Max Murin at 149 for the Hawks is my sleeper pick for the team. I believe that Murin has been forgotten in the mix with his limited action due to injuries. With an 8-2 record Murin is ranked #10 in the country. His only two losses were in overtime in December and 3-2 to the #2 ranked wrestler in the country. Murin is that close to the top wrestlers in the country.
149 is yet another tough weight in the Big Ten with eight nationally ranked wrestlers. If national rankings hold up then we would see Murin seeded #4 at Big Tens.
Last season did not end the way that Murin wanted due to injury and I think that will be an added motivator in play here. I believe if he can come into Big Tens and Nationals healthy that Iowa will get a lot more points at 149 than most are thinking.
My gut feeling is that I am looking for a good showing by Murin at Big Tens and an even better run at Nationals.
NCAA Allocations for the Big Ten Conference at 149 for NCAA National Tournament Qualifiers is 7.
Sat/Sun March 5-6 at Big Tens (Lincoln, Nebraska)
Th-Sat, March 17-19 at NCAA National Tournament (Detroit, Michigan)
*All Rankings by InterMat.
#2 Sammy Sasso – Ohio State
#5 Austin Gomez – Wisconsin
#6 Ridge Lovett – Nebraska
#10 Max Murin – Iowa
#11 Yahya Thomas – Northwestern
#15 Mike Van Brill – Rutgers
#17 Beau Bartlett – Penn State
#29 Christian Kanzler – Illinois
#30 Michael Blockhus – Minnesota
Max Murin 149, Senior – Ebensburg, Pennsylvania (Central Cambria)
National ranking: #10
Record: 8-2
*Rankings at the time of the match
2021-22 Results:
149 Ian Parker (Iowa State) W-D 3-2
Corbyn Munson (Central Michigan) W-MD 14-5
#30 Manzona Bryant (Lehigh) L-D 7-5 SV1
#25 Michael Blockhus (Minnesota) W-D 3-1
Trey Kruse (Purdue) W-MD 10-2
#5 Yahya Thomas (Northwestern) W-D 4-3
Christian Kanzler (Illinois) W-D 9-3
#2 Sammy Sasso (Ohio State) L-D 3-2
#19 Beau Bartlett (Penn State) W-D 5-1
#13 Kaden Gfeller (Oklahoma State) W-D 5-2
It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.
Go Hawks!
