This is the final weight class to be reviewed. No judgment, prognostications, or guesses on placements in the coming year, as it’s way too early for that. These were simply recaps of who’s returning, with some of what I consider consensus on those changing weights, and where appropriate, a little on redshirt freshmen and true freshmen.
Who will make the biggest jump improvement-wise? Which redshirt or true freshmen will surprise? And then there’s the unfortunate side of wrestling, who will be hurt during the season (I hope no one)? It's all part of the sport we love.
Hope you enjoyed the 'tween season reviews...
285
This weight class loses more than any other, except 149 (both lose 5) in terms of All-American finishers. Gone are the top four finishers from Cleveland, 4-time finalist, and 3-time champ Kyle Snyder, Adam Coon, Amar Dhesi, and Jacob Kasper. Also graduated is 6th Placer Mike Hughes. That’s a lot of talent gone, and when one looks at Wrsetlestat, the current top eight are all Seniors, so this weight class turns over more than 80% of the top 20 guys in two years. Sure, there’s a ton of talent coming (Gable Steveson, Seth Nevills, Anthony Cassioppi, and Mason Parris among them), but 285 will take a step backward from an overall talent standpoint for a year or so, imo.
Back for another year are Sam Stoll (IOWA, 5th), Nick Nevills (PSU, 7th), and Youssif Hemida (MD, 8th). Rounding out the top returnees are R12 guys Jordan Wood (LEH), Derek White (OKST), and Jere Heino (CAMP). Bottom line, only six of the top 12 return, and it appears the number may be five of 12 if Nick Nevills doesn’t start the season for PSU.
In addition, there’s a strong group that hope to be top-8 at NCAA’s, which includes; Tanner Hall (AZST, 3rd Place in 2017), Thomas Haines (LH), Billy Miller (VT, by way of EDIN), Benjamin Honis (CORN), Malik McDonald (NCST), Conan Jennings (NU), Shawn Streck (PUR), and Joey Goodhart (DREX, back from a RS year), among others. The class of the RSFR’s at 285 is Chase Singletary (tOSU), and likely starter and true freshman Gable Steveson (MINN) has the talent and potential to be a very rare National Champ at the heaviest weight class.
Then there’s the Penn State story. The rumors are flying, with a bit of evidence from anyone that’s seen Anthony Cassar, that he will be starting this season at heavyweight. Heaven only knows, and it's presumptuous to say anything except that this could go several ways as the season progresses.
285 is a strong weight class, despite the departures. There is more parity compared to last year, when everyone penciled in Snyder and Coon as finalists. Not true this year, and I for one, am excited to see how it unfolds.
Enjoy the rest of your Summers all...the season will be here soon enough.
Who will make the biggest jump improvement-wise? Which redshirt or true freshmen will surprise? And then there’s the unfortunate side of wrestling, who will be hurt during the season (I hope no one)? It's all part of the sport we love.
Hope you enjoyed the 'tween season reviews...
285
This weight class loses more than any other, except 149 (both lose 5) in terms of All-American finishers. Gone are the top four finishers from Cleveland, 4-time finalist, and 3-time champ Kyle Snyder, Adam Coon, Amar Dhesi, and Jacob Kasper. Also graduated is 6th Placer Mike Hughes. That’s a lot of talent gone, and when one looks at Wrsetlestat, the current top eight are all Seniors, so this weight class turns over more than 80% of the top 20 guys in two years. Sure, there’s a ton of talent coming (Gable Steveson, Seth Nevills, Anthony Cassioppi, and Mason Parris among them), but 285 will take a step backward from an overall talent standpoint for a year or so, imo.
Back for another year are Sam Stoll (IOWA, 5th), Nick Nevills (PSU, 7th), and Youssif Hemida (MD, 8th). Rounding out the top returnees are R12 guys Jordan Wood (LEH), Derek White (OKST), and Jere Heino (CAMP). Bottom line, only six of the top 12 return, and it appears the number may be five of 12 if Nick Nevills doesn’t start the season for PSU.
In addition, there’s a strong group that hope to be top-8 at NCAA’s, which includes; Tanner Hall (AZST, 3rd Place in 2017), Thomas Haines (LH), Billy Miller (VT, by way of EDIN), Benjamin Honis (CORN), Malik McDonald (NCST), Conan Jennings (NU), Shawn Streck (PUR), and Joey Goodhart (DREX, back from a RS year), among others. The class of the RSFR’s at 285 is Chase Singletary (tOSU), and likely starter and true freshman Gable Steveson (MINN) has the talent and potential to be a very rare National Champ at the heaviest weight class.
Then there’s the Penn State story. The rumors are flying, with a bit of evidence from anyone that’s seen Anthony Cassar, that he will be starting this season at heavyweight. Heaven only knows, and it's presumptuous to say anything except that this could go several ways as the season progresses.
285 is a strong weight class, despite the departures. There is more parity compared to last year, when everyone penciled in Snyder and Coon as finalists. Not true this year, and I for one, am excited to see how it unfolds.
Enjoy the rest of your Summers all...the season will be here soon enough.
