#3 NC State hosts #15 UNX Academicians Monday!! Wrestling Preview

The Asterisk is coming off a loss to Va Tech in Blacksburg 27-13. Va Tech will be our best challenge in conference, but that’s a story I’ll write up later. As for the afore-mentioned punctuation, despite skipping class and increasing LD/ADHD diagnoses, the wrestlers have been solid throughout this season. UNX as a team has wins over Minnesota and Old Dominion, a loss to Rutgers in addition to the Va Tech loss. Let’s go to the match-ups!
125—Sean Fausz (12-4) or Jamel Morris (7-1) vs. Anthony Bosco (4-11) or Cody Karns (2-4) or Tyrone Klump (6-4) – State. Even if Morris gets the call, the edge is State’s at 125. Two of Bosco’s wins are against his teammate Karns. Klump has losses to the better opponents, including Vito Pasone, who defeated Morris earlier. Fausz is wrestling well, having earned a decision against UVa’s 125 8-4.
133—Jamal Morris (9-4) vs. James Szymanski (10-13) – State. Morris got teched by #6 George DiCamillo last week, but has a clear edge over Szymanski; Szymanski has wrestled 8 of his matches at 125 (including 4 of his wins), so he’s filling in the spot for the Asterisk. Szymanski got majored in his last outing against Va Tech, so both wrestlers here are looking for some redemption. Again, my eyes say that Jamal has the edge. Should be a 6-0 score if the match starts at 125.
141—#3 Kevin Jack (15-3) vs. #11 Joey Ward (12-2) – Toss-up I would love to tell you that Jack has the edge, but it’s too close. Ward is a strong wrestler, with only two losses, both to ranked opponents, but that includes his last match, a close loss to #10 Solomon Chishko of Va Tech (7-3). Jack is very good, but both of these guys will be fighting for every point. If Jack controls Ward from top position, then Jack wins. Ward is tough, and usually doesn’t give up points. We’ll see how this plays out. For contrarian purposes, I’ll give the 3 to the Asterisk.
149—Jake Deangelo (20-8) or Beau Donahue (8-7) or Sam Melikian (11-4) or Chandler Pyke (7-5) vs. #7 Evan Henderson (16-4) – Asterisk. Henderson is too strong. I would love for Beau to get the nod and score an upset, but Henderson isn’t a returning All-American for nothing. Donahue has to be tough and keep the score down to only allow a major decision at most. A pin or tech fall could be critical.
157—#6 Thomas Gantt (15-0) vs. Robert Henderson (11-7) – State Chad Pyke already scored a victory earlier this season against Robert Henderson, and Gantt is much, much better. Should be another bonus point victory for State.
165—#4 Max Rohskopf (7-1) or Chad Pyke (15-3) vs. #11 John Staudenmayer (17-6) – State. Max has been on a mission since returning, and his pin over Drew Hull of UVa was testament. Staudenmayer is a strong wrestler with some good wins and losses to tough, ranked opponents. I like Max, especially if Max gets some top-position time early. Decision for Max is my expectation; a major would be a tough one and one well-earned.
174—Nicky Hall (10-5) or Stacy Davis (7-11) vs. #2 Ethan Ramos (16-2) – Asterisk. Nicky Hall had a great showing with a tech fall over Fox Baldwin of UVa last week, but Ethan Ramos is a returning All-American, so Nicky has his work cut out for him. Again, I look for Nicky to keep the match close, and possibly score more than most do against Ramos, whose two losses are to guys ranked in the top-ten.
184—#16 Renda (18-3) vs. #20 Alex Utley (18-5) – State Utley’s last match was a 6-2 loss to Zack Zavatsky of Va Tech and Renda is coming off a 1st period pin and a stellar performance in Pittsburgh. Renda has been scoring points at a strong clip. The transitive factor involves one Jack Dechow, the Old Dominion wrestler who has decisions over both Utley and Renda. In my opinion Renda has been stronger, and has upped his game greatly over the last month. Don’t be surprised if Renda pulls a major decision in this one.
197—#18 Boykin (11-5) vs. Chip Ness (15-6) – State Though the Virginia drubbing was great, I was most pleased with Boykin’s performance against a top-ten opponent, being tied in the 3rd and giving up a tough takedown late showed a much improved Boykin. This week’s opponent isn’t that tough. Mike should score a bonus point victory in this one.
HWT—#1 Gwiz (21-0) vs. Cory Daniel (10-11) – State. The only question is a pin or a tech.
State continued the streak against UVa and has a 17-0 record; The Asterisk is 9-2 with losses against Rutgers and Va Tech. UNX also has the misfortune (or really bad scheduling idea) to wrestle against Navy on Sunday before the matchup with State on Monday.
Final analysis: I count six matches as firmly in State’s favor (125, 133, 157, 165, 197, HWT) and two firmly for the Paint Samples (149 and 174) and three toss-ups. Look for bonus point wins at all but 165 for State. The Asterisk should get close to 10, but State wins handily. Prediction: State 25-10.