Lehigh continues to sit atop mid-major poll, Northern Iowa and Central Michigan make big jumps

Manheim, Pennsylvania – The National Wrestling Coaches Association released its second mid-major top 20 of the season on Thursday. Formulated in 2017, the poll concentrates on programs outside the traditional “Power 5” conferences.

The EIWA continues to dominate the top five with three of the top five teams, led by Lehigh ranked first with three first-place votes. Cornell was right behind the Mountain Hawks in the second position with two first-place votes. On the strength of wins over Oklahoma State and Oklahoma, Northern Iowa was the big mover this week, climbing to the third spot. The Panthers were ranked eighth in the first Mid-Major poll.

Central Michigan from the Mid-American Conference jumped into the fourth spot after being in 10th in the first poll. Princeton moved up two spots from the first poll to No. 5.

The EIWA and Big 12 lead the Mid-Major poll with six teams ranked, while the MAC is closely behind with five. The SoCon had two teams in the top 20, highlighted by Campbell at No. 7.


Methodology: The NWCA Division I Mid-Major Wrestling Coaches Poll is voted on by coaches representing teams from non-Power five conferences. The poll is based on dual meet results. Each first-place vote is worth 20 points, 19 points for a second-place vote, 18 for a third-place vote, and so on through to one point for a 20th-place vote. Teams not competing this season are not included in the voting process.