For the second year in a row, the 197lb NCAA finals featured two seniors. However, that does not mean this weight is without a national finalist, as Bo Nickal is bumping up and swapping with Shakur Rasheed.

Our series on returning All-Americans by weight class continues today with light heavyweight, where there are six placers coming back. That excludes Ben Darmstadt of Cornell, the only freshman to place at 197 last season, because we are unsure if he will be wrestling this year.

Returning AAs By Weight

125 | 133 | 141 | 149 | 157 | 165 | 174 | 184

Although the Big Ten is far and away the best conference, it is actually the Big 12 who returns the most AAs, with three. Nickal and Kollin Moore give the Big Ten their two from the podium this past March, and Kyle Conel is the lone ranger from the MAC.

Please keep your eyes pealed for the 197 pound rankings, which should come out on Thursday of next week, September 27th. Until then, you'll have to make do with this list of returning AAs and episode 315 of FRL in which we discuss the 197 Tiers.

Bo Nickal, Penn State: 2, 1, 1, ?

Bo Nickal is following the Quentin Wright weight gain program, going up twice in his career, from 174 to 184 to 197. Fans will be treated to Nickal getting guaranteed matchups with the two highest returning placers in Kyle Conel and Kollin Moore, both of whom we will get into below. Much like his fellow senior Jason Nolf, Nickal can end his PSU career as one of the most decorated college wrestlers of all-time.

Kyle Conel, Kent State: DNQ, DNP, 3, ?

Perhaps the best story of last year's national tournament in Cleveland, we'll get to see Conel tested early, having Nickal and Iowa stud freshman Jacob Warner on the second weekend of the season. It's hard to jive his 11 losses with his third place finish at NCAAs, but he did make the U23 finals in June. We also have yet to see where our esteemed rankers will have Conel start the year, so stay tuned for that. Last but not least, coming soon: the Kyle Conel FloFilm.

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Kollin Moore, Ohio State: 3, 4, ?, ?

Moore's appearance on the U23 world team makes me think we won't see much if any of him in the first semester. His sophomore season was not quite as impressive as his freshman campaign, but that just meant finishing one spot lower on the podium and bonusing at a lower rate. He's still an elite 197, and most would say he'll be the biggest challenger for Nickal this season.

Jacob Holschlag, Northern Iowa: DNP, 5, ?, ?

I wonder how the Nittany Lion fans react to seeing Holschlag on this list, who beat Anthony Cassar controversially in the Scuffle semis and placed ahead of Shakur Rasheed at NCAAs in spite of losing in the first round, albeit not to Rasheed. In any case, he was UNI's 2018 version of Drew Foster in terms of surprise, not seeded AAs. The once young Panthers are now littered with upperclassmen, and will be counting on Holschlag to place again. He was a part of their crucial 2015 recruiting class that will produce six starters this year, including Max Thomsen, Taylor Lujan, and Bryce Steiert.

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Preston Weigel, Oklahoma State: R12, 6, DNP, ?

I'm not sure why anyone chooses bottom against Weigel. The 2017 All-American is the king of 6-0 wins: an escape, four points off a cross wrist tilt, and riding time. It was difficult to watch him at the end of last year knowing he was severely hampered by injury. He teched Conel in the first period in January, but was not the same guy come March. If he's fully healthy, he can be a Top-3 guy all season.

Willie Miklus, Iowa State: 7, 6, 8, ?

Not only did Miklus receive a sixth year of eligibility, but he will be spending it back in his home state. He transferred to Iowa State to finish out his career as a Cyclone under Kevin Dresser and to be closer to his family. Even with the untimely departure of Mike Zadick, things are looking up in Ames, as they now have an All-American in the lineup, as well as a guy with three years left who made the Round of 12. Combine that with Austin Gomez and Marcus Coleman coming off redshirt, as well as bringing in David Carr this year and other good recruits in 2019, and Miklus can make a huge difference if he lays a strong foundation of senior leadership for his young core of teammates.

Redshirt Report - 197 Pounds