KANSAS CITY, Mo. – In the third 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 afternoon.
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 205 team points, as three Vikings rank continue to hold the top spot 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. 17 with 42 points at 174. The freshman sits 5-0 on the season and has one fall victory to his name, no change since the last polls were announced.
At 184, Luke Jenness (So., Primghar, Iowa/Sheldon) holds in at No. 19 ranking with 19 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 for the second straight set of the NAIA national rankings. Doane University leads the way, ranked No. 4 in the nation, followed by Hastings College who continues to checks in at No. 12.
GPAC in the rankings:
No. 4 Doane Tigers (7-2, 4-0 GPAC)
No. 12 Hastings Broncos (8-2, 4-1 GPAC)
No. 19 Morningside Mustangs (2-0, 1-0 GPAC)
RV(23) Briar Cliff Chargers (4-1, 3-1 GPAC)
RV(17) Midland Warriors (2-9, 0-5 GPAC)
RV(8) Concordia (Neb.) Bulldogs (4-4, 2-2 GPAC)
RV(6) Northwestern Red Raiders (2-4, 1-2 GPAC)
The Raiders will be back in action the weekend of January 7-8, starting with two duals on January 7 and at the Cusatis Open on January 8.
