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 184 lb champion and who the top contenders are for this season.
2023 Champion: Aaron Brooks of Penn State captured his 3rd straight NCAA title defeating Parker Keckeisen in the finals by a 7-2 score. Luckily for the rest of the 184 pound division, Brooks has decided to move up and wrestle his senior season at 197.
This Year’s Contenders:
Parker Keckeisen of the University of Northern Iowa is the odds on favorite to win his first NCAA title. He was a 2X Wisconsin state champion in high school and is already a 3X all-american, finishing 3rd twice and finishing 2nd last season. Parker has won the Big 12 tournament, the Cliff Keen Invitational, and defeated Bernie Turax at the NWCA all star classic. Parker is 23-0 and ranked first in the nation.
Dustin Plott of Oklahoma State was a 2X Oklahoma state champ in 2018 and 2019, he is also a 2X Big 12 champion and 2X all-american! Plott is 25-3 on the season and currently ranked 2nd in the nation.
Trey Munoz of Oregon State is a 3X NCAA qualifier, a 2X Pac 12 Champion, and a 2023 all-american. He is 18-3 and ranked 3rd in the country.
Dark Horse Contenders:
Isaiah Salazar of Minnesota had a very impressive Big 10 tournament, capturing his first Big Championship. He was a 4X Colorado state champion, compiling a 143-6 career record. and has qualified for the NCAA tournament 3X, he is 21-1 and ranked 6th in the nation.