Manheim, Pennsylvania — Two new teams entered the USA Today/NWCA Division I Wrestling Coaches Poll released on Tuesday. Wyoming (5-2) and Northwestern (6-1) entered the poll for the first time this season.
Complete USA Today/ NWCA Coaches Poll
The Cowboys are fresh off a 4-0 weekend which saw them head to North Carolina and pick up wins over American, Army West Point, Duke and then-No. 19 North Carolina. Northwestern slid up to No. 25 despite losing by a point to No. 12 Illinois. Losses by previously ranked Oklahoma and North Dakota State aided the Wildcats move up.
him! Congrats to @WyoWrestle's @king_colgan on earning his 100th career victory today! He is the 19th Cowboy to accomplish the feat. #OneWyoming #GoWyo pic.twitter.com/zXtIrWWWep
— Wyoming Cowboys (@wyoathletics) January 5, 2018
The top 17 positions remained unchanged although there were a number of head-to-head duals between ranked teams with the biggest held on international soil. Third-ranked Oklahoma State (6-0) split five matches with fifth-ranked NC State (10-1) but it was bonus victories by heavyweight Derek White and All-American Kaid Brock at 133 that was the difference in the 19-16 Cowboys win in Naples, Italy. The Tussle for the Troops was the first NCAA dual meet held outside of North America.
Second-ranked Ohio State (8-0) headed east to beat No. 17 Rutgers 29-11 and Maryland 44-3. The Buckeyes were also aided by the return of three-time All-American Nathan Tomasello at 125 pounds in the win over Maryland.
MORE: Ohio State stays undefeated
No. 7. Iowa (8-0) blasted Michigan State 49-6, while Michigan (5-1) picked up a trio of wins — a 43-0 victory over Indiana, a 25-14 win over then-No. 24 Purdue and a 28-10 win over Princeton. Arizona State also picked off North Carolina 27-9 in Chapel Hill. Illinois snuck past Nebraska on criteria before edging Northwestern 18-17 on Sunday in Champaign.
Ready to attack winter quarter like...#B1GCats pic.twitter.com/IJPRWWXYot
— Northwestern Wrestling (@NUWrestle) January 8, 2018
West Virginia knocked off No. 18 Oklahoma and No. 25 North Dakota State. Pittsburgh also topped No. 18 Oklahoma, dropping the Sooners out of the Top 25. North Carolina slid five spots to No. 24.
The USA Today/NWCA Division I Wrestling Coaches Poll is comprised of two voting coaches from each Division I wrestling conference. Points are 25 for each first-place vote, 24 for second, 23 for third all the way to a 25th-place vote is one point.
Future Poll Dates (Tuesdays unless otherwise noted): January 16, January 23, January 30, February 6, February 13, February 20, February, 27.
