Bronchos Fall To Sixth
Feb. 7) -- Central Oklahoma fell to sixth in the NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches' Association poll that was released Thursday.
The defending national champion Bronchos were No. 3 in the rankings two weeks ago, but dropped three spots after losing duals to Adams State, Nebraska-Omaha and Western State. UCO, 11-6 on the season, returns to action Saturday with a 3 p.m. match at Truman State in Kirksville, Mo.
Minnesota State-Mankato reached No. 1 for the first time in the NCAA Division II rankings two weeks ago and stayed there by a slim two-point margin over UNO, with those two teams set to square off Saturday night in Omaha. MSU-Mankato received five of the eight first-place votes cast in finishing with 157 points, while UNO had the remaining three first-place votes and 155 points.
Adams State its win over UCO and Western State to move to No. 3 in the poll with 136 points, one ahead of Nebraska-Kearney. WSC is fifth, followed by the Bronchos, Newberry (S.C.), Pittsburgh-Johnstown (Pa.), Upper Iowa and Ashland (Ohio).
UCO has six individuals ranked, topped by defending champion at No. 1 Kyle Evans at 141 pounds. Dustin Finn is fourth at heavyweight, while 133 Tim Elliott and 184 Heath Jolley are both sixth, 197 Jarrett Edison seventh and 149 Colby Robinson eighth.
The NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships will be held March 14-15 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and hosted by Upper Iowa.
The top 20 poll, with points and their last ranking:
Rank School (State) Points
1. Minnesota State-Mankato 157
2. Nebraska-Omaha 155
3. Adams State (Colo.) 136
4. Nebraska-Kearney 135
5. Western State (Colo.) 126
6. Central Oklahoma 125
Others receiving votes: Augustana (S.D.), Central Missouri, Fort Hays State (Kan.), Shippensburg (Pa.).
NCAA Division II
Individual Rankings
125 Pounds
1. Cody Garcia, Nebraska-Omaha
133 Pounds
6. Tim Elliott, Central Oklahoma
174 Pounds
4. Ross Taplin, Nebraska-Omaha
197 Pounds
2. Jacob Marrs, Nebraska-Omaha
7. Jarrett Edison, Central Oklahoma
285 Pounds
6. Tony Lewis, Nebraska-Omaha
