KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Cody Pack is seeded first at 157 pounds to lead the South Dakota State University wrestling team in preparation for this weekend’s Big 12 Wrestling Championship.
A senior from Quincy, California, Pack earned the top seed in his weight class after compiling a 25-2 record entering postseason competition and is ranked fifth in the latest NCAA coaches’ panel rankings. A three-time NCAA qualifier, Pack won two Western Wrestling Conference championships prior to SDSU joining the Big 12 as an affiliate member this past summer.
Two Jackrabbit wrestlers, 149-pounder Alex Kocer and 197-pounder Nate Rotert are seeded second in their respective weight classes. Kocer, a junior from Wagner, has posted a 22-8 record, while Rotert, a sophomore from Spearfish, holds a 24-8 overall mark. Both Kocer and Rotert have each made one appearance in the NCAA Championships during their collegiate careers.
Seeded third at 141 pounds is redshirt freshman Seth Gross. The Apple Valley, Minnesota, native has won nine of his last 10 matches to enter the Big 12 Championship with a 21-11 overall record.
Sophomore 174-pounder David Kocer is seeded fourth in his weight class after recording a team-high 26 wins against 10 losses.
A pair of Jackrabbits are seeded fifth in their respective weight classes — 133-pounder Brance Simms and 165-pounder Luke Zilverberg. Simms has turned in a 15-11 record this season, with Zilverberg posting a 20-10 mark.
Rounding out the Jackrabbit seedings are: Ben Gillette, seventh at 125 pounds; Brady Ayers, seventh at 184 pounds, and Alex Macki, ninth at heavyweight.
Competition in the Big 12 Wrestling Championship begins at 11 a.m. Saturday and concludes Sunday at Sprint Center in Kansas City.