Wrestling journalists make predictions for 2009 NCAA Div. I Championships
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by Craig Sesker
ST. LOUIS - A number of the nation's top wrestling journalists are weighing in with their predictions on this year's NCAA Championships, set for Thursday through Saturday in St. Louis.
They are picking the results of the finals in each weight class, in addition to which teams they think will finish in the top five.
Andy Hamilton of the Iowa City Press-Citizen is the defending champion.
The winner will be announced following the tournament.
The picks of the journalists are as follows:
Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling
125: Nickerson (Cornell) dec. Donahoe (Edinboro)
133: Gomez (Michigan State) over Humphrey (Ohio State)
141: Tanelli (Wisconsin) over Tsirtsis (Iowa)
149: Metcalf (Iowa) over Jenkins (Penn State)
157: Burroughs (Nebraska) over Leen (Cornell)
165: Howe (Wisconsin) over Lewnes (Cornell)
174: Luke (Michigan) over Cannon (American)
184: Herbert (Northwestern) over Pucillo (Ohio State)
197: Varner (Iowa State) over Brester (Nebraska)
Hwt.: Zabriskie (Iowa State) over Ellis (Missouri)
Top 5 teams: Iowa, Iowa State, Cornell, Nebraska, Missouri.
Jeff Breese, InterMat
125: Donahoe (Edinboro) over Nickerson (Cornell)
133: Humphrey (Ohio State) over Dennis (Iowa)
141: Tanelli (Wisconsin) over Russell (Michigan)
149: Metcalf (Iowa) over Caldwell (North Carolina State)
157: Leen (Cornell) over Burroughs (Nebraska)
165: Lewnes (Cornell) over Dwyer (Nebraska)
174: Cannon (American) over Luke (Michigan)
184: Herbert (Northwestern) over Pucillo (Ohio State)
197: Todd (Michigan) over Varner (Iowa State)
Hwt.: Erekson (Iowa) over Dudziak (Duke)
Top 5 teams: Iowa, Cornell, Nebraska, Iowa State, Ohio State.
Jason Bryant, Wrestling 411
125: Donahoe (Edinboro) over Nickerson (Cornell)
133: Dennis (Iowa) over Kennedy (Illinois)
141: Russell (Michigan) over Jaggers (Ohio State)
149: Metcalf (Iowa) over Jenkins (Penn State)
157: Gillespie (Edinboro) over Leen (Cornell)
165: Lewnes (Cornell) over Howe (Wisconsin)
174: Cannon (American) over Luke (Michigan)
184: Herbert (Northwestern) over Keddy (Iowa)
197: Varner (Iowa State) over Brester (Nebraska)
285: Erekson (Iowa) over Zabriskie (Iowa State)
Top 5 teams: Iowa, Iowa State, Cornell, Michigan, Nebraska
Mike Finn, WIN Magazine
125: Donahoe (Edinboro) over Escobedo (Indiana)
133: Hochstrasser (Boise State) over Kennedy (Illinois)
141: Tanelli (Wisconsin) over Tsirtsis (Iowa)
149: Metcalf (Iowa) over Caldwell (North Carolina State)
157: Poeta (Illinois) over Gillespie (Edinboro)
165: Lewnes (Cornell) over Dwyer (Nebraska)
174: Browne (Nebraska) over Luke (Michigan)
184: Herbert (Northwestern) over Keddy (Iowa)
197: Varner (Iowa State) over Todd (Michigan)
Hwt.: Zabriskie (Iowa State) over Ellis (Missouri)
Top 5 teams: Iowa, Cornell, Nebraska, Iowa State, Missouri.
