James Hackney
#2 Mizzou (5-0)
Now that the first semester is finished, it’s a good time to look at how wrestlers are performing based on expectations and assigning a grade is a simple way to do that. These are individual and based on individual expectations for each wrestler, so they vary. With no tournaments on the schedule, the schedule picks up with four top ten duals in the second semester.
125lbs: #2 Noah Surtin: A+
I’ve been high on Surtin since he first came into the lineup, but he has looked better than even I expected this season. After an injury-filled 2023, he’s bounced back in a big way. His leg attack rate has increased, his scrambling improved, and he continues to have some of the best work from top at the weight. With how volatile 125 has been it’s hard to predict him going undefeated, but the rest of his season is filled with ranked opponents that he would be favored against.
133lbs: Kade Moore: A- Zeke Seltzer: C+
I had high expectations for Seltzer to start the year, a top 25 recruit that made the Tiger Style Invite finals and a close loss to Julian Chlebove in the dual. Unfortunately it looks like the young wrestler needed more time, as weight management clearly became an issue. I wouldn’t rule him out getting the spot back if that’s under control, as he flashed impressive ability in a wide open weight class.
The man that may keep that from happening is Kade Moore, a fellow redshirt freshman cutting down that has looked great. A recruit that was outside the top 100, Moore has reeled off three dual wins. I’m not sure where Moore’s ceiling is yet, but he is right on the bubble of being ranked. This lineup battle is a bit more in the background than some, and look for both wrestlers to try and seize the spot firmly in January.
141lbs: #19 Josh Edmond: B+
Edmond is a tough one to grade, as he doesn’t have any bad losses and he just got a small upset against Illinois. Both of his losses came in overtime, and were earlier in the season. At the same time though, Edmond was razor close to getting the win in both. In his recent matches Edmond hasn’t been able to get bonus points, despite either being much higher ranked or having an early lead. He has shown improvement, keeping his big moves from neutral but adding a very nice wrist tilt from top. If he can keep up his high offense for a full match, and start to improve some of his finishing, Edmond should be a podium contender in March….
