The 149-pound weight class has been one of the crucial chaotic in all the nation this yr. Shayne Van Ness has been the #1 ranked wrestler since week one, however 13 completely different wrestlers have been ranked within the prime 5 at 149 all through the season. Will the chaos proceed in Cleveland? Check out the article beneath for a whole preview with predictions for what must be an unimaginable bracket to look at unfold!
2026 NCAA Division 1 Rankings – 149 lbs
Interactive Brackets on FloWrestling
The favourite
- Shayne Van Ness, Penn State
Van Ness enters the NCAA Tournament because the #1 seed and the lone undefeated wrestler within the subject. Van Ness is at the moment 21-0 with a 77.3% bonus fee – 5 pins, 7 techs, and 4 majors. Van Ness additionally has ranked victories over Ethan Stiles, Lachlan McNeil (two), Ryder Block (two), Eligh Rivera, Chance Lamer, Carter Young, Aden Valencia, Max Petersen, and Gabe Willochell. With that type of dominance towards a tricky schedule, it looks like Van Ness is a “lock” to win an NCAA title. However, Van Ness’ efficiency on the Big Ten Tournament could have introduced that into query. Van Ness wanted come-from-behind victories towards each Ryder Block and Lachlan McNeil. That efficiency, mixed with the truth that Van Ness has but to win an NCAA title, leaves simply sufficient doubt to maintain him from being a “next topic” champion at 149 kilos this yr.
Shayne Van Ness’ win over Lachlan McNeil:
The Contenders
- Jaxon Joy, Cornell
- Cross Wasilewski, Penn
- Collin Gaj, Virginia Tech
- Koy Buesgens, NC State
- Caleb Tyus, SIUE
- Ethan Stiles, Ohio State
- Casey Swiderski, OK State
- David Evans, Utah Valley
- Aden Valencia, Stanford
- Lachlan McNeil, Michigan
- Carter Young, Maryland
The variety of wrestlers on this class represents simply how chaotic 149 kilos has been this yr. There have been moments when the above ELEVEN wrestlers have appeared like professional title contenders this yr. However, all of them have head-scratching blemishes on their data that make you marvel in the event that they’ll even attain the rostrum in Cleveland. Check out a breakdown beneath of the related wins and losses for every wrestler on this class.
Jaxon Joy, Cornell
- Wins: Cross Wasilewski (twice), Eligh Rivera (twice), Collin Gaj, Kaleb Larkin, David Evans, Caleb Rathjen, Casey Swiderski, Ethan Stiles
- Losses: Koy Buesgens, Bo Bassett
Cross Wasilewski, Penn
- Wins: Eligh Rivera (twice), Eugene Harney, Max Petersen, Collin Gaj, Andrew Clark, Clayton Jones
- Losses: Jaxon Joy (twice), Carter Young
Collin Gaj, Virginia Tech
- Wins: Koy Buesgens (twice), Aden Valencia (twice), Kade Brown, Michael Gioffre
- Losses: Wynton Denkins, Jaxon Joy, Aden Valencia, Cross Wasilewski, Koy Buesgens
Koy Buesgens, NC State
- Wins: Kade Brown (twice), Jaxon Joy, Aden Valencia, Collin Gaj, Casey Swiderski, Caleb Rathjen
- Losses: Collin Gaj (twice), Ethan Stiles
Caleb Tyus, SIUE
- Wins: Casey Swiderski, Ethan Stiles, Dylan Layton, Ryan Michaels
- Losses: Lucas Kapusta, Bo Bassett
Ethan Stiles, Ohio State
- Wins: Joseph Zargo, Ryder Block (twice), Chance Lamer, Koy Buesgens
- Losses: Jaxon Joy, Caleb Tyus, Jacob (*149*), Joseph Zargo, Shayne Van Ness
Casey Swiderski, OK State
- Wins: Lachlan McNeil, Chance Lamer, Caleb Rathjen (twice), Jacob (*149*), Max Petersen
- Losses: Aden Valencia, Jaxon Joy, Ryder Block, Koy Buesgens, Caleb Tyus
David Evans, Utah Valley
- Wins: Max Petersen, Jacob (*149*), Chance Lamer, Joseph Zargo, Aden Valencia
- Losses: Paniro Johnson, Jaxon Joy, Gabe Willochell, Caleb Rathjen
Aden Valencia, Stanford
- Wins: Kade Brown, Jacob (*149*), Max Petersen, Collin Gaj, Casey Swiderski
- Losses: David Evans, Jacob (*149*), Kaleb Larkin, Shayne Van Ness, Koy Buesgens, Collin Gaj (twice)
Lachlan McNeil, Michigan
- Wins: Carter Young (twice), Michael Gioffre (twice), Clayton Jones (twice), Ryder Block, Andrew Clark
- Losses: Casey Swiderski, Kaleb Larkin, Eligh Rivera, Collin Gaj, Shayne Van Ness (twice), Joseph Zargo
Carter Young, Maryland
- Wins: Cross Wasilewski, Joseph Zargo (twice), Andrew Clark (twice)
- Losses: Lachlan McNeil (twice), Shayne Van Ness
If you are taking a detailed take a look at the outcomes, they’re in all places! That makes this weight extraordinarily troublesome to foretell, and why it has the potential to be probably the most chaotic bracket in Cleveland. I do assume a couple of wrestlers from this group are trending in the correct course and value highlighting heading into NCAAs.
