174 Pounds:
The Favorites:
No. 1 Jon Reader, Senior (Iowa State), Record: 34-0
Reader has been on a tear this season after a disappointing finish to the 2010 NCAA championships in which he did not reach All-American status. The two-time All-American is deadly from the top position with his strength and tilting combinations. The Big 12 champ can score points in a hurry, winning 27 of his matches by way of bonus points. The Cyclone senior owns wins over No. 3 Mack Lewnes (Cornell), No. 7 Ben Bennett (Central Michigan), No. 9 Ethen Lofthouse (Iowa) twice and No. 10 Mike Letts (Maryland). With experience and a complete skill-set from every angle on the mat, Reader will be a tough out in Philadelphia.
No. 2 Ed Ruth, Freshman (Penn State), Record: 32-1
Penn State has some of the best freshman in the country, and Ed Ruth is at the forefront of the group with David Taylor. The Big Ten champion is quick and can put points on th board in spurts. He has wins over No. 3 Mack Lewnes (Cornell), No. 5 Chris Henrich (Virginia), No. 8 Nick Heflin (Ohio State) and No. 9 Ethen Lofthouse (Iowa). The only real question about Ruth is, how will he handle the situation should reach the latter rounds of the tournament?
No. 3 Mack Lewnes, Senior (Cornell), Record: 35-2
The 2010 national runner-up at 174 pounds, Lewnes has been one of the most consistent wrestlers in the nation during his career at Cornell. The Big Red senior possesses exceptional balance, defense and mat presence. He has wins over No. 3 (165 pounds) Tyler Caldwell (Oklahoma), No. 7 Ben Bennett (Central Michigan) three times and No. 8 Nick Heflin (Ohio State). Lewnes will no doubt be a favorite to push for the championship, but he may have to take on both Reader and Ruth (the only two to defeat him this season) to grab that elusive title.
No. 5 Chris Henrich, Senior (Virginia), Record: 32-2
Henrich was so close last season to making the NCAA finals. Leading eventual champion, Jay Borschel (Iowa), 9-3 in the semifinals, Henrich ran out of gas and couldn't finish the job. The Virginia senior has put together another nice season with a victory over No. 10 Mike Letts (Maryland), and although he may not have had the toughest schedule in the nation, he has the tools to shock the others and win the title.
Others to watch:
No. 4 Colby Covington, Senior (Oregon State), Record: 20-1
No. 6 Nick Amuchastegui, Junior (Stanford), Record: 27-3
No. 7 Ben Bennett, Sophomore (Central Michigan), Record: 27-5
No. 10 Mike Letts, Senior (Maryland), Record: 28-6
Predicted Winner: Jon Reader (Iowa State)