I'm digging deep in the rankings again but I can't leave Iowa without taking a look at the alma mater of the greatest wrestling coach in history. 
125 – Mackall (So) <Walsh Jesuit, OH> or Allison (Jr) <Waukee, IA>
After being recruited over by Rutgers, Alex Mackall transferred to Iowa State in January and most likely will be the starter this year. Last season, 125 was complete chaos for ISU. Danny Vega left the team at the beginning of the season, Jonathan Marmolejo was shown the door in January, Jakob Allison had a season ending injury shortly thereafter and true freshman walk-on Sinjin Briggs was forced into the starting spot going 1-16 on the year.
133 – Gomez (Fr) <Glenbard North, IL>
Austin Gomez went 8-0 during his redshirt year with his biggest win coming against last year’s starter Markus Simmons. Simmons (Jr) went 20-16 last year and didn’t qualify for the tournament. Two-time NJCAA champion Todd Small (Jr) will also be in the mix here.
141 – Parker (So) <St. Johns, MI>
Ian Parker went 22-9 last year (5-3 @141) and didn’t qualify for the tournament. He moved up from 133 to replace Kanen Storr who was 15-7 at the time he left ISU. Parker had several solid wins last year, including against Austin DeSanto @133 and Dean Heil @141.
149 – Degan (So) <Belgrade, MT>
Jarrett Degen had a 23-11 season record last year and made it to the round of 12 at the tournament getting ISU all of its team points.
157 – Straw (Jr) <Independence, IA> or Carr (Fr) <Massillon Perry, OH>
Chase Straw went 17-15 last year and didn’t qualify for the tournament. Incoming freshman super-recruit David Carr could have an immediate impact at this weight if he doesn’t redshirt.
165 – Jennings (Jr) <Osage, IA> or St. John (Sr) <Cedar Rapids Prairie, IA>
165 was another tumultuous weight class for ISU last year with 4 different starters. Brady Jennings moved up from 157 during the season and had a 14-8 overall record. Skyler St. John ended the year as the starter with a 9-11 season record and didn’t qualify for the tournament. Jennings had an 8-0 win against St. John last year and also beat NCAA qualifier Andrew Fogarty at a dual.
174 – Coleman (Fr) <Ames, IA>
Marcus Coleman had a busy redshirt year, going 24-2 in opens. Both his losses came against Taylor Lujan (2017 AA for UNI). Last year, this was another chaotic weight class for ISU with 4 different starters. Danny Bush (Sr) ended the year as the starter after dropping down from 184 and had a 14-17 season record (not qualifying for the tournament).
184 – Bush (Sr) <Davenport Assumption, IA> or Colbray (Jr) <Hermiston, OR>
With Coleman coming in at 174, Bush could move back to 184. Samuel Colbray may move down from 197 with Miklus coming in there. Last year Dane Pestano went 21-14 and didn’t qualify for the tournament.
197 – Miklus (Sr) <Southeast Polk, IA>
ISU gets a huge transfer with 3-time AA Willie Miklus (8th @197 in 2018, 6th @184 in 2016, 7th @184 in 2015). Colbray went 15-13 as the starter last year and didn’t qualify for the tournament.
Heavy – Gremmel (So) <Hempstead, IA> or Anderson (Fr) <Southeast Polk, IA>
Gannon Gremmel went 19-6 in opens last year. Ethan Anderson transferred in from Oklahoma State. Anderson went 16-5 in opens last year. Last year’s starter, Marcus Herrington went 22-13 on the season (He forgoed his senior season of eligibility). He beat both AJ Nevills and Dustin Dennison (Utah Valley) during the season but lost to both in the Big 12 tourney and didn’t qualify for the NCAA tournament.
Iowa State had just one qualifier (Degan) and 3 team points at the NCAA tournament last season. They’re a long way away from getting back into national prominence but if they can stop the internal turmoil, ISU should at least take a decent step up this year with the additions of Miklus, Coleman, Gomez and perhaps Carr into the lineup.
If you want a more in-depth preview of Iowa State, go to the Iowa State Daily 10-part series.
