KANSAS CITY, Mo. – In the second installment of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Wrestling Coaches’ Poll, the Northwestern College wrestling team (2-4, 1-2 GPAC) continues to receive votes, the national office announced Thursday.
Unlike other team sports, the national rankings for wrestling are based on individual rankings within the program to decide the team top-25 rankings. Grand View checked in at No. 1 with 210 team points, as three Vikings rank No. 1 in their weight class – the most No. 1 rankings of any NAIA school.
in the individual weight class rankings, Jakob Francksen-Small (Fr., Merrill, Iowa/Le Mars Community) is ranked No. 16 with 40 points at 174. The freshman sits 5-0 on the season and has one fall victory to his name.
At 184, Luke Jenness (So., Primghar, Iowa/Sheldon) checks in at No. 19 with 21 points. The sophomore has wrestled twice at 184, winning both. He has also bumped up to 197 for four matches, also holding a perfect 4-0 mark.
Seven of the nine Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) institutions that offer wrestling are either ranked or receiving votes in this installment of the NAIA national rankings. Doane University leads the way, ranked No. 5 in the nation, followed by Hastings College who checks in at No. 12.
GPAC in the rankings:
No. 5 Doane Tigers (5-2, 4-0 GPAC)
No. 12 Hastings Broncos (4-1, 4-1 GPAC)
RV(34) Morningside Mustangs (1-0, 1-0 GPAC)
RV(26) Briar Cliff Chargers (4-1, 3-1 GPAC)
RV(17) Midland Warriors (2-9, 0-5 GPAC)
RV(6) Concordia (Neb.) Bulldogs (2-2, 2-2 GPAC)
RV(5) Northwestern Red Raiders (2-4, 1-2 GPAC)
Up Next: The Raiders are off until 2022 when they hit the mat again on Friday, January 7 in dual action against NCAA Division II foe Nebraska-Kearney (ranked No. 3 in Division II) and No. 11-ranked Ottawa (Kan.) in Hastings, Neb.
