For years the Michigan State Open has been one of the premier open tournaments across the country, and this year is no different. This years field of teams is led by: Central Michigan, Columbia, Michigan, Navy, Notre Dame College, Ohio, Ohio State, Purdue, and West Virginia. Tune into see Adam Coon kick off his sophomore season, watch young Bucks Nathan Tomasello and Bo Jordan try and defend their MSU Open titles, and see Sammie Henson make his head coaching debut as he brings the Mountaineers to East Lansing.

125lbs

#12 Nathan Tomasello, Ohio State- Coming off an unblemished redshirt season (18-0), Nathan Tomasello looks to grab back to back MSU Open titles. A year ago in East Lansing, Tomasello majored all five opponents including Kory Mines and Corey Keener. Last season 15 of his 18 wins were by bonus points, and I don’t expect much to change this year.

 #18 Connor Youtsey, Michigan- An NCAA qualifier a year ago, Youtsey showed he can compete with almost anyone in the country. Youtsey knotched wins over Anthony Zanetta, Tim Lambert, and Nick Roberts, while losing a very close match to two time NCAA Champion Jesse Delgado. This weekend could be the first of many meetings between Youtsey and Tomasello, and what could be the beginning of a long rivalry.

Other Guys to Watch:

Zeke Moisey, West Virginia-Stud true freshman Zeke Moisey is listed as unattached so it does appear that he will redshirt, but it will be interesting to see how Moisey fares in his first college competition. We could also see a rematch between Moisey and Tomasello, who produced one of the most exciting matches at Ironman, and caused Zeb Miller to lose his mind.

My Prediction- Nathan Tomasello continues his domination at the Michigan State Open, and at least majors everybody en route to his second consecutive Michigan State Open title.

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133lbs

#6 Zane Richards, Illinois- During his redshirt freshmen campaign, Richards went 27-9 and 2-2 at the NCAA Tournament. Entering this season Richards is a solid All-American contender, and will look to make a statement and get off to a fast start this weekend.

#9 Rossi Bruno, Michigan- As a sophomore last year, Bruno was knocked out of the NCAA tournament in the round of 12, and this years appears to be on the verge of All-American status once again. Bruno has notched wins over Johnni DiJulius, Mark Grey, and Nick Soto, and could continue to add to his resume with an MSU Open title this weekend.

Other Guys To Watch:

Cory Stainbrook, West Virginia- Up a weight from last year, Stainbrook was an NCAA qualifier as a redshirt freshman, but says he feels much better at 133, and it will be interesting to see how he matches up against the class of the weight.

Danny Sabatello,Purdue- Also new to the weight, Sabatello was an NCAA qualifier at 141 a year ago, and notched wins over Colton McCrystal, Steven Rodrigues, and Joey Lazor. Sabatello was ranked 18^th in our first rankings at 141, and down a weight should make an instant impact on the weight class.

My Prediciton- Zane Richards starts his year off fast with a couple victories over Big Ten opponents on his way to a MSU Open title.

 141lbs

#5 Stephen Dutton, Michigan- The clear class of the field this weekend, Dutton looks to build off his 7^th place finish at the NCAA tournament a year ago, and continue to climb up the podium.

Other Guys to Watch:

Mike Morales, West Virginia- Another guy down a weight from last year, Morales was a two time NCAA qualifier at 149, and was ranked 14^th there in our first set of rankings. It will be interesting to see how he fares, but I expect him to make noise immediately.

My Prediciton- Stephen Dutton rolls to an MSU Open title, and begins his march to a second All-American finish at the NCAA Tournament.

 149lbs

#2 Hunter Stieber, Ohio State- Another Buckeye coming off an undefeated redshirt campaign, Stieber enters the season ranked second, looking to defend his MSU Open title. Steiber is already a two time All-American, and this year is a national title contender.

#13 Tywan Claxton,Ohio- A Divison II All-American at King College, Tywan Claxton made noise at his first tournament at the Division I level when he knocked off Ian Paddock, and then again a month later when he knocked off then #1 Drake Houdashelt of Missouri. Although he had a disappointing ending to his season, 1-2 at the NCAA Tournament, Claxton is a guy who can beat anyone at this weight on any given day. Claxton will look to avenge last year’s 9-4 loss in the MSU Open finals to Steiber this weekend.

