King takes top spot in NWCA November 29 NCAA women's wrestling coaches poll
by Nate Naasz, NWCA
MANHEIM, PA – Following the first month of competition, the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) released their NCAA Women’s Regular Coaches Poll #1, and the top five saw a shakeup. King University moved to the top spot over two-time defending national champion McKendree University while North Central College jumped into the top five.
King and McKendree are still the top two teams in the poll, with the Tornado taking over the top spot with 101 points while McKendree has 94 points. Each school has 13 individuals ranked while North Central is the only other institution with at least ten individuals ranked at 12 as they jumped from seventh to tied for third in the latest poll with 70 points.
Simon Fraser University also has 70 points with six individuals ranked, while Colorado Mesa University rounds out the top five with 51 points and seven ranked individuals.
Eight top-ranked wrestlers remain the same, with the changes coming at 136 and 143 pounds. King University reached the top spot at each weight, with Ana Luciano taking the top place at 136 pounds and Ashlynn Ortega earning the nod at 143 pounds.
The NWCA will release regional and national wrestlers of the month in the first week of December. The regional awards will be released on December 3, with the national award coming out on December 7.
Individual rankings can be found on the NWCA's website.
Team Rankings
1. King, 101
2. McKendree, 94
3. (tie) North Central and Simon Fraser, 70
5. Colorado Mesa, 51
6. Augsburg, 35
7. Presbyterian, 29
8. Emmanuel, 28
9. Gannon, 21
10. Adrian, 16
11. (tie) Tiffin, UW-Stevens Point, Sacred Heart, 13
14. New Jersey City, 11
15. (tie) Schreiner, East Stroudsburg, William Jewell, Lock Haven, 3