South Dakota State enters Top 25 in NWCA Coaches Poll after opening week of season
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by Jason Bryant, NWCA
Manheim, Pennsylvania – Coming off a sound 27-9 win over then-No. 14 Iowa State, South Dakota State entered the Top 25 for just the fourth time in school history as the second weekly USA Today/NWCA Division I Wrestling Coaches Poll was released on Tuesday.
Coach Chris Bono’s Jackrabbits (1-0) won seven of 10 bouts to also earn the school’s first-ever win over Iowa State in 10 tries. Bono also earned the win over his alma mater, highlighted by Seth Gross’ technical fall at 133 pounds and David Kocer’s upset win at 174 pounds over All-American Lelund Weatherspoon.
The Jackrabbits, ranked nationally in Division I for the first time in school history on three occasions last season, come in at No. 21, tying the highest Division I ranking in school history. South Dakota State was ranked No. 21 in the final regular-season poll on February 23 last season.
Only two teams in the Top 10 saw action as the field remained relatively the same. Rutgers (0-0) out-pointed Michigan (0-0) in this week’s voting to move in at No. 10, while the Wolverines slid a spot to No. 11.
No. 1 Oklahoma State (1-0) blasted Bucknell (0-1) 36-3 in Miami, Okla., while No. 6 Virginia Tech opened up with two wins at home, beating Edinboro 24-13 and VMI 39-6.
Stanford, Arizona State, Pittsburgh and Chattanooga all opened up their seasons with victories.
Pittsburgh (2-0) defeated Ohio 21-16 and upstart Campbell 21-13 in a quad in Morgantown, W.Va. Earlier in the day, Campbell defeated Ohio and West Virginia. Campbell received one vote for the Top 25 this week. While not officially tracked by the NWCA or any wrestling historian, it’s believed this is the first time in school history Campbell has ever received a vote in the USA Today/NWCA Division I Coaches Poll.
With back-to-back losses to South Dakota State and North Dakota State over the weekend, Iowa State fell out of the Top 25.
Coach Chris Bono’s Jackrabbits (1-0) won seven of 10 bouts to also earn the school’s first-ever win over Iowa State in 10 tries. Bono also earned the win over his alma mater, highlighted by Seth Gross’ technical fall at 133 pounds and David Kocer’s upset win at 174 pounds over All-American Lelund Weatherspoon.
The Jackrabbits, ranked nationally in Division I for the first time in school history on three occasions last season, come in at No. 21, tying the highest Division I ranking in school history. South Dakota State was ranked No. 21 in the final regular-season poll on February 23 last season.
Only two teams in the Top 10 saw action as the field remained relatively the same. Rutgers (0-0) out-pointed Michigan (0-0) in this week’s voting to move in at No. 10, while the Wolverines slid a spot to No. 11.
No. 1 Oklahoma State (1-0) blasted Bucknell (0-1) 36-3 in Miami, Okla., while No. 6 Virginia Tech opened up with two wins at home, beating Edinboro 24-13 and VMI 39-6.
Stanford, Arizona State, Pittsburgh and Chattanooga all opened up their seasons with victories.
Pittsburgh (2-0) defeated Ohio 21-16 and upstart Campbell 21-13 in a quad in Morgantown, W.Va. Earlier in the day, Campbell defeated Ohio and West Virginia. Campbell received one vote for the Top 25 this week. While not officially tracked by the NWCA or any wrestling historian, it’s believed this is the first time in school history Campbell has ever received a vote in the USA Today/NWCA Division I Coaches Poll.
With back-to-back losses to South Dakota State and North Dakota State over the weekend, Iowa State fell out of the Top 25.
Others receiving votes: North Dakota State 23, Iowa State 22, Rider 7, Appalachian State 6, Duke 5, Campbell 3, Edinboro 3 |
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