Other Guys to Watch:

Brandon Nelsen,Purdue- Two years ago Nelsen was an NCAA qualifier at 141, but up a weight at 149 last year she struggled to a 14-14 record. It will be interesting to see if he can return to his form from two years ago, and become more comfortable at this weight.

My Prediction- A rematch of last years final as Stieber will once again square off with Claxton, and with similar results. Hunter wins his second consecutive MSU Open crown.

 

157lbs

#7 Josh Demas,Ohio State-  Another Buckeye returning after a hiatus last year, Demas was knocked out of the 2013 NCAA Tournament in the round of 12. Demas is a very explosive wrestler on his feet, and I could easily see him finishing high on the awards stand come March.

#8 Brian Murphy, Michigan- Murphy stormed onto the scene last year as a true freshman posting an 18-6 record and beating the likes of Dylan Alton, Dylan Ness, and Andy McCauley. Despite just a 1-2 record at the NCAA Tournament last season, Murphy will be an All-American contender this year.

#14 Markus Scheidel, Columbia- As just a freshman Markus Scheidel posted 27 wins, and really caught fire late. Scheidel made the finals of the EIWA Tournament while beating Brian Realbuto and Joey Napoli. He finished the NCAA Tournament 1-2 after beating Sparty Chino.

Other Guys to Watch:

Sparty Chino, Ohio- An NCAA qualifier the past two seasons, Chino has proved to be one of the most explosive wrestlers in the country, capable of hitting a big move from any position. Two years ago at the NCAA Tournament Chino pinned two time All-American Walter Peppelman of Harvard.

Jonathon Rivera, Notre Dame College- As just a sophomore, Jonathon Rivera stormed to a Division II national championship, and is currently the number one ranked 157lbs. pound wrestler in Division II. It will be interesting to see how Rivera matches up with some of the nations best Divison I wrestlers.

My Prediciton- One of the deepest weight classes in the field, I like Brian Murphy to upset Josh Demas in the finals.

 
165lbs

#7 Taylor Massa, Michigan- Two years ago as a true freshman Taylor Massa stormed out to a 27-10 record and was one round away from claiming All-American honors. After an 18-1 redshirt year, Massa is poised and ready to make a run at the podium.

#14 Peyton Walsh, Navy- Walsh is a senior who has been to the NCAA Tournament two of his first three seasons, and is hoping to finally break through this year and get on the podium.

#16 Bo Jordan, Ohio State- Like his teammates, Nathan Tomasello and Hunter Stieber, Bo Jordan is also coming off an undefeated redshirt where he dominated everyone that stepped on the mat with him. Of his 23 wins, 20 of them were bonus point victories, including 11 falls. Jordan’s varsity debut is one of the most anticipated in recent years, and we will get to see him tested right away with a match with Taylor Massa looming.

#20 Harrison Hightower- Last season, for the first time in his career, Hightower qualified for the NCAA Tournament.  He compiled 29 wins on the year, and is known as one of the most dangerous top wrestlers in the country racking up double digit falls the past two years.

Other Guys to Watch:

Ryan Watts, Michigan State- Watts is up a weight from previous years, and in our initial preseason rankings Watts was ranked 17^th at 157lbs. Watts was an NCAA qualifier at 157lbs two years ago, and will look to get back to the big dance this season at a new weight.

My Prediciton- The most interesting weight in my opinion, I think Bo Jordan knocks off Taylor Massa in the finals, and jumps into the top ten of the rankings.

 

174lbs

#9 Cody Walters,Ohio - A redshirt freshman All-American two years ago, Walters wasn’t able to duplicate that success last season. A season filled with injuries saw Walters finish 1-2 at the NCAA Tournament. Walters will look to get his season off on the right foot, and return to All-American form this weekend.

#12 Mark Martin, Ohio State- Martin’s first two years as a Buckeye he made the NCAA Tournament, but failed to reach the awards podium. Entering his junior year though, Martin is poised to make a run at All-American honors.

