2024 NWCA All-Star Classic

Greg Kerkvliet vs Nick Feldman | 2024 NWCA All-Star Classic Preview

Greg Kerkvliet vs Nick Feldman | 2024 NWCA All-Star Classic Preview

A full preview and prediction for the matchup at 285 pounds between Greg Kerkvliet and Nick Feldman at the 2024 NWCA All-Star Classic.

Oct 10, 2024 by Jon Kozak
Greg Kerkvliet vs Nick Feldman | 2024 NWCA All-Star Classic Preview

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. 

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 285 pounds between NCAA Champion Greg Kerkvliet and All-American Nick Feldman. Check out the article below for a full preview and prediction of this incredible match. 

Greg Kerkvliet, Penn State

Kerkvliet’s Stats

  • 71-10 Career College Record
  • 4X All-American - NCAA Champion (2023), NCAA Runner-Up (2022), 4th (2022), 7th (2021)

Kerkvliet’s College All-American Hitlist:

  • Lucas Davison (3X)
  • Cohlton Schultz
  • Nick Feldman (3X)
  • Yaraslau Slavikousi 
  • Wyatt Hendrickson
  • Trent Hillger (3X)
  • Tate Orndorff (5X)
  • Anthony Cassioppi (2X)
  • Mason Parris (3X)
  • Christian Lance (4X)
  • Jordan Wood
  • Gavin Hoffman

Nick Feldman, Ohio State

Feldman’s Stats

  • 29-7 Career College Record
  • 2024 All-American (5th Place)

Feldman’s College All-American Hitlist:

  • Cohlton Schultz
  • Taye Ghadiali
  • Lucas Davison (2X)
  • Yaraslau Slavikouski

Breaking Down The Rivalry

  • 2024 NCAA Quarter-Finals - Kerkvliet over Feldman, 1-0
  • 2024 Big Ten Finals - Kerkvliet over Feldman, 9-3
  • 2024 Dual Match - Kerkvliet over Feldman, 12-0

The meeting between Kerkvliet and Feldman will be the fourth match in a series that Kerkvliet has owned. However, as the above match results show, Feldman closed the gap significantly against Kerkvliet last year. The All-Star Classic match will show us if Kerkvliet can widen that gap again or if Feldman has made the necessary improvements to take out Kerkvliet. 

In their first meeting in early February at the dual between Penn State and Ohio State, Kerkvliet dominated Feldman from start to finish. In that match, Kerkvliet secured three takedowns and rode Feldman for 2:45 seconds on his way to the major decision. In the Big Ten Final match, Feldman got out to a much better start and earned the first takedown off a quick go-behind from Kerkvliet’s shot. Despite giving up the first takedown, Kerkvliet responded with two takedowns of his own and 2:42 seconds of riding time to earn the controlling decision. 

While the first two matches last year weren’t close, their match at NCAA’s is what really makes the All-Star match interesting. In that match, Kerkvliet looked more hesitant and wasn’t able to get to Feldman’s legs cleanly. Kerkvliet took the lead in the second period off an escape while Feldman chose neutral in the third period. With just 20 seconds left in the match, Feldman got in deep on a left-side single and sat Kerkvliet to his hip for a moment before Kerkvliet used a chest wrap to avoid giving up the takedown. Though Kerkvliet came out with the win, Feldman seemed to clear up some of the previous struggles he had against Kerkvliet.

2024 NCAA Quarterfinals Match

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2024 Big Ten Finals Match:


2024 Dual Match:


Who Wins At The All-Star Classic?

Has Nick Feldman improved enough to take out Greg Kerkliet and insert himself as a title contender? That’s the question we’ll have an answer to at the All-Star Classic and it sets up a great narrative at 285 pounds early in the season.

Though Feldman made huge improvements last season, I’m still picking Kerkvliet to win at the All-Star Classic. Kerkvliet leads the takedown battle in their series, 5-1, and has a huge advantage on the mat. I expect Feldman to have the same game plan as he did at the 2024 NCAA Tournament and try to win a one-exchange match. However, I think Kerkvliet has more ways to win this matchup and I think he comes out on top in a one takedown match with riding time. 

Final score prediction - Kerkvliet over Feldman, 5-0.