7 Four Time Qualifiers Who Have Yet to AA
7 Four Time Qualifiers Who Have Yet to AA
ncaa 2017 wrestling national championship nebraska virginia citadel campbell oklahoma illinois
Just making it into the field of 33 at the D1 NCAA wrestling tournament is a rare feat, representing a tremendous accomplishment that only the toughest, most dedicated student athletes are able to achieve.
Few college wrestlers have the goal of merely qualifying, however, as All American status and a national championship is invariably the ultimate goal.
For a handful of competitors at the 2017 tournament, AA honors have been tantalizingly out of reach for three consecutive years. This year, seven wrestlers have qualified for their fourth NCAA tournament, yet have thus far been denied a place on the podium.
We list those wrestlers below, to both recognize their outstanding achievement in going four for four in NCAA qualifying bids, and to draw attention to them so fans that they can root for these determined warriors in their last shot at collegiate glory.
In alphabetical order, our four time NCAA qualifiers are the following, with year, weight, seed and placement information listed in that order:
2015: 157-16th-R24
2016: 157-US-R32
2017: 157-US-?
Walker, a Texas native ("ranger" joke purposefully withheld), has never advanced further than the round of 32. The two time Southern Conference champ enters the tournament unseeded, and will need to pull off multiple upsets to realize All American honors. Walker drew Missouri's no. 3 seed, Joey Lavallee, in the opening round. If he loses there and things play out according to seed, he'll have to win consecutive matches against unseeded Casey Sparkman, no. 13 seed John Van Brill, and no. 12 seed Clark Glass just to make it to the blood round.
2015: 285-US-R16
2016: 285-US-R24
2017: 285-13th-?
Cornhusker senior Collin Jensen is the 13th seeded heavyweight, his first tournament appearance in the top 16. The South Dakota native has a very winnable first round match against NC State's Mike Kosoy, but things get considerably more difficult from there. No. 4 seed Jacob Kasper likely awaits in the second round. If Jensen loses and the seeds play out, he'll have to beat Edinboro's Billy Miller and Arizona State's Tanner Hall to reach a coveted podium step.
2015: 133-12th-R12
2016: 133-6th-R12
2017: 141-6th-?
Having spent the last three seasons at 133 pounds, DiCamillo's move up to 141 has paid dividends in the form of a 6th seed and a 20-4 record. The northeast Ohio native has been one win away from All American status three agonizing times in a row. He'll be a favorite to break through this year, but the 133 bracket is chockablock with landmines. The key match will be in the second round against last year's 8th place finisher, Randy Cruz of Lehigh. If DiCam can get past Cruz, he'll set himself up nicely. If not, it will be a long slog through the wrestlebacks against the likes of Tommy Thorn and either Colton McCrystal or Jaydin Eierman to reach the medal round.
2013: 125-7th-R12
2014: 125-US-R32
2016: 133-US-R24
2017: 125-16th-?
After transferring in state, from the Tarheels to the Camels, Kraisser unsuccessfully tested the waters up a weight class at 133. The Baltimore area native is back down at 125, where he hopes he will have better luck. If Kraisser wins his first match, he will be a major underdog in the second round against top seeded Thomas Gilman. 125 is, however, rather open weight class, and there is no telling who Kraisser will see in the consolation bracket. A deep run and that elusive top eight finish just may finally be in the cards for Campbell's fifth year senior.
2015: 285-15th-R24
2016: 285-US-R16
2017: 285-US-?
The Iowa raised Larson was thrice able to win at least one match at the NCAAs, but never more than two. To get over the hump and make it on the podium he'll need to win at least three, but more likely four NCAA bouts. Larson will be the underdog in a difficult but winnable match against the no. 15 seed, Ryan Solomon. With an upset win, he'll see Connor Medbery, and an almost definite trip to the consolation. From there, Larson will need three more wins to make it to the promise land, and a first round loss would necessitate four consecutive victories.
2015: 125-US-R24
2016: 125-13th-R16
2017: 125-5th-?
Though seeded on two previous occasions, this is Michigan native Tim Lambert's first time seeded in the top eight. He also joins his teammate, Collin Jensen, as the second of two Cornhuskers to be four time qualifiers with zero All American honors as of yet. He'll probably have the best odds of reaching the podium of anyone in that 2017 club. If things go according to seed, he should have either Joshua Rodriguez or Nicholas Piccininni in the bloodround, and will be the favorite to finally punch his ticket to the medal rounds.
2015: 174-11th-R12
2016: 174-5th-R16
2017: 174-10th-?
Illinois grappler by way of Eugene, Oregon, Zac Brunson received a top 16 seed for the fourth time in four trips to the NCAA, but has yet to do better than a round of 12 finish. 174 is one of the more wide open weight classes, so it would not be too shocking a development to see Brunson make it all the way to the semifinals, taking out Kyle Crutchmer and Brian Realbuto in the process. Should things follow seed, Brunson would have to upset either Mark Hall or Zach Epperly in the bloodround to finally become an All American.
If we have omitted in error any wrestlers who meet the criteria, please let us know so that we may immediately correct the oversight, and best of luck to all our four time national qualifiers!
