MANHEIM, Pa. — Returning All-Americans Clay Carlson and Tanner Sloan have been selected to represent the South Dakota State University wrestling team at the 2023 NWCA All-Star Classic, presented by Cliff Keen, next month.
The exhibition event is scheduled for 7 p.m. Eastern Time (6 p.m. Central) on Nov. 21 at Rec Hall on the campus of Penn State University and will feature matchups in all 10 collegiate weight classes in the men’s division, as well as four cross-divisional women’s freestyle matches. The event will be available for viewing through FloWrestling.org.
Carlson, a two-time All-American at 141 pounds, is slated to face Lachlan McNeil of North Carolina. A native of Willmar, Minnesota, Carlson placed fifth at 141 pounds at the 2023 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, finishing the season with a 27-10 record. McNeil recorded a fourth-place finish at the national tournament in posting a 27-9 overall record.
Sloan, the 2023 national runner-up at 197 pounds, is scheduled to square off against Aaron Brooks of Penn State. The Alburnett, Iowa, native compiled a 27-3 record in advancing to the national championship bout, while Brooks is a three-time NCAA champion at 184 pounds who is expected to move up a weight class this season.
South Dakota State returns six national qualifiers from last year’s squad that finished 14th at the 2023 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. The Jackrabbits open the 2023-24 season Nov. 11 at the Bison Open in Fargo, North Dakota.
2023 NWCA ALL-STAR CLASSIC MEN’S MATCHUPS
125: #1 Matt Ramos, Purdue vs. #2 Anthony Noto, Lock Haven
133: #4 Sam Latona, Virginia Tech vs. #6 Connor McGonagle, Lehigh
141: #3 Lachlan McNeil, North Carolina vs. #6 Clay Carlson, South Dakota State
149: #2 Shayne Van Ness, Penn State vs. #3 Kyle Parco, Arizona State
157: #1 Levi Haines, Penn State vs. #4 Jacori Teemer, Arizona State
165: #4 Dean Hamiti, Wisconsin vs. #6 Izzak Olejnik, Oklahoma State
174: #1 Carter Starocci, Penn State vs. #3 Mekhi Lewis, Virginia Tech
184: #1 Parker Keckeisen, Northern Iowa vs. #2 Bernie Truax, Penn State
197: #1 Aaron Brooks, Penn State vs. #2 Tanner Sloan, South Dakota State
285: #1 Greg Kerkvliet, Penn State vs. #2 Wyatt Hendrickson, Air Force
Note: Preseason rankings by FloWrestling
2023 NWCA ALL-STAR CLASSIC MEN’S MATCHUPS
116: #1Jaslynn Gallegos, North Central (NCAA) vs. #2 Samara Chavez, King (NCAA)
130: #1 Sarah Savidge, Life (NAIA) vs. #2 Alexis Janiak, Aurora (NCAA)
136: #1 Adaugo Nwachukwu, William Penn (NAIA) vs. #1 Yele Aycock, North Central (NCAA)
160: #1 Marlynne Deede, Iowa (NCAA) vs. #1 Latifah McBryde, Life (NAIA)
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