Cliff Keen/NWCA National Duals
  Jan. 21-23, 2005  CSU Convocation Center  Cleveland, Ohio   
    FIRST ROUND:  #1 Oklahoma State vs. The Citadel  The Citadel finally makes it into the National Duals, and it gets the worst draw of all, Oklahoma State. While it is doubtful The Citadel is healthy enough to get out of the first round against any of the seeded teams, this rising program would have enjoyed a dual where it could have won three or four matches. With the NWCA's limit of 15 roster wrestlers at this event, it is basically assured that the Cowboys are bringing all their top guns. This was the event last year where Johny Hendricks (165) finally earned a starting role, coming away with a win over defending NCAA champion Ryan Bertin. This year, Ronnie Delk and Daniel Frishkorn will be battling for the starting slot at 141, and Jack Jensen and Clay Kehrer will split time to see who will be the 184-pound starter the rest of the season. For The Citadel, injuries have plagued this team, one that could have been much more competitive in this dual at the start of the year. Travis Piccard (157) is a bright spot for this program, and this is a good opportunity for him to shine on a national stage.  TheMat.com Prediction: Oklahoma State, 42-3    #8 Cornell vs. Cleveland State  Like the first dual in this bracket, this is also a major mismatch. Cornell is one of the most underrated teams in the country right now, while Cleveland State has not competed as well as some felt they would at the start of the year. The Big Red will be led by All-Americans Travis Lee (133) and Dustin Manotti (149), two national title contenders. This tournament comes along at the perfect time for some of the young wrestlers in this lineup, including Jordan Leen (141) and Joey Hooker (165), both of whom have very bright futures at the collegiate level. Cleveland State is the host team, so there is a lot more pride at stake in this dual. This team is strongest in the middle weights, with Ryan Hurley (149) and Marcus Effner (157) leading the charge. However, upper weights Ron Howard (184) and Joe Phillips (197) are very competitive, and both could come away with wins in this dual meet. But unfortunately for the Vikings, it is going to take more than an upset or two to win this dual.  TheMat.com Prediction: Cornell, 33-3    #5 Hofstra vs. Northern Iowa  This will be one of the best first-round matchups in this tournament. Every year, it seems as if there is at least one unseeded team that makes a major impact. Northern Iowa could be that team this year. There will be three big matchups in this dual. At 197, All-Americans Sean Stender of Northern Iowa and Chris Skretkowicz will match up. Both of these wrestlers have the potential of winning the NCAA title this year, and this match will go a long way towards a high seed at the NCAA Tournament. Another big match is at 157 between Northern Iowa's Chris Bitetto and Hofstra's James Strouse. Both of these wrestlers are teetering on the 12th and final seed at the NCAA Tournament. Hofstra's Paul Siemon (174) will be looking to earn an upset over All-American Eric Hauan as well. Unfortunately for Hofstra, the Panthers will be favored in two of these weights. That means that the winner of the 197-pound bout could also win the dual for his team.  TheMat.com Prediction: Northern Iowa, 21-13 (Stender over Skretkowicz)    #4 Lehigh vs. Cal Poly  The Mountainhawks have strung together some impressive wins lately, and that trend should continue here at this tournament, especially with an opening-round draw of Cal Poly. While Lehigh would be favored no matter what, the loss of All-American Darrell Vasquez from the Cal Poly lineup has completely changed the landscape of this team. Vic Moreno (125), Steve Esparza (141), Brody Barrios (165) and Ryan Halsey (184) can all provide a solid punch for Cal Poly, but Esparza will have to face All-American Cory Cooperman and Barrios will match up with defending NCAA champion Troy Letters. In other words, Cal Poly is a good team, but they do not match up well with Lehigh at all. Getting three individual victories in this dual would be a confident boost for Cal Poly heading into the consolation bracket. Don't be surprised if Lehigh rests some of their starters to stay ready for what lies ahead in the next two rounds, though.  TheMat.com Prediction: Lehigh, 29-6    #3 Michigan vs. Arizona State  This is a statement tournament for Michigan, a squad that feels it is highly underrated this year. Where the Wolverines will suffer is with the lack of a 125-pounder since Mark Moos moved up to 133. Outside of 125, this lineup is as good as any other team's, especially in a dual meet format. All-American Ryan Churella (165) moved up two weights this season and it has made Michigan that much more powerful. All-Americans Ryan Bertin (157) and Greg Wagner (285) have been stellar this year as well. Wagner will have a key matchup in this dual that could help his seed at the NCAA Tournament. He will face Cain Velasquez in what should be the best match of this dual, though Churella could be tested by Patrick Pitsch. The Sun Devils can also look for wins out of C.B. Dollaway (184) and All-American Ryan Bader (197), but there would need to be some major upsets for Arizona State to come out on top.  TheMat.com Prediction: Michigan, 28-13 (Wagner over Velasquez)    #6 Minnesota vs. Central Michigan  The Gophers certainly received a tough draw in this dual, facing a Central Michigan team that matches up well. This tournament will be a big test for a young Minnesota squad that includes freshmen Mack Reiter (133), C.P. Schlatter (149), Roger Kish (184) and Matt Koz (197). What makes this dual tough is that all of Central Michigan's toughest wrestlers will face Minnesota's toughest wrestlers. At 125, All-American Bobbe Lowe of Minnesota will have his hands full with up-and-coming Greco-Roman star Luke Smith. Reiter will face Jason Borrelli, Schlatter will face Mark DiSalvo, Kish will meet up with Alex Lammers and Koz will face underrated freshman Wynn Michalak. Central Michigan needs to win at least two of those matches, and probably three, which is very possible. Another key matchup will be at heavyweight, where All-American Cole Konrad of Minnesota will face Bill Stouffer, another underrated competitor nationally. Don't be surprised if this dual goes down to the final bout.  TheMat.com Prediction: Minnesota, 19-12    #7 Oklahoma vs. Penn State  The Sooners have become a much better team than most expected when this season started. But what else is new with Jack Spates' program? All-Americans Sam Hazewinkel (125) and Teyon Ware (141) have been impressive so far this season, leading this team to a near-upset of two-time defending national champion Oklahoma State. Another key for this squad has been the emergence of E.K. Waldhaus (174), who is coming into his own. Transfer Matt Storniolo (149) has the ability to put this team into the top three at the end of the season. Penn State is in a down year. Nate Galloway (157) has come off a redshirt and have a very solid season so far, as has Big Ten champion Eric Bradley (184), but the Nittany Lions will need more than these two to be able to win some duals in this tournament. With a win by 197-pound Joel Edwards, Penn State will need to look for upsets by Adam Smith at 125 and DeWitt Driscoll at 141, or they may be looking towards the consolation bracket a little early.  TheMat.com Prediction: Oklahoma, 22-10