Nebraska-Kearney is No. 1, Central Oklahoma No. 2 in final NWCA Div. II Poll leading into this weekend's D2 Nationals
by USA Wrestling
MANHEIM, PA - The field has been set for the 2022 NCAA Division II National Championships, with the top 10 ranked wrestlers in each weight class making up the final NWCA Division II Coaches Rankings of the season.
INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS
The final rankings represent the top 8 seeds and top 10 ranked wrestlers for the upcoming NCAA Division II National Championships in St. Louis March 11-12. Nebraska-Kearney moved into the #1 spot for the first time this season, amassing 115 total points behind an NCAA DII-high nine National Qualifiers. Central Oklahoma moved to the #2 spot with 111 points behind seven National Qualifiers, with 2021 National Champion St. Cloud in the three-spot with 95 points from seven National Qualifiers. West Liberty held in the #4 spot, while Indianapolis moved up to the #5 ranking.
Nebraska-Kearney, Central Oklahoma, St. Cloud State and West Liberty all feature two top-seeded individuals, with the top-ranked Lopers having #1s at 165 in prior National Champion Matt Malcom and at 174 in Austin Eldredge. Central Oklahoma features #1 Tanner Cole at 133 and returning National Finalist and top-seeded Dalton Abney at 197. The Huskies’ Joey Bianchini went wire-to-wire at #1 at 141, while teammate Anthony Herrera goes into the NCAA tournament as #1 at 157. Defending National Champion Cole Laya is #1 at 125, while 2019 National Champion and returning National Finalist Connor Craig is the top seed at 184.
The remaining two top seeds are returning 141 National Champion Isiah Royal of Newberry at 149, and 2019 National Champion Andrew Dunn of Kutztown at 285.
Super Region five features six teams ranked in the top 25 behind 24 ranked individuals, accounting for almost a quarter of the field. Super Region one also has six teams in the Top 25, with 19 ranked individuals. Super Region four is next with 20 ranked individuals and five teams ranked in the Top 25.
The Northern Sun Intercolegiate Conference tops the league race, with 20 ranked individuals and five teams in the Top 25. The MIAA is next with 18 ranked individuals, including four #1 seeds, and three teams in the Top 25. Both Conference Carolinas/Southern Athletic Conference and the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference have four teams in the Top 25.
The 180 National Qualifiers will vie for the 10 individual titles and the overall team title next weekend in St. Louis, March 11-12 at Chaifetz Arena.
INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS
The final rankings represent the top 8 seeds and top 10 ranked wrestlers for the upcoming NCAA Division II National Championships in St. Louis March 11-12. Nebraska-Kearney moved into the #1 spot for the first time this season, amassing 115 total points behind an NCAA DII-high nine National Qualifiers. Central Oklahoma moved to the #2 spot with 111 points behind seven National Qualifiers, with 2021 National Champion St. Cloud in the three-spot with 95 points from seven National Qualifiers. West Liberty held in the #4 spot, while Indianapolis moved up to the #5 ranking.
Nebraska-Kearney, Central Oklahoma, St. Cloud State and West Liberty all feature two top-seeded individuals, with the top-ranked Lopers having #1s at 165 in prior National Champion Matt Malcom and at 174 in Austin Eldredge. Central Oklahoma features #1 Tanner Cole at 133 and returning National Finalist and top-seeded Dalton Abney at 197. The Huskies’ Joey Bianchini went wire-to-wire at #1 at 141, while teammate Anthony Herrera goes into the NCAA tournament as #1 at 157. Defending National Champion Cole Laya is #1 at 125, while 2019 National Champion and returning National Finalist Connor Craig is the top seed at 184.
The remaining two top seeds are returning 141 National Champion Isiah Royal of Newberry at 149, and 2019 National Champion Andrew Dunn of Kutztown at 285.
Super Region five features six teams ranked in the top 25 behind 24 ranked individuals, accounting for almost a quarter of the field. Super Region one also has six teams in the Top 25, with 19 ranked individuals. Super Region four is next with 20 ranked individuals and five teams ranked in the Top 25.
The Northern Sun Intercolegiate Conference tops the league race, with 20 ranked individuals and five teams in the Top 25. The MIAA is next with 18 ranked individuals, including four #1 seeds, and three teams in the Top 25. Both Conference Carolinas/Southern Athletic Conference and the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference have four teams in the Top 25.
The 180 National Qualifiers will vie for the 10 individual titles and the overall team title next weekend in St. Louis, March 11-12 at Chaifetz Arena.
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