NCAA Tournament Previews: 149 Pounds
John Fuller/TheMat.com
The reigning NCAA runner-up, Zack Esposito of Oklahoma State, entered this season as a heavy favorite to come away with the NCAA title at 149 lbs. this year. But a mid-season loss to All-American Dustin Manotti of Cornell changed that scenario.
Esposito is still the slickest wrestler in the country at this weight, and he can come out on top of any scramble. However, Manotti proved that he can also be beaten.
Since then, Manotti has also lost a match, to Philip Simpson of Army.
Simpson, who seems to be forgotten with any talk of a national title, has consistently been one of the top wrestlers in the nation over the past three years. This year, he has wins over Manotti, Eric Tannenbaum of Michigan and Matt Storniolo of Oklahoma. He also has a loss to Manotti.
Simpson’s long body makes it tough for an opponent to score, and Manotti has found that out in the last few years. But most likely, both wrestlers will be glad to be on the other side of the bracket of Esposito.
Storniolo transferred to Oklahoma this year and has dominated, filling a big gap for the Sooners. Three of his four losses this year are to Esposito. The other one is to Simpson and he owns a win over Manotti, making it a question mark as to how he ended up as the fourth seed behind Manotti.
But if there is anyone in the country that knows Esposito well enough to defeat him, it could be Storniolo.
Tannenbaum, a freshman, has stepped up big this year, winning a Big Ten title last weekend, but he has had tough goings against some of the top wrestlers in the nation this year. However, he has the talent to win the NCAA title as a frosh. In order to do that, he will have to go through Esposito and Storniolo.
Ty Eustice of Iowa is a wrestler that could come on at the right time, but outside of this year’s Midlands title, he has never put together a complete tournament performance.
Top 4 Seeds: 1. Zack Esposito (Oklahoma State), 2. Philip Simpson (Army), 3. Dustin Manotti (Cornell), 4. Matt Storniolo (Oklahoma)
Top Contenders: Esposito, Manotti, Simpson, Storniolo, Eric Tannenbaum (Michigan)
The Others: Ty Eustice (Iowa), Jeff Harrison (Northern Iowa)
Darkhorse: Mark DiSalvo (Central Michigan)
Top Freshmen: Craig Henning (Wisconsin), Tannenbaum
Finals Prediction: Esposito defeats Simpson
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