dual the potential to end in a 5-5 split. On paper, and because of bonus point potential, Iowa State is the favorite but Oregon State is a great “dark-horse” pick in this dual.
The potential match between Marcus Coleman and Trey Munoz should be a fantastic bout. Last year, Coleman defeated Munoz in the round of 12 to earn All-American honors so there’s definitely some “revenge” on the line for Munoz.
Marcus Coleman's win over Jonathan Loew in the 7th place match at the 2022 NCAA Tournament:
Round 2 - 1:00 pm (ET)
#4 Ohio State vs Lock Haven (Red Pool)
125 - #11 Malik Heinselman/Andre Gonzales/Brendan McCrone, Ohio State vs #22 Anthony Noto, Lock Haven
133 - Nic Bouzakis, Ohio State vs HM Gable Strickland, Lock Haven
141 - #20 Dylan D'Emilio, Ohio State vs Ty Linsenbigler, Lock Haven
149 - #3 Sammy Sasso, Ohio State vs Connor Eck, Lock Haven
157 - Klay Reeves/Gavin Brown/Isaac Wilcox, Ohio State vs Ashton Eyler, Lock Haven
165 - Klay Reeves/Gavin Brown/Isaac Wilcox, Ohio State vs Avery Bassett, Lock Haven
174 - #7 Ethan Smith, Ohio State vs Tyler Stoltzfus, Lock Haven
184 - #4 Kaleb Romero/Seth Shumate, Ohio State vs Colin Fegley, Lock Haven
197 - #14 Gavin Hoffman, Ohio State vs Brad Morrison, Lock Haven
285 - #13 Tate Orndorff/Mike Misita, Ohio State vs #16 Isaac Reid, Lock Haven
Best Match: #11 Malik Heinselman, Ohio State vs #22 Anthony Noto
Dual Prediction: Ohio State over Lock Haven
Ohio State has the potential to win all 10 matches against Lock Haven and will be the “on-paper” favorites in every match. The match between Noto and Heinselman is especially interesting. While they’re separated by 11 spots in the rankings, I think this match is much closer to a toss-up.
#10 Cornell vs Oregon State (Blue Pool)
125 - #21 Brett Ungar/Dom LaJoie, Cornell vs #10 Brandon Kaylor, Oregon State
133 - #3 Vito Arujau/Ethan Fernandez, Cornell vs #16 Jason Shaner/Gabe Whisenhunt, Oregon State
141 - #16 Vince Cornella, Cornell vs #18 Cleveland Belton, Oregon State
149 - #1 Yianni Diakomihalis, Cornell vs Noah Tolentino/Riley Gurr, Oregon State
157 - HM Colton Yapoujian/Cole Handlovic/Gage McClenahan, Cornell vs Isaiah Crosby/Graham Gambrall, Oregon State
165 - #8 Julian Ramirez, Cornell vs #18 Matthew Olguin, Oregon State
174 - #6 Chris Foca/Christian Hansen, Cornell vs HM Aaron Olmos, Oregon State
184 - Evan Canoyer/Christian Hansen, Cornell vs #8 Trey Munoz/Jackson McKinney, Oregon State
197 - HM Jacob Cardenas/Evan Hatcher, Cornell vs #12 Tanner Harvey, Oregon State
285 - #15 Lewis Fernandes/Brendan Furman, Cornell vs JJ Dixon/Ryan Reyes, Oregon State
Best Match: #21 Brett Ungar, Cornell vs #10 Brandon Kaylor, Oregon State
Dual Prediction: Cornell over Oregon State
Cornell is the favorite in 7 of the 10 matches in this dual but Oregon State is dangerous at 141, 157, 165, and 174 where they’re considered underdogs. It’s highly unlikely they pull-off the dual upset but look for the Beavers to come out on top in at least 1 of those aforementioned 4 matches.
For the match of the dual, I went with 125 - the match between Brett Ungar and Brandon Kaylor. Ungar is just coming off a win over Malik Heinselman from the CKLV but also has losses to Stevo Poulin, Jax Forrest, Eric Barnett, and Richard Figueroa on the year. Is Ungar a legitimate All-American contender or does he still have a ways to go to become a top 10 guy at 125? The match against 2022 All-American Kaylor should answer those questions.
