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Central Oklahoma is No. 1, St. Cloud State No. 2 in final NCAA Div. II Coaches Ranking prior to postseason
by NWCA
MANHEIM, Penn.- In the final NCAA Division II Coaches Rankings prior to the postseason, Central Oklahoma held on to the top spot with 119 total points. The Bronchos feature three of Division II’s number one wrestlers, and widened their gap on reigning National Champions St. Cloud State with Super Regionals looming next weekend.
The Huskies stay in the second spot with 103 total points. The entire top five was unchanged from the last poll, with Nebraska-Kearney (100 points), West Liberty (58 points) and McKendree (56 points) representing the third, fourth and fifth spots yet again.
INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS
There are four new number ones in this edition of the poll, with Brik Filippo of Central Oklahoma taking over the top spot at 149 and 2019 National Champion and 2021 National Finalist Connor Craig moving to #1 at 184. A pair of UNK Lopers took over the top spots at 165 and 174, with 2019 National Champion Matt Malcom sitting atop the newest 165 rankings, while teammate Austin Eldredge takes the top spot at 174 after coming down from competing at 184 earlier this season.
Both Central Oklahoma and Nebraska-Kearney have nine ranked wrestlers, the most of any teams in the poll. UCO features three #1s, with Tanner Cole at 133 and Dalton Abney at 197 joining Filippo. In addition to the top-ranked Bronchos and Lopers, West Liberty also has multiple #1s, with Cole Laya at 125 joining Craig. Joey Bianchini of St. Cloud State remains at #1 at 141, returning National Champion James Wimer is still #1 at 157, and 2019 National Champion Andrew Dunn is still at the top of the 285 rankings.
Super Region 5 still holds the nation’s most ranked wrestlers, with 28. Super Region 4 isn’t far behind in this edition of the poll, however, with 26 ranked wrestlers, including the three UCO #1s. Super Region 5 features the most teams ranked in the Top 25, with seven, while Super Region 5 is next with five teams in the Top 25.
The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference has seven teams in the Top 25, and 28 total ranked wrestlers to lead the conference race. The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference put four teams in the Top 25 in this poll, while the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association has 22 ranked wrestlers.
The six NCAA Division II Super Regional tournaments will be held Feb. 26. Super Region 1 will be contested at PItt.-Johnstown, Super Region 2 will be at UNC-Pembroke, Super Region 3 will be at West Liberty, Super Region 4 will be at Lindenwood, Super Region 5 will be at Minnesota Moorhead, and Super Region 6 will be at Colorado Mesa. The top three placers in each weight class at each regional will meet at the 2022 NCAA Division II National Championships in St. Louis at Chaifetz Arena March 11-12.
The Huskies stay in the second spot with 103 total points. The entire top five was unchanged from the last poll, with Nebraska-Kearney (100 points), West Liberty (58 points) and McKendree (56 points) representing the third, fourth and fifth spots yet again.
INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS
There are four new number ones in this edition of the poll, with Brik Filippo of Central Oklahoma taking over the top spot at 149 and 2019 National Champion and 2021 National Finalist Connor Craig moving to #1 at 184. A pair of UNK Lopers took over the top spots at 165 and 174, with 2019 National Champion Matt Malcom sitting atop the newest 165 rankings, while teammate Austin Eldredge takes the top spot at 174 after coming down from competing at 184 earlier this season.
Both Central Oklahoma and Nebraska-Kearney have nine ranked wrestlers, the most of any teams in the poll. UCO features three #1s, with Tanner Cole at 133 and Dalton Abney at 197 joining Filippo. In addition to the top-ranked Bronchos and Lopers, West Liberty also has multiple #1s, with Cole Laya at 125 joining Craig. Joey Bianchini of St. Cloud State remains at #1 at 141, returning National Champion James Wimer is still #1 at 157, and 2019 National Champion Andrew Dunn is still at the top of the 285 rankings.
Super Region 5 still holds the nation’s most ranked wrestlers, with 28. Super Region 4 isn’t far behind in this edition of the poll, however, with 26 ranked wrestlers, including the three UCO #1s. Super Region 5 features the most teams ranked in the Top 25, with seven, while Super Region 5 is next with five teams in the Top 25.
The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference has seven teams in the Top 25, and 28 total ranked wrestlers to lead the conference race. The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference put four teams in the Top 25 in this poll, while the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association has 22 ranked wrestlers.
The six NCAA Division II Super Regional tournaments will be held Feb. 26. Super Region 1 will be contested at PItt.-Johnstown, Super Region 2 will be at UNC-Pembroke, Super Region 3 will be at West Liberty, Super Region 4 will be at Lindenwood, Super Region 5 will be at Minnesota Moorhead, and Super Region 6 will be at Colorado Mesa. The top three placers in each weight class at each regional will meet at the 2022 NCAA Division II National Championships in St. Louis at Chaifetz Arena March 11-12.