It’s almost college wrestling season! Before the 2022-23 Division 1 season kicks off, get to know the wrestlers who are carrying the longest winning streaks into this year.

12) Chance Lamer, Michigan - 10

Last Loss: December 11, 2021, Cleveland State Open to Marcus Robinson (Cleveland State), 12-5

Chance Lamer closed out his redshirt year for the Michigan Wolverines by winning 10 straight matches and two open tournaments  - The Edinboro and Purple Raider Opens. In total, Lamer compiled a 17-2 record in his redshirt season with notable wins coming over past National Qualifiers Lawrences Saenz, Marcus Robinson, and Graham Rooks. As Michigan’s projected starting 149-pounder for the upcoming season, Lamer is sure to be tested from the start and could potentially face #4, Sammy Sasso, the first weekend of the season at the Michigan State Open.

T9) Kyle Haas, Oklahoma State - 11

Last Loss: None

Haas went undefeated in his redshirt year winning three open tournaments. Despite the undefeated record, Haas didn’t wrestle any National Qualifiers last season and is currently projected to be the backup behind Travis Wittlake. Though he'll be the backup, Haas will be a wrestler to watch moving forward for the Cowboys.

T9) Jaxon Smith, Maryland - 11

Last Loss: January 1, 2022, Southern Scuffle to Jaron Smith (Maryland), 20

Jaxon Smith had an outstanding calendar year putting together a 23-6 redshirt year and making a U20 world team. Smith closed out his redshirt season winning three open tournaments and is set to be the starter this year for Maryland at 197 pounds. 

T9) Max Dean, Penn State - 11

Last Loss: January 23, 2022, Michigan State dual to Cam Caffey (Michigan State), 3-2

Max Dean won his first NCAA title last season by taking out Jacob Warner in the NCAA finals, 3-2. Dean’s season was characterized by winning close matches against some of the best guys in the country. In total, Dean won 7 of his 23 matches by 2 points or less. As impressive as that is, Dean was unable to get by Cam Caffey in their dual showdown falling by decision, 3-2. It’s worth noting that Dean got revenge over Caffey just over a month later at the Big Ten Tournament. 

Highlights of Max Dean's win over Jacob Warner in the 2022 NCAA Finals:

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8) Luka Wick, Cal Poly - 12

Last Loss: None

Luka Wick was perfect in his redshirt season for Cal Poly compiling a 12-0 record. On top of the undefeated year, 9 of Wick’s wins came by bonus points - 8 pins and 1 tech. Wick will start at 157-pounds for Cal Poly this year and looks to be a serious All-American contender. 

7) Boo Dryden, Nebraska - 14

Last Loss: March 18, 2021, NCAA Championships to Michael McGee (Arizona State), 16-3

After qualifying for the NCAA Tournament for Minnesota in 2021, Dryden transferred to Nebraska and went undefeated in his redshirt season, going 14-0. Dryden’s competition was down last year but will likely qualify for the NCAA tournament this year and should work his way up the rankings at 133.

6) Carter Starocci, Penn State - 28

Last Loss: March 6, 2021, Big Ten Championships to Michael Kemerer (Iowa), 7-2

Carter Starocci is a 2-time NCAA Champion with his last loss coming against Michael Kemerer in the 2021 Big Ten finals. Starocci has since avenged that loss three times over Kemerer and will carry a hefty winning streak into his NCAA finals rematch against Mekhi Lewis at the NWCA All-Star Classic. Their finals match was decided in tie-breakers with Starocci holding 15 seconds more of riding time than Lewis. We should expect to see another ultra-competitive match at the All-Star Classic that’s decided by the slimmest of margins. 

Highlights of Carter Starocci's win over Mekhi Lewis in the 2022 NCAA finals:

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5) Keegan O’Toole, Missouri - 29

Last Loss: March 18, 2021, NCAA Championships to Jake Wentzel (Pittsburgh), 9-6

Keegan O’Toole won an incredibly deep weight class last year at the NCAA Tournament with consecutive wins over Anthony Valencia, Carson Kharchla, Cam Amine, and Shane Griffith. On top of that impressive run, O’Toole has compiled a 44-1 career record with his only loss coming in the quarter-finals of the 2021 NCAA tournament. O’Toole will be tested once again this year by a 165-pound field that contains 2 former NCAA champs in Shane Griffith and David Carr along with a number of returning All-Americans. 

Keegan O'Toole's win over Shane Griffith in the 2022 NCAA finals:

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4) Roman Bravo-Young, Penn State - 36

Last Loss: March 7, 2020, Big Ten Championships to Sebastian Rivera (Northwestern), 7-2

Not only does RBY bring a 36-match winning streak into his final season at Penn State, but what’s more impressive is who he has defeated during that streak. Since March of 2020, RBY has 4 wins over Austin DeSanto, 2 over Daton Fix, and 4 other wins over former All-Americans. Bravo-Young will likely have to get by Fix one more time to end his career as a 3-time NCAA champion. 

Roman Bravo-Young's win over Daton Fix in the 2022 NCAA finals:

3) Spencer Lee, Iowa - 38

Last Loss: March 9, 2019, Big Ten Championships to Sebastian Rivera (Northwestern), 6-4 SV1

Spencer Lee will make his return to the mat this year for his final season on his quest to become a 4-time NCAA champion. Lee’s torn ACLs have been the focus of the wrestling community over the past 2 years but that only adds to how impressive he’s been on the mat. Despite injury, Lee has an almost 80% career bonus rate and hasn’t lost in over 3 and a half years. We’re not sure when Lee will take the mat, but all eyes will be on Lee this year as he attempts to make history for the Hawkeyes. 

Spencer Lee's win over Brandon Courtney in the 2021 NCAA finals:

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2) Gable Steveson, Minnesota - 52

Last Loss: March 20, 2021, NCAA Championships to Anthony Cassar, 4-3

Will Gable Steveson return this year to defend his heavyweight crown? Rumors are certainly swirling and because he has a year of eligibility remaining, we’ll include him in this list. Steveson’s run over the past 3 seasons has been impressively dominant. During his 52-match winning streak, 39 of those wins have come by bonus - 9 pins, 14 techs, and 16 majors. Steveson is a generational talent at heavyweight and will be the biggest favorite in the country to win an NCAA title if he returns to the Gophers for one final run.

Gable Steveson's win over Cohlton Schultz in the 2022 NCAA Finals:

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1) Yianni Diakomihalis, Cornell - 75

Last Loss: December 30, 2017, Missouri Dual to Jaydin Eierman (Missouri), 9-6

If it weren’t for a 10-second lapse against Jaydin Eierman, Yianni Diakomihalis would be carrying a 95-0 record into his final season at Cornell. Despite that loss in late December of 2017, Diakomihalis has established a legendary college career and will certainly go down as one of the all-time greats. Fresh off his world silver performance in Serbia, Yianni’s quest for a 4th NCAA title will begin November 19th against Wisconsin’s returning All-American #3 Austin Gomez. On top of that match with Gomez, Yianni has potential matches this year against #2 Ridge Lovett, #4 Sammy Sasso, and #6 Kyle Parco. 

Yianni's win over Ridge Lovett in the 2022 NCAA finals:

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Following the winning streaks of these wrestlers will be one of the most intriguing parts of the upcoming season. If we missed a wrestler, let me know at Jonathan.Kozak@flosports.tv or @KozakJon.