One of the most frequent questions I’ve been asked since the 2019 NCAA Wrestling brackets dropped is who are my sleepers?  What high seeds could make a run?  They act like they care about my opinion, but really they are scouring anyone for information so they can bolster their fantasy teams and dunk on their friends. I see through every last one of you.

The cinderella stories of NCAA’s are so frequent, that they can sometimes be approximately predicted.  I think there are two different kinds of dark horses, sleepers, party crashers. I couldn't decide which of the three terms was the most compelling and would compel you to click at the highest possible rate.  So I made the seasoned decision of including all three.  It's NCAA week, I'm holding nothing back.  Whatever we’re calling them, here’s how I break it down.

There’s the super high seed guys with a shot to place (Tariq Wilson, Sa'Derian Perry, Chad Red), then there’s the Ronnie Perry, Zeke Moisey mega-run types who have the talent to take their runs to the finals.  Zeke was an unseeded finalist in 2015, and Perry the 15 last year at 149.  

So I’ll give you my list for each, and you can take them all to the bank, except the guys who didn’t do good, which isn’t my fault because I promise you they all had a combination of the flu, a bad weight cut and a nagging rib injury.  You just can’t predict these things.

Ok let’s start at 125.  I really don’t see a ton here folks.  I know not a great start hang with me.

125

#9 Vito Arujau, Cornell: He has been given the dark horse label since he cut down to 125.  Very trendy pick.  Too mainstream for me.  

I’m going to Fargo with #10 Brent Fleetwood, NDSU.    He’ll have Glory in r2 then Pich.  So what am I saying?  As far as 10 seeds go, he’s got skills in all positions.  If there’s a deep run rando in the mix, it’s Brent Fleetwood (or someone else, can't rule it out).

Now there are  some guys in the 20+ seed range I could see making a run to the round of 12 where only crazy things happen.  UNI’s Jay Schwarm has a fair draw out of the 21.  Unfortunately his R12 draw will likely feature the Seabass/Vito loser.  

133

Trendy mainstream sleeper picks: #11 Tariq Wilson (it literally has already happened), #13 Austin Gomez.  

#12 Montorie Bridges, Wyoming: Wow, a not-great-seeded-Wyoming Cowboy.  Why would a guy of this nature end up on this list!?  Pay only attention to the things I tell you to with Montorie.  The matches he looked bad early:  Throw them out.  Actually, please recycle.   Since a rough CKLV (literally what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, including that version of Montorie) he’s gone 16-2 with a 4-2 loss to Daton and a 6-5 loss to Tariq Wilson.  Coach Branch gets em ready for primetime.  Deep run potential for Montorie.

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#21 Cam Sykora, NDSU: My guy is a monster on top.  He’s got the aforementioned Montorie Bridges in round 1, so that’s sub optimal (6-5 win for Montorie at CKLV).  But I really dig his skill set.  He had a disastrous Big 12’s losing to Joint, Madrigal and Schmitt.  So this is the classic buy low.

#20 Brandon Paetzell, Lehigh: He has wins this year over #9 John Erneste and #12 Montorie Bridges.  

#19 Josh Terao, American:  I actually don’t see how he’d do it, but he had a great EIWA’s, taking out Paetzell before losing to Tucker.  His draw is so bad though!  If he beats Myers, in r1, he could be in ok shape.  But if he loses his backside will go through the Phillippi/Gomez loser and the Montorie/Pletcher loser.  Just to get to the round of 12.  If he can knock of Myers, it is more manageable. 

141

#11 Tristan Moran, Wisconsin: He might be the trendy pick here with wins over Alber and Nick Lee this year.  His counter/top game skill set is a bit nerve-wracking to gameplan against.  Staying fundamental against Tristan is a key.

#20 Matt Findlay, Utah Valley: My guys body aint super durable.  But if he can just piece it together a few days, he could leave an AA.   He’s 14-2 with losses only to Mitch McKee and a Josh Alber injury default.  He can wrestle a hard pace, and is extremely solid fundamentally.  He knocked off Tristan Moran, Chad Red, Nate Limmex, Jamal Morris and Sam Krivus.  

#16 Chad Red, Nebraska: I actually don’t even want to include Red.  If he was given a seed relative to his body of work, this wouldn’t be a discussion.  There’s a case, a strong case, he could be a top 10 seed. He beat the 8 seed at Big 10’s.  Outplaced the 6 seed. I could go on.  So yes, I think Red does well.  My bracket has Red finishing in 6th behind Alber.  

#22 Max Murin, Iowa: I like his draw, even with a loss to Moran potentially in round 1. Look at his path: Sparacio, Headlee, Findlay then likely Mitch McKee in the round of 12.  No path is fun at this weight, but for a guy with Murin’s pedigree, this is reasonable.

