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.

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.

Georgia’s “Little Grand Canyon” is a testament to the power of man’s influence on the land. Massive gullies as deep as 150 feet were caused simply by poor farming practices during the 1800s, yet today they make some of the prettiest photographs within the state. Providence Canyon State Park is located at 8930 Canyon Road in Lumpkin, Georgia. For more information, click here.

Visitors can enjoy views of the canyons from the rim trail, taking care to stay behind fences and off the fragile canyon edge. Hikers who explore the deepest canyons will usually find a thin layer of water along the trail.

Guests who hike to canyons 4 and 5 may want to join the Canyon Climbers Club. Backpackers can stay overnight along the backcountry trail which highlights portions of the canyon and winds through mixed forest.

Camping, cottages and efficiency units are available nearby at Florence Marina State Park on 45,000 acre Lake Walter F. George.

You can spend your day exploring the 2,706 acres, 16 canyons, and more then 10 miles of trails. There are two covered shelters,a museum, a visitors center, playground and more!

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.

Slip beneath the surface with tickets to the Sea Life Charlotte–Concord Aquarium, and meet the thousands of mammals, bright fish and seahorses that thrive in dozens of exhibits that recreate the ecosystems that surround North Carolina. Get a fish eye’s-view of the marine landscape as you walk through an underwater ocean tunnel. Spot all eight legs on the Giant Pacific Octopus, see a feeding frenzy and explore the slippery world of jellyfish in soaring cylindrical tanks. Sea Life Charlotte is located at 8111 Concord Mills Blvd, in Concord, North Carolina. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.

• Admission ticket to Sea Life Aquarium in Charlotte Concord
• Popular choice with kids
• Discover more than 5,000 aquarium animals including stingrays, jellyfish, seahorses and sea turtles
• Observe feedings throughout the day
• Hear informative talks from the knowledgeable staff and follow an interactive quiz trail
  

This is a fun and educational attraction that is geared towards children. There are free scheduled talks which are a great way to learn something new about the amazing creatures at Sea Life, how they are cared for and what you can do to help protect marine species around the world! This tour lasts about two hours and costs $24.60.

Arrive at Sea Life Charlotte-Concord Aquarium with your advance tickets, making entry a breeze. Begin exploring the vibrant world of marine life as you journey through exhibits inspired by the ecosystems of North Carolina. Be captivated by the underwater ocean tunnel, where you can experience the marine landscape like never before. From the Giant Pacific Octopus to graceful jellyfish, encounter over 5,000 aquarium animals that will amaze both kids and adults. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.

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.