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Central Oklahoma Maintains Top Spot in NWCA D2 Men's Coaches Poll

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by Jackie Paquette, National Wrestling Coaches Association

NWCA Announces its third national ranking of the season

NWCA Announces its third national ranking of the season

MANHEIM, Pa. - The Bronchos of Central Oklahoma held onto the top spot in the NCAA Division II Men's Coaches Association rankings, released Thursday by the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA).


UCO, who was also #1 in the last edition of the poll, totaled 90.5 team points behind nine ranked individuals. The defending National Champions, Nebraska-Kearney, again came in at #2, with 81.5 team points, also with a poll-high nine ranked individuals. Gannon (65.0 points), Grand Valley State (63.0 points) and Pitt.-Johnstown (62.0 points) round out the top five in this poll.


The Bronchos and GVSU's Lakers both have two top-ranked wrestlers, with Jason Henschel (133) and Gabe Johnson (157) holding onto their top spots for UCO. The Lakers are led by 2024 National Champion Josh Kenny (174) and second-semester returner Chris Donathan (149) both in the #1 spot at their weight classes. Ethan Hardy of Glenville State (141) and Max Ramberg of Augustana (197) join Donathan as new faces in the lineup of top-ranked wrestlers, while Trevon Gray of Pitt-Johnstown (125), Nolan Gessler of Tiffin (165), Damon Ashworth of Central Missouri (184) and Crew Howard of UNK (285) all joined Henschel, Johns and Kenny in staying atop  their weight classes.


Super Region 4 again leads all regions with 33 ranked wrestlers, and joins Super Region 6 with the most ranked teams with five each in the Top 25. Super Region 5 has 27 ranked wrestlers in the runner-up spot, while the four top-ranked wrestlers in Super Region 3 leads all regions.


The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) and the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) have the most ranked wrestlers again in this edition of the rankings, with the MIAA leading all conferences with 27 ranked wrestlers, four of which are ranked #1. The NSIC has 24 ranked wrestlers, while both leagues have four teams each ranked in the Top 25. 


This edition of the poll includes matches as of Jan. 19, 2026. The next edition of the NCAA Division II Coaches Association rankings will come out Feb. 19, 2026, with the NCAA Division II Super Regionals looming Feb. 28 and March 1.

 

Click here to view the full team rankings.

 

Click here to view the full individual rankings.