Tony Greathouse, Michigan Grappler
125: Nickerson (Cornell) over Donahoe (Edinboro)
133: Gomez (Michigan State) over Kennedy (Illinois)
141: Tsirtis (Iowa) over Gallick (Iowa State)
149: Metcalf (Iowa) over Caldwell (North Carolina State)
157: Poeta (Illinois) over Gillespie (Edinboro)
165: Reader (Iowa State) over Morningstar (Iowa)
174: Luke (Michigan) over Browne (Nebraska)
184: Herbert (Northwestern) over Pucillo (Ohio State)
197: Todd (Michigan) over Varner (Iowa State)
Hwt.: Rosholt (Oklahoma State) over Ellis (Missouri)
Top 5 Teams: Iowa, Iowa State, Cornell, Nebraska, Michigan
Andy Hamilton, Iowa City Press-Citizen
125: Nickerson (Cornell) over Donahoe (Edinboro)
133: Dennis (Iowa) over Kennedy (Illinois)
141: Tanelli (Wisconsin) over Russell (Michigan)
149: Metcalf (Iowa) over Caldwell (North Carolina State)
157: Burroughs (Nebraska) over Poeta (Illinois)
165: Marable (Missouri) over Howe (Wisconsin)
174: Luke (Michigan) over Browne (Nebraska)
184: Herbert (Northwestern) over Keddy (Iowa)
197: Varner (Iowa State) over Todd (Michigan)
Hwt.: Rosholt (Oklahoma State) over Erekson (Iowa)
Top 5 teams: Iowa, Nebraska, Iowa State, Cornell, Missouri
Andrew Hipps, RevWrestling
125: Nickerson (Cornell) over Donahoe (Edinboro)
133: Kennedy (Illinois) over Hochstrasser (Boise State)
141: Russell (Michigan) over Jaggers (Ohio State)
149: Metcalf (Iowa) over Caldwell (North Carolina State)
157: Poeta (Illinois) over Burroughs (Nebraska)
165: Lewnes (Cornell) over Sponseller (Ohio State)
174: Luke (Michigan) over Browne (Nebraska)
184: Herbert (Northwestern) over Pucillo (Ohio State)
197: Todd (Michigan) over Varner (Iowa State)
Hwt: Rosholt (Oklahoma State) over Ellis (Missouri)
Top 5 teams: Iowa, Cornell, Nebraska, Iowa State, Ohio State.
Roger Moore, Stillwater (Okla.) Radio
125: Escobedo (Indiana) over Donahoe (Edinboro)
133: Hochstrasser (Boise State) over Humphrey (Ohio State)
141: Gallick (Iowa State) over Jantzen (Harvard)
149: Metcalf (Iowa) over Saddoris (Navy)
157: Leen (Cornell) over Gillespie (Edinboro)
165: Lewnes (Cornell) over Sponseller (Ohio State)
174: Cannon (American) over Borschel (Iowa)
184: Herbert (Northwestern) over Patterson (Binghamton)
197: Varner (Iowa State) over Brester (Nebraska)
Hwt.: Rosholt (Oklahoma State) over Erekson (Iowa)
Top 5 teams: Iowa, Cornell, Iowa State, Ohio State, Nebraska.
Jim Nelson, Waterloo (Iowa) Courier
125: Nickerson (Cornell) over Donahoe (Edinboro)
133: Dennis (Iowa) over Kennedy (Illinois)
141: Russell (Michigan) over Gallick (Iowa State)
149 Metcalf (Iowa) over Caldwell (North Carolina State)
157 Leen (Cornell) over Burroughs (Nebraska)
165: Lewnes (Cornell) over Sponseller (Ohio State)
174: Luke (Michigan) over Cannon (American)
184: Herbert (Northwestern) over Pucillo (Ohio State)
197: Varner (Iowa State) over Todd (Michigan)
Hwt.: Zabriskie (Iowa State) over Ellis (Missouri)
Top 5 teams: Iowa, Iowa State, Cornell, Nebraska, Ohio State.
J.R. Ogden, Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Gazette
125: Nickerson (Cornell) over Donahoe (Edinboro)
133: Dennis (Iowa) over Humphrey (Ohio State)
141: Russell (Michigan) over Jaggers (Ohio State)
149: Metcalf (Iowa) over Jenkins (Penn State)
157: Leen (Cornell) over Burroughs (Nebraska)
165: Lewnes (Cornell) over Howe (Wisconsin)
174: Cannon (American) over Luke (Michigan)
184: Herbert (Northwestern) over Pucillo (Ohio State)
197: Brester (Nebraska) over Varner (Iowa State)
Hwt.: Zabriskie (Iowa State) over Erekson (Iowa)
Top 5 teams: Iowa, Cornell, Iowa State, Missouri, Ohio State.
Kevin Schlosser, BuckeyeWrestling.com
125: Donahoe (Edinboro) over Nickerson (Cornell)
133: Humphrey (Ohio State) over Gomez (Michigan State)
141: Jaggers (Ohio State) over Russell (Michigan)
149: Metcalf (Iowa) over Caldwell (North Carolina State)
157: Gillespie (Edinboro) over Poeta (Illinois)
165: Lewnes (Cornell) over Sponseller (Ohio State)
174: Luke (Michigan) over Cannon (American)
184: Herbert (Northwestern) over Pucillo (Ohio State)
197: Todd (Michigan) over Varner (Iowa State)
Hwt.: Rosholt (Oklahoma State) over Porter (Kent State)
Top 5 teams: Iowa, Iowa State, Ohio State, Cornell, Nebraska
Craig Sesker, USA Wrestling
125: Falck (Iowa) over Escobedo (Indiana)
133: Gomez (Michigan State) over Ness (Minnesota)
141: Russell (Michigan) over Gallick (Iowa State)
149: Metcalf (Iowa) over Jenkins (Penn State)
157: Poeta (Illinois) over Gillespie (Edinboro)
165: Lewnes (Cornell) over Howe (Wisconsin)
174: Browne (Nebraska) over Luke (Michigan)
184: Herbert (Northwestern) over Keddy (Iowa)
197: Varner (Iowa State) over Brester (Nebraska)
Hwt.: Rosholt (Oklahoma State) over Ellis (Missouri)
Top 5 teams: Iowa, Nebraska, Iowa State, Cornell, Ohio State.
