KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Northwestern College wrestling team (4-4, 2-2 GPAC) continues to receive votes in the fourth installment of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Coaches’ Poll, while sophomore Luke Jenness is ranked No. 19 at 184 pounds, the national office announced Thursday.
Since the last national rankings released on December 30, the Raiders picked up two dual wins over Avila (37-10) and (RV) Briar Cliff (27-9), bringing their overall record to 4-4 and 2-2 in Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) action.
On January 8, Northwestern competed at the Cusatis Open hosted by Hastings College where senior Blake Pomajzl (Sedalia, Mo./Smith-Cotton) picked up the 165-pound title.
Jenness (So., Primghar, Iowa/Sheldon) remains in the individual rankings this week, after picking up a 9-2 decision over Briar Cliff’s Jeremiah Glise. On the season, the sophomore has a team-best sixteen wins, holding a record of 16-3. He also tied with teammate Jakob Francksen-Small (Fr., Merrill, Iowa/Le Mars Community) for the team lead in both major decision victories (3) and match points (103). He has recorded four falls and 29 takedowns for the Raiders on the season.
Two GPAC teams continue to be ranked nationally inside the top-20, as the Doane Tigers (11-3, 5-0 GPAC) holds steady at No. 5. The Hastings College Broncos (10-3, 4-1 GPAC) check in at No. 14. Four other league teams continue to receive votes, led by the Morningside Mustangs (3-1, 3-1 GPAC) who are receiving 35 votes.
GPAC in the rankings:
No. 5 Doane Tigers (11-3, 5-0 GPAC)
No. 14 Hastings Broncos (10-3, 4-1 GPAC)
RV(35) Morningside Mustangs (3-1, 3-1 GPAC)
RV(19) Briar Cliff Chargers (5-2, 4-2 GPAC)
RV(17) Midland Warriors (2-9, 0-5 GPAC)
RV(9) Concordia (Neb.) Bulldogs (4-4, 2-3 GPAC)
RV(2) Northwestern Red Raiders (4-4, 2-2 GPAC)
Northwestern will be in action this weekend, Friday and Saturday (January 21-22) at the Missouri Valley Invite in Marshall, Mo.