Round 3 - 3:00 pm (ET)
#4 Ohio State vs #21 Northern Iowa (Red Pool)
125 - #11 Malik Heinselman/Andre Gonzales/Brendan McCrone, Ohio State vs Kyle Golhoffer, UNI
133 - Nic Bouzakis, Ohio State vs #10 Kyle Biscoglia/Julian Farber, UNI
141 - #20 Dylan D'Emilio, Ohio State vs #7 Cael Happel, UNI
149 - #3 Sammy Sasso, Ohio State vs #24 Colin Realbuto, UNI
157 - Klay Reeves/Gavin Brown/Isaac Wilcox, Ohio State vs Derek Holschlag/RJ Weston, UNI
165 - Klay Reeves/Gavin Brown/Isaac Wilcox, Ohio State vs #12 Austin Yant, UNI
174 - #7 Ethan Smith, Ohio State vs #12 Lance Runyon/Carson Babcock, UNI
184 - #4 Kaleb Romero/Seth Shumate, Ohio State vs #3 Parker Keckeisen, UNI
197 - #14 Gavin Hoffman, Ohio State vs Noah Glaser/Kalob Runyon, UNI
285 - #13 Tate Orndorff/Mike Misita, Ohio State vs #11 Tyrell Gordon, UNI
Best Match: #4 Kaleb Romero, Ohio State vs #3 Parker Keckeisen, UNI
Dual Prediction: Ohio State over Northern Iowa
With many of Ohio State's starters out of the Collegiate Duals, Northern Iowa is a real threat to take out Ohio State here. Northern Iowa is a favorite on paper at 133, 141, 157, 165, 174, and 285 making them the favorites in 6 of the 10 matches. With that said, I think Orndorff pulls the "upset" at 285, and Ohio State is able to get bonus points in at least one of the other weights. Either way, this should be a really fun dual from start to finish.
The potential Parker Keckeisen - Kaleb Romero match should be one of the top matches to watch in the entire tournament. Romero and Keckeisen have never met in their college careers and are two of the most athletic 184-pound wrestlers in the country. I give Keckeisen a slight edge based on his scrambling ability and variety of ways to score but Romero is absolutely capable of getting the win here.
#10 Cornell vs #8 Iowa State (Blue Pool)
125 - Corey Cabanban/Ethan Perryman, Iowa State vs #21 Brett Ungar/Dom LaJoie, Cornell
133 - #19 Ramazan Attasauov, Iowa State vs #3 Vito Arujau/Ethan Fernandez, Cornell
141 - #8 Casey Swiderski, Iowa State vs #16 Vince Cornella, Cornell
149 - #5 Paniro Johnson, Iowa State vs #1 Yianni Diakomihalis, Cornell
157 - Jason Kraisser/Isaac Judge, Iowa State vs HM Colton Yapoujian/Cole Handlovic/Gage McClenahan, Cornell
165 - #3 David Carr, Iowa State vs #8 Julian Ramirez, Cornell
174 - Julien Broderson/MJ Gaitan/Joel Devine, Iowa State vs #6 Chris Foca/Christian Hansen, Cornell
184 - #5 Marcus Coleman, Iowa State vs Evan Canoyer/Christian Hansen, Cornell
197 - #2 Yonger Bastida, Iowa State vs HM Jacob Cardenas/Evan Hatcher, Cornell
285 - #9 Sam Schuyler, Iowa State vs #15 Lewis Fernandes/Brendan Furman, Cornell
Best Match: #5 Paniro Johnson, Iowa State vs #1 Yianni Diakomihalis, Cornell
Dual Prediction: Cornell over Iowa State
There’s a good chance the dual between Iowa State and Cornell is the best of the entire event. This dual has it all - multiple NCAA champions, ranked matchups at 8 of 10 weights, freshman contenders, and a shot at Penn State on the line. I picked Cornell because I feel they have a better chance of getting bonus in some of the matches in which they’re favored, but this dual should be incredibly close.
The potential match between Paniro Johnson and Yianni Diakomihalis is absolutely the most anticipated match of the dual and maybe the entire event. Paniro Johnson has had the best start possible to his season taking out 2022 All-American Austin Gomez and 3X round of 12 finisher Max Murin. Meanwhile, Yianni Diakomihalis has only wrestled 1 match of the season - a 9-3 loss to Austin Gomez. The bout between Paniro and Yianni is an opportunity for both wrestlers to send a message to the rest of the country about who’s the clear title favorite this year at 149 pounds.
