National Collegiate Duals Preview - Blue Pool “B”
Had an opportunity to talk with Coach Frank Popilizio of Journeymen Wrestling for some back ground on the event … check it out
Journeymen Wrestling has brought together quite a field for this year’s version of the National Collegiate Duals - which will take place Dec 20-21 in the panhandle of Florida. We are going to take a quick look at the field in 4 different stories over the course of this week. The teams are broken down into two pools and then within each pool 3 teams in a group each. The pools will not have a crossover - which means no Penn State vs. Iowa matchup, but that isn’t surprising given that the two teams will have their dual in January. This is an unbelievable opportunity to watch some of the best college wrestlers in the nation compete over 2 days.
The Schedule:
How to Watch:
There are two ways to watch the event. First, if you are close - you can get tickets at Journeymen. Monday is going to be a banger with 12 duals featuring many of the best teams in the country. Day 2 (Tuesday) will be a crossover within the pools - so if Penn State wins the Blue Pool “A” and Arizona State wins the Blue Pool “B” then that will be the final on Tuesday evening. Can’t make it to northwest Florida? You can also watch it live on Rokfin. Simply click the picture above.
What to Watch Day 1 - Blue Pool “B”:
3 outstanding duals that kickoff the action on Monday. Hofstra takes on two top 10 hammers in Virginia Tech and Arizona State. Hofstra is always a program that battles and don’t be surprised to see them give both Virginia Tech and Arizona State all they can handle in the early segment on Monday. Obviously, the dual to watch is Arizona State and Virginia Tech, but I wouldn’t sleep on Hofstra. Winner of the pool could get a shot at the Nittany Lions on Tuesday.
Here are 5 matches within this pool I am interested in catching:
Sam Latona (Virginia Tech) vs. Brandon Courtney (Arizona State)
Courtney made the finals a year ago at 125 - Latona, the 2 seed, fell in the quarters or this would be a rematch from last March. Alabama native Latona should have a loud supporting section in the arena and this match sets the tone for the rest of the dual.
Charles Small (Hofstra) vs. Hunter Bolen (Virginia Tech)
Small is from Florida and qualified a year ago (going 1-2 at NCAA’s). Bolen is a hammer and is certainly the top dog at 197 in this part of the pool. For Small this is a huge opportunity … Virginia Tech will be one of the programs many in the SE will be pulling for, but in this matchup expect the crowd to be behind Small.
Bryce Andonian (Virginia Tech) vs. Kyle Parco (Arizona State)
Parco was an AA at Fresno State a year ago and has made the seamless transition to the Sun Devils. Andonian is a straight gunslinger … this one will be wild and will be one of the most fan-friendly matches you will find all weekend.
The 285’s
Each matchup should be close and fun to watch. Knighton-Ward is behind the others, but I wouldn’t count him out. Traxler vs. Schultz feels like a bloodround match at NCAA’s … one of the two (and possibly both) will be on the podium in March.
Korbin Myers (Virginia Tech) vs. Michael McGee (Arizona State)
McGee is another transfer - but this time from the east coast and Old Dominion. He is lightning in a bottle and can beat anyone at 133. Myers was 4th year ago and has his sights set on the top step. This one will be important in the final outcome of the dual.
SE Connections:
Sam Latona of Virginia Tech is their starting 125 … we expect to see him and expect he will have the crowd behind him in every match
Kolton Clark (174) of Virginia Tech isn’t currently in the starting lineup, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him pick up some matches (especially if they decide to rest Lewis)
Cooper Flynn of Virginia Tech (Tennessee)
Caden Hagler of Virginia Tech (North Carolina)
Jake Hart of Virginia Tech (South Carolina)
Corey Langner of Hofstra (Georgia)
Charles Small of Hofstra (Florida) - starting 184 and should be in the lineup throughout the two days
Alexzander Owens of Arizona State (Florida)
Ethan Pickren of Arizona State (Florida)
Ricky Roberto of Arizona State (Georgia)