Article: NCAA DII Season Preview

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By Blaze Lowery

 

Having only a single DII university in the state of Indiana, I was more than willing to reach out to a few familiar faces from the Hoosier state that have found success around the nation.

 

University of Indianapolis

The Greyhounds roll into this season off one the best seasons the team has ever had in program history. Bringing back six National Qualifiers, four of which were All-Americans, the University of Indianapolis is looking to compete for a trophy at the NCAA DII National Championships. Coach Jason Warthan is excited to have “a good mix of experience and youth” in the room but is even more excited to “watch the greyhounds grow and compete.”

 

Returning National Qualifiers:

Derek Blubaugh of Bloomington South, National Runner-Up

Logan Bailey of Cathedral, All-American (6^th)

Dawson Combest of Columbus East, 3x All-American (7^th)

Jack Eiteljorge of Carmel, All-American (2020)

Breyden Bailey of Cathedral, National Qualifier

Cale Gray of Norwell, National Qualifier

 

Losing only a single national qualifier from last year, Andrew Sams (OH), this team is stacking up nicely once again. Finishing sixth at the NCAA DII National Championships this past season, the talent in this room does not end there. Senior, Chase Wilkerson of Mt. Vernon – Fortville, and redshirt sophomore, Ray Rioux of Avon, were Super Regional placers in these past few seasons for the Greyhounds.

 

Other Notable Returners:

Noah Cantu (MI), returning starter at 125

Jay Thompson (OH), returning starter from 2021

Brayden Lowery of Roncalli, potential starter at 133lbs or 141lbs

Nathan Conley of Avon, potential starter at 149lbs

Jake Lone of Northwood, potential starter at 184lbs

Aidan Petersen (MI), potential starter at 184lbs

Shane Bates of Zionsville, potential starter at 174lbs

Owen Butler (MD), potential starter at 174lbs

 

So much talent and not enough weight classes; the Greyhounds run deeper than what meets the eye. Warthan having a next-man-up approach is something that only the best in the nation can handle, making this team ready for anything in its path. Speaking of the next man up, this incoming freshman class should be on everyone’s radar.

 

Incoming Freshman:

Aidan Sprague of East Noble, potentially starting at 125lbs

Nathan Smith of Southport, Fargo Runner-Up, Preseason Nationals Champion

Gavin Garcia of Brownsburg

Mason Cantu of Hart (MI)

Jacob Johnson of Franklin Community

Bryce Crump of Center Grove

Maleec Griffin of Pike

Zach Haughton of Mt. Vernon – Fortville

Carson Johnson of Mt. Vernon – Fortville

Tyler Jones of Warren

Porter Keevers of New Palestine

Jakobe Leavell of Pike

Tabor Lock of Edwardsburg (MI)

Noah Salary of LaPorte

Sam Strouse of Center Grove

 

This recruiting class is only going to keep business steady in Indianapolis. Tackling this preseason is going to be what sets the Greyhounds apart from its competition, complementing the foundation built this offseason. Being detail oriented and making ever rep count comes natural to this team, setting them up for another great year. To put it simply, Warthan is playing chess, not checkers.

 

 

Out-of-State Spotlight

 

Drake Kendrex of Mt. Vernon – Fortville

West Liberty’s starting 197-pounder, Drake Kendrex, enters his senior season with his eyes on the prize. Originally from Indiana, he found great success and experiences with his time in West Virginia. Going to school in another state can me be “nerve-wracking,” says Kendrex, but “getting out and traveling” has been a focal point for his growth on and off the mat.

 

His personal goal this year is to qualify for the national tournament. Selflessly, he says he owes a lot of his previous success to his coaches and practice partners. Danny Erwin, Head Coach at West Liberty, and previous Head assistant at Wabash College, brings in Kyle Hatch of Wabash College as a graduate assistant.

 

Kendrex reiterates that the end goal for the team is to be national champions, but claims that his pre-season workouts, even the ones at six in the morning, make these goals comes to life. Bonding with his team more and more has prepared him to go to war and Kendrex invites the challenge.

 

Carter Noehre of Greenfield Central

Colorado School of Mines’ starting 157-pounder, Carter Noehre, is set on placing at the NCAA DII National Championships. As if studying mechanical engineering wasn’t enough, Noehre continues to impress as he appears in the NWCA’s 2021-2022 preseasons rankings as 12^th in the nation. Placing fifth at the Super Regional Vi Championships last season, the bitter taste of defeat burns like fuel as he makes his way into his senior season.

 

The Orediggers sent three to nationals last season, but Noehre sets the bar at five wrestlers for this upcoming national tournament. Although Noehre is far away from home, he has found his second family within his time in Golden.

 

Ready to grind for the podium finish, Noehre is bound to make sparks fly.

 

Christian Mejia of Elkhart Memorial

McKendree University’s starting 125-pounder, Christian Mejia, looks to bounce back onto the podium as he enters into his fifth year. After winning the 42^nd Midwest Classic tournament, held in Indianapolis, Mejia fell short of his goals of being a national champion. Although last season did not go as planned, he comes back for another year with redemption on his mind. Grinding day in and day out, Mejia and the Bearcats are looking to keep their 15-win dual record rolling.

 

Mejia’s goal this upcoming season is to not only win the NCAA DII National Championships, but to dominate the weight class as well. Mejia has found his home away from home in Illinois. Exploring all options and keeping an open mind was how he found himself at McKendree and hopes that every Indiana high school wrestler does the same.

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[Misty Kendrex]

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