Every March the best college wrestlers in the country, get together for the NCAA Wrestling Championships! This tournament is the culmination of a lifetime of hard work for these young men, and only one (in each weight class) can be crowned champion.
This year’s tournament takes place March 21-23th, in Kansas City, Missouri, at the T-Mobile Center.
In this article we will discuss last year’s 141 lb champion and who the top contenders are for this season.
2023 Champion: Andrew Alirez. Last season Alirez capped a perfect season going 28-0 and winning his first NCAA title. On his way to the championship he defeated Penn State’s Beau Bartlett and Iowa’s Real Woods in the finals. Alirez was expected to be the odds on favorite this year to defend his title, however he has decided to take an Olympic redshirt and is focused on freestyle wrestling. We look forward to his return next year.
This Year’s Contenders:
Real Woods of the University of Iowa started the season as the number 1 ranked wrestler in the country, and was poised to make a run at his first title. After missing a few dates in late January due to illness, Woods returned against Michigan and Penn State and just didn’t look himself. Was he still suffering from the flu? Did the 17 days off make him rusty? Or was he just out wrestled? Only time will tell. One thing I know, when Real is at this best, he is capable of beating anyone in the country. Woods is currently ranked 3rd in the country and is 18-3.
Beau Bartlett of Penn State. Beau is the #2 ranked wrestler in the country and for good reason. He has looked absolutely stellar this year with a perfect 20-1 record. He has quality wins over Real Woods and Brock Hardy already this season. At last years NCAA tournament Beau finished in 3rd place after losing in the semi’s to eventual Champion Alirez.
Sergio Lemley of Michigan is someone to keep an eye on as well. Sergio is a true freshman with a 17-7 record and is currently ranked 10th in the country. Most notably Lemley scored a major decision over then #1 ranked Real Woods. Lemley was a 3X Illinois State Champion for the famed Mount Carmel Caravan in high school. He also won Super 32, and claimed a huge win at Who’s Number 1 against Kannon Webster.
Jesse Mendez is another returning all-american, wrestling for Ohio State, Mendez placed 6th lasts season as a freshman. He has quality wins over Cael Happel, Ryan Jack, and Brock Hardy. He is currently 24-2 and ranked # in the country. He is also the reigning Big 10 Champion. The thing that makes Jesse so dangerous in the tournament setting is his endless gas tank and the relentless attacks he is known for. I expect Jesse to make a very deep run at the national tournament and wouldn’t be surprised if he won the whole dang thing.
Dark Horse Contenders: Anthony Echemendia is 16-4 and currently ranked #5 in the country. Echemendia is capable of running with the divisions big dogs as he showed pushing Real Woods to the limit earlier this season. He is very dangerous on his feet and has big throw potential as well.