#2wrestlinglegends
125 – Mackall (So) <Walsh Jesuit, OH> or Allison (Jr) <Waukee, IA>
After being recruited over by Rutgers, Alex Mackall transferred to Iowa State in January and most likely will be the starter this year. Last season, 125 was complete chaos for ISU. Danny Vega left the team at the beginning of the season, Jonathan Marmolejo was shown the door in January, Jakob Allison had a season ending injury shortly thereafter and true freshman walk-on Sinjin Briggs was forced into the starting spot going 1-16 on the year.
133 – Gomez (Fr) <Glenbard North, IL>
Austin Gomez went 8-0 during his redshirt year with his biggest win coming against last year’s starter Markus Simmons. Simmons (Jr) went 20-16 last year and didn’t qualify for the tournament. Two-time NJCAA champion Todd Small (Jr) will also be in the mix here.
141 – Parker (So) <St. Johns, MI>
Ian Parker went 22-9 last year (5-3 @141) and didn’t qualify for the tournament. He moved up from 133 to replace Kanen Storr who was 15-7 at the time he left ISU. Parker had several solid wins last year, including against Austin DeSanto @133 and Dean Heil @141.
149 – Degan (So) <Belgrade, MT>
Jarrett Degen had a 23-11 season record last year and made it to the round of 12 at the tournament getting ISU all of its team points.
157 – Straw (Jr) <Independence, IA> or Carr (Fr) <Massillon Perry, OH>
Chase Straw went 17-15 last year and didn’t qualify for the tournament. Incoming freshman super-recruit David Carr could have an immediate impact at this weight if he doesn’t redshirt.
165 – Jennings (Jr) <Osage, IA> or St. John (Sr) <Cedar Rapids Prairie, IA>
165 was another tumultuous weight class for ISU last year with 4 different starters. Brady Jennings moved up from 157 during the season and had a 14-8 overall record. Skyler St. John ended the year as the starter with a 9-11 season record and didn’t qualify for the tournament. Jennings had an 8-0 win against St. John last year and also beat NCAA qualifier Andrew Fogarty at a dual.
174 – Coleman (Fr) <Ames, IA>
Marcus Coleman had a busy redshirt year, going 24-2 in opens. Both his losses came against Taylor Lujan (2017 AA for UNI). Last year, this was another chaotic weight class for ISU with 4 different starters. Danny Bush (Sr) ended the year as the starter after dropping down from 184 and had a 14-17 season record (not qualifying for the tournament).
184 – Bush (Sr) <Davenport Assumption, IA> or Colbray (Jr) <Hermiston, OR>
With Coleman coming in at 174, Bush could move back to 184. Samuel Colbray may move down from 197 with Miklus coming in there. Last year Dane Pestano went 21-14 and didn’t qualify for the tournament.
197 – Miklus (Sr) <Southeast Polk, IA>
ISU gets a huge transfer with 3-time AA Willie Miklus (8th @197 in 2018, 6th @184 in 2016, 7th @184 in 2015). Colbray went 15-13 as the starter last year and didn’t qualify for the tournament.
Heavy – Gremmel (So) <Hempstead, IA> or Anderson (Fr) <Southeast Polk, IA>
Gannon Gremmel went 19-6 in opens last year. Ethan Anderson transferred in from Oklahoma State. Anderson went 16-5 in opens last year. Last year’s starter, Marcus Herrington went 22-13 on the season (He forgoed his senior season of eligibility). He beat both AJ Nevills and Dustin Dennison (Utah Valley) during the season but lost to both in the Big 12 tourney and didn’t qualify for the NCAA tournament.
Iowa State had just one qualifier (Degan) and 3 team points at the NCAA tournament last season. They’re a long way away from getting back into national prominence but if they can stop the internal turmoil, ISU should at least take a decent step up this year with the additions of Miklus, Coleman, Gomez and perhaps Carr into the lineup.
If you want a more in-depth preview of Iowa State, go to the Iowa State Daily 10-part series.
#2wrestlinglegends