Few college wrestlers have the goal of merely qualifying, however, as All American status and a national championship is invariably the ultimate goal.
For a handful of competitors at the 2017 tournament, AA honors have been tantalizingly out of reach for three consecutive years. This year, seven wrestlers have qualified for their fourth NCAA tournament, yet have thus far been denied a place on the podium.
We list those wrestlers below, to both recognize their outstanding achievement in going four for four in NCAA qualifying bids, and to draw attention to them so fans that they can root for these determined warriors in their last shot at collegiate glory.
In alphabetical order, our four time NCAA qualifiers are the following, with year, weight, seed and placement information listed in that order:
Aaron Walker, The Citadel
2014: 157-US-R242015: 157-16th-R24
2016: 157-US-R32
2017: 157-US-?
Walker, a Texas native ("ranger" joke purposefully withheld), has never advanced further than the round of 32. The two time Southern Conference champ enters the tournament unseeded, and will need to pull off multiple upsets to realize All American honors. Walker drew Missouri's no. 3 seed, Joey Lavallee, in the opening round. If he loses there and things play out according to seed, he'll have to win consecutive matches against unseeded Casey Sparkman, no. 13 seed John Van Brill, and no. 12 seed Clark Glass just to make it to the blood round.
Collin Jensen, Nebraska
2014: 285-US-R322015: 285-US-R16
2016: 285-US-R24
2017: 285-13th-?
Cornhusker senior Collin Jensen is the 13th seeded heavyweight, his first tournament appearance in the top 16. The South Dakota native has a very winnable first round match against NC State's Mike Kosoy, but things get considerably more difficult from there. No. 4 seed Jacob Kasper likely awaits in the second round. If Jensen loses and the seeds play out, he'll have to beat Edinboro's Billy Miller and Arizona State's Tanner Hall to reach a coveted podium step.
George DiCamillo, Virginia
2013: 133-11th-R122015: 133-12th-R12
2016: 133-6th-R12
2017: 141-6th-?
Having spent the last three seasons at 133 pounds, DiCamillo's move up to 141 has paid dividends in the form of a 6th seed and a 20-4 record. The northeast Ohio native has been one win away from All American status three agonizing times in a row. He'll be a favorite to break through this year, but the 133 bracket is chockablock with landmines. The key match will be in the second round against last year's 8th place finisher, Randy Cruz of Lehigh. If DiCam can get past Cruz, he'll set himself up nicely. If not, it will be a long slog through the wrestlebacks against the likes of Tommy Thorn and either Colton McCrystal or Jaydin Eierman to reach the medal round.
Nathan Kraisser, North Carolina (2013-14),Campbell (2016-17)
2013: 125-7th-R122014: 125-US-R32
2016: 133-US-R24
2017: 125-16th-?
After transferring in state, from the Tarheels to the Camels, Kraisser unsuccessfully tested the waters up a weight class at 133. The Baltimore area native is back down at 125, where he hopes he will have better luck. If Kraisser wins his first match, he will be a major underdog in the second round against top seeded Thomas Gilman. 125 is, however, rather open weight class, and there is no telling who Kraisser will see in the consolation bracket. A deep run and that elusive top eight finish just may finally be in the cards for Campbell's fifth year senior.
Ross Larson, Oklahoma
2014: 285-US-R162015: 285-15th-R24
2016: 285-US-R16
2017: 285-US-?
The Iowa raised Larson was thrice able to win at least one match at the NCAAs, but never more than two. To get over the hump and make it on the podium he'll need to win at least three, but more likely four NCAA bouts. Larson will be the underdog in a difficult but winnable match against the no. 15 seed, Ryan Solomon. With an upset win, he'll see Connor Medbery, and an almost definite trip to the consolation. From there, Larson will need three more wins to make it to the promise land, and a first round loss would necessitate four consecutive victories.
Tim Lambert, Nebraska
2014: 125-12th-R162015: 125-US-R24
2016: 125-13th-R16
2017: 125-5th-?
Though seeded on two previous occasions, this is Michigan native Tim Lambert's first time seeded in the top eight. He also joins his teammate, Collin Jensen, as the second of two Cornhuskers to be four time qualifiers with zero All American honors as of yet. He'll probably have the best odds of reaching the podium of anyone in that 2017 club. If things go according to seed, he should have either Joshua Rodriguez or Nicholas Piccininni in the bloodround, and will be the favorite to finally punch his ticket to the medal rounds.
Zac Brunson, Illinois
2014: 157-16th-R162015: 174-11th-R12
2016: 174-5th-R16
2017: 174-10th-?
Illinois grappler by way of Eugene, Oregon, Zac Brunson received a top 16 seed for the fourth time in four trips to the NCAA, but has yet to do better than a round of 12 finish. 174 is one of the more wide open weight classes, so it would not be too shocking a development to see Brunson make it all the way to the semifinals, taking out Kyle Crutchmer and Brian Realbuto in the process. Should things follow seed, Brunson would have to upset either Mark Hall or Zach Epperly in the bloodround to finally become an All American.
If we have omitted in error any wrestlers who meet the criteria, please let us know so that we may immediately correct the oversight, and best of luck to all our four time national qualifiers!