The 2024 NWCA All-Star Classic presented by Nike Wrestling will take place on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at 7:00 pm (ET) in Rec Hall on the campus of Penn State. 

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This event can be viewed only on FloWrestling and will feature 10 highly ranked Division 1 folkstyle matchups along with 5 cross-divisional women’s freestyle matches.

One of the premier matchups of the night is at 174 pounds between NCAA Champion Levi Haines and NCAA runner-up Rocco Welsh. Check out the article below for a full preview and prediction of this incredible match. 

Levi Haines, Penn State

Haines’ Stats

• 48-2 Career College Record
• 2X All-American - NCAA Champion (2024 at 157), NCAA Runner-Up (2023 at 157)

Haines’ College All-American Hitlist:

• Jacori Teemer
• Bryce Andonian (X2)
• Peyton Robb (X4)
• Will Lewan (X3)
• Jared Franek (X2)

Rocco Welsh, Ohio State

Welsh’s Stats

• 26-5 Career College Record
• 2023 NCAA Runner-Up (at 174)

Welsh’s College All-American Hitlist:

• Lennox Wolak
• Edmond Ruth
• Jackson Turley (X2)

Breaking Down The Matchup

The matchup between Haines and Welsh at the All-Star Classic should be a battle and could be the beginning of a fantastic rivalry. Haines is coming off winning his first NCAA title last season at 157-pounds after finishing runner-up in 2022. Now, up two weight classes, Haines will be tested against returning 174-pound NCAA runner-up Rocco Welsh. 

Though Haines is moving up in weight, I don’t expect him to be outmuscled or undersized in this match. Haines recently competed at the World Team Trials at 79 kg (174.1 pounds) and notably defeated Keegan O’Toole and Evan Wick while only losing to David Carr and Jordan Burroughs. Haines looked fully adjusted to the new weight class and I expect him to have just as much success this year as he did the past two at 157.

Haine's win over Keegan O'Toole at the 2024 World Team Trials:

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Welsh will be an incredible test for Haines at the new weight class. Welsh hand fights as hard as anyone in the country and relies heavily on his power. Welsh isn’t a highly offensive wrestler illustrated by his 3-straight overtime wins (4-1) at the NCAA Tournament to make the finals. However, Welsh is gritty, and is effective in attacking legs with a right-side snatch single, a high-crotch to his opponent's right leg, and a powerful post-double. With a full year of college wrestling under his belt, I expect we see an uptick in Welsh’s offense this year and the match against Haines will show us what kinds of improvements Welsh has made since March.

Highlights of Rocco Welsh's win in the NCAA semifinals over Lennox Wolak:

Like Welsh, Haines is also an incredibly powerful wrestler with hand fighting and baseline defense is as strong as anyone in the country. Beyond that, Haines has strong offense with an outside step and high crotch as his main attacks. Though Welsh is good on bottom, Haines’ top game could come into play. Haines bonused his way to the NCAA finals last year with two tech falls, a major, and a pin. While Welsh hasn’t been turned yet in his college career, Haines is tough on top and at the very least could threaten to secure riding time. 

Who Wins At The All-Star Classic?

The matchup between Haines and Welsh should be phenomenal and I expect it to be close from start to finish. Neither Haines nor Welsh has a high offensive output so this match could be decided by one or two exchanges.

I’m picking Haines to win a one-takedown match at the All-Star Classic because he’s proven more effective at getting to legs and finishing against the best wrestlers in the country. Welsh leads with his right leg and I expect that to play right into Haines’ outside step single/high-crotch. I’m definitely not writing off Welsh in this matchup and wouldn’t be surprised if this match goes to overtime. Regardless of the outcome, it will set the stage for 174-pounds for the rest of the season and has the potential to be the best match of the night.

Final score prediction - Haines over Welsh, 4-2