The top NCAA Division 2 wrestlers will be in Indianapolis this weekend to compete in the Midwest Classic. In the benchmark tournament for the first half of the season, the field includes 15 of the top 20 teams in Division 2 rankings, including top-ranked Central Oklahoma. The Bronchos will look to continue their dominance at national tournaments after pulling away from the field at the NCAA tournament last year. UCO is also the defending Midwest Classic champions, winning the 2022 edition by more than 80 points.  

The two-day tournament will set the stage for the rest of the season and provide a clearer picture of where wrestlers rank going into the winter holiday break. Here are five things to watch for in Indianapolis this weekend: 

Potential NCAA Finals Preview

The field at the Midwest Classic is loaded. With seven of the 10 weight classes featuring the #1- and #2-ranked wrestlers we could see a preview of the national tournament in these weight classes. This includes a potential NCAA finals rematch at 133 between Gavin Quiocho (Glenville State College) and Quentrevion Campbell (Chadron State College), in which Quiocho came out on top of a closely contested 4-3 match. 

Another key match that may happen at the Midwest Classic includes a matchup at 149 pounds between #1 Wyatt Turnquist of Northern State and #2 Christian Small of Lake Erie. Turnquist is a returning All-American, finishing third last season and Small was a national runner-up at 141 pounds before moving up a weight this season. 

There are also three returning national champions competing this weekend: Quiocho at 133 pounds, Zackary Donathan (Tiffin) at 141 and Chase Luensman (Upper Iowa) at 165. 

141 Is Loaded

This weekend, the 141-pound weight class may be the toughest from top to bottom. With all top five wrestlers in the rankings competing it should be a barnburner. The weight class features: 

#1 Donathan (Tiffin)

#2 Jake Niffenegger (Mercyhurst) 

#3 Dylan Lucas (Central Oklahoma)

#4 Tate Murty (Upper Iowa) 

#5 Cayden Henschel (UW-Parkside) 

This is the first time that any of these wrestlers have seen each other this season and while Donathan is the reigning champion and clear favorite, there are plenty of others capable of taking home the title. Dylan Lucas is coming off a season in which he placed third at the NCAA tournament last season at 133 pounds and this is the first time we will get to see what he can do in the heavier weight class. Niffenegger and Murty squared off for seventh place at last year’s NCAAs, with Niffenegger coming up with the 10-6 decision. 

Short-Staffed Central Oklahoma 

Ordinarily, Central Oklahoma would be the hands-down favorites this weekend. However, the Bronchos will be short-handed this weekend with #5 Studd Morris (125), #7 Anthony DesVisgne (184), and #1 Dalton Abney (197) sitting out. Additionally, Shawn Streck, the returning national champion at 285 pounds is not eligible to come back until after winter breaking. 

UCO coach Todd Stiedley notes that this weekend will be a good test for his young lineup. 

"There are a lot of really good teams in the tournament and it's going to be a big challenge for us," Steidley said. "We're missing a few starters, but it's a great opportunity for some of our guys and I'm excited to see what we can do.” 

Even with these starters out UCO still may be in the title hunt, they are a deep team with talent beyond their starting varsity lineup. Guy Clevinger (125), Garrett Wells (184), and Emmanuel Skillings (197) have filled in successfully with a combined record of 37-14 it would not be a surprise if these three could help to power the Bronchos to another Midwest Classic title. 

Indy On Home Mat 

With several key Bronchos out, third-ranked Indianapolis could be positioned to capture the title at its home tournament. The Greyhounds are led by a pair of highly ranked wrestlers: #2 Derek Blubaugh (197) and #1 Cale Grey (285). Blubaugh is a two-time NCAA finalist, finishing second to UCO’s Dalton Abney in each of the last two seasons. Both of these wrestlers will enter the weekend as favorites to win their respective brackets. 

Third-ranked 157-pounder Logan Bailey will also have a good shot to make a deep run in the bracket. Outside of the top three wrestlers, UIndy has depth, with #7 Blake Mulkey (141), #9 Jackson Hoover (149), and #12 Owen Zablocki (165) rounding out a tough Greyhound lineup. 

Lander As A Spoiler

After finishing as national runner-ups in 2023, Lander is looking to win a title this season. Lander is currently ranked #7 in the FloWrestling team rankings. However, there is good reason to believe Lander could play the roll of spoiler this weekend. With three wrestlers ranked second — James Joplin (125), David Hunsberger (165), and Juan Edmond-Holmes (285) — the Bearcats are poised to make a run. It is also worth noting that at some point two-time All-American and 2022 National Champion Zeth Brower (149) is set to return to the lineup. 

Brower's return adds to the Lander firepower. The Bearcats also have solid wrestlers in #9 Jack Tangen (165), #12 Anthony Yacovetti (197), and returning All-American Elijah Lusk (133) who are all capable of scoring big points. 

”We are really fortunate we have some great depth this year, we have four or maybe five guys that are going to be in the hunt for a national championship this year," Lander coach R.C. LaHaye said. “We are just excited, for the whole team, its not just one or two guys this year, I feel like he have 10 to 15 guys that could be All-Americans at the Division 2 level.”

For Lander winning the Midwest Classic would be a great way to cement its presence as one of the top teams in Division 2. This weekend will have a lot of great wrestling and will set the stage for the second half of the season as teams get into the meat of their schedule and start preparing for Super Regionals and the NCAA tournament.