133 Pound Preview
Is Matt Berlin, of UW-Stevens Point, a step above the rest of the field as the only undefeated returner (32-0) at 133lbs?
Brief Weight Class Outlook:
Our second weight class returns three former NCAA National Championships podium placers, all eight 2021 NWCA Nationals place finishers, and five additional NCAA National Qualifiers - three from the cancelled event in 2020, one from 2019, and one from 2018.
The top returning NCAA All-American is Jake Giordano of The College of New Jersey (TCNJ). Giordano placed 5th at 133lbs in his first season for TCNJ, before qualifying as the #6-Seed in 2020. He did not compete in 2021. His certification weight has him listed at 141lbs, which leads us to believe we could see him back challenging for the top of the podium at 133lbs.
Levi Englman - Ferrum College, emerged from the Southeast in 2019 and posted a 7th place finish at the NCAA National Championships. The Ferrum product did qualify again in 2020 with a third place finish in the Southeast Regional. At the 2019 Championships, Englman did fall to Giordano head-to-head, however, he did notch a win over our next, and final, returning NCAA All-American…
Eron Haynes of Nebraska Wesleyan finished 8th at the 2019 NCAA Championships, however he failed to qualify again in 2020. Haynes entered the 2021 NWCA Nationals as the #3-Seed and finished in 4th place, almost completing the ultimate road warrior journey after being upset in the first round.
This weight returns some serious firepower with four seeded wrestlers, including #2-Seed Matt Berlin of UW-Stevens Point, projected to be back at this weight. Berlin was undefeated at 32-0 and many people’s choice to win the individual National Championship at this weight.
Add in the likely additions of Robbie Precin (North Central College), who was the #2-Seed at 125lbs in 2020, and Carlos Champagne (Wabash), a former All-American and #1 Nationally Ranked competitor… This will be a weight to keep our eyes locked on all season…
Top Returners
Matt Berlin - UW-Stevens Point - 2020 NCAA National Qualifier, #2-Seed at 133lbs
Hayden Brown - Johnson & Wales University - 2020 NCAA National Qualifier, Northeast Regional Champion, #5-Seed at 133lbs
We anticipate Beaulieu's move up to 141lbs, but until then he will remain at 133lbs.
Jake Giordano - TCNJ - 2020 NCAA National Qualifier, #6-Seed at 133lbs, 2019 All-American (5th)
Travis Jones - Ithaca College - 2020 NCAA National Qualifier - #8-Seed at 133lbs, Mideast Regional Champion
Brock Henderson - Coe College - 2021 NWCA National Champion, 2020 National Qualifier
We anticipate Henderson will move up in weight. He is listed at 133 on Coe College roster, but has a certification weight of 157. We will find out once competition begins.
Eron Haynes - Nebraska Wesleyan University - 2021 NWCA Nationals All-American (4th), 2019 NCAA All-American (8th)
Notable Returners
Josiah Gehr - Messiah University - 2019 NCAA National Qualifier
Brad Beaulieu - University of Southern Maine - 2020 NCAA National Qualifier, 2019 Division I transfer from Old Dominion University (RS in 2019)
We anticipate Beaulieu's move up to 141lbs, but until then he will remain at 133lbs.
Chris Horton - Rochester Institute of Technology - 2020 NCAA National Qualifier, Mideast Regional Third Place
David Massey - Mount Union University - 2020 NCAA National Qualifier, Central Regional Third Place
Chris Trelli - Springfield College - 2020 NCAA National Qualifier, Northeast Regional Third Place*
We anticipate Trelli’s move up to 141lbs, but until then he will remain at 133lbs.
Tyler Demo - Wisc.-Eau Claire - 2018 NCAA National Qualifier (Not yet certified)
Listed on UW-EC roster at 141
2021 NWCA Nationals Placers
Brock Henderson - Coe College
Robbie Precin - North Central College
Joe Pins - Wartburg College
Eron Haynes - Nebraska Wesleyan University
Zach Thompson - Loras College (UW-Platteville)
Joshua Wilson - Greensboro College
Shandon Akeo - Central College
Austin Vincent - Concordia University Wisconsin
Notable Transfers
Zach Thompson - Stays in Division III as he moves from Loras College to UW-Platteville. Following previous Loras College Assistant Coach Trevor Kittleson who is now the Head Coach at UW-Platteville.
Notable Roster Omissions:
Missing someone? Transfer out of Division III or perhaps returning second semester? Feel free to let us know who we missed or break some news on the whereabouts of those you think should be noted here.