Hear How Paniro Johnson prepared to defeat Austin Gomez earlier this year:
Round 4 - 5:00 pm (ET)
#18 Lehigh vs Cal Poly (Red Pool)
125 - HM Carter Bailey/Jaret Lane, Lehigh vs #16 Antonio Lorenzo, Cal Poly
133 - #7 Connor McGonagle, Lehigh vs Ethan Rotondo, Cal Poly
141 - Malyke Hines/Owen Reinsel, Lehigh vs Lawrence Saenz, Cal Poly
149 - HM Manzona Bryant/Max Brignola, Lehigh vs #15 Dom Demas, Cal Poly
157 - #8 Josh Humphreys, Lehigh vs Luka Wick, Cal Poly
165 - HM Brian Meyer/Conor Herceg, Lehigh vs Legend Lamer, Cal Poly
174 - Jake Logan/Thayne Lawrence, Lehigh vs Kendall LaRosa, Cal Poly
184 - #21 Tate Samuelson/Jack Wilt, Lehigh vs #22 Adam Kemp, Cal Poly
197 - #5 Michael Beard, Lehigh vs #8 Bernie Truax, Cal Poly
285 - HM Nathan Taylor/Karam Chakif, Lehigh vs HM Trevor Tinker, Cal Poly
Best Match: #5 Michael Beard, Lehigh vs #8 Bernie Truax, Cal Poly
Dual Prediction: Lehigh over Cal Poly
Lehigh should win this dual handily, however that doesn’t mean the dual won’t be filled with interesting matches. Half of the matches will be ranked, head-to-head matches with Truax and Beard being a top-10 bout. Truax finished 4th at both of the last 2 NCAA tournaments at 184 but hasn’t been tested yet at 197 pounds. The match against Beard, who is just coming off a win over NCAA champion Max Dean, will show us where Truax stacks up against the best in the country.
North Carolina vs Central Michigan (Blue Pool)
125 - Jack Wagner, North Carolina vs Sean Spidle, Central Michigan
133 - HM Joey Melendez/Jaime Hernandez, North Carolina vs Vince Perez, Central Michigan
141 - HM Lachlan McNeil, North Carolina vs Ja’Kerion Merritt, Central Michigan
149 - Danny Nini/Jayden Scott/Wil Guida, North Carolina vs #18 Johnny Lovett, Central Michigan
157 - #7 Austin O'Connor, North Carolina vs HM Corbyn Munson, Central Michigan
165 - Joey Mazzara, North Carolina vs Tracy Hubbard, Central Michigan
174 - #9 Clay Lautt, North Carolina vs Alex Cramer, Central Michigan
184 - #13 Gavin Kane, North Carolina vs Ben Cushman, Central Michigan
197 - HM Max Shaw, North Carolina vs Cameron Wood, Central Michigan
285 - Brandon Whitman, North Carolina vs Bryan Caves, Central Michigan
Best Match: #7 Austin O'Connor, North Carolina vs HM Corbyn Munson, Central Michigan
Dual Prediction: North Carolina over Central Michigan
North Carolina should come out on top in this dual against Central Michigan. The Tar Heels have 7 total ranked wrestlers in their starting lineup compared to only 2 for the Chippewas. 157 should be the best match of the dual with Corbyn Munson already holding a win over Ed Scott on the year.
Round 5 - 7:00 pm (ET)
#15 NC State vs Cal Poly (Red Pool)
125 - Jarrett Trombley, NC State vs #16 Antonio Lorenzo, Cal Poly
133 - #23 Kai Orine, NC State vs Ethan Rotondo, Cal Poly
141 - #6 Ryan Jack, NC State vs Lawrence Saenz, Cal Poly
149 - #17 Jackson Arrington, NC State vs #15 Dom Demas, Cal Poly
157 - #12 Ed Scott, NC State vs Luka Wick, Cal Poly
165 - HM Donald Cates, NC State vs Legend Lamer, Cal Poly
174 - Alex Faison, NC State vs Kendall LaRosa, Cal Poly
184 - #2 Trent Hidlay, NC State vs #22 Adam Kemp, Cal Poly
197 - #9 Isaac Trumble, NC State vs #8 Bernie Truax, Cal Poly
285 - #14 Owen Trephan, NC State vs HM Trevor Tinker, Cal Poly
Best Match: #9 Isaac Trumble, NC State vs #8 Bernie Truax, Cal Poly
Dual Prediction: NC State over Cal Poly
Cal Poly matches up pretty well with NC State but expect the Wolfpack to come away with the win by a considerable margin. NC State will be the favorites in 6 of the 10 matches and could secure big bonus points throughout the dual.
The match at 197 between Truax and Trumble has the potential to be highly entertaining. Both wrestlers compete with an exciting style and have the ability to put up big points in any match they wrestle. Trumble is also one of the “longer” 197 pounders in the country and will be an interesting test for Truax coming up from 184 pounds.
