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Returning National Champion: Johny Hendricks, Oklahoma State
Printable Bracket | Interactive Bracket (Premium Service)

You either like him or you don't, and come this weekend, you'll be rooting for him or rooting against him. Yes, we're talking about Johny Hendricks, the two-time returning NCAA champion from Oklahoma State. Will it be Mark Perry of Iowa (#2) or Eric Tannenbaum of Michigan (#3) that has a shot to knock Hendricks from his perch?

Some are already calling a potential finals match with Tannenbaum "Churella's Revenge," but Hendricks is still the heavy favorite. The guy knows he's going to win and wrestles with a deep passion for the sport.

Up top with Hendricks are the four and five seeds, Travis Paulson of Iowa State and Nick Baima of Northern Iowa. Hendricks has beaten Paulson three times and Baima twice this year. Cornell's Steve Anceravage might be the biggest matchup problem for Hendricks and ninth-seeded Matt Pell.

Down low, Tannenbaum and Perry are joined by returning All-Americans Mike Patrovich of Hofstra (#6) and Deonte Penn of Edinboro (#7). Penn's the guy that can really shake things up in the weight. "Pinner Penn" as he dubbed himself (or by others, we're not sure), is going in confident.

American's Mike Cannon has had a nice season and could shake things up, too.

The Bad Draw ...

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

Stephen Dwyer, Nebraska -- Like his young teammates, Dwyer has come on strong at the end of the season and isn't someone an upstart conference champion would want to see right off the bat. Don't let the 18-11 record fool you.

Justin Fraga, Purdue -- Another Florida native that turned in an impressive Big Ten tournament. This kid has been scrappy since he was wrestling for the Florida Jets as a young lad and has come into his own during this, his redshirt freshman year. If he gets hot like he did in the Big 10, he'll join Dwyer as one of those guys that will make a conference champ ask "why" afterwards.

Andy Rendos, Bucknell -- Started the year with a big win and ended as a national qualifier as a true freshman. New program doesn't mean lack of talent. Dan Wirnsberger and staff recruited D-1 kids that they thought could compete at the nationals. Rendos is one of 'em.

Tyler Safratowich, Minnesota -- The Minnesota native will probably have his name mispronounced more times than anyone else in the tournament, but since moving up from 149, to 157 to now 165, he's been winning. And to think, this kid once won Cadets at 84 pounds. You don't want to see "Saf-ra-toe-itch" on your side.

T.J. Sayers, UT-Chattanooga -- Since taking over at mid-season at 165 for the Mocs, Sayers has been steady. Got some modestly good wins this season, including one over Cannon.

Seeds:
1. Hendricks, Johny (Oklahoma State)
2. Perry, Mark (Iowa)
3. Tannenbaum, Eric (Michigan)
4. Paulson, Travis (Iowa State)
5. Baima, Nick (Northern Iowa)
6. Patrovich, Mike (Hofstra)
7. Penn, Deonte (Edinboro)
8. Anceravage, Steve (Cornell)
9. Pell, Matt (Missouri)
10. Cannon, Mike (American)
11. Pitsch, Patrick (Arizona State)
12. Galloway, Johnny (Northern Illinois)

2006 Medal Match Results
Finals: Johny Hendricks (Oklahoma State) dec. Ryan Churella (Michigan) 9-8
3rd: Muzaffar Abdurakhmanov (American) FOR Deonte Penn (Edinboro)
5th: Joey Bracamonte (Oregon) dec. Travis Paulson (Iowa State) 4-3
7th: Dan Thompson (The Citadel) dec. Eric Luedke (Iowa) 8-3