INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS
MANHEIM, Pa. (March 5) – Central Oklahoma lost its perch atop the NCAA Division II wrestling rankings Saturday, falling to No. 2 behind Nebraska-Kearney in the final National Wrestling Coaches Association poll of the season.
The Lopers earned 115 points to move four points in front of UCO in the tournament-based scoring format. Two-time defending national champion St. Cloud State came in third with 95 points, followed by West Liberty (60) and Indianapolis (45).
The Bronchos beat UNK 18-17 in a late-season road dual to win the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association dual title.
The NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships are set for next weekend, March 11-12 at Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis, Mo. with 180 individual qualifiers – 18 at each of the 10 weights – set to compete.
UNK has the most national qualifiers with nine and all nine are ranked in the top six, led by No. 1 picks at 165 and 174.
Seven of Central's eight qualifiers are ranked in the top five, including six in the top three. Tanner Cole (133 pounds) and Dalton Abney (197) are ranked No. 1, while 125 Paxton Rosen, 149 Brik Filippo and 184 Heath Gray are second, Hvy Shawn Streck is third and 157 Ty Lucas is fifth.
The Bronchos along with No. 4 West Liberty, No. 8 Augustana and No. 11 Gannon have the second-most qualifiers with eight. St. Cloud and Indy have seven each.
