Central Oklahoma is new No. 1 in NWCA Division II Men's Coaches Poll, followed by UNK and St. Cloud State

MANHEIM, PA - For the third time in as many rankings, there is a new team atop NCAA Division II wrestling. The Central Oklahoma Bronchos took the top spot in decisive fashion, jumping into the top spot with more than 30 points separating them from the No. 2 Nebraska-Kearney Lopers.


The Bronchos, who were last in the top spot in the rankings Feb. 18, 2022, amassed 114 total team points behind 10 ranked wrestlers. Six of those 10 wrestlers are in the top five individually, let by returning National Champion Dalton Abney atop the 197 rankings, while three more from UCO are ranked No. 2: Dylan Lucas at 133, Gabe Johnson at 157 and Shawn Streck at 285.


Nebraska-Kearney held its second-place ranking with 83 points after opening the season at No. 1. Last ranking’s No. 1, St. Cloud State, came in third place this ranking with 75 points, while West Liberty (60 pts.) and Lander (51 points) round out the top five.

INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS


Eight of the 10 top ranked wrestlers held onto their spots, with Devin Flannery of Millersville moving to the top of the 133 ranking, while Lee Herrington of Nebraska-Kearney took over the No. 1 spot at 285. The 10 ranked Bronchos lead the field, while St. Cloud features eight ranked individuals. UNK is the lone institution to feature multiple No. 1-ranked individuals, with Billy Higgins at 184 joining Herrington atop their respective weight classes.


Super Region 5 features six teams ranked in the top 25, with both Super Regions 4 and 6 close behind with five teams ranked in the top 25 each. Super Region 5 also has the most ranked individuals, with 29 ranked individuals. Another 27 ranked individuals come from Super Region 4, while 21 come from Super Region 6. Three of the top 10 ranked individuals come from Super Region 6, with Higgins and Herrington from UNK and Noah Hermosillo at 157 from Adams State.

NWCA Div. II Coaches Rankings

December 23, 2022

Rank/Points/Previous Rank
1 Central Oklahoma 114 3

2 Nebraska-Kearney 83 2

3 St. Cloud St. 75 1

4 West Liberty 60 7

5 Lander 51 T4

6 Adams State 46 T13

7 Pitt-Johnstown 42 6

8 Millersville 35 15

9 tie UW-Parkside 34 11

9 tie Upper Iowa 34 RV

11 Mary 30 22

12 tie Indianapolis 27 T4

12 tie McKendree 27 T13

14 tie Fort Hays State 22 RV

14 tie Gannon 22 T9

16 tie Glenville State 21 12

16 tie Colorado Mesa 21 RV

18 tie Maryville 20 RV

18 tie Mercyhurst 20 18

18 tie UNC-Pembroke 20 RV

21 Northern State 18 T20

22 tie Chadron State 17 RV

22 tie Central Missouri 17 T9

24 tie Ashland 16 17

24 tie Southwest Minnesota State 16 T23

Others receiving votes: Ouachita Baptist-15; Western Colorado-14; Augustana-13; Drury-13; Colorado School of Mines-12; Lake Erie-12; Shippensburg-12; Tiffin-12; Findlay-10; Belmont Abbey-7; Kutztown-7; Limestone-6; Minot State-6; Notre Dame-4; Minnesota State-1


The next edition of the poll will come out Jan. 20.