D1 Roster Battles: 149-174
D1 Roster Battles: 149-174
Some upcoming roster battles to look forward for the upcoming D1 wrestle season at 149, 157, 165 and 174 pounds.
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Just like every other sport, wrestling has roster battles every single year. Sometimes, it's as simple as the loser goes up or down a weight. Other times, a very talented wrestler will wind up sitting on the bench.
The NCAA content is going to slowly ramp up over the next several months, featuring depth charts, potential NCAA brackets, lineup looks, and redshirt reports. As part of the leadup to a few of those, here are some roster battles to keep an eye on during the 2018-19 preseason.
This series will be broken up into three parts, starting with the lightweights at 149, 157, 165, and 174 pounds. For the lightweight roster battles, go here.
Ohio State: 149lbs
Ke-Shawn Hayes vs Micah Jordan
The scuttlebutt is that Micah will be dropping back down for his senior year. With Zain gone at 149, and Nolf still at 157, it's not the worst decision in the world. Especially considering how valuable a national title can be in the team race.
If he does though, that would leave Ke-Shawn as a seemingly undersized 157 pounder. He was batting with Joey McKenna last year for the 141 spot, but seems intent on staying up in weight. Not that he needs it, but Hayes will have a little extra fire after the way last season ended without placing.
Arizona State: 149lbs
Josh Maruca vs Christian Pagdilao
The oft injured Pagdilao was granted a sixth year of eligibility, giving Arizona State another year of excellent depth at 149. Last year they sent Jason Tsirtsis to NCAAs, leaving the quality Maruca on the bench. Pagdilao beat Tsirtsis 8-4 at the beginning of season, taking the win at the Michigan State Open.
In total, Pagdilao has wrestled just 73 matches in college, including as a redshirt. That's over the course of five years, and is about as many as Maruca has wrestled in three seasons at ASU. Maruca has a dozen wins over NCAA qualifiers, could be ranked to start the year, and qualified for the national tournament as a redshirt freshman in 2017.
NC State: 149 lbs
Jamal Morris vs Justin Oliver
The classic guy who transfers in but still has to battle with someone who has been in the program for years. Morris qualified twice for NCAAs, but down at 133 in 2016 and 2017. Oliver went from seventh as a freshman in 2016 to the bloodround the past two years.
It's clear the NC State staff values culture and family and being a part of the program, but it would seem odd to bring Olver in and not have him start. Both are seniors, so either way it's just a one year solution in the middle of the lineup. Check out Oliver vs the above mentioned Maruca at CKLV this year.
Penn State: 149lbs
Brady Berge vs Jarod Verkleeren
This is an offshot of the 141lb roster battle between Verkleeren and Nick Lee. The former Cadet world champ will be one of the best backups in the country if neither Lee nor Berge concede the spot to him. Berge will be coming off Junior worlds, so the early lead may be taken by Verkleeren if he goes up to 149. Also, we haven't seen Berge make a weight that low since July 2014 at Fargo. And neither is going 157 this season with Nolf having one more year left.
Virginia Tech: 157lbs
Solomon Chishko vs Mekhi Lewis
There was perhaps no greater enigma last season than Solomon Chishko. But he's still a two-time All-American, so would anyone be terribly surprised if he got back on track and placed once again? Coach Robie and staff have a good problem on their hands if Chishko is right.
Lewis had an excellent redshirt season, going 28-2 up at 165. But with McFadden likely staying at 165, Lewis doesn't have much of a choice but to drop. Like Berge, he'll be coming off Junior worlds, but Lewis doesn't strike me as someone who will let their freestyle interfere with their folkstyle.
Oklahoma State: 157lbs
Andrew Shomers vs Jonce Blaylock
The Cowboys brought in both Shomers and Dakota Geer during the mass exodus from Edinboro after Tim Flynn left for West Virginia. Blaylock started the majority of the season, including the below 3-0 loss to Shomers from a dual in February. The 157 weight was one of the most frustrating for head coach John Smith last season, and it was the only weight the Cowboys did not qualify for NCAAs. With Tristan Moran transferring and Joseph Smith too big to make 157, one of these two will have to step up.
Iowa: 157lbs
Jeren Glosser vs Kaleb Young
File this one under: Guy a weight class. Kaleb Young has been a 165 for pretty much his whole first two years in Iowa City. However, Michael Kemerer has been growing and lifting heavy and could very well be the 174 for the Hawkeyes this year, with Alex Marinelli as the 165. That means Glosser, who has wrestled just one match at 157 in his career thus far, should probably bump up to 1) provide depth and 2) be the insurance policy in case Young can't make the weight 17 times.
Lehigh: 165lbs
Gordon Wolf vs Cole Walter
It is important to take all of these roster battles with grains of salt. Certain guys may drop in weight, making the starter clear cut. Other times wrestlers get hurt, thrusting someone into the starting lineup whether they're ready or not. But if both of these guys go the same weight, Lehigh will have someone of at least national qualifier level ability sitting on the bench. Walter only wrestled six matches last season, while Wolf qualified for NCAAs for the second time, last year at 165 and at 174 in 2017.
Virginia Tech: 174lbs
Hunter Bolen vs Cody Huges
Another interesting battle for the Hokies could take place at 174. As we mentioned, McFadden is probably staying at 165, and Hughes has already used his redshirt. However, Bolen has not, so this might become a moot point. Anymore though, if you're a team in contention for a team trophy or in the Top-10, leaving points on the table isn't necessarily wise.
Bolen qualified for the national tournament as a true freshman last season but Hughes has yet to participate in an ACC tournament. With Hughes being only a junior, this may be a two-year battle for the starting spot.