It’s tough to find ironclad predictors of success at the D1 level.  Major tournaments like Fargo have proven to export D1 talent as well as world level contenders.

FloNationals is still in relative infancy, and yet the fruits FloNationals will likely produce this year at the NCAA tournament is astounding.  By my count there are 10 FloNationals alums with a legit shot at winning an NCAA title this year across 7 different weights.

125 - #3 Joey Dance - Virginia Tech

We got to know Joey for his superducks and shrugs during his high school career.  He lost a thriller to Jimmy Gulibon at FloNationals in 2010.  Dance is currently ranked 3rd in the nation and has wins over #1 Nathan Tomasello and #2 Thomas Gilman.

133 - #2 Zane Richards - Illinois

Zane placed 2nd in the 2011 FloNationals and has since become among the toughest 133 pounders in the country.  He owns 2 wins over NCAA Finalist Cory Clark along with a number of other elite wins including one over AJ Schopp.  Though he’s an underdog to Nahshon (who isn’t?), it cannot be ruled out that Zane could be more than in the hunt for the NCAA title.

141 - #1 Dean Heil - Oklahoma State

Mean Dean took home FloNationals title in 2011 at 119 pounds.  The 4-time Ohio State Champion is currently the favorite to win the 141 pound title.  He was an All American his Freshman year at Oklahoma State and was the highest returning placewinner this year. Since then he’s only suffered one loss to UNC’s Joey Ward.

157 - #1 Jason Nolf - Penn State

This weight is almost guaranteed to have a FloNats alum on top of the podium at MSG.  Nolf is not only a potential favorite to win this weight, but he’s got a great shot at the Hodge Trophy as well. Interestingly, Nolf fell to Tyler Berger at FloNationals in 2013.  He’s since unseated Isaiah Martinez, the reigning 157 pound NCAA Champ.

157 - #2 Isaiah Martinez - Illinois

One of my absolute favorites to watch in all of wrestling. I-Mar had been a borderline mythical figure in high school wrestling.  He won a FloNationals title over Maryland stud Josh Llopez.  Martinez (if you’ve been living under a rock) won an NCAA title as a Freshman and went undefeated in the process.

157 - #3 Ian Miller - Kent State

Annually one of the most entertaining wrestlers of any weight, Ian Miller’s knockout punch potential (and undefeated record) make him an undisputable title contender.  In 2011 Miller fell to Joey Davis.  Davis is going for his 4th D2 Title at Notre Dame College.  

184 - #1 Gabe Dean - Cornell

It’s fair to say the #1 ranked and returning NCAA Champion has a fair shot at an NCAA title.  Dean fell to Morgan McIntosh in the 2011 189 pound championship.  Dean will be wrestling for an EIWA title later this week.

197 - #1 Morgan McIntosh - Penn State

In high school, Morgan McIntosh was nearly untouchable.  He wrestled up and slaughtered at nearly every weight he competed.  McIntosh downed Gabe Dean at the 2011 Flonationals finals he also won FloNationals in 2010.  McIntosh is undefeated on the season and is among the nation’s leaders in bonus point wins.

285 - #1 Nick Gwiazdowski - NC State

Two-time NCAA NCAA Champ Gwiaz is looking to make heavyweight history.  It’s been nearly 30 years since a heavyweight has won 3 D1 titles.  In 2010 Nick won in the first ever FloNationals.  Since then it’s been nothing but winning for Gwiazdowski.

285 - #2 Kyle Snyder - Ohio State

Fair to say a World Champ, Junior World Champ and NCAA Finalist are a fair entry into this title contending conversation.  Snyder will be looking to stop history (something Kyle is accustomed to making).  Snyder won FloNationals in 2012 over PSU’s Nick Nevills.


So there you have it. 10 legitimate title contenders between 7 weights.  It’s inarguable that FloNationals alums are making major waves at the D1 level. In probably 4-5 years I'll be writing one of these about Yianni D, Luke Pletcher, Nick Piccininni, Spencer Lee and more.  

So what are you waiting for?  Register for 2016 FloNationals here.