2023 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships in Cedar Rapids: Schedule, top qualifiers, team and individual contenders

Here is a primer to the 2023 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships in Cedar Rapids.

When: Friday (Session I at 10 a.m. and Session II at 5 p.m.) and Saturday (Session III at 10 a.m. and Session IV at 7 p.m.)

Where: Alliant Energy PowerHouse

Top qualifiers:

10 — Central Oklahoma

9 — Lander (S.C.) University

8 — Pittsburgh-Johnstown, West Liberty (W.Va.) University

7 — Gannon (Pa.) University, University of Indianapolis

6 — Lake Erie, Nebraska-Kearney, Newberry (S.C.) College, St. Could State

Upper Iowa qualifiers:

141 — No. 8 Tate Murty (Sr., 27-6)

157 — Eric Faught (Jr., 23-6)

165 — No. 3 Chase Luensman (Sr., 28-3)

184 — Colter Bye (Jr., 14-9)

2022 top three teams: 1. Nebraska-Kearney 127, 2. Central Oklahoma 86, 3. West Liberty 75.5

Unbeaten qualifiers: Zeth Brower (Lander, 30-0, 141); Jacob Ealy (Pitt-Johnstown, 27-0, 149); Noah Hermosillo (Adams State, 20-0, 157); Nick Novak (St. Cloud State, 23-0, 157); Shane Gantz (Wisconsin-Parkside, 31-0, 165); Alex Farenchak (Gannon, 11-0, 165); Abner Romero (St. Cloud State, 17-0, 174); Shawn Streck (Central Oklahoma, 22-0, Hwt.)

Returning 2022 champions: Cole Laya (West Liberty, 125); Zeth Brower (Lander, 141); Noah Hermosillo (Adams State, 149/157); Josiah Rider (Adams State, 157/149); Dalton Abney (Central Oklahoma, 197); Darrell Mason (Minnesota State, Hwt.)

Returning 2021 champion: Abner Romero (St. Cloud State/Lindenwood, 174)

Top seeds:

125 — Laya, West Liberty

133 — Quentrevio Campbell, Chardon State

141 — Brower, Lander

149 — Ealy, Pitt-Johnstown

157 — Hermosillo, Adams State

165 — Shane Gantz, Wisconsin-Parkside

174 — Romero, St. Cloud State

184 — Billy Higgins, Nebraska-Kearney

197 — Dalton Abney, Central Oklahoma

Hwt. — Shawn Streck, Central Oklahoma

Outlook: Central Oklahoma was a distant second last season, but the Bronchos are loaded this year. They qualified their entire team and have had 10 ranked for part of the season. They have title contenders, including top-seeded Dalton Abney at 197 and heavyweight. Lander has made a big jump, qualifying four and placing 13th a year ago. The Bearcats have more than doubled their qualifiers, led by defending national champion Zeth Brower (141). West Liberty was third last season and has eight qualifiers with defending NCAA titlist Cole Laya at 125. The Hilltoppers could be in the same spot, if they find some support to the lightweight champ. Traditional powers like Nebraska-Kearney and St. Cloud State don’t have the same numbers, but they have the quality to be in the trophy hunt. Interestingly, Upper Iowa qualified four. Cedar Rapids hosted in 2018 when the Peacocks placed fourth with four medalists. If they get some strong performances, they could do the same. It would be a tough task.

Team predictions: 1. Central Oklahoma, 2. Lander, 3. West Liberty

Individual champion predictions:

125 — Laya, West Liberty

133 — Devin Flannery, Millersville

141 — Brower, Lander

149 — Rider, Adams State

157 — Hermosillo, Adams State

165 — Luensman, Upper Iowa

174 — Romero, St. Cloud State

184 — Higgins, Nebraska-Kearney

197 — Derek Blubaugh, U. of Indianapolis

Hwt. — Jared Campbell, Glenville State