Certainly, everyone has their eyes on the EIWA's lone returning NCAA champion, Darian Cruz, heading into this weekend's conference tournament. But this year the EIWA has been dominated by a trio of freshmen and a super-sized heavyweight.

EIWA Championships

Date: March 3-4 | Time: 10 AM CT | Where: Hempstead, NY
Broadcast Info: WATCH LIVE HERE

Mike Hughes, Hofstra

Let’s start with the big guy. Mike Hughes has proved to be a terror. He finished fifth at the Southern Scuffle to start out 2018 and will now look to be a beam of light for Hofstra at EIWAs after the Pride were unable to record a win in the first round of last year’s tournament. 

By The Numbers

Pins: 17

Techs: 2

Majors: 2

Record: 30-2

Watch Hughes dominate in the first round at the Southern Scuffle:

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Ben Darmstadt, Cornell

Ben Darmstadt, aka the 197-pound pinning machine, has climbed his way to the top of the weight class and avenged his only loss of the year by completely flipping the result. That loss came in November. Since then he has been perfect.

By The Numbers

Pins: 16

Techs: 3

Majors: 5

Record: 27-1

Yianni Diakomihalis, Cornell

Let’s move to another part of the Big Red's lineup, specifically where true freshman Yianni Diakomihalis resides in the 141-pound spot. Yianni D came in with high expectations and has lived up to the hype. He’s already taken out an NCAA finalist in Bryce Meredith en route to his Cliff Keen Las Vegas title. 

By The Numbers

Pins: 8

Techs: 7

Majors: 6

Record: 28-1

Watch Yianni and Meredith in a wild match:

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Austin Desanto, Drexel

Lastly is the man with one of the highest paces we have ever seen. Austin DeSanto has really turned heads this year with his breakneck pace. As the true freshman approaches his first EIWA championship tournament, he is the projected top seed at 133 with his eyes on the top of the podium.

Also, check out "Austin Desanto’s Vision Quest" to get a peek behind the curtain of the rising star.

By The Numbers

Pins: 2

Techs: 10 (6 in the first period, 4 in under 2 minutes, 1 in 58 seconds)

Majors: 3

Record: 23-4