The Bronchos, who came in at #4 in the Preseason Edition of the poll, were last ranked #1 Oct. 23, 2007, after finishing as the 2007 NCAA Division II National Champions the previous season. They sit atop the first 2021-22 regular season poll behind seven ranked wrestlers, including two number ones in defending National Champion Heath Gray at 184, and returning National Finalist Dalton Abney at 197.
Central Oklahoma edged out three-time defending National Champions, St. Cloud State, by just one point, amassing 85 points to the Huskies’ 84. Nebraska-Kearney (74 points), West Liberty (70 points), and Lindenwood (57 points) round out the top five teams.
St. Cloud State leads with nine ranked individuals, led by returning National Finalist #1 Joey Bianchini at 141. Nebraska-Kearney joins UCO with seven ranked individuals, highlighted by this poll’s only new #1 in Sam Turner at 149.
In looking at the poll by Super Regional, Super Regions One and Five both feature five teams in the Top 25, while Super Region 5 leads individually with 27 ranked wrestlers among its 10 institutions, including SCSU’s Bianchini as the #1 at 141. Super Region Four is close behind with 24 wrestlers ranked in their weight class’ respective Top 12, including UCO’s Gray and Abney at #1, with Lindenwood’s Abner Romero #1 at 174 as well. Super Region Three also contains a trio of top-ranked wrestlers in Cole Laya (125) and Tyler Warner (133) from West Liberty and Findlay’s James Wimer at 157.
The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference leads all conferences with 27 ranked individuals and five of the Top 25 teams. The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference has four teams in the Top 25, while the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association has three top-ranked individuals, and 17 total ranked wrestlers.
The next ranking will be just prior to the New Year, coming out Dec. 31, 2021.
125
- Cole Laya West Liberty
- Nick Daggett Unc-Pembroke
- Joe Arroyo Uw-Parkside
- Christian Wellman Ashland
- Christian Mejia Mckendree
- Paxton Rosen Central Oklahoma
- Isaiah Delacerda Adams State
- Trenton Mcmanus Minnesota State
- Jacob Dunlap Gannon
- Josh Portillo Nebraska-Kearney
- Matt Siszka Pitt-Johnstown
- Melvin Rubio Queens
133
- Tyler Warner West Liberty
- Tanner Cole Central Oklahoma
- Patrick Allis Western Colorado
- Tanner Hitchock Lindenwood
- Jack Huffman Augustana
- Garrett Vos St. Cloud State
- Collin Wickramaratna Kutztown
- Jonathan Andreatta Adams State
- Eric Bartos Mercyhurst
- Ben Fielding Belmont Abbey
- Collin Metzgar Colorado Mesa
- Donny Schmit Upper Iowa
141
- Joey Bianchini St. Cloud State
- Christian Small King
- Tate Murty Upper Iowa
- Branson Proudlock Findlay
- Peter Kuster Drury
- Colby Smith Lindenwood
- Dean Noble Western Colorado
- Nick James Nebraska-Kearney
- Devin Schwartzkopf Mckendree
- Nate Keim Central Oklahoma
- Kolton Roth Northern State
- Zeth Brower Lander
149
- Sam Turner Nebraska-Kearney
- Lukas Martin Fairmont State
- Noah Hermosillo Adams State
- Kyle Rathman Minnesota State
- Jacob Ealy Pitt-Johnstown
- Eric Faught Upper Iowa
- Brik Filippo Central Oklahoma
- Logan Bailey Indianapolis
- Carson Speelman Ashland
- Jake Barzowski St. Cloud State
- Zach Van Alst Coker
- Craig Cook Davis & Elkins
157
- James Wimer Findlay
- Ronald Gentile Lindenwood
- Colby Njos St. Cloud State
- Dawson Combest Indianapolis
- Ty Lucas Central Oklahoma
- Jojo Gonzalez American Int.
- Chase Luensman Upper Iowa
- Mason Boutain San Francisco St.
- Josiah Rider Adams State
- Braydon Huber Mary
- John Burger Limestone
- Dallas Boone King
165
- Alex Farenchak Gannon
- Matt Malcom Nebraska-Kearney
- Mitch Dean Belmont Abbey
- Shane Gantz Uw-Parkside
- Kameron Frame Newman
- Cory Peterson Mckendree
- James Penfold Lake Erie
- Devin Donovan St. Cloud State
- Drew Wiechers Ashland
- Bryan Lavearn Tiffin
- Gage Bernall Lander
- Jack Eiteljorge Indianapolis
174
- Abner Romero Lindenwood
- Trevor Turriff Minnesota State
- Daniel Beemer Ashland
- Josh Jones Mckendree
- Job Ayala Uw-Parkside
- Andrew Sams Indianapolis
- Ty Mcgeary West Liberty
- Brock Biddle Pitt-Johnstown
- Caleb Spears Newberry
- Dominic Murphy St. Cloud State
- Max Bruss Mary
- Ryan Fidel Colorado Mines
184
- Heath Gray Central Oklahoma
- Connor Craig West Liberty
- Dan Filipek Mckendree
- Anderson Salisbury Colorado Mines
- Austin Eldredge Nebraska-Kearney
- Caden Steffen Sw Minnesota State
- Aidan Pasiuk Ashland
- Kolby Kost Augustana
- Billy Pitzner St. Cloud State
- Noah Curreri Queens
- Marty Verhaeghe Fort Hays State
- Luke Mcgonigal Mercyhurst
197
- Dalton Abney Central Oklahoma
- Zach Ryg Upper Iowa
- Joseph Reimers Nebraska-Kearney
- Donnie Negus Colorado Mesa
- Noah Ryan St. Cloud State
- Chris Droege Lake Erie
- Joel Liese Gannon
- Bryce Walker Unc-Pembroke
- Jordan Williams Glenville State
- Logan Kemp West Liberty
- Nick Mason Tiffin
- Derek Blubaugh Indianapolis
285
- Andrew Dunn Kutztown
- Kameron Teacher St. Cloud State
- Weston Hunt Colorado Mines
- Steven Hajas Jr. Augustana
- Jacob Robb Mercyhurst
- Gavin Nye Colorado Pueblo
- Mason Watt Chadron State
- Lee Herrington Nebraska-Kearney
- Francesco Borsellino West Liberty
- Aj Cooper Fort Hays
- Freddie Nixon Gannon
- Ian Kuehl Mckendree