MANHEIM, PA – The Central Oklahoma Bronchos stayed atop the NCAA Division II wrestling rankings, in the latest edition of the NWCA Division II Coaches Poll, released Jan. 20 by the Association.
The Bronchos held at number one, but a new team is on their heels, with Lander jumping from four to the two spot with 66 points. Nebraska-Kearney moved to No. 3 with 63 points, followed by West Liberty (58 pts.) and St. Cloud State (56 pts.) rounding out the nation’s top five teams.
All 10 of UCO’s starters are nationally ranked, highlighted by Dalton Abney (197) and Shawn Streck (285) both in the two-spot in their respective weight classes. St. Cloud State has seven ranked wrestlers, headlined by Abner Romero in the top spot at 174. Lander, UW-Parkside, and Augustana all have six ranked individuals.
There are two new top-ranked wrestlers, with Logan Seliga of UNC-Pembroke moving into the top spot at 125, while returning National Finalist Derek Blubaugh of Indianapolis is the new No 1 at 197. The Lopers of UNK are the lone program with more than one top-ranked wrestlers, with Billy HIggins at 184 and Lee Herrington at 285 representing Nebraska-Kearney.
Just under half of the top-ranked wrestlers come from two of the nation’s six regions, with 32 top-12 ranked individuals coming from Super Region 5, while another 25 come from Super Region 4. Super Region 5 has three teams in the Top 10 in SCSU (5), UW-Parkside (7) and Upper Iowa (10), while both Super Region 4 and Super Region 6 each have two programs in the Top 10. Three of the top-ranked wrestlers in D2 come out of Super Region 6, with the two UNK Lopers and Adams State returning National Champion Noah Hermosillo (157).
The final edition of the NWCA Division II Coaches Rankings will come out Feb. 17, prior to the 64 teams heading to NCAA Division II Super Regionals the weekend of Feb. 25-26. The 2023 NCAA Division II National Championships will take place in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, March 10-11.
125
- Logan Seliga Unc-Pembroke
- Cole Laya West Liberty
- Brendon Garcia Adams State
- James Joplin Lander
- Shane Corrigan Uw-Parkside
- Dawson Collins Colorado Mesa
- Paxton Creese St. Cloud State
- Jaxson Rohman Augustana
- Studd Morris Central Oklahoma
- Brandon Mendoza Tiffin
- Tyshawn White Shippensburg
- Christian Mejia Mckendree
133
- Devin Flannery Millersville
- Quentrevion Campbell Chadron State
- Reece Barnhardt Mary
- Eric Bartos Mercyhurst
- Vincent Scollo West Liberty
- Elijah Lusk Lander
- Breyden Bailey Indianapolis
- Dylan Lucas Central Oklahoma
- Collin Metzgar Colorado Mesa
- Gavin Quiocho Glenville State
- Sam Spencer St. Cloud State
- Jack Huffman Augustana
141
- Zeth Brower Lander
- Peter Kuster Drury
- Christian Small Lake Erie
- Tate Murty Upper Iowa
- Nick James Nebraska-Kearney
- Taylor Jokerst Maryville
- John Carayainnis Belmont Abbey
- Nate Keim Central Oklahoma
- Grayston Diblasi Colorado Mines
- Cayden Henschel Uw-Parkside
- Alyeus Craig St. Cloud State
- Brock Luthens Minnesota State
149
- Jacob Ealy Pitt.-Johnstown
- Nick Young Gannon
- Josiah Rider Adams State
- Jason Hanenberg Western Colorado
- Craig Cook Millersville
- Jalen Spuhler Uw-Parkside
- Wyatt Turnquist Northern State
- Joey Bianchini St. Cloud State
- Brik Filippo Central Oklahoma
- Darick Lapaglia Central Missouri
- Jake Piccirilli Unc-Pembroke
- Tyler Stegall Maryville
157
- Noah Hermosillo Adams State
- Nick Novak St. Cloud State
- Gabe Johnson Central Oklahoma
- Logan Bailey Indianapolis
- Jamar Williams West Liberty
- Ryan Wheeler Colorado Mesa
- Casey Barnett Tiffin
- Dom Means Gannon
- Nate Smith Pitt-Johnstown
- Miles Fitzgerald Augustana
- Cale Hoskinson Notre Dame
- Ben Durocher Uw-Parkside
165
- Shane Gantz Uw-Parkside
- Chase Luensman Upper Iowa
- Cory Peterson Mckendree
- Alex Farenchak Gannon
- Jack Eiteljorge Indianapolis
- Tyler Wagener Augustana
- Ty Lucas Central Oklahoma
- John Ridle Central Missouri
- Gus Dalton Colorado Mesa
- Dillon Keane Pitt-Johnstown
- Cole Ritter Maryville
- Brandon Connor Millersville
174
- Abner Romero St. Cloud State
- Max Bruss Mary
- Austin Eldredge Nebraska-Kearney
- Cade Lindsey Fort Hays State
- Hunter Reed Findlay
- Dillon Walker Mercyhurst
- Kolby Kost Augustana
- Alex Holguin Colorado Mesa
- Cole Hernandez Western Colorado
- Anthony Des Vigne Central Oklahoma
- Bret Heil Maryville
- Hunter Delong Glenville State
184
- Billy Higgins Nebraska-Kearney
- Caden Steffen Sw Minnesota State
- Ty Mcgeary West Liberty
- Logan Hall Lander
- Daniel Beemer Ashland
- Matt Weinberg Kutztown
- Brock Biddle Pitt-Johnstown
- Cole Houser Glenville State
- Reece Worachek Uw-Parkside
- Cade Mueller Augustana
- Alex Kaufman Central Oklahoma
- Josh Jones Mckendree
197
- Derek Blubaugh Indianapolis
- Dalton Abney Central Oklahoma
- Cole Huss Northern State
- Tereus Henry Fort Hays State
- Anderson Salisbury Colorado Mines
- Walker Uhl Ashland
- Anthony Yacovetti Lander
- Dalton Hahn Upper Iowa
- Luke Mcgonigal Mercyhurst
- Dominic Murphy St. Cloud State
- Joel Leise Gannon
- Bryce Walker Unc-Pembroke
285
- Lee Herrington Nebraska-Kearney
- Shawn Streck Central Oklahoma
- Jared Campbell Glenville State
- Johnny Green Ouachita Baptist
- Isaiah Vance Pitt-Johnstown
- Francesco Borsellino West Liberty
- Darell Mason Minnesota State
- Juan Holmes Lander
- Jake Swirple Minot State
- Zach Ryg Upper Iowa
- Jacob Dykes Sw Minnesota State
- Laron Parks Notre Dame