Bryan Van Kley, WIN Magazine
125: Donahoe (Edinboro) over Troy Nickerson (Cornell)
133: Dennis (Iowa) over Kennedy (Illinois)
141: Russell (Michigan) over Jaggers (Ohio State)
149: Metcalf (Iowa) over Caldwell (North Carolina State)
157: Burroughs (Nebraska) over Poeta (Illinois)
165: Mack Lewnes (Cornell) over Ryan Morningstar (Iowa)
174: Browne (Nebraska) over Luke (Michigan)
184: Herbert (Northwestern) over Keddy (Iowa)
197: Todd (Michigan) over Varner (Iowa State)
Hwt.: Zabriskie (Iowa State) over Ellis (Missouri)
Top 5 teams: Iowa, Nebraska, Cornell, Iowa State, Missouri.
Karl Vogel, Lincoln (Neb.) Journal Star
125: Donahoe (Edinboro) over Nickerson (Cornell)
133: Humphrey (Ohio State) over Dennis (Iowa)
141: Russell (Michigan) over Tanelli (Wisconsin)
149: Metcalf (Iowa) over Caldwell (North Carolina State)
157: Burroughs (Nebraska) over Poeta (Illinois)
165: Lewnes (Cornell) over Sponseller (Ohio State)
174: Luke (Michigan) over Browne (Nebraska)
184: Herbert (Northwestern) over Pucillo (Ohio State)
197: Varner (Iowa State) over Brester (Nebraska)
Hwt.: Ellis (Missouri) over Rosholt (Oklahoma State)
Top 5 teams: Iowa; Ohio State; Nebraska; Missouri; Iowa State.
They are picking the results of the finals in each weight class, in addition to which teams they think will finish in the top five.
Andy Hamilton of the Iowa City Press-Citizen is the defending champion.
The winner will be announced following the tournament.
The picks of the journalists are as follows:
Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling
125: Nickerson (Cornell) dec. Donahoe (Edinboro)
133: Gomez (Michigan State) over Humphrey (Ohio State)
141: Tanelli (Wisconsin) over Tsirtsis (Iowa)
149: Metcalf (Iowa) over Jenkins (Penn State)
157: Burroughs (Nebraska) over Leen (Cornell)
165: Howe (Wisconsin) over Lewnes (Cornell)
174: Luke (Michigan) over Cannon (American)
184: Herbert (Northwestern) over Pucillo (Ohio State)
197: Varner (Iowa State) over Brester (Nebraska)
Hwt.: Zabriskie (Iowa State) over Ellis (Missouri)
Top 5 teams: Iowa, Iowa State, Cornell, Nebraska, Missouri.
Jeff Breese, InterMat
125: Donahoe (Edinboro) over Nickerson (Cornell)
133: Humphrey (Ohio State) over Dennis (Iowa)
141: Tanelli (Wisconsin) over Russell (Michigan)
149: Metcalf (Iowa) over Caldwell (North Carolina State)
157: Leen (Cornell) over Burroughs (Nebraska)
165: Lewnes (Cornell) over Dwyer (Nebraska)
174: Cannon (American) over Luke (Michigan)
184: Herbert (Northwestern) over Pucillo (Ohio State)
197: Todd (Michigan) over Varner (Iowa State)
Hwt.: Erekson (Iowa) over Dudziak (Duke)
Top 5 teams: Iowa, Cornell, Nebraska, Iowa State, Ohio State.
