MANHEIM, PA – The defending National Champion Lopers of Nebraska-Kearney will enter the year as the top team in NCAA Division II, as announced by the NCAA Division II Coaches Rankings.
Dalton Jensen’s Lopers amassed 75 total points behind five ranked wrestlers and are followed by St. Cloud State (68 pts.), Indianapolis (66 pts.), Central Oklahoma (61 pts.), and Augustana (58 pts.) in rounding out the Top 5.
St. Cloud, UIndy, Central Oklahoma, Augustana, West Liberty, Lander, and Pitt.-Johnstown all lead the field with six ranked wrestlers, while Adams State is the lone program to feature two top-ranked wrestlers.
There are returning National Champions topping the individual rankings at 125, 141, 149, 157, 174, 197, and 285. Cole Laya, a two-time defending champion at 125, leads the returners, while Abner Romero makes his return at 174 after topping the podium in 2021. Zeth Brower (141), Noah Hermosillo (149), Josiah Rider (157), Dalton Abney (197), and Darrell Mason (285) also return to defend their national titles from a season ago.
The regular season opens for NCAA Division II on Nov. 1, with the first regular-season edition of the rankings slated for Dec. 2.
Team Rankings
Individual Rankings
125
- Cole Laya West Liberty
- Tyshawn White Shippensburg
- Dawson Collins Colorado Mesa
- Kevin Radcliff Limestone
- Paxton Creese St. Cloud State
- Brandon Mendoza Tiffin
- Christian Mejia Mckendree
- Jaxson Rohman Augustana
- Patrick Allis Western Colorado
- Logan Seliga Unc-Pembroke
- Manuel Leija Davenport
- James Joplin Lander
133
- Reece Barnhardt Mary
- Jack Huffman Augustana
- Devin Flannery Millersville
- Eric Bartos Mercyhurst
- Collin Metzgar Colorado Mesa
- Breyden Bailey Indianapolis
- Vincent Scollo West Liberty
- Elijah Lusk Lander
- Timothy Decatur Newberry
- Isaiah Delacerda Adams State
- Kaden Anderlik Upper Iowa
- Ben Fielding Belmont Abbey
141
- Zeth Brower Lander
- Joey Bianchini St. Cloud State
- Nick James Nebraska-Kearney
- Peter Kuster Drury
- John Carayainnis Belmont Abbey
- Christian Small Lake Erie
- Grayston Diblasi Colorado Mines
- Tate Murty Upper Iowa
- Brody Norman Mckendree
- Caleb Morris Pitt-Johnstown
- Nate Keim Central Oklahoma
- Colin Wickramartna Kutztown
149
- Noah Hermosillo Adams State
- Jacob Ealy Pitt-Johnstown
- Brik Filippo Central Oklahoma
- Logan Bailey Indianapolis
- Josh Laubach Alderson-Broaddus
- Darick Lapaglia Central Missouri
- Nick Young Gannon
- Nick Novak St. Cloud State
- Jason Hanenberg Western Colorado
- Craig Cook Millersville
- Wyatt Turnquist Northern State
- Jordan Watters West Liberty
157
- Josiah Rider Adams State
- Ryan Wheeler Colorado Mesa
- Dawson Combest Indianapolis
- Nate Smith Pitt-Johnstown
- Colby Njos St. Cloud State
- Tyler Wagener Augustana
- Dom Means Gannon
- Leo Mushinsky Mary
- William Evans Newberry
- Gabe Johnson Central Oklahoma
- Max Stedeford Mercyhurst
- Jamar Williams West Liberty
165
- Shane Gantz Uw-Parkside
- Cory Peterson Mckendree
- Drew Wiechers Ashland
- Hunter Mullin Western Colorado
- Alex Farenchak Gannon
- Jack Eiteljorge Indianapolis
- John Ridle Central Missouri
- Anthony Herrera St. Cloud State
- Brandon Connor Millersville
- Miles Fitzgerald Augustana
- Braydon Huber Mary
- Dillon Keane Pitt-Johnstown
174
- Abner Romero St. Cloud State
- Austin Eldredge Nebraska-Kearney
- Dillon Walker Mercyhurst
- Cade Mueller Augustana
- James Penfold Lake Erie
- Hunter Delong Glenville State
- Connor Weeks Belmont Abbey
- Max Bruss Mary
- Hunter Reed Findlay
- Jack Bond Lander
- Austin Morgan Central Missouri
- Bret Heil Maryville
184
- Billy Higgins Nebraska-Kearney
- Caden Steffen Sw Minnesota State
- Reece Worachek Uw-Parkside
- Ty McGeary West Liberty
- Alex Kauffman Central Oklahoma
- Treyton Cacek Northern State
- Logan Hall Lander
- Daniel Beemer Ashland
- Matt Weinberg Kutztown
- Joey Petrella Gannon
- Josh Jones Mckendree
- Brock Biddle Pitt-Johnstown
197
- Dalton Abney Central Oklahoma
- Derek Blubaugh Indianapolis
- Cole Huss Northern State
- Matt Kaylor Mary
- Hayden Prince Nebraska-Kearney
- Anderson Salisbury Colorado Mines
- Walker Uhl Ashland
- Chase Stegall Maryville
- Luke McGonigal Mercyhurst
- Khalil Gipson Adams State
- Tereus Henry Fort Hays State
- Jordan Williams Glenville State
285
- Darrell Mason Minnesota State
- Lee Herrington Nebraska-Kearney
- Shawn Streck Central Oklahoma
- Steven Hajas Augustana
- Juan Holmes Lander
- Francesco Borsellino West Liberty
- Cale Gray Indianapolis
- Ian Kuehl Mckendree
- Jared Campbell Glenville State
- Laron Parks Notre Dame
- Oggie Atwood Pitt-Johnstown
- Jake Swirple Minot State