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

Quick hits

2006 National Champion: Shane Webster, Oregon
Printable Bracket | Interactive Bracket (Premium Service)

One of the most laid back guys in the wrestling scene is the top seed at 184 pounds. A two-time All-American already, Northwestern's Jake Herbert is looking for his first NCAA championship. He'll contend with the Big Ten cohorts that will try to stop him on his way. Of the 12 seeds, five are from the Big Ten and all of the top four seeds are from the conference.

Last year's runner-up at 184, Roger Kish of Minnesota looks to make another finals run and will have Ohio State's Mike Pucillo to contend with. The pair met in the semis at the Big Tens with Kish picking up a fall. Pucillo then defaulted to sixth. The first non-Big Ten seed is Raymond Jordan, the North Carolina native wrestling 184 for Missouri. Jordan's the #5, followed by Jake Varner of Iowa State at #6. Edinboro's Alex Clemsen, a four-time qualifier, and Hofstra's Joe Rovelli round out the top eight.

There seems to be a bit of separation between the top six and the bottom six, but only Herbert and Kish are returning medalists -- Herbert last year at 174 and Kish at 184. The EIWA throws two seeds into the mix with Louis Caputo of Harvard and Virginia's funky Rocco Caponi.

The Bad Draw ...

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

Josh Arnone, Cornell -- Been out of the lineup for most of Cornell's season, Rob Koll once said they'd have a kid coming into EIWA's at like 5-0 and then place. Well, he was close, but Arnone's a problem draw and isn't beaten up like the rest of the field after the long season. His freshness could be a factor.

Duke Burk, Northern Illinois -- The redshirt freshman went 23-7 this season with notable wins up and down the line. In a tough spot behind Christian Sinnott in the MAC, but picking up the wildcard will give Burk the opportunity to show he belongs.

David Craig, Lehigh -- Last year's #1 recruit, Craig stepped into the Lehigh lineup with high regard and after some early season losses, settled down, got ranked and finished 28-9. Craig's got great position and good leverage and is tough to score on and even tougher to defend when he's on top.

Nathan Shirk, Bloomsburg -- He's got a win over Joe Rovelli this year and has been teetering on the radar with the national rankings, but never quite got that big enough win to vault him into the Top 20. Could he pull a 'Mike Sees' and upend someone early on?

Seeds:
1. Herbert, Jake (Northwestern)
2. Kish, Roger (Minnesota)
3. Pucillo, Mike (Ohio State)
4. Todd, Tyrel (Michigan)
5. Jordan, Raymond (Missouri)
6. Varner, Jake (Iowa State)
7. Clemsen, Alex (Edinboro)
8. Rovelli, Joseph (Hofstra)
9. Sinnott, Christian (Central Michigan)
10. Caputo, Louis (Harvard)
11. Dergo, John (Illinois)
12. Caponi, Rocco (Virginia)

2006 Medal Match Results
Finals: Shane Webster (Oregon) dec. Roger Kish (Minnesota) 3-2
3rd: Pete Friedl (Illinois) maj. dec. Josh Glenn (American) 13-2
5th: C.B. Dollaway (Arizona State) dec. Joe Mazzurco (Cornell) 6-1
7th: Ben Wissel (Purdue) dec. Eric Bradley (Penn State) 8-2