After some thought, I think things might play out this way for Kerk.
Greg gets the #7 seed
He goes through the #10 seed no problem to advance against #2 Paris
He then takes a MFF (Steps on the mat and forfeits) to Paris
It would have been much better to get the #6 and take out Cassi with his second match.
Now what is the opinion of the collective before we discuss whats next....?
Does this satisfy his 4 for Nationals (2 Maryland, 1 Bigs, and 1 MFF Bigs), and give him enough to get in via an at-large slot?
If yes, then I say he is then done for the tourney without wasting his time against Cassi, Paris or Gable. If not could he then go one more bout on the loser bracket side before he would need to face Cassi after Paris takes him out.
If however he really does need to finish in the top 7 to secure one of the Big 10 allocation slots then I think Paris will probably beat him in this early short prep match, and Greg takes out whomever then Cassi on the back side then another to secure the slot.
No matter the outcome at Bigs for any matches against the top 3, I don't know that we see his best in this tourney ether intentionally or prep-wise.
Noone seems to know definitively what was his injury. I suspect meniscus given the rumors of knee surgery, but he didn't have any limp or brace which is encouraging. I have even wondered Covid and maybe his lung capacity took a while to recover?
In any case I don't think Cael cares too much about a Big 10 trophy. He wants all 10 to make it to the big dance healthy.
2 scenarios going off your seeding prediction:
A: Kerk is fully healthy AND in wrestling shape
B: Kerk isn’t 100% AND/OR is NOT in shape
A: In this scenario I think he should wrestle Parris. A ff will be looked at the same as a loss. Even if he loses, it gives him a feel of Parris and can make adjustments if they go again.
B: This is the scenario when I would inj default, not mff. An inj default allows Kerk to wrestle back, hopefully taking third ( which I think he does ).
IMO you want Kerk to get as many matches as possible getting into a tournament rhythm.