285 NCAA Preview

285 NCAA Preview

Oct 29, 2015 by Christian Pyles
285 NCAA Preview
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Christian Pyles

The eyes of wrestling fans will be focused on the potential history being made by Nick Gwiazdowski. Nick is a 2 time NCAA Champion looking to three-peat. A heavyweight hasn’t won 3 in a row since Carl Haselrig did so in the 80’s. The last big man to put himself in position to make this history was Tony Nelson. Who stopped him? Nick Gwiazdowski.

Nick Gwiazdowski.  Photo by Tony Rotundo1. Nick Gwiazdowski - NC State
2. Adam Coon - Michigan
3. Austin Marsden - Oklahoma State
4. Amar Dhesi - Oregon State
5. Blaize Cabell - UNI
6. Ty Walz - Virginia Tech
7. Mike Kroells - Minnesota
8. Nathan Butler - Stanford


Round of 12: Tanner Hall - Arizona State, Billy Smith - Rutgers, Riley Shaw - Cleveland State, Denzel Dejournette - App State

Round of 16: Collin Jensen - Nebraska, Joe Stolfi - Bucknell, Brooks Black - Illinois, Ross Larson - Oklahoma

Title Contenders
Nick Gwiazdowski
Adam Coon
Amar Dhesi

I’m supremely confident in Gwiazdowski repeating this year. Does it help that I’m writing this article from the NC State wrestling office? Perhaps! Getting to watch Gwiazdowski work firsthand you see the incredible attention to detail, focus and drive to improve. While Coon has proven he can beat him, I believe Nick has pulled away considerably. That was made clear at NCAA’s where Nick put on a clinic from neutral. As talented and athletic as Coon is, Nick’s uncanny skill for getting in deep and finishing so efficiently makes him next to impossible to pick against. Coon gets included not because he’s a particularly great style match up, but because he’s got that win and has beaten multiple high level guys. I actually think the fact that they have contrasting styles is what makes Coon a potential viable contender. Essentially: You can’t out-Gwiaz, Gwiaz.

I’ve talked at length about Nick already. He’s evolved from the ultra scrambly 220 pound heavyweight at Binghamton to the equally scrambly, but 30 pounds (give or take) bigger version. I’ve watched Nick add layers throughout his career and I don’t think we’ll see that change for his senior campaign. For a big man he bonuses at an incredible rate. He can attack both sides efficiently and has a variety of tricks for finishing. He has an uncanny ability to finish when extended but also can shoot a high level snatch single as well. The last two years he’s taken losses. I don’t see any in his future this year. Gwiazdowski runs the table and is in the Hodge conversation.

While Coon has shown he can be vulnerable with losses to Walz and Marsden last year, over two seasons he’s compiled an incredible collection of wins. There are guys who he can match up well against, and others that give him trouble. His size/athleticism combo is almost rarely seen. When he can get to his underhook he’s all but unbeatable. When he has to go to plan B or C is when it can get a bit more dicey.

Two years ago Austin Marsden really didn’t have a great season, but had a fantastic NCAA’s beating Mike McMullan and placing. This year he had a much improved regular season but couldn’t get it done at NCAA’s. I think he puts it all together this year for a high NCAA finish. He’s very athletic for his size and his re-attacks/hips are fantastic. He is one of a few guys who could spoil the Gwiazdowski/Coon rematch. Oklahoma State needs his points and they need him to score big for the team race.

Watch Austin Marsden nearly take out Gwiazdowski in a Freestyle classic:


Coming into this year Amar Dhesi may be the one guy who can come close to Gwiazdowski’s size/athleticism/mobility. I watched him at the OTC and he looked big, healthy and very sharp. He was solid as a Freshman beating a very tough Mike McClure but seemed to fade as the season progressed. He has had good results against Coon in Freestyle but was handled in their one Folkstyle meeting. His short offense is fantastic but his motion and attacks are just as impressive. If he has made strides and has no health restrictions he could be a big thorn in this weight’s side.

Big Blaize Cabell fan. Guy has come a long way at UNI. He arguably was one of the eight best guys most of last year. Frankly his draw was absolutely brutal. The Spencer Myers upset of Telford may have ultimately been what cost him a spot on the podium. His only losses at NCAA’s were to McMullan and then Telford in the round of 12. He actually knocked off Ty Walz twice last year, which is why I have him out-placing Ty this year. Cabell is far from the biggest heavyweight but he’s got a great motor and an aggressive style.

Ty could fall in quite a few places. I had him 4th for awhile, then 5th right ahead of Cabell,Ty Walz wrestling Adam Coon. then I realized that made little sense since he was 0-for Cabell. So he sits at 6th. Ty came a long way last year and beat some absolute beasts including Adam Coon and Austin Marsden. He’s got a fantastic high crotch and a decent low single. He continues to grow (and grow) and that will serve him well this year. I have him 6th but in reality he’s a potential finalist.

Kroells is keeping the strong tradition of 285 pounders at Minnesota alive. He was up and down much of last year but made the most of his NCAA opportunity beating Myers in the round of 12. While Cabell was punished by the Telford loss to Myers, Kroells was unquestionably the beneficiary. Kroells, like many of these heavyweights is extremely agile and has features of a lightweight wrestler. If he can become a little more physically strong he could make a jump.

A D1 coach (not from Stanford) told me Nathan Butler was the most underrated heavyweight in the country. That caught my attention. Combine that with his tremendous showing at Junior Worlds and a slight lack of depth and I can really see him placing. His results weren’t amazing last year, but I really liked what I saw of his Freestyle game. He can get to legs well. If he’s finishing consistently he will be very, very dangerous.

Beyond the podium features a contingent of tough but relatively unproven guys. Tanner Hall is a total shot in the dark, to be honest. I remember watching him years ago, and got to watch him roll a little at NCAA’s. He’s gotten big and I think he will take lumps early, but come along late. Joe Stolfi is up and down but he’s one of the most dangerous top wrestlers in the entire country, regardless of weight. 

Tweet questions/comments @CPyles8 or email christian.pyles@flosports.tv

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