Top Seniors Yet To Win An NCAA Title

As the 2021-2022 NCAA season approaches, take a look at the careers of some of the top seniors who have yet to win an NCAA Championship.

Oct 25, 2021 by Jon Kozak

The 2021-2022 NCAA season is just around the corner. This will be the last run at an NCAA Title for many seniors, but there are a few that stick out who haven’t yet won it all. Take a look below as we outline (in weight class order) some of the best group of seniors yet to win an NCAA Championship.

#3 Sebastian Rivera (Rutgers) - 133

Sebastian Rivera has two wins over the #1 ranked pound for pound college wrestling (Spencer Lee), but his NCAA title remains elusive. Questions remain regarding what weight River will go, but whether he’s at 133 or 141, he’ll have a challenging field to navigate. While both weights are loaded with talent, Rivera is more than capable to come out on top at either weight in March

NCAA Tournament Results and Losses:
2021 - 4th - Lost to Tariq Wilson and Nick Lee
2019 - 3rd - Lost to Jack Mueller
2018 - 6th - Lost to Nathan Tomasello, Darian Cruz and Talor Lamont

Best Career Wins: Spencer Lee (2), Roman Bravo-Young, Seth Gross, Pat Glory, Vito Arujau (2), Chad Red, Zeke Moisey (2), and Ronnie Bresser (2).

Sebastian Rivera's win over Spencer Lee from the 2018 Midlands Championships:

Already a subscriber? Log In

#4 Stevan Micic (Michigan) - 133

Stevan Micic is seven years removed from graduating high school but through a wild series of events has one more year of eligibility left at Michigan. Micic’s accolades illustrate the difficulty of winning an NCAA title - he’s a 3-time All-American placed 5th at the World Championships and competed in the Olympics this past summer. On top of that, Micic has notably only lost to NCAA Champions at the tournament (see below). With defending champ Roman Bravo-Young, Daton Fix, and Nick Suriano (possibly) returning, 133 will be one of the most challenging in all of college wrestling.

NCAA Tournament Results and Losses:
2019 - 3rd - Lost to Nick Suriano
2018 - 2nd - Lost to Seth Gross
2017 - 4th - Lost to Nathan Tomasello and Cory Clark

Best Career Wins: Austin Desanto (2), Nick Suriano, Sebastian Rivera, Luke Pletcher (5), Mitch McKee (3), Kaid Brock, and Zane Richards (3).

Micic's win over Austin Desanto from 2018 NCAA's:

Already a subscriber? Log In

#5 Austin Desanto (Iowa) - 133

Austin Desanto has wins over 3 different NCAA Champions but has yet to finish higher than 3rd at NCAAs. Like Micic, Desanto’s last run at a title will be at of the deepest weights. However, Desanto does have past wins over three NCAA Champions and 2 top wrestlers in the field - Stevan Micic and Roman Bravo-Young.

NCAA Tournament Results and Losses:
2021 - 3rd - Lost to Daton Fix
2019 - 5th - Lost to Luke Pletcher and Stevan Micic
2018 - R12 - Lost to Scott DelVecchio and Stevan Micic

Best Career Wins: Micky Philippi, Seth Gross, Ethan Lizak (2), Roman Bravo-Young, Stevan Micic, Nick Suriano, Jack Mueller.

Desanto's win over Nick Suriano from the 2019 Rutgers vs Iowa Dual:

#3 Jaydin Eierman (Iowa) - 141

Of any senior competing this year, Jaydin Eierman has the most wins over past NCAA Champions - 5 wins over 4 different NCAA Champs. Already a 4X All-American, Eierman could also accomplish the relatively meaningless (but rare and fun) feat of placing in sequential order. Should he win an NCAA Title this year, his placements in order will be 5th, 4th, 3rd, 2nd, and 1st.

NCAA Tournament Results and Losses:
2021 - 2nd - Lost to Nick Lee
2019 - 3rd - Lost to Yianni Diakomihalis
2018 - 4th - Lost to Yianni Diakomihalis and Joey McKenna
2017 - 5th - Lost to Bryce Meredith and Dean Heil

Best Career Wins: Yianni Diakomihalis, Nick Lee (2), Chad Red (2), Tariq Wilson, Dom Demas, Mitch McKee, Dean Heil, Anthony Ashnault, Matt Kolodzik, Joey McKenna.

