Not @MNHawk but wanted to share some info on the dual for those interested. This should be a great dual with several toss up bouts that could truly go either way, making for virtually any team score outcome possible.
125 - #1 Thomas Gilman versus #11 Nick Piccinnini. One of the few weight classes where either team is heavily favored. Anything less than bonus for Gilman would be disappointing. Prediction: Gilman by major; Hawks 4-0
133 - #1 Cory Clark versus #6 Kaid Brock. Clark is coming off injury and it's not clear how effective he will be against he better guys at the weight. Last week he beat #8 Stevan Micic 2-0 and it was a battle to pull off that win. Brock is talented but this will be his first real test all season. Clark is gritty and finds ways to win close bouts but don't be surprised if Brock pulls the upset.
Prediction: Clark by decision; Hawks 7-0
141 - #19 Topher Carton versus #1 Dean Heil. Carton has been wrestling well lately but Heil is 46-1 over the last two seasons. Keeping Heil from picking up bonus would be considered a positive for Carton.
Prediction: Heil by major; Hawks 7-4
149 - #2 Brandon Sorenson versus #3 Anthony Collica. Sorenson has owned Collica in the past and I expect more of the same here.
Prediction: Sorenson by decision; Hawks 10-4
157 - #2 Michael Kemerer versus #5 JoJo Smith. Probably the highlight match of the dual. At least the most anticipated going in. Kemerer has been very strong this season and seems to get better with each match. Smith has only wrestled 6 matches this year and lost to freshman Jordan Kutler of Lehigh in the Southern Scuffle. Kemerer continues to roll.
Prediction: Kemerer by decision; Hawks 13-4
165 - UR Joey Gunther versus #4 Chandler Rogers. Rogers has been solid this year and is a pinner. Dangerous spot for Gunther. Needs to stay solid and avoid getting into funk scrambles where he could wind up on his back.
Predictioon: Rogers by major; Hawks 13-8
174 - #13 Alex Meyer versus #5 Kyle Crutchmer. Contrasting styles - Crutchmer is a fast starter looking for a big move and Meyer tends to start slow and come on strong in the 3rd period. It will be crucial for Meyer to get out of the first period without getting down by 3+ points. If he can hang tough early, he can outlast Crutchmer but until he shows it, I have to give the edge to Crutchmer.
Prediction: Crutchmer by dec; Hawks 13-11
184 - #5 Sammy Brooks versus #4 Nolan Boyd. Last time these two met, Brooks gave up a 5 point move late and Boyd knocked him off 9-6. Boyd has had a steady ascension since that match two years ago while Brooks has been hot and cold. Either way, this will be a battle.
Prediction: Brooks by dec; Hawks 16-11
197 - UR Cash Wilcke versus #4 Preston Weigel. Both young guys without a long track record yet Weigel has some nice wins and a high ranking. Wilcke has been game most of the season and has wrestled better than most expected. Still a tough spot for the Hawkeye.
Prediction: Weigel by dec; Hawks 16-14
HWT - #8 Sam Stoll versus #9 Austin Schafer. Another tossup. Stoll made his debut at the Midlands and doesn't seem hindered by the torn ACL he suffered late in the season last year. Schafer has been solid this year but is untested.
Prediction: Stoll by dec; Hawks 19-14
I like the Hawks in this spot but there are several matches that could swing the other way. I consider 133, 157, 174, 184 and HWT as toss ups that either team can grab. Should be a fun one! It will be shown live on Flowrestling (subscription site) and it appears it will also be shown on Fox Sports Oklahoma (ch 675 on Directv).
125 - #1 Thomas Gilman versus #11 Nick Piccinnini. One of the few weight classes where either team is heavily favored. Anything less than bonus for Gilman would be disappointing. Prediction: Gilman by major; Hawks 4-0
133 - #1 Cory Clark versus #6 Kaid Brock. Clark is coming off injury and it's not clear how effective he will be against he better guys at the weight. Last week he beat #8 Stevan Micic 2-0 and it was a battle to pull off that win. Brock is talented but this will be his first real test all season. Clark is gritty and finds ways to win close bouts but don't be surprised if Brock pulls the upset.
Prediction: Clark by decision; Hawks 7-0
141 - #19 Topher Carton versus #1 Dean Heil. Carton has been wrestling well lately but Heil is 46-1 over the last two seasons. Keeping Heil from picking up bonus would be considered a positive for Carton.
Prediction: Heil by major; Hawks 7-4
149 - #2 Brandon Sorenson versus #3 Anthony Collica. Sorenson has owned Collica in the past and I expect more of the same here.
Prediction: Sorenson by decision; Hawks 10-4
157 - #2 Michael Kemerer versus #5 JoJo Smith. Probably the highlight match of the dual. At least the most anticipated going in. Kemerer has been very strong this season and seems to get better with each match. Smith has only wrestled 6 matches this year and lost to freshman Jordan Kutler of Lehigh in the Southern Scuffle. Kemerer continues to roll.
Prediction: Kemerer by decision; Hawks 13-4
165 - UR Joey Gunther versus #4 Chandler Rogers. Rogers has been solid this year and is a pinner. Dangerous spot for Gunther. Needs to stay solid and avoid getting into funk scrambles where he could wind up on his back.
Predictioon: Rogers by major; Hawks 13-8
174 - #13 Alex Meyer versus #5 Kyle Crutchmer. Contrasting styles - Crutchmer is a fast starter looking for a big move and Meyer tends to start slow and come on strong in the 3rd period. It will be crucial for Meyer to get out of the first period without getting down by 3+ points. If he can hang tough early, he can outlast Crutchmer but until he shows it, I have to give the edge to Crutchmer.
Prediction: Crutchmer by dec; Hawks 13-11
184 - #5 Sammy Brooks versus #4 Nolan Boyd. Last time these two met, Brooks gave up a 5 point move late and Boyd knocked him off 9-6. Boyd has had a steady ascension since that match two years ago while Brooks has been hot and cold. Either way, this will be a battle.
Prediction: Brooks by dec; Hawks 16-11
197 - UR Cash Wilcke versus #4 Preston Weigel. Both young guys without a long track record yet Weigel has some nice wins and a high ranking. Wilcke has been game most of the season and has wrestled better than most expected. Still a tough spot for the Hawkeye.
Prediction: Weigel by dec; Hawks 16-14
HWT - #8 Sam Stoll versus #9 Austin Schafer. Another tossup. Stoll made his debut at the Midlands and doesn't seem hindered by the torn ACL he suffered late in the season last year. Schafer has been solid this year but is untested.
Prediction: Stoll by dec; Hawks 19-14
I like the Hawks in this spot but there are several matches that could swing the other way. I consider 133, 157, 174, 184 and HWT as toss ups that either team can grab. Should be a fun one! It will be shown live on Flowrestling (subscription site) and it appears it will also be shown on Fox Sports Oklahoma (ch 675 on Directv).
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