157 Preview: Winter(s) is coming! Can anyone challenge RIT’s Kaidon Winters for the top spot at 157?
Brief Weight Class Outlook
Kaidon Winters - Rochester Institute of Technology - is the lone returning All-American at this weight class, placing 5th in 2019 and was the #5 seed at the canceled 2020 NCAA Championships. Winters also qualified for NCAA’s in 2018. Winters looks to claim the top spot and become RIT’s first National Champion since Matt Hamill completed the task in back-to-back seasons, 1997 and 1998 (If anyone remembers Matt Hamill, let's just say calling him a beast is an understatement!).
Looking to challenge Winters are two returning seeded wrestlers from the 2020 NCAA Championship whose seasons were canceled due to COVID-19. Ryan Luth - Washington & Lee, completed a 23-2 season earning him the #7 seed, and Dalton Leightner - Baldwin Wallace University went 28-10, which earned him the #8 seed.
A full cast of placers at the 2021 NWCA Nationals returns, led by David Hollingsworth - Wartburg College - a 2021 transfer, and the 2021 NWCA Champion at 157. Hollingsworth showed that he is ready to challenge the wrestlers mentioned above for the top spot.
Top Returners
Kaidon Winters - Rochester Institute of Technology - 3x NCAA National Championships Qualifier (‘20, ‘19, ‘18), 2019 All-American (5th),
RIT’s single-season pins leader (22), career pins leader (59).
Ryan Luth - Washington & Lee University - #7 seed at the 2020 NCAA National Championships.
Dalton Leightner - Baldwin Wallace University - #8 seed at the 2020 NCAA National Championships.
David Hollingsworth - Wartburg College - 2021 NWCA National Champion
Notable Returners
Darius Joyce - Johnson & Wales University - 2020 NCAA National Qualifier
Daniel Ruiz - Loras College - 2020 NCAA National Qualifier (149lbs)
Ruiz competed at 157lbs at the 2021 NWCA Nationals, however, he is listed at 149lbs on the Loras College roster.
Wrestlers To Keep An Eye On In ‘21-’22
Tyler Shilson - Augsburg College - 3rd at 2021 NWCA National Championships
Lost 7-6 to Hollingsworth - Wartburg in the 2021 NWCA Semi-Finals
Brock Henderson - Coe College - Runner-up NWCA National Championships.
Henderson and Shilson did not wrestle, but both lost to Hollingsworth.
2021 NWCA Nationals Placers
David Hollingsworth - Wartburg College
Brady Henderson - Coe College
Tyler Shilson - Augsburg College
Tony Ulaszek - Coast Guard
Killian Perrigon - Cornell College
Jack O’Donnell - Concordia Wisconsin
Daniel Ruiz - Loras College
Cole Cervantes - North Central College
Notable Transfers
If you know of notable transfers entering Division III at 157lbs, please comment below or DM us on Instagram (@d3wrestling) and we will work to confirm the news with the individual’s new institution.
Notable Roster Omissions
Sam Gross - John Carroll
Tristan Birt - Millikin
Sam Schneider - Ithaca
Christian Gramuglia - SUNY Oswego
Sean Sax - Westminster