The first is #11 seed, Lachlan McNeil. After a gradual begin with 4 losses within the first semester to Casey Swiderski, Kaleb Larkin, Eligh Rivera, and Collin Gaj, McNeil turned issues round within the second semester, going 10-3 and inserting third on the Big Ten Championships. McNeil’s most spectacular match was in a loss to Shayne Van Ness within the Big Ten Semis. McNeil used two first-interval takedowns to carry a 7-5 lead into the third interval. He even led 9-8 with 50 seconds left within the match earlier than Van Ness secured the match-successful takedown. That end result closed the hole from a 9-1 loss to Van Ness a month prior. McNeil is peaking on the proper time, and despite the fact that he’s the #11 seed, he has an excellent likelihood to make a deep run in Cleveland.
Lachlan McNeil on his transition to Michigan:
Casey Swiderksi is one other wrestler who has wrestled higher within the second half of the season in comparison with the primary. After November, Swiderski was solely 2-4 after which suffered one other stunning loss in December to Caleb Tyus. However, since that loss, Swiderski has gained 10 straight matches, highlighted by a Big 12 title. Swiderski has a tricky draw because the #8 seed with a possible match towards David Evans in spherical two and Shayne Van Ness. However, all indicators level to Swiderski ending on the rostrum this yr.
Casey Swiderski’s win over Caleb Rathjen within the Big 12 finals:
Jaxon Joy is the standard decide to make the finals reverse Van Ness. Joy put collectively a improbable yr with a 24-1 file and a 69.2% bonus fee – 3 pins, 9 techs, and 6 majors. Even with a stunning loss to Koy Buesgens in late February, we should always nonetheless count on a excessive end from Joy on the NCAA Tournament. He finishes his leg assaults rapidly and may be probably the most dominant prime wrestler on the weight. Joy’s expertise make him a harmful matchup for anybody at this weight, and plenty of count on him to wrestle Saturday evening in Cleveland.
Jaxon Joy’s win over Kaleb Larkin within the 2025 CKLV finals:
Collin Gaj is the ultimate wrestler on this class value highlighting. Gaj began the yr at 157 for the Hokies after which gained the beginning spot after ending seventh on the Cliff Keen Invitational and successful the Midlands Championships. While he surprisingly dropped a match to non-qualifier Wynton Denkins final month, Gaj’s efficiency on the ACC Tournament proved he’ll be a contender at NCAAs. To win the ACC’s Gaj took out Koy Buesgens for the second time this yr (2-1 in tiebreakers) and likewise defeated a tricky Aden Valencia (5-4). Gaj, much like Jaxon Joy, is dominant on prime, and his using potential can shut down a few of the greatest wrestlers within the nation.
Collin Gaj’s win over Koy Buesgens:
Sleepers & Landmines
- Caleb Rathjen, Northern Iowa
- Lucas Kapusta, Lock Haven
- Eugene Harney, Morgan State
Ryder Block, Jacob (*149*), Chance Lamer, and Joseph Zargo are a few of the extra effectively-identified names on this bracket. Because of that, they don’t match the “Sleepers & Landmines” class like Rathjen, Kapusta, and Harney. Rathjen leads this pack because the Big 12 runner-up with ranked wins this yr over Jacob (*149*), David Evans, and Joseph Zargo. Rathjen didn’t compete in any respect in December and is just 9-6 on the yr. Because of that, he’s solely the #14 seed and should undergo Brock Herman and Cross Wasilewski simply to make the quarters. Still, with as chaotic as 149 has been this yr, Rathjen is able to reaching the rostrum and inflicting some chaos of his personal in Cleveland.
Lock Haven’s Lucas Kapusta solely obtained the #17 seed, however he’s put collectively a really spectacular season. He’s 25-4 on the yr and is using a 12-match successful streak heading into the NCAA Tournament. Kapusta was possible off many of the nation’s radar till he defeated Caleb Tyus within the MAC finals to spoil Tyus’ undefeated season. Kapusta has a tricky path on the entrance aspect of the bracket with Jacob (*149*) in his opening spherical match after which prime-seeded Shayne Van Ness. Still, I feel Kapusta may very well be poised to make some noise within the comfort bracket and problem for All-American honors.
Morgan State’s Eugene Harney is the ultimate “Sleeper” value highlighting at 149 kilos. Harney, Morgan State’s first-ever EIWA champion, is 27-4 this yr and is at the moment using a 9-match successful streak heading into the NCAA Tournament. Harney’s solely losses on the season are shut ones to Anderson Heap (4-1 in extra time), Cross Wasilewski (5-4), Kaden Cassidey (10-7), and he was pinned by Riley Bower (which he went on to avenge). As the #18 seed, Harney doesn’t have a simple path with Iowa’s Ryder Block first, after which a possible match towards #2 Jaxon Joy. However, that’s precisely why he’s a landmine to be careful for in Cleveland!
Who’s Winning The 149 Pound NCAA Title?
Maybe I’ve overreacted to Van Ness’ shut matches towards Ryder Block and Lachlan McNeil, however I’ve gone forwards and backwards on whether or not or not I’m choosing Van Ness to win an NCAA title this yr. Do I consider he’s the most effective wrestler within the bracket? Absolutely! However, I’m not solely assured he’ll string 5 matches collectively to win the match. At the tip of the day, I’m nonetheless using with Van Ness to return out on prime, however gained’t be shocked if we see an enormous upset and one of many many contenders strolling away with the 149-pound title.
Full 149 Pound Predictions
1. Shayne Van Ness, Penn State
2. Lachlan McNeil, Michigan
3. Casey Swiderski, OK State
4. Collin Gaj, Virginia Tech
5. Jaxon Joy, Cornell
6. Koy Buesgens, NC State
7. Carter Young, Maryland
8. Cross Wasilewski, Penn
Rd of 12 – Ethan Stiles, Ohio State
Rd of 12 – Caleb Rathjen, Northern Iowa
Rd of 12 – Aden Valencia, Stanford
Rd of 12 – David Evans, Utah Valley
