UNI Wrestling: 3 Panthers Earn Top Seed at Big 