#1 Penn State vs Central Michigan (Blue Pool)
125 - Gary Steen, Penn State vs Sean Spidle, Central Michigan
133 - #1 Roman Bravo-Young, Penn State vs Vince Perez, Central Michigan
141 - #4 Beau Bartlett, Penn State vs Ja’Kerion Merritt, Central Michigan
149 - #13 Shayne Van Ness, Penn State vs #18 Johnny Lovett, Central Michigan
157 - HM Terrell Barraclough, Penn State vs HM Corbyn Munson, Central Michigan
165 - #17 Alex Facundo, Penn State vs Tracy Hubbard, Central Michigan
174 - #1 Carter Starocci, Penn State vs Alex Cramer, Central Michigan
184 - #1 Aaron Brooks, Penn State vs Ben Cushman, Central Michigan
197 - #6 Max Dean, Penn State vs Cameron Wood, Central Michigan
285 - #1 Greg Kerkvliet, Penn State vs Bryan Caves, Central Michigan
Best Match: #13 Shayne Van Ness, Penn State vs #18 Johnny Lovett, Central Michigan
Dual Prediction: Penn State over Central Michigan
Look for Penn State to win this dual by a big margin and pull away with bonus points from 165-heavyweight. The back-to-back matches at 149 and 157 should be highly competitive with Van Ness and Lovett meeting for the second time in the past two months. At the Black Knight Invited, Van Ness took out Lovett in November in a close, 5-3 decision.
Van Ness' win over Lovett from last month:
Round 6 - 9:00 pm (ET)
#12 NC State vs #18 Lehigh (Red Pool)
125 - Jarrett Trombley, NC State vs HM Carter Bailey/Jaret Lane, Lehigh
133 - #23 Kai Orine, NC State vs #8 Connor McGonagle, Lehigh
141 - #6 Ryan Jack, NC State vs Malyke Hines/Owen Reinsel, Lehigh
149 - #17 Jackson Arrington, NC State vs HM Manzona Bryant/Max Brignola, Lehigh
157 - #12 Ed Scott, NC State vs #8 Josh Humphreys, Lehigh
165 - HM Donald Cates, NC State vs HM Brian Meyer/Connor Herceg, Lehigh
174 - Alex Faison, NC State vs Jake Logan/Thayne Lawrence, Lehigh
184 - #2 Trent Hidlay, NC State vs #21 Tate Samuelson/Jack Wilt, Lehigh
197 - #9 Isaac Trumble, NC State vs #5 Michael Beard, Lehigh
285 - #14 Owen Trephan, NC State vs HM Nathan Taylor/Karam Chakif, Lehigh
Best Match: #12 Ed Scott, NC State vs #8 Josh Humphreys, Lehigh
Dual Prediction: NC State over Lehigh
On paper, each team is favored to win 4 matches with toss-ups at 165 and 174. I give NC State the edge in the dual because I think they will win at least 1 of the toss-ups, have a better chance at bonus points in the matches they’re favored in and are more likely to pull an upset in the ones in which they are underdogs.
The match between Ed Scott and Josh Humphreys should be great. The two have never met in their college careers and both finished 1 match shy of All-American honors last season.
Humphreys' win over Quincy Monday from 2020:
#1 Penn State vs North Carolina (Blue Pool)
125 - Gary Steen, Penn State vs Jack Wagner, North Carolina
133 - #1 Roman Bravo-Young, Penn State vs HM Joey Melendez/Jaime Hernandez, North Carolina
141 - #4 Beau Bartlett, Penn State vs HM Lachlan McNeil, North Carolina
149 - #13 Shayne Van Ness, Penn State vs Danny Nini/Jayden Scott/Wil Guida, North Carolina
157 - HM Terrell Barraclough, Penn State vs #7 Austin O'Connor, North Carolina
165 - #17 Alex Facundo, Penn State vs Joey Mazzara, North Carolina
174 - #1 Carter Starocci, Penn State vs #9 Clay Lautt, North Carolina
184 - #1 Aaron Brooks, Penn State vs #13 Gavin Kane, North Carolina
197 - #6 Max Dean, Penn State vs HM Max Shaw, North Carolina
285 - #1 Greg Kerkvliet, Penn State vs Brandon Whitman, North Carolina
Best Match: HM Terrell Barraclough, Penn State vs #7 Austin O'Connor, North Carolina
Dual Prediction: Penn State over North Carolina
Penn State is the big favorite in this dual against North Carolina based on being favorites in 7 of the 10 weights. Austin O'Connor was successful in his match of the season against App State but the match against Barraclough will be a step up in competition. That match at 157 should tell us if Barraclough is ready to contend for AA status and how close to 100% Austin O'Connor is at this point in the season.
