C. Qualification
Automatic Qualifying - Individual wrestlers can qualify for the NAIA Wrestling National Championships in one of the three following manners:
1. Qualifying standards through regional tournaments (regions are listed in Appendix A of this manual):
The top four wrestlers per weight class in a regional tournament shall qualify for the national championship. All regions will wrestle through 5th place in the bracket and the 4th-place position will be contested if the 4th and 5th-place wrestlers have not wrestled.
NOTE: Athletes cannot compete in a lower weight class at the national championships than they competed in at the regional tournament.
2. An eligible wrestler with a .666 or better winning percentage against four-year accredited intercollegiate competition prior to the national championships entry deadline shall qualify, provided the wrestler has competed in a minimum of 12 matches during the season.
NOTE: Matches against junior college and/or club wrestlers do not count in individual won-loss record.
3. Qualifying through an intercollegiate tournament during the season (excluding take-down tournaments):
-In intercollegiate tournaments with 32 or more wrestlers in weight class, the wrestler must place in top 8.
-In intercollegiate tournaments with 28-31 participating wrestlers in weight class, the wrestler must place in the top 7.
-In intercollegiate tournaments with 24-27 participating wrestlers in weight class, the wrestler must place in the top 6.
-In intercollegiate tournaments with 20-23 participating wrestlers in weight class, the wrestler must place in the top 5.
-In intercollegiate tournaments with 16-19 participating wrestlers in weight class, the wrestler must place in the top 4.
-In intercollegiate tournaments with 12-15 participating wrestlers in weight class, the wrestler must place in the top 3.
-In intercollegiate tournaments with 8-11 participating wrestlers in weight class, the wrestler must place in the top 2.
-In intercollegiate tournaments with 4-7 participating wrestlers in weight class, the wrestler must win weight class.
