Last year Campbell qualified 6 wrestlers for the NCAA Championships and won the Southern Conference.
Can they repeat that success?
Who's Returning & Leaving?
Unfortunately, the Camels are losing some immense talent:
- 125. Korbin Meink (3x qualifier)
- 149. Josh Heil (5x qualifier)
- 197. Chris Kober (2x qualifier)
But, four National qualifiers are returning, in addition to 2021 blood round finisher Austin Murphy (174 lbs). These are the qualifiers:
- 133. Dom Zaccone
- 141. Shannon Hanna
- 184. Caleb Hopkins
- 285. Taye Ghadiali
New Starters & SoCon Threats
As I see it, there are 4 spots up for grabs in this lineup.
Filling in at 149 is Florida state champion Justin Rivera, who can luckily still train with Josh Heil in the room. I suspect Heil will also work with his brother, Logan, who recently transferred from Cleveland State. He'll challenge Anthony Molton, who started a few matches at 125 last season.
At 157 lbs, Rutgers transfer Jojo Aragona should get the start. Placing 3rd at SoCons last season, he's a serious threat to win it this year. Another threat to win is Levi Hopkins (197), who could go tit-for-tat with Chris Kober.
2023 Lineup Preview
Here's how I expect the team to look in 2023:
- 125. Molton / Heil
- 133. Dom Zaccone (NQ)
- 141. Shannon Hanna (NQ)
- 149. Justin Rivera
- 157. Jojo Aragona
- 165. Troy Nation
- 174. Austin Murphy ('21 NQ)
- 184. Caleb Hopkins (NQ)
- 197. Levi Hopkins
- 285. Taye Ghadiali (NQ)
What to Expect
The Camels dual meet schedule is absolutely lethal, including opponents such as UNC, Michigan, Drexel, Purdue, Nebraska, and Central Michigan. They will battle SoCon foes App State for the SoCon Championship again. But after losing in the dual meet, Campbell will want that revenge too.
More importantly, they're looking to qualify more guys for Nationals and get their first NCAA placer since Nathan Kraisser in 2017. After a battle-tested dual season I think someone finally makes the podium again.
Josiah Hritsko Wrestling Fan & Founder of Fanco Wrestling
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