The Heavyweight division has been particularity interesting in the last 10 years. We have seen tremendous talent, from Kyle Snyder, to Gable Steveson to Mason Parris it has been very exciting to see these titans of the mat do battle. This years heavyweight division is equally intriguing . With two former world champions, a Cuban import and a wealth of up and comers. all looking to claim that top spot.
1 Greg Kerkvliet
The Penn State wrestler is the reining and defending NCAA Champion, and there’s no reason to think that will change this year. (Although his recent back flare up does have us concerned.) He has a career record of 79-10 and is already a 4x all-american. He was also a 2017 cadet all-american.
2 Wyatt Hendrickson
Wyatt Brings a 101-12 record into his senior season after leading the nation in pins for the last 3 years. While wretling for the Air Force he is a 3x all-american and has finished 3rd the last two seasons. NOw at Oklahoma State under coach David Taylor, it will be interesting to see what he can do.
3 Nick Feldman
NIck was the number 1 pound for pound wrestler coming out of high school, and so far into his college career he has not disappointed. So far he has a 32-8 college career, however his trajectory seems to be heading straight to the top. In his first year at Ohio State he was a Big 10 runner up, while finishing 5th at the NCAA Tournament. Nick has quality wins over NCAA finalists, Cohlton Schultz and Lucas Davison. Nick is a serious contender for an NCAA title this season.
4 Yonger Bastida
The Cuban import, brought with him a wealth of experience as he migrated to Ames Iowa in early 2020. However his experience came in freestyle wrestling and he had to learn the ropes of Americas rugged folkstyle. After going 4-4 during his freshman campaign, we have seen steady improvement from Mr. Bastida, and this year as a senior he is an NCAA title contender. He has quality wins over all-americans Nick Feldman, Jacob Warner and Wyatt Hendrickson.
5 Cohlton Schultz
A 2017 Cadet World Champion, Cohlton joined the college ranks with a ton of hype and he quickly delivered the results, Arizona State coaches were looking for. Already a 4x all-american and 4x Pac 12 Champion. Also a 4x US Open Champion and a 10x world team member. However he seems to have hitten a wall in recent years. Placing 2nd as a sophomore at the NCAA tournament, he has dropped to 7th and 6th the last two years. With his final year of eligibility, we are hoping to see him climb back to the top of the podium.
6 Ben Kueter
Ben enters the college world with a ton of hype. Possibly the best Iowa athlete ever, I know that’s quite a statement, but this kid won state in Track and Field as well as wrestling and is also a highly touted football player. On the mat he was a perfect 111-0 with 4 state titles, with 74 career pins. In addition to that he was a Junior freestyle world champion and a 2022 U20 world champion. The only knock against Ben is that he is fairly small for a heavyweight. They sky is the limit for this kid.
7 Yaraslau Slavikouski
The 3x NCAA Qualifier and 2024 all-american is back as a super senior with one last shot at glory. Finished last season on the #7 podium spot at the national tournament, with a career record of 86-23. His biggest win of last season was over an injured Yonger Bastida at nationals. I really don’t see him improving on last years performance.
8 Nathan Taylor
A Pennsylvania state champion in high school, Nathan has been a consistent wrestler for Lehigh at the college level. Last season he went 25-5 and finished 1 match shy of reaching the podium. With a 42-17 career record, this could be the year Nate Taylor breaks through and lands himself on the podium.