December 20 - Red Pool Championship - 6:00 pm (ET)
Prediction - #4 Ohio State vs #12 NC State
125 - #11 Malik Heinselman/Andre Gonzales/Brendan McCrone, Ohio State vs Jarrett Trombley, NC State
133 - Nic Bouzakis, Ohio State vs #23 Kai Orine, NC State
141 - #20 Dylan D'Emilio, Ohio State vs #6 Ryan Jack, NC State
149 - #3 Sammy Sasso, Ohio State vs #17 Jackson Arrington, NC State
157 - Klay Reeves/Gavin Brown/Isaac Wilcox, Ohio State vs #12 Ed Scott, NC State
165 - Klay Reeves/Gavin Brown/Isaac Wilcox, Ohio State vs HM Donald Cates, NC State
174 - #7 Ethan Smith, Ohio State vs Alex Faison, NC State
184 - #4 Kaleb Romero/Seth Shumate, Ohio State vs #2 Trent Hidlay, NC State
197 - #14 Gavin Hoffman, Ohio State vs #9 Isaac Trumble, NC State
285 - #13 Tate Orndorff/Mike Misita, Ohio State vs #14 Owen Trephan, NC State
Best Match: #4 Kaleb Romero, Ohio State vs #2 Trent Hidlay, NC State
Prediction: NC State over Ohio State
If Ohio State and NC State both win their divisions, they should wrestle in an incredible dual on Tuesday, December 20. NC State is the favorite in 6 of the 10 matches and has a major advantage with 3 of Ohio State's starters projected to be out of this dual. Despite that, the Buckeyes still have a path to victory and could come out on top with winnable matches at 133, 141, 197, and 285.
The match of this dual should be the top 5 battle between Kaleb Romero and Trent Hidlay at 184 pounds. The two have met twice in their college careers with Hidlay winning both matches - a 3-2 decision at the 2022 NCAA tournament and a 4-1 decision two weeks ago at the 2022 CKLV.
Hidlay's win over Romero at the 2022 CKLV
December 20 - Blue Pool Championships - 8:00 pm (ET)
Prediction - #1 Penn State vs #10 Cornell
125 - Gary Steen, Penn State vs #21 Brett Ungar/Dom LaJoie, Cornell
133 - #1 Roman Bravo-Young, Penn State vs #3 Vito Arujau/Ethan Fernandez, Cornell
141 - #4 Beau Bartlett, Penn State vs #16 Vince Cornella, Cornell
149 - #13 Shayne Van Ness, Penn State vs #1 Yianni Diakomihalis, Cornell
157 - HM Terrell Barraclough, Penn State vs HM Colton Yapoujian/Cole Handlovic/Gage McClenahan, Cornell
165 - #17 Alex Facundo, Penn State vs #8 Julian Ramirez, Cornell
174 - #1 Carter Starocci, Penn State vs #6 Chris Foca/Christian Hansen, Cornell
184 - #1 Aaron Brooks, Penn State vs Evan Canoyer/Christian Hansen, Cornell
197 - #6 Max Dean, Penn State vs HM Jacob Cardenas/Evan Hatcher, Cornell
285 - #1 Greg Kerkvliet, Penn State vs #15 Lewis Fernandes/Brendan Furman, Cornell
Best Match: #1 Roman Bravo-Young, Penn State vs #3 Vito Arujau, Cornell
Prediction: Penn State over Cornell
The Collegiate Duals will close out with the Blue Pool championship will likely be between Penn State and either Iowa State or Cornell. I predicted Cornell and if that happens this dual will feature ranked head-to-head matches at 9 of 10 weights with 8 total All-Americans and 5 NCAA champions. Penn State is the favorite being higher ranked at 6 of the 10 weights but it’s not impossible for Cornell to win this dual. Cornell’s best path to victory is winning the first 6 matches with upsets coming at 133 and 141.
The match at 133 between Roman Bravo-Young and Vito Arujau will tell us just how close Vito is to challenging for a national title this year and should be highly entertaining. Both Arujau and Bravo-Young possess lightning speed with amazing technique. They’ve never met in their college career but did wrestle in the finals of the 2018 U23 world team trials where Vito won in 2 straight matches. Obviously, since that time, RBY has gone on to win 2 national titles at 133 pounds and establish himself as one of the best pound-for-pound wrestlers in the country.
Arujau's win over RBY in 2018:
It's also important to mention that the 5th place bouts will take place on December 20 at 2:00 pm (ET) while third place bouts will take place at 4:00 pm (ET).