“Mock MATNESS” Deep Dive: 285 lbs.
This is where we take a closer look at individual weight classes. The Brackets have been released for the 2024 NCAA Div. 1 Wrestling Championships and “Mock MATNESS” has now turned into legit Bracket Predictions! 285 lbs. is typically a weight class made of tiers, in 2024 things are no different. The Top Tier consists of (3) guys and they fill those seeds respectively. The second tier is made up of 7 wrestlers. Below that, we don’t find many contenders. However, with humans this LARGE, anything can happen!
1st Round: If Nick Feldman is to go on a run, he will have ZERO easy matches along the way. Keaton Kluever is no joke, he should be able to test the young Buckeye but Feldman will PASS with flying colors. We stared at Pitzer vs Doucet for a looooong time and finally pressed that button next to the Pitt Wrestler’s name.
Cohlton Schultz pins Nutmacher in the “guys who should/are playing football” Bowl
Owen Trephan wins an overtime match over Bradley Hill
Tough draw for Seth Nevills to face Hendrickson after a loss. Wyatt dominates.
2nd Round: Another tough task on the list for Cohlton Schultz, his match against Slavikouski goes into overtime but the Largest Sun Devil wins the heavy scramble (4-1 SV). Lucas Davison is able to catch Taye Ghadiali and wins by PinFALL! (Does anyone say “pinfall” anymore? If not, they should)
Zach Elam defeats Josh Heindselman
Nathan Taylor with a MAJOR over Dalton Pitzer
NIck Feldman pins Owen Trephan
Quarterfinals: Nick Feldman took Kerkvliet down 1st in their BIG Ten Final but not this time. The Penn State product (once an Ohio St. commit) gets the takedown and rolls to an 8-3 victory. Feldman was able to get a TD against “KERK” albeit later in the contest–expect BIG things from this “Young Gun” for years to come. Nathan Taylor with the slight UPSET over Schultz. Taylor is able to get a low shot and finish to win 4-1 in regulation time.
Wyatt Hendrickson kills Zach Elam
Yonger Bastida looks great and wins 7-2 over Davison.
Semifinals: Wyatt Hendrickson is able to get revenge and edges Yonger in an absolute thriller! Bastida came in on a hot streak and it continued in this match when Yonger picks up the 1st TD. Hendrickson escapes. Hendrickson escapes in the 2nd and gets a crucial Takedown before heading to the 3rd. Bastida gets his escape but is unable to take Wyatt down as time expires. Hendrickson wins 5-4.
Kerkvliet wins by MAJOR over Nathan Taylor 12-2
Finals: In the NWCA Wrestling Classic, Kerkvliet took apart Hendrickson pretty easily. This time around, it wasn’t much different. Wrestling fans argued throughout the year about who should be the #1 seed at times but let’s be honest, this weight class was “KERK’S” to lose. With two takedowns and riding time to boot, Greg wins by a score of 8-1. Daniel “Greg” Kerkvliet wins the National Championship, giving Penn State (4) CHAMPS!