The first weekend of any college wrestling season is a time for hope and optimism. It's the first look at new singlets, weight changes, and transfers. But perhaps most importantly, it is the all important first impression of a brand new crop of freshmen.

The Class of 2018 has a lot to live up to, considering the 2017 group had two NCAA champs as true freshmen. They might not have that same kind of immediate top level impact this season, but man did they impress in their first weekend in action.

Here's a stat for you: the Top-23 guys from the 2018 Big Board lost just four matches this weekend. Four of them didn't wrestle, but the other 19 debutants made huge splashes. One of them won't be mentioned below, so they'll get their due here: Peyton Mocco beating David Carr 9-8.

Before we start, this article will not be comprehensive. There are far too many freshmen and far too many events to shine a light on each and every one of them. But here's a few performances that stood apart to us. The numbers next to their names represent their final Big Board rank.

#1 Gable Steveson, Minnesota: Daktronics Champ

A common theme from the weekend is that very few of these freshmen got any jaw dropping wins, so that's not really the point here. Steveson was maybe the best high school wrestler of all-time, and an uber recruit, but his last match was a loss at Junior worlds that kept him from earning a medal. He put up 35 points and scored 14 takedowns, an auspicious start to his college career. One last note though, Steveson posted an Instagram story stating that the plan at this time is for him to redshirt.

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#2 Aaron Brooks, OTC (Penn State): Cowboy Open Champ

Again, it's not about who he beat, just that Brooks appears to be on the road to being the next transcendent PSU talent. He led a whole group of guys training at the OTC this year who competed at the Cowboy Open, getting a tech in the finals of the Elite division.

#3 Mason Parris, Michigan: MSU Open Champ

It's a bit odd looking back at the Big Board and seeing two heavyweights in the Top-3. But Parris rolled through his bracket, beating two NCAA qualifiers and his closest match being 10-4 with four takedowns, with a 14-second pin over #15 Matt Stencel in the finals. Sidebar, Anthony Cassioppi won his wrestle-off 2-0 against Aaron Costello.

#8 Jacori Teemer, Arizona State: Won Intrasquad Match

Teemer is at 149 right now, and he defeated #13 Josh Maruca 7-5 in ASU's Gold and Maroon intrasquad. It's not a wrestle-off and Teemer is likely to redshirt, but this one has some shades of the Austin O'Connor win over Troy Heilmann from UNC's wrestle-off last year.

#17 Patrick Glory, Princeton: Princeton Open Champ

I boldly picked Glory to be an All-American this year and haven't thought twice about it. One tournament in and I'm feeling pretty good about that pick. Two nine point wins, one over #16 Devin Schroder of Purdue, and two pins, not too shabby. Considering that Schroder beat #13 Gabe Townsell, Glory could find himself shooting up the rankings this week.

Opening Weekend Box Scores

#19 Shane Griffith, Stanford: Princeton Open Champ

Griffith's signature win at the Princeton Open was an 18-3 thrashing of 2x qualifier Seldon Wright. Griffith is at 165 this year and can clearly go right away. The three-time New Jersey state champ could be joined in the Cardinal lineup by another true freshmen below.

#21 Real Woods, Stanford: Princeton Open Champ

The only real letdown for the Stanford coaching staff is that they didn't get to see Woods against returning All-American Sa'Derian Perry. In the finals against #13 Nate Limmex, the score entering the third period was 0-0 before Woods got a quick escape, took him down with 1:33 to go and then rode the Purdue junior out for the 4-0 win.

#26 Anthony Artalona, Penn: MSU Open Champ

The Florida native looked excellent in his debut, taking down his four opponents a total of 14 times while not giving up any points on his feet. His wins were over Breyden Bailey, AJ Jaffe, McCoy Kent, and Ben Lamantia. This performance probably won't get him ranked, but it got our attention.

#28 Will Lewan, Michigan: MSU Open Champ

Lewan's is an extension from last week, when he split with teammate Alec Pantaleo in the Maize and Blue intrasquad. This time around, he put Pantaleo on his back in the first 20 seconds of the bout and scored a takedown in sudden victory to secure a 10-8 win in the finals. Given that Pantaleo is a senior I doubt they pull Lewan's redshirt, but the Cadet world champ is now 2-1 against a two-time All-American ranked #4 at his weight.

#47 Brandon Whitman, North Carolina: Hokie Open Champ

In case you haven't noticed, this list features guys who won the "Open" divisions of tournaments, not the freshman/sophomore one. Whitman's run included a 9-5 win over NCAA qualifier Randall Diabe in the finals, putting the App State senior on his back for the four back points that would ultimately be the difference in the match.

#73 Brock Mauller, Missouri: Cyclone Open Champ

Mauller might have honestly had the most impressive opening weekend of any freshman, taking out NCAA qualifier Cole Martin in the semis before dominating #12 Jarrett Degen six takedowns to none in the finals. It was the highest ranked win of anyone who graduated high school in 2018.