Division II wrestling
J Parker Adair
Issue date: 3/9/10 Section: Sports
Anytime the best wrestlers in the country get together to compete for the top prize in their field, anything can happen. Upsets take place every year, and new champions are crowned. When the NCAA Division II wrestling tournament begins Friday, records mean nothing. No one is safe. Sixteen men in 10 weight classes are gunning for the top. Half will become All Americans. But only 10 men and one team will be able call themselves national champions.
Here is who to watch:
The battle at 125 will be a great one to watch. Seth Wright had the top seed in Super Regional IV at Adams State, but defending national champion, top-ranked Arsenia Barksdale won the tournament title at home. There could be a championship rematch here in the finals or any number of other wrestlers could contend as well. Wisconsin-Parkside's Cody Zimmerman is a likely candidate. He won the Central Missouri Super Regional in sudden victory, and his 31-5 record is the best in the field. One year ago, he had the best record in the field, but he went 0-2 in the NCAA tournament. This is the only weight class where UNO does not feature a ranked wrestler; Terrell McKinney faces No. 7 Russel Weakley of UNC-Pembroke.
This is a two-horse race. UNO's Cody Garcia and Pitt-Johnstown's Shane Valko are the clear favorites with a combine 58-1 record. Garcia is a former national champion and three-time All American. Valko was last year's runner-up (his only loss) and is a two-time All American. Garcia was named the Outstanding Wrestler for the Central Missouri Super Regional tournament.
There is a lot of parity in this weight class, but UNO's Mario Morgan (37-3), Andre Harrison of Fort Hays State (21-4), Josh Hensley of Adams State (26-4) and Limestone's Jeremy Parker (33-7) all have a shot. Morgan took third a year ago, and Nebraska product Jay Shearer was an All American last year for Augustana. An interesting first-round match will take place when Parker faces Jesse Cruz. Cruz has just eight matches on his resume this year with four wins.
Here is who to watch:
The battle at 125 will be a great one to watch. Seth Wright had the top seed in Super Regional IV at Adams State, but defending national champion, top-ranked Arsenia Barksdale won the tournament title at home. There could be a championship rematch here in the finals or any number of other wrestlers could contend as well. Wisconsin-Parkside's Cody Zimmerman is a likely candidate. He won the Central Missouri Super Regional in sudden victory, and his 31-5 record is the best in the field. One year ago, he had the best record in the field, but he went 0-2 in the NCAA tournament. This is the only weight class where UNO does not feature a ranked wrestler; Terrell McKinney faces No. 7 Russel Weakley of UNC-Pembroke.
This is a two-horse race. UNO's Cody Garcia and Pitt-Johnstown's Shane Valko are the clear favorites with a combine 58-1 record. Garcia is a former national champion and three-time All American. Valko was last year's runner-up (his only loss) and is a two-time All American. Garcia was named the Outstanding Wrestler for the Central Missouri Super Regional tournament.
There is a lot of parity in this weight class, but UNO's Mario Morgan (37-3), Andre Harrison of Fort Hays State (21-4), Josh Hensley of Adams State (26-4) and Limestone's Jeremy Parker (33-7) all have a shot. Morgan took third a year ago, and Nebraska product Jay Shearer was an All American last year for Augustana. An interesting first-round match will take place when Parker faces Jesse Cruz. Cruz has just eight matches on his resume this year with four wins.
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