Jason Bryant, Wrestling 411
125: Donahoe (Edinboro) over Nickerson (Cornell)
133: Dennis (Iowa) over Kennedy (Illinois)
141: Russell (Michigan) over Jaggers (Ohio State)
149: Metcalf (Iowa) over Jenkins (Penn State)
157: Gillespie (Edinboro) over Leen (Cornell)
165: Lewnes (Cornell) over Howe (Wisconsin)
174: Cannon (American) over Luke (Michigan)
184: Herbert (Northwestern) over Keddy (Iowa)
197: Varner (Iowa State) over Brester (Nebraska)
285: Erekson (Iowa) over Zabriskie (Iowa State)
Top 5 teams: Iowa, Iowa State, Cornell, Michigan, Nebraska
Mike Finn, WIN Magazine
125: Donahoe (Edinboro) over Escobedo (Indiana)
133: Hochstrasser (Boise State) over Kennedy (Illinois)
141: Tanelli (Wisconsin) over Tsirtsis (Iowa)
149: Metcalf (Iowa) over Caldwell (North Carolina State)
157: Poeta (Illinois) over Gillespie (Edinboro)
165: Lewnes (Cornell) over Dwyer (Nebraska)
174: Browne (Nebraska) over Luke (Michigan)
184: Herbert (Northwestern) over Keddy (Iowa)
197: Varner (Iowa State) over Todd (Michigan)
Hwt.: Zabriskie (Iowa State) over Ellis (Missouri)
Top 5 teams: Iowa, Cornell, Nebraska, Iowa State, Missouri.
Tony Greathouse, Michigan Grappler
125: Nickerson (Cornell) over Donahoe (Edinboro)
133: Gomez (Michigan State) over Kennedy (Illinois)
141: Tsirtis (Iowa) over Gallick (Iowa State)
149: Metcalf (Iowa) over Caldwell (North Carolina State)
157: Poeta (Illinois) over Gillespie (Edinboro)
165: Reader (Iowa State) over Morningstar (Iowa)
174: Luke (Michigan) over Browne (Nebraska)
184: Herbert (Northwestern) over Pucillo (Ohio State)
197: Todd (Michigan) over Varner (Iowa State)
Hwt.: Rosholt (Oklahoma State) over Ellis (Missouri)
Top 5 Teams: Iowa, Iowa State, Cornell, Nebraska, Michigan
Andy Hamilton, Iowa City Press-Citizen
125: Nickerson (Cornell) over Donahoe (Edinboro)
133: Dennis (Iowa) over Kennedy (Illinois)
141: Tanelli (Wisconsin) over Russell (Michigan)
149: Metcalf (Iowa) over Caldwell (North Carolina State)
157: Burroughs (Nebraska) over Poeta (Illinois)
165: Marable (Missouri) over Howe (Wisconsin)
174: Luke (Michigan) over Browne (Nebraska)
184: Herbert (Northwestern) over Keddy (Iowa)
197: Varner (Iowa State) over Todd (Michigan)
Hwt.: Rosholt (Oklahoma State) over Erekson (Iowa)
Top 5 teams: Iowa, Nebraska, Iowa State, Cornell, Missouri
Andrew Hipps, RevWrestling
125: Nickerson (Cornell) over Donahoe (Edinboro)
133: Kennedy (Illinois) over Hochstrasser (Boise State)
141: Russell (Michigan) over Jaggers (Ohio State)
149: Metcalf (Iowa) over Caldwell (North Carolina State)
157: Poeta (Illinois) over Burroughs (Nebraska)
165: Lewnes (Cornell) over Sponseller (Ohio State)
174: Luke (Michigan) over Browne (Nebraska)
184: Herbert (Northwestern) over Pucillo (Ohio State)
197: Todd (Michigan) over Varner (Iowa State)
Hwt: Rosholt (Oklahoma State) over Ellis (Missouri)
Top 5 teams: Iowa, Cornell, Nebraska, Iowa State, Ohio State.
Roger Moore, Stillwater (Okla.) Radio
125: Escobedo (Indiana) over Donahoe (Edinboro)
133: Hochstrasser (Boise State) over Humphrey (Ohio State)
141: Gallick (Iowa State) over Jantzen (Harvard)
149: Metcalf (Iowa) over Saddoris (Navy)
157: Leen (Cornell) over Gillespie (Edinboro)
165: Lewnes (Cornell) over Sponseller (Ohio State)
174: Cannon (American) over Borschel (Iowa)
184: Herbert (Northwestern) over Patterson (Binghamton)
197: Varner (Iowa State) over Brester (Nebraska)
Hwt.: Rosholt (Oklahoma State) over Erekson (Iowa)
Top 5 teams: Iowa, Cornell, Iowa State, Ohio State, Nebraska.
