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 149 lb champion and who the top contenders are for this season.

2023 Champion: Yianni Diakomihalis completed his quest for four NCAA titles defeating Ohio States Sammy Sasso in the finals by a score of 4-2. Yianni’s college career will be remembered as one of the most dominant in NCAA history. Yianni finished his career with an impressive 115-2 college record, where he scored bonus points 65% of the time.

This Year’s Contenders: The way I see it, its a two man race for the NCAA title this year between Ridge Lovett and Austin Gomez.

Ridge Lovett of Nebraska Ridge  is a returning NCAA finalist losing to Yianni in in the 2022 finals. He has quality wins over Austin Gomez, Tyler Kasak, and Caleb Rathjen. He is currently 24-1 on the season.

Austin Gomez of Michigan. Austin was a 3X Illinois state champion with a record of 195-7. In college he is a 3X NCAA qualifier and a Big 10 Champion in 2022 as well as a NCAA all-american, finishing 4th in 2022. He has quality wins over Sammy Sasso, Ridge Lovett, Yianni Diakomihalis, Roman Bravo Young, Nick Lee, and Austin DeSanto. He is ranked 4th in the country with a 9-2 record. When healthy Gomez is capable of beating the best wrestlers in the country.

Dark Horse Contenders: Casey Swiderski of Iowa State. Casey was a 4X Michigan state champion with a career record of 166-3. At Iowa State he has shown flashes of brilliance, pushing Real Woods to the limit last season, before suffering an injury that slowed him in the second half of the season. He is currently 16-3 and ranked 6th in the country. When Casey is healthy he is a dynamic wrestler with the potential to beat anyone in the country.

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.

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 133 lb champion and who the top contenders are for this season.

2023 Champion: Vito Arujau, Last season Vito had one of the most impressive NCAA tournament runs in recent memory. Its not just that he dominated, it was who he dominated. Beating Dayton Fix in the semi’s and RBY in the finals. Out scoring them by a combined 21-7.

This Year’s Contenders:

Vito Arujau: Vito is back for his senior season and is looking to repeat his 2023 performance. The Cornell standout has missed a good part of the season and is currently 13-2. Not only is he the returning NCAA Champion, but his is also the reigning world champion after capturing gold last summer at the 2023 World Championships.

Daton Fix: Daton had an outstanding high school career, winning 4 Oklahoma state titles, while finishing a perfect 168-0. He was also a 4x world medalist as well as a 2017 junior World Champion! Since joining the college ranks, Daton has compiled a 52-3 record, while becoming a 4x all-american as well as a 2x NCAA finalist. Daton has quality wins over Austin DeSanto, Nick Suriano, and Ethan Lizak. He is 17-0 on the season and ranked #2 in the nation. Daton is a 4X all-american.

Ryan Crookham: Ryan was a 3X Pennsylvania AA state champion with 116-3 career record and 51 falls in high school. He has been equally impressive since joining the college ranks at Lehigh. He is currently 19-0 and has 2 high profile wins over Vito Arujau this season. Crookman is ranked #1 in the country.

Dark Horse Contenders: Evan Frost of Iowa State has the potential to make a deep run at the NCAA Tournament, he is currently ranked 7th in the country and is 15-3.  Dylan Ragusin of Michigan is 20-1 and ranked 5th in the country.

Located in Transylvania County near the tri point where North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia meet, Gorges State Park sports plunging waterfalls, rugged river gorges, and sheer rock precipices.  Gorges State Park is located at 976 Grassy Ridge Rd, in Sapphire, North Carolina. For more information on the park or its activities, click here.

Backcountry-style recreation is a hallmark of the park, from backpacking to horseback riding. This park located in the Blue Ridge Escarpment spans over 8,000 acres of temperate rainforest and hosts extraordinary biodiversity.

The park features 26 waterfalls, the northern boundary of Lake Jocassee, and a portion of the 70-mile Foothills Trail. This is an incredible park you need to see to believe!

The Campground Features:

• Camper cabins
• Tent sites (including backpacking)
• Trailer and RV sites (some with electric, water, and sewer hookups)
• Showers
• Firewood

Gorges State Park has 56 miles of hiking trails, 17 miles of bike trails, and 12 miles of trail designated for horseback riding. There is also fishing, and picnic areas.

If you love the outdoors, you need to add Gorges State Park in North Carolina to you bucket list. For more of the best adventures in the United States, click here. For the best nearby parks and amazing locations, click here. For the best Hotels, Resorts, and Vacation Homes, click here.

Hanging Rock State Park in North Carolina has the perfect balance of activities and incredible scenic sights, outdoor enthusiasts will love. Hanging Rock State Park is located at 1790 Hanging Rock Park Road in Danbury, North Carolina. For more information on the park and its activities, click here.

Located in Stokes County 30 miles north of Winston-Salem, Hanging Rock State Park started as a Civilian Conservation Corps project and has become a park that offers every part of a traditional outdoor experience. Trails lead to picturesque mountain views, rock outcrops, waterfalls, and even a mountain cave. Some are open to horseback riding and mountain biking, and a portion is part of the Mountains-to-Sea State Trail. Campgrounds, a swim lake, and access to paddling on the Dan River complete the gamut of recreational opportunities.

The campground features:

• Vacation cabins
• Tent sites
• Trailer and RV sites (no hookups)
• Group tent sites
• Showers
• Firewood

Other impressive features include 48 miles of hiking trails, 15 miles of mountain bike trails, 6 miles of horseback riding trails, and all type of paddling opportunities.  If that wasn’t enough, there is swimming, fishing, picnic areas, and rock climbing. Hanging Rock literally has something for everyone!

Amenities at the park include:

• Boat rentals (seasonal)
• Concession stand (seasonal)
• Amphitheater
• Auditorium and classroom
• Picnic shelters
• Visitor center and exhibits
• Beach access (lake, seasonal)
• Bathhouse (seasonal)

If you love the outdoors, you need to add Hanging Rock State Park in North Carolina to you bucket list. For more of the best adventures in the United States, click here. For the best nearby parks and amazing locations, click here. For the best Hotels, Resorts, and Vacation Homes, click here.