Notre Dame of Ohio Still No.1 in Latest NAIA Rankings

By WIN

Updated: December 23, 2010

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — All 10 top-ranked individuals maintained their spot at No. 1 and Notre Dame (Ohio) topped the team poll in the third edition of the NAIA Wrestling Coaches’ Top 20 Poll, the NAIA announced Tuesday, Dec. 21. Seven different programs are represented as the No. 1 of their respective weight class, led by four hailing from Notre Dame. The Falcons boast nine ranked grapplers for 126.5 points. Second-ranked McKendree (Ill.) also has nine ranked individuals for 107.5 points. Grand View (Iowa) jumped to No. 3 with 10 ranked wrestlers for 79 points, No. 4 Great Falls (Mont.) has eight ranked wrestlers for 78.5 points and No. 5 Missouri Valley landed eight on the poll for 73.5 points.

The Falcons have just one dual meet under their belt, downing NCAA Division II Findlay 34-3 on Dec. 5. Notre Dame registered bonus points in five of the 10 bouts, including four major decisions and one fall. Head coach Frank Romano and his team will return to dual action at the NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals Jan. 8 – 9 in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Four of the 10 top-ranked grapplers own a spotless record, with both Campbellsville’s (Ky.) Tommy Pretty and Orlando Scales of Notre Dame leading the way at 11-0 at 141 pounds and heavyweight, respectively. At 165 pounds, Dickinson State’s (N.D.) Shane Bennett is 6-0 and Notre Dame 197-pounder Derek Foore is 7-0.

Michael French of Great Falls (Mont.) has racked up the most wins of the No. 1s, holding a 19-1 mark. A pair of ranked wrestlers have surpassed the 20-win mark. Listed second at 141 pounds, Great Falls’ Myles Mazurkiewicz has yet to drop a bout and leads all ranked individuals with a 24-0 record. Teammate and 165-pounder Ross Mosher is right behind Mazurkiewicz at 22-0.

The poll was voted upon by a panel of head coaches representing each of the groupings. The next poll will be announced on Jan. 11.

Rank School Name Total Team Points
1 Notre Dame (Ohio) 126.5
2 McKendree (Ill.) 107.5
3 Grand View (Iowa) 79
4 Great Falls (Mont.) 78.5
5 Missouri Valley 73.5
6 Campbellsville (Ky.) 67.5
7 Lindenwood (Mo.) 58
8 Dickinson State (N.D.) 50
9 Montana State-Northern 49.5
10 Menlo (Calif.) 46
11 Cumberland (Tenn.) 39.5
12 Southern Oregon 38
13 Oklahoma City 26
14 Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) 25
14 Jamestown (N.D.) 25
16 Morningside (Iowa) 24.5
17 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) 18.5
18 Hastings (Neb.) 11.5
18 Midland (Neb.) 11.5
20 Missouri Baptist 10

Others receiving points: Concordia (Neb.) 9; Briar Cliff (Iowa) 9; Calumet St. Joseph (Ind.) 9; Northwestern (Iowa) 5.5; Waldorf (Iowa) 3; William Penn (Iowa) 2; Bacone (Okla.) 1.5; Baker (Kan.) 1; Sioux Falls (S.D.) 1; Shorter (Ga.) 1.

Top-Ranked Individuals
125 – Jason Moorhouse, Menlo (Calif.)
133 – Wade Lowe, McKendree (Ill.)
141 – Tommy Pretty, Campbellsville (Ky.)
149 – Jeffrey Pelton, Notre Dame (Ohio)
157 – Thomas Straughn, Notre Dame (Ohio)
165 – Shane Bennett, Dickinson State (N.D.)
174 – Chris Chionuma, Lindenwood (Mo.)
184 – Michael French, Great Falls (Mont.)
197 – Derek Foore, Notre Dame (Ohio)

HWT – Orlando Scales, Notre Dame (Ohio)