2015 Reno TOC

Why You Can't Miss The 2015 Reno Tournament Of Champions

Why You Can't Miss The 2015 Reno Tournament Of Champions

Jo Jo Smith enters a loaded field at 157 pounds at the Reno TOCThe 2015 Reno TOC college division will feature a fantastic mix of proven commodities and up

Dec 19, 2015 by Christian Pyles
Why You Can't Miss The 2015 Reno Tournament Of Champions
Joe Smith, Oklahoma State wrestling Larry Early at Who's #1
Jo Jo Smith enters a loaded field at 157 pounds at the Reno TOC

The 2015 Reno TOC college division will feature a fantastic mix of proven commodities and up and coming talent. Here are the matches, weight classes and wrestlers IÂ’m most excited about for the tournament this Sunday (Watch Live Here).

10. Nick Piccinnini vs 125. The Oklahoma State True Freshman is in the middle of a redshirt year. HeÂ’s set to compete this weekend at Reno where heÂ’ll face significant competition with #13 Chasen Tolbert and #15 Josh Rodriguez in the mix along with a few other hammers like Elijah Oliver and Brent Fleetwood. Piccinnini is the 25 pounder in waiting next year for the Cowboys, so heÂ’ll be expected to step in and produce soon.

9. Paul Fox, Stanford - Paul Fox!? WhatÂ’s gotten into you CP!? While I do know wrestling, what I know more than anything is to listen to the ACTUAL experts. People who know what theyÂ’re talking about tell me Fox is for real and a major, major sleeper. A coming out party could be on tap this Sunday for the Stanford 49 pounder.

8. #10 Steven Rodrigues, Illinois - The man has made the incredible jump from 141 to 165 in the matter of one season (Take that, Kyle Dake). In a weight like 65 someone with the tools that Rodrigues has could be a real factor. I just canÂ’t wait to watch him go in person. HeÂ’ll have some tough competition at this weight with All American Jim Wilson of Stanford in the mix.

7. #12 Bryce Meredith, Wyoming - Meredith transferred from NC State this year and immediately made an impact for Wyoming when he took out Anthony Abidin. If he can navigate a field with Horan as well as a number of elite contenders, he could position himself as the next difference-making lightweight from Wyoming.

6. #5 Zac Brunson, Illinois - Brunson has more/less abandoned the idea of letting matches go 6 minutes. So far this year heÂ’s had one go the distance, an 11-7 decision over PrincetonÂ’s Jonathan Schleifer. Many of BrunsonÂ’s pins have been coming in the first period as well. With Ottinger, Ben Stroh, Chandler Rogers, Keaton Subjeck and Dylan Wisman in the field, thereÂ’s no doubt Brunson will be tested.

5. #15 Nate Jackson, Indiana - Things are moving in the right direction at Indiana and I believe Nate Jackson is someone to keep an eye on not only this weekend but this season in general. HeÂ’s only fallen to Myles Martin this season and has not had a match closer than 4 points. He just hammered Nick Wanzek 9-3. If thereÂ’s a darkhorse in this tournament to outperform a seed and ranking, it may be Jackson.

4. Hayden Zillmer, NDSU - Zillmer is typically a bonus point machine for North Dakota State. He comes in a prohibitive favorite at 184. His array of turns on top is as good as anyone in the entire Reno field. DonÂ’t be surprised if Zillmer turns guys deep into the tournament.

3. Jaydin Clayton v. #5 Zane Richards. IÂ’ve long been a Zane Richards fan. He was great much of last year but faded late in the season. Clayton is a 4-time state champion from Missouri and is currently redshirting for Mizzou. HeÂ’s been fantastic thus far competing unattached having pinned Josh Alber and beaten his nationally ranked teammate Zach Synon. Clayton also possesses a fun and unique style of wrestling. Recall he dominated Kaid Brock a year ago in St. Louis. Clayton will have some work to do to make this match happen. If it does, I think we're all in for a treat!


2. Jo Jo Smith v. #9 Luke Smith, CMU - Recall that for Jo Jo to even GET to wrestle I-Mar thereÂ’s a very formidable Luke Smith (no relation) that could likely play spoiler to that match up. Smith has snuck under the radar most of his careers, so a refresher course on the guys heÂ’s beaten: Dylan Alton, Tommy Gantt, Austin Matthews, Joey LaVallee, Zac Brunson, Kyle Bradley and James Vollrath. Just to name a few. Look past this match at your own peril. Luke Smith is not someone to sleep on people.

1. #1 Isaiah Martinez v. Jo Jo Smith - I mean, what else is there to say that hasnÂ’t already been said? If it happens it will likely be the most widely discussed match of the entire weekend. Read more about the potential match up here.


Here is a quick list of some of the heavy hitters IÂ’m most excited to watch at Reno:

125
#15 Josh Rodriguez - North Dakota State
#13 Chasen Tolbert - Utah Valley
Nick Piccinnini - Oklahoma State
Elijah Oliver - Indiana
Brent Fleetwood - Central Michigan

133
#5 Zane Richards - Illinois
Dalton Brady - Arizona State
Jaydin Clayton - Missouri
Mason Pengily - Stanford
Nathan Kraisser - Campbell
Corey Keener - Central Michigan

141
#5 Joey McKenna - Stanford
#15 Zach Horan - Central Michigan
#12 Bryce Meredith - Wyoming
Ian Nickell - Cal State Bakersfield
Zech Breser - Clackamas
Brock Ervin - Illinois
Mitch Bengston - North Dakota State

149
Christian Pagdilao - Arizona State
Coleman Hammond - Cal State Bakersfield
Geo Martinez - Boise State
Kyle Langenderfer - Illinois
Nick Barber -Eastern Michigan
Matthew Frisch - The Citadel
Paul Fox - Stanford

157
#1 Isaiah Martinez - Illinois
Joe Smith - Oklahoma State
#8 Luke Smith - Central Michigan
Jacob Danishek - Indiana
Archie Colgan - Wyoming
LeRoy Barnes - Missouri
Joey LaVallee - Missouri
Oliver Pierce - Arizona State
Chris Castillo - Boise State

165
#7 Jim Wilson - Stanford
#10 Steven Rodrigues - Illinois
Keilan Torres - Northern Colorado

174
#5 Zac Brunson - Illinois
#9 Mike Ottinger - Central Michigan
Chandler Rogers - Oklahoma State
Keaton Subjeck - Stanford
Dylan Wisman - Missouri
Nate Jackson - Indiana
#16 Ben Stroh - Wyoming

184
#6 Hayden Zilmer - North Dakota State
#18 Jeff Koepke - Illinois

197
Jackson Lewis - Central Michigan
#15 Anthony Abro - Eastern Michigan
David Showunmi - Stanford
#20 Derek Thomas - Utah Valley

285
#15 Nathan Butler - Stanford
Tanner Harms - Wyoming
#14Brooks Black - Illinois