Jaydin Eierman's win over Dom Demas at the 2019 NCAA Championshisp:

Already a subscriber? Log In

#6 Chad Red (Nebraska) - 141

Chad Red might not be considered a pre-season “favorite” to win an NCAA title at 141 but has always wrestled his best at the NCAA tournament. Already a three-time All-American, Red seems like a lock to win his fourth AA honors and is a dangerous threat to anyone in the 141 field.

NCAA Tournament Results and Losses:
2021 - 6th - Lost to Dylan Duncan, Tariq Wilson and Dresden Simon
2019 - 8th - Lost to Kyle Shoop, Mitch McKee and Yianni Diakomihalis
2018 - 7th - Lost to Kevin Jack and Brock Zacherl

Best Career Wins: Max Murin (3), Mitch McKee, Tariq Wilson, Yahya Thomas, Dean Heil, Tommy Thorn (2)

Chad Red's win over NCAA Champion Dean Heil at the 2018 NCAA Championships:

Already a subscriber? Log In

#2 Tariq Wilson (NC State) - 149

Tariq Wilson has two third-place finishes at the NCAA tournament and has proven to be one of the best wrestlers when the “lights are on” in March. Wilson is back for one more year but will now be competing up at 149lbs. How will his skills translate to the new weight class? We'll find out shortly but I expect Wilson to put on a show at the NCAA tournament in Detroit.

NCAA Tournament Results and Losses:
2021 - 3rd - Lost to Jaydin Eierman
2019 - R12 - Lost to John Erneste and Ethan Lizak
2018 - 3rd - Lost to Seth Gross

Best Career Wins: Chad Red, Luke Pletcher, Kaid Brock, John Erneste , Sebastian Rivera

Tariq Wilson's win over Sebastian Rivera for 3rd at the 2021 NCAA Tournament:

Already a subscriber? Log In

#3 Ryan Deakin (Northwestern) - 157

During the 2020-2021 season, Ryan Deakin looked to be the best 157 pound wrestler in the country. In what may have been the biggest upset of the tournament, Deakin’s title run was upended when Jesse Devllavecchia pinned Deakin in the semi-finals. While Deakin has a number of notable wins, he is the only wrestler to defeat last year’s national champ, David Carr, during his college career.

NCAA Tournament Results and Losses:
2021 - 3rd - Lost to Jesse Dellavecchia
2019 - 6th - Lost to Kaleb Young, Hayden Hidlay, and Kaleb Young
2018 - R16 - Lost to Brandon Sorenson and Jason Tsirtsis

Best Career Wins: Jacori Teemer (2), Brayton Lee, Kaleb Young (2), Hayden Hidlay, David Carr, Alec Pantaleo, Pat Lugo, Jason Tsirtsis

Ryan Deakin's win over David Carr from the 2019 CKLV Tournament:

#3 Alex Marinelli (Iowa) - 165

Alex Marinelli has put together four incredible regular seasons during his time at Iowa. While his NCAA tournaments haven’t been a complete disappointment, his highest placement was during his freshman year when he placed 6th. Marinelli’s record illustrates this further - 64-4 record in the regular season and big ten tournament but a 9-6 record at the NCAA tournament. Though his first 3 tournaments have been unsuccessful, Marinelli is more than capable of defeating anyone in the 165 pound field and taking home the a national title from Detroit in March.

NCAA Tournament Results and Losses:
2021 - R12 - Lost to Shane Griffith and Cam Amine - 2-1
2019 - 7th - Lost to Chance Marsteller and Mekhi Lewis - 4-2
2018 - 6th - Lost to Evan Wick, David McFadden and Isaiah Martinez - 3-3

Best Career Wins: Vincenzo Joseph (3), David McFadden, Isaiah White (2), Evan Wick (4), Logan Massa (2), Joe Smith, Josh Shields.

