We know the field for Universities, and we all know who the big hitters are.  There are implications and information that will resonate far beyond this two day tournament in Akron.  It was here a year ago I bought all available stock in Anthony Collica after watching him down Jason Tsirtsis and Brandon Sorensen.  Though Tommy Gantt didn’t win, watching him here gave me confidence in him for the d1 season.  

This year, we’ll see similar cases.  I have a few big questions coming into Akron.  Here are a few of the biggest questions of the University Trials that I believe will have D1 implications.

How is Chance Marsteller looking at Lock Haven?
The path for Chance to Lock Haven is a story in itself.  He had some ups and downs at Oklahoma State.  His time at 165 was successful.  At 157 he really struggled.  Watching Chance compete closer to his natural weight and having trained in a different room could tell a lot about his prospects next year for Lock Haven.  He could face D1 hammers Isaiah Martinez, Tommy Gantt,  Chad Walsh and Chad Welch this weekend.  Win or lose, we’ll find out which way Chance is trending.

How has Ali Naser progressed at Arizona State?
So far, the only things I can reference with Naser are his wins a year ago over Coleman Scott and one this Winter over Nathan Tomasello.  ASU is ready to unleash their hammer recruiting class next year.  The lightweights are the biggest question marks for the Sun Devils.  If Naser can get consistent leg attack takedowns in a field that could be the deepest of any weight this weekend, we’ll know approximately where he’ll project next year at 133 for ASU.


How close are Mike Kemerer and Brandon Sorensen?
I think this is the biggest question for me.  Nobody seems to know for sure between these two who will be 149 and who will be 157.  Brandon Sorensen is by far a more proven prospect, but the reports about Kemerer are nothing but glowing.  I learned a little, but not much about Kemerer at UWW Junior Nationals.  Here he’ll hit a lot more talent.  We’ll find out who looks better both potentially head to head as well as against other tough competition.  If Kemerer looks like a World Beater here, maybe you think he’s a good fit for 157.  If he struggles a little physically and Sorensen does well, perhaps that’s indicative of a move up for the two-time All American.  Perhaps one will separate themselves from the other and definitively say “___ is my weight!”


How has Jered Cortez progressed at Penn State?
The Nittany Lions got a clutch transfer last Summer when Jered Cortez decided to head to Happy Valley.  He had a pretty strong showing last season in Folkstyle but he didn’t face a lot of elite competition.  Here he’ll be in the 61kg bracket with the likes of Zane Richards, Alan Waters and Earl Hall.  He’s likely going to be the 133 next year for the defending champion PSU squad.  His points could prove essential with Ohio State, Iowa and others having very strong teams.  Also, he's wrestling both styles this weekend.  So he'll be getting plenty of mat time. 

How will Isaiah Martinez look at 163.5?
This isn’t a “Wow, I wonder if IMAR can handle the move up?” question.  It’s a “8 more pounds of muscle on IMAR? How scary will this be?” I think the move up won’t limit his strength and power advantage over his competition, rather enhance it.  He could become more of a nightmare to deal with.  The natural reaction too often when guys move up is that they’ll have a decreased strength advantage.  I think we’ve seen countless times that moving up can be very beneficial.  I think that’s what we’ll see with Martinez.