Jim Nelson, Waterloo (Iowa) Courier
125: Nickerson (Cornell) over Donahoe (Edinboro)
133: Dennis (Iowa) over Kennedy (Illinois)
141: Russell (Michigan) over Gallick (Iowa State)
149 Metcalf (Iowa) over Caldwell (North Carolina State)
157 Leen (Cornell) over Burroughs (Nebraska)
165: Lewnes (Cornell) over Sponseller (Ohio State)
174: Luke (Michigan) over Cannon (American)
184: Herbert (Northwestern) over Pucillo (Ohio State)
197: Varner (Iowa State) over Todd (Michigan)
Hwt.: Zabriskie (Iowa State) over Ellis (Missouri)
Top 5 teams: Iowa, Iowa State, Cornell, Nebraska, Ohio State.
J.R. Ogden, Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Gazette
125: Nickerson (Cornell) over Donahoe (Edinboro)
133: Dennis (Iowa) over Humphrey (Ohio State)
141: Russell (Michigan) over Jaggers (Ohio State)
149: Metcalf (Iowa) over Jenkins (Penn State)
157: Leen (Cornell) over Burroughs (Nebraska)
165: Lewnes (Cornell) over Howe (Wisconsin)
174: Cannon (American) over Luke (Michigan)
184: Herbert (Northwestern) over Pucillo (Ohio State)
197: Brester (Nebraska) over Varner (Iowa State)
Hwt.: Zabriskie (Iowa State) over Erekson (Iowa)
Top 5 teams: Iowa, Cornell, Iowa State, Missouri, Ohio State.
Kevin Schlosser, BuckeyeWrestling.com
125: Donahoe (Edinboro) over Nickerson (Cornell)
133: Humphrey (Ohio State) over Gomez (Michigan State)
141: Jaggers (Ohio State) over Russell (Michigan)
149: Metcalf (Iowa) over Caldwell (North Carolina State)
157: Gillespie (Edinboro) over Poeta (Illinois)
165: Lewnes (Cornell) over Sponseller (Ohio State)
174: Luke (Michigan) over Cannon (American)
184: Herbert (Northwestern) over Pucillo (Ohio State)
197: Todd (Michigan) over Varner (Iowa State)
Hwt.: Rosholt (Oklahoma State) over Porter (Kent State)
Top 5 teams: Iowa, Iowa State, Ohio State, Cornell, Nebraska
Craig Sesker, USA Wrestling
125: Falck (Iowa) over Escobedo (Indiana)
133: Gomez (Michigan State) over Ness (Minnesota)
141: Russell (Michigan) over Gallick (Iowa State)
149: Metcalf (Iowa) over Jenkins (Penn State)
157: Poeta (Illinois) over Gillespie (Edinboro)
165: Lewnes (Cornell) over Howe (Wisconsin)
174: Browne (Nebraska) over Luke (Michigan)
184: Herbert (Northwestern) over Keddy (Iowa)
197: Varner (Iowa State) over Brester (Nebraska)
Hwt.: Rosholt (Oklahoma State) over Ellis (Missouri)
Top 5 teams: Iowa, Nebraska, Iowa State, Cornell, Ohio State.
Bryan Van Kley, WIN Magazine
125: Donahoe (Edinboro) over Troy Nickerson (Cornell)
133: Dennis (Iowa) over Kennedy (Illinois)
141: Russell (Michigan) over Jaggers (Ohio State)
149: Metcalf (Iowa) over Caldwell (North Carolina State)
157: Burroughs (Nebraska) over Poeta (Illinois)
165: Mack Lewnes (Cornell) over Ryan Morningstar (Iowa)
174: Browne (Nebraska) over Luke (Michigan)
184: Herbert (Northwestern) over Keddy (Iowa)
197: Todd (Michigan) over Varner (Iowa State)
Hwt.: Zabriskie (Iowa State) over Ellis (Missouri)
Top 5 teams: Iowa, Nebraska, Cornell, Iowa State, Missouri.
Karl Vogel, Lincoln (Neb.) Journal Star
125: Donahoe (Edinboro) over Nickerson (Cornell)
133: Humphrey (Ohio State) over Dennis (Iowa)
141: Russell (Michigan) over Tanelli (Wisconsin)
149: Metcalf (Iowa) over Caldwell (North Carolina State)
157: Burroughs (Nebraska) over Poeta (Illinois)
165: Lewnes (Cornell) over Sponseller (Ohio State)
174: Luke (Michigan) over Browne (Nebraska)
184: Herbert (Northwestern) over Pucillo (Ohio State)
197: Varner (Iowa State) over Brester (Nebraska)
Hwt.: Ellis (Missouri) over Rosholt (Oklahoma State)
Top 5 teams: Iowa; Ohio State; Nebraska; Missouri; Iowa State.
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