Below is a partial list of NCAA D1 lightweight wrestlers (125, 133, 141) who are returning and will contest for a varsity spot after a one-year interval.

125 Pounds

Vinny Kilkeary, Ohio State, Freshman
2023-24 record: 20-8

Kilkeary is a welcome addition to a Buckey line-up competing for a trophy. The Greensburg, Pennsylvania, competed in five tournaments, including a seventh-place finish at Midlands, and two varsity duals. He dropped a 10-3 match to Lock Haven’s Anthony Noto, an eventual third-place finisher at the NCAA Championships, and a controversial 4-3 bout to Penn State’s Braeden Davis on Feb. 2.

Ramazan Attasauov, Illinois, Senior
2023-24 record: 0-0

Attasauov is a transfer from Iowa State who qualified for the 2022 NCAA Championships at 133, was hurt the following year, and didn’t wrestle after January 8. He plans to compete at 125 pounds after four seasons up a weight. 

Marc-Anthony McGowan, Princeton, Freshman
2023-24 record: 0-0

McGowan is in the mix for the starting line-up at 125 pounds. The 2019 Cadet World champion was the #11 overall recruit in the Class of 2023 and should be a factor this season. 

Evan Tallmadge, Pittsburgh, Freshman
2023-24 record: 6-4

Tallmadge went 2-2 in varsity duals for Navy last season before transferring to Pittsburgh. He went 0-2 at the Cliff Keen-Las Vegas Invitational. 

Jacob Moran, Indiana, Junior
2023-24 season: 7-2

Moran was the 125-pound starter for three straight seasons (2021-23) but hasn’t qualified for the NCAA Championships. He competed in two tournaments last season, including a 3-2 record at Midlands. 

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Vinny Kilkeary won his third-place match over Michigan's Caden Horwath at the 2023 Michigan State Open

133 Pounds

Lucas Byrd, Illinois, Senior
2023-24 record: 0-0

Byrd enters his final college season after a medical redshirt. The Cincinnati, Ohio, native is a title contender after fifth-place finishes at the 2021 and 2022 NCAA Championships and a Round of 12 appearance in 2023. He is a crucial piece to an Illini team that will compete with the nation’s elite. 

Chris Cannon, Northwestern, Senior
2023-24 record: 0-1

Cannon was a two-time All-American and three-time national qualifier for Northwestern before transferring to Michigan. He was injured against Columbia’s Angelo Rini on November 17, 2023, and missed the rest of the season. The Oceanport, New Jersey, native transferred back to Northwestern for his final year of eligibility. 

Tyler Knox, Stanford, Freshman
2023-24 record: 10-5

Knox competed at the Southern Scuffle and Cliff Keen-Las Vegas Invitational and went 2-1 in varsity duals, dropping a 12-3 major decision to Virginia Tech All-American Sam Latona. 

Markel Baker, Northern Illinois, Sophomore
2023-24 record: 6-3

Baker was the 125-pound starter for George Mason as a true freshman during the 2022-23 season. He redshirted last year before transferring to Northern Illinois. 

Angelo Rini, Indiana, Senior
2023-24 season: 8-3

Rini transferred from Columbia to Indiana for his final season of eligibility. He qualified for the 2023 NCAA Championships and was the starter last year before his season was cut short due to injury after Soldier Salute on December 29-30, 2023. 

Zan Fugitt, Wisconsin, Freshman
2023-24 season: 8-5

Fugitt wrestled in two tournaments and posted a 2-2 varsity dual record. 

Kale Petersen, Iowa, Freshman
2023-24 record: 7-4

Petersen competed at Soldier Salute and Loras College Open. He dropped a 6-4 match to Minneota’s Tyler Wells during a January 15, 2024, dual. The Rockwell, Iowa, native provides in-room competition for returning national finalist Drake Ayala who is moving up from 125. 

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Lucas Byrd won his fifth-place match at the 2022 NCAA Championships

141 Pounds

Andrew Alirez, Northern Colorado, Senior
2023-24 record: 0-0

Don’t let Alirez’s lack of college competition last season fool you. He won the 2023 U.S Nationals before falling to Nick Lee, 11-9, in the Olympic Trials semifinals. Alirez won the 2023 141-pound NCAA Championships after posting a 28-0 record. The Greeley, Colorado, native is ranked first. 

Mosha Schwartz, Oklahoma, Senior
Schwartz started last season 4-0 in duals before an injury against West Virginia’s Titus Jordan on December 3 forced him out of the line-up. He is a three-time national qualifier — twice for Northern Colorado and once for Oklahoma. 

Frankie Tal-Shahar, Northwestern, Junior
2023-24 record: 0-0

Tal-Shahar returns to the line-up after appearances at the 2022 and 2023 NCAA Championships. 

Joey Olivieri, Rutgers, Junior
2023-24 record: 7-1

Olivieri dropped a 7-6 match to Lehigh’s Malyke Hines during a 7-1 redshirt season. He was a 133-pound qualifier at the 2022 NCAA Championships. 

Nathan Higley, Bellarmine, Junior
2023-24 record: 9-2

Higley was the 141-pound starter for George Mason last season before an injury forced him out of the line-up. He transferred to Bellarmine in the off-season, giving the Ned Shuck a returning national qualifier in his line-up. 

Henry Porter, Indiana, Sophomore
2023-24 record: 4-1

Porter went 4-1 at the Greyhound Open during his redshirt season. He was the 133-pound starter for Indiana during the 2022-23 season. 

Dario Lemus, Maryland, Freshman
2023-24 record: 16-6

Lemus went 2-1 during varsity duals during his true freshman year. He won the Edinboro Open on February 3.

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Andrew Alirez won the 2023 US Nationals during his redshirt year.