165- Wentzel(Pitt), Bullard(NCS) gone, not sure if UNC will return Santiago or Estrada, who primarily wrestled Open's this year. McCoy(UVA) will be the top returner here and he's not a national level guy. This weight looks like a crapshoot due to the replacements at Pitt and State. Ulrey's ceiling could be #2 here.
174- Mehki will be third, I kid, I kid. Hidlay's gone, everyone else returns or could return. Lautt and Finesilver are good, not Mehki good. State could possibly take a hit here as they will rely on a first year guy, maybe Faison or recruit. VT- Champion
184- The only thing that takes out Hidlay is a new strand of Covid or an injury. This is the lock of all locks, unless Bolen comes back because Trent can't score on Hunter, but Hunter's not coming back, I think. For us, let's say Howard bumps down. He would contend with Kane(UNC) or Battista(UVA) at Wrestlemania, I mean ACC's. For the record, I didn't make up those names, they are real. Howard could finish anywhere from a distant 2nd to 4th, I'll shoot for the middle and say 3rd.
197-If Nino(Pitt) comes back it will again come down to him and Trumble(NCS). Shaw(UNC) and Russell(Duke, better than most of their roster) return and the Virginia schools replace. Yay, no Jay Aiello (UVA). I would be surprised if VT cracks the top 2 here with anybody on their roster but 3rd is a possibility here or 4th, or 5th. Too many variables here, VT #3 - #6
HWT- Everyone returns, but TRAX. Catka should fit really well here, not a bunch of national level guys here but guys with some experience. Catka went 2-2 against State this year. 1-1 both
against Houghton and Trephan. Slight edge here to Houghton and Miller(UVA) but if the Big Cat can get some consistent performances, he'll be right there. I'll say 3rd for VT but I think the ceiling is higher.
[Post edited by KCDale at 03/09/2022 12:18PM]