#16 Shane Hughes, Columbia- Entering his senior season at Columbia, Hughes is a returning NCAA qualifier (1-2 at the big dance) and Midlands runner-up.

Other Guys to Watch:

Chad Welch, Purdue- Two years ago as a redshirt freshman, Welch notched 22 wins and qualified for the NCAA Tournament. A year ago Welch dropped to a 165lbs, and couldn’t replicate the success he had as a freshman. This season Welch returns to 174lbs looking to return to his freshman form.

My Prediction- In an all Ohio final, Cody Walters of Ohio knocks off Mark Martin of Ohio State, and passes his first test of the young season.

 

184lbs

#8 Domenic Abounader, Michigan- As a true freshman Abounader jumped right into the starting lineup, and made an appearance at the NCAA Tournament. After a 1-2 finish a year ago, and a year of experience under his belt, Abounader is poised to make a run at All-American honors.

#9 Kenny Courts, Ohio State- As a redshirt sophomore a year ago, Kenny Courts made his first NCAA Tournament appearance, and was just one round away from placing after being knocked out in the round of 12 by Ophir Bernstein of Brown.

Other Guys to Watch:

John Rizqallah, Michigan State- The senior Spartan has qualified for the NCAA Tournament twice, including a 2-2 performance last year, and been in and out of the rankings over the past two seasons.

Joey Davis, Notre Dame College- Davis a two-time Divison II national champion appears once again to be moving up a weight class. Davis won a Divison II national title two years ago at 165lbs, and a season ago at 174lbs. Davis is also a two time Michigan State Open champion, and has never lost in college. 

My Prediciton- Joey Davis has never lost in college or at the Michigan State Open, and I'm not going to start picking against him now. Davis wins his third consecutive Michigan State Open. 

 

197lbs.

#7 Braden Atwood,Purdue-  A three time NCAA qualifier, Braden Atwood is looking to finish off his senior year with All-American honors. A year ago at the MSU Open, Atwood fell to Phil Wellington of Ohio in the falls 6-3.

#9 Phil Wellington,Ohio- A two time NCAA qualifier, Phil Wellington burst onto the national scene when he upset J’Den Cox last year. Wellington had a disappointing finish at the NCAA Tournament going 1-2, but does own a win over Atwood and will look to defend his MSU Open title this weekend.

#16 Paul Rands, Navy- Rands has had an interesting career starting off at Northwestern at heavyweight, then taking a two year hiatus from wrestling to complete a Mormon mission, before enrolling at the Naval Academy. The senior was an NCAA qualifier last year, and will look to end his senior year in style on the awards podium.

Other Guys to Watch:

Kyle Snyder, Ohio State- One of the most anticipated college debuts in recent memories, Snyder will look to show what the hype is all about. A three time Maryland state champ, Junior World Champ two years ago, and a Junior World Bronze medalist this year. After this weekend expect Snyder be ranked in the top ten.

My Prediciton- Kyle Snyder shows he’s ready to make a run at a national title, and wins his first collegiate tournament, projecting him into the top ten in the rankings.

 

285lbs.

#4 Adam Coon, Michigan- Coon burst onto the scene last year racking up wins over top ten opponents left and right. Coon beat J.T. Felix, Bobby Telford, Nick Gwiazdowski, Tony Nelson, and Spencer Meyers. Coon entered the Big Ten tournament ranked first in the country, and went 0-2 with one of those losses to Nick Tavanello of Ohio State. Coon went on to fall in the round of 12 to Jeremy Johnson of Ohio University. Coon will have his chance to get revenge on Tavanello in East Lansing on Sunday.

#12 Nick Tavanello, Ohio State- In his redshirt freshman season Tavanello turned heads making it to the round of 12, and this year will look to advance past the blood round, and prove that his win over Adam Coon was no fluke.

Other Guys to Watch:

Aj Viccarrando, West Virginia- The junior Mountaineer was an NCAA qualifier last year going 1-2 at the big dance, and is one of the most athletic big guys in the country.

My Prediciton- Adam Coon gets revenge for his loss at Big Ten’s and beats Tavanello in the finals.