InterMat: Inside info from the N.W.C.A

Quick hits

2005 National Champion: Nate Gallick, Iowa State
Printable Bracket | Interactive Bracket (Premium Service)

A pair of unbeatens will man the top two spots in the bracket with Ryan Lang, last year's fourth-place finisher getting the top spot, while Derek Moore of UC Davis will be the second seed. This weight has incredible balance and the contrast of styles amongst the seeds make the numbers by the wrestler's name only suggestions. Moore beat third-seeded Nathan Morgan of Oklahoma State earlier in the year and the two are both California natives. We never got to see the Rivera-Lang match during the season or the Big Tens, but Minnesota's Manuel Rivera was unbeaten heading into the conference tournament and drawing some attention as a possible #1 ... until his fifth place finish in conference, which Lang won. The two are the 1-4. Dominick Moyer is the first obstacle, as he's the fifth seed up top. Also joining the fray is former All-American Cassio Pero of Illinois, he's the #12 seed.

Down low, Moore and Morgan are joined by Iowa's Alex Tsirtsis at #6 and dangerous Brandon Rader at #7. Also down low is Kyle Ruschell of Wisconsin and Charles Griffin of Hofstra.

Andy Simmons is a problem #8 seed and there's a buzz stirring around the ninth-seed, Kenny Hashimoto from Northern Colorado. Is he for real? We'll find out early on.

The Bad Draw ...

InterMat's breakdown of who the top guns don't want to see in the opening round.

Darrion Caldwell, N.C. State -- A true freshman from New Jersey, Caldwell won the ACC and has some explosive talent and some good stuff on top. He's a guy that's going to look for the fall and is well versed on his feet. A very problem draw for well, pretty much everyone.

Matt Ciasulli, Lehigh -- Last shot for Ciasulli, who is known for his tough leg rides and even tougher power-half series. When Ciasulli gets on top, prepare to be icing your shoulders after the match. He might define "bad draw."

Michael Keefe, UT-Chattanooga -- Not often is a former All-American regarded unseeded, but Keefe's one of the worst draws anyone could hope for in the tournament. A renewed vigor in his wrestling has been apparent this year. After making the semis two years ago, Keefe was bounced early last season. He'll change that this year.

Kyle Terry, Oklahoma -- Really made some noise at the end of the season, including wins over Missouri's Ashtin Primus (twice) and Andy Simmons. Terry's coming into his own at 141 pounds and could be the added spark that OU needs to make a run at the top five.

Seeds:
1. Lang, Ryan (Northwestern)
2. Moore, Derek (UC Davis)
3. Morgan, Nathan (Oklahoma State)
4. Rivera, Manuel (Minnesota)
5. Moyer, Dominick (Nebraska)
6. Tsirtsis, Alex (Iowa)
7. Rader, Brandon (West Virginia)
8. Simmons, Andy (Michigan State)
9. Hashimoto, Kenny (Northern Colorado)
10.Ruschell, Kyle (Wisconsin)
11. Griffin, Charles (Hofstra)
12. Pero, Cassio (Illinois)

2006 Medal Match Results
Finals: Nate Gallick (Iowa State) dec. Teyon Ware (Oklahoma) 3-2
3rd: Cory Cooperman (Lehigh) maj. dec. Ryan Lang (Northwestern) 9-0
5th: Andy Simmons (Michigan State) maj. dec. Brandon Rader (West Virginia) 11-2
7th: Alex Tsirtsis (Iowa) dec. David Hoffman (Virginia Tech) 4-2, SV