#13 Kyle Shoop, Lock Haven: Ok, yes, I’m only putting him in because Willie mentioned him on FRL Pre-NCAA Mega Show and I don’t want him to be able to gloat too much if he breaks through.  Now he’s in my article too Willie.  But in all seriousness, Shoops losses are to Yianni, Demas, Nick Lee, Cam Kelly and DJ Fehlman (teammate).  Not bad, not bad!

149

#13 Anthony Artalona, Penn: Ever since we saw this quarter, the boys and I have been predicting chaos in the Kolodzik/Mauller/Artalona/Berge quarter.  Great shot at a wildcard semifinalist.  Artalona has really fit the bill for a True Freshman, and just won EIWA’s.  Coming out of HS (literally last year) Artalona was a better prospect than Mauller.  Do you mean to tell me these two are really worlds apart already?  

#12 Brady Berge, Penn State: Yeah kinda the same thing with Artalona.  I don’t really like his match up against Kolodzik.  Berge needs that re-attack, and Kolodzik won’t likely put himself in that position.  Still though, he’s got the pedigree to make a run.

#22 Henry Pohlmeyer, SDSU: I call him Hank, not sure why.  I think he’s a pretty tough out at 22, and could potentially take out Josh Heil in R1 (I also really like Heil, btw).  Win or lose, Pohlmeyer has a navigable run to the round of 12 where he’ll hit a combo of Berge, Mauller and the G/Lugo winner.  

157

I see nothing. I won’t make anything up either.  Did this guarantee that 157 gets thrown into mayhem?  Probably, but I can’t call it. Big shout to the 9 seed Christian Pagdilao though. I think he places.  Wow, what a scorching take.  Get the aloe vera.  

165

#9 Demetrius Romero, Utah Valley: I think Romero could have a great run.  Being top side with Bull isn’t ideal, and I’m not assuming the Lewis win either.  That said, a D1 coach texted me after Big 12’s that Romero could be the candidate to reach Kyle Conel status in terms of breakout status.  That stood out to me, so I’m including him.  

#10 Branson Ashworth, Wyoming:  If this dude got the 11 seed, I’d say he could make the semi’s.  Unfortunately, if Ashworth does well, he’ll very likely fall to Cenzo in the quarters.  IF he were the 11, I think he could beat Massa and Shields.  He’s right there with those guys.  He’s got strong leg attacks, good defense and can ride.  I love the varied ways he can win.

#33 Joe Smith, Ok State: Wow, what incredible foresight and analysis.  Who but I could have identified such a talented wildcard?

174

I don’t see any here, and you can’t make me say otherwise. If you’re desperate for a name, fine.  Here you go: #14 Kimball Bastian, Utah Valley.

184

#11 Lou Deprez, Binghamton: Did Lou get pinned in a tilt by Drew Foster in the first period of CKLV? Yes.  Would he likely see Foster in round 2?  Yes.  Is red-hot Zach Zavatsky his next opponent should he beat Foster.  Yes.  Do I care?  No, not at all.  This is a dark horse article, not a conventional wisdom article.  Lou Deprez is a super talent.  He’s phenomenal on top and he can go on his feet as well.  

#26 Dakota Geer, Ok State: He and Joe Smith are seeding victims of the late OSU lineup shift.  Having a banged up Reenan in round 1, then Sammy Colbray isn’t a bad start for the 26 seed.  Shakur waits in the quarters, which is likely bad news, but as far as 2 seeds go.  Well, ya know.

197

#13 Malik McDonald, NC State: The ACC Champ is someone I saw coming a few years ago, and I said so.  Then I looked sorta silly for a few years, but it’s all paying off now baby!  The thing is, this weight isn’t great.  It’s why a zero time AA was able to bump up and win it a year ago.  Hey, whaddya know, he went to NC State (shout out Macch 5)! Having Brucki so early isn’t ideal, but that match could be close, at least from a scoring perspective.  

285

#29 Sam Stoll, Iowa:  I’m ready to say it.  Sam Stoll is the most dangerous 29 seed in NCAA wrestling history!  In all seriousness, if he can regain his top form that he had reached this season, he can go with a lot of these guys.  Remember it was a 1 td match with Derek White not so long ago.  He’s going to be in these matches.  I hope for Sam’s sake he can give an approximate representation of his skills in his last tournament.  If he can tie up and move Wood around, he could have the power advantage.  I know, he lost to Jacob Aven, give me some liberty though here people.  It’s Sam freaking Stoll!

#17 David Jensen, Nebraska: I could totally see him placing.  I like his draw to the round of 12 where he’ll get the Dhesi/Gable loser (provided Jensen beats Singletary).  Dhesi on his game is surely better, but we have no clue if that’s the case with Amar.  

CP's Final Thought:

That's a wrap  Those are mine.  There are many other dark horses that I know will place or make the NCAA finals, I'm just not sharing those with you.  I'll tell you after NCAA's which ones they were.  Thanks for reading! Not long before whistles start blowing!