Alex Marinelli's win over Vincenzo Joseph in the 2019 Big Ten Finals:

#4 Evan Wick (Cal Poly) - 165

Because of the covid year, and because he chose to redshirt last year, Evan Wick will only wrestle in 3 NCAA Tournaments during his college career. Wick has made the most of his tournaments up to this point putting together a third and fourth-place finish. In 2021-2022, Wick will have to navigate a 165 pound field that includes returning national champion Shane Griffith, NCAA Runner-Up Jake Wentzel, Junior Wolrd Champ Keegan O’Toole and Alex Marinelli.

NCAA Tournament Results and Losses:
2019 - 4th - Lost to Chance Marsteller and Mekhi Lewis
2018 - 3rd - Lost to David McFadden

Best Career Wins: Isaiah White (5), Alex Marinelli, Chance Marsteller (2), Logan Massa (3)

Evan Wick's win over Chance Marsteller for 3rd place at the 2018 NCAA Championships:

Already a subscriber? Log In

#4 Hayden Hidlay (NC State) - 174

Hayden Hidlay has been one of the best and most consistent 157 pound wrestlers over the past 4 years. Now up at 174, Hidlay will test himself against an entirely new crop of competitors. Hidlay proved at the world team trials he can handle himself just fine at 174 pounds and even secured a takedown against Jordan Burroughs in a tight, 7-3 match.

NCAA Tournament Results and Losses:
2021 - 5th - Lost to Jacori Teemer and David Carr
2019 - 4th - Lost to Jason Nolf and Alec Pantaleo
2018 - 2nd - Lost to Jason Nolf

Best Career Wins: Brayton Lee, Jesse Dellavecchia, Ryan Deakin, Alec Pantaleo (2), Tyler Berger (2), Micah Jordan, Mitch Finesilver (3), Joey Lavallee

Hayden Hidlay's win over Ryan Deakin from the 2019 NCAA Tournament:

Already a subscriber? Log In

#2 Michael Kemerer (Iowa) - 174

In three NCAA tournaments, Michael Kemerer has never finished lower than 4th and has wins over 3 different NCAA Champs throughout his career. Carter Starocci took out Kemerer in the finals last year and this year’s bracket looks to be even more impressive. NCAA Champ Mekhi Lewis is reportedly bumping up in weight along with 3X All-American Hayden Hidlay.

NCAA Tournament Results and Losses:
2021 - 2nd - Lost to Carter Starocci
2018 - 4th - Lost to Tyler Berger and Jason Nolf
2017 - 3rd - Lost to Dylan Palacio

Best Career Wins: Carter Starocci, Bernie Truax, Logan Massa, Mark Hall, Devin Skatzka (2), Joe Smith (3), Mikey Labriola, Alec Pantaleo, Joey Lavallee, Josh Shields (2), Micah Jordan, Tyler Berger (3), Hayden Hidlay, and Jason Tsirtsis.

Michael Kemerer's win over Mark Hall from the 2020 Iowa vs Penn State Dual:

#2 Myles Amine (Michigan) - 184

Myles Amine is an Olympic bronze medalist but has never won an NCAA Title! He’s already a 4-time All-American and, like his teammate Stevan Micic, he’s only lost to NCAA Champs at the NCAA Tournament. After spending last season at 197 pounds, Amine will drop to 184 this year and will be challenged by last year’s National Champ and Runner-up - Aaron Brooks and Trent Hidlay. Amine and Brooks have never wrestled in the past but Hidlay holds a win in freestyle over Amine from the RTC Cup in December of 2020.

NCAA Tournament Results and Losses:
2021 - 3rd - Lost to AJ Ferrari
2019 - 3rd - Lost to Mark Hall
2018 - 3rd - Lost to Zahid Valencia
2017 - 4th - Lost to Zahid Valencia twice

Best Career Wins: Jacob Warner (2), Rocky Elam, Michael Beard (2), Mikey Labriola (2), Daniel Lewis (3), Jordan Kutler (3), Bo Jordan (3), Devin Skatzka (2), Kaleb Young, Brian Realbuto, Alex Meyer (2).

Myles Amine's win for third place over Jacob Warner at the 2021 NCAA Tournament:

Already a subscriber? Log In

While there are still five months before the NCAA Tournament, following the last season of the above wrestlers will be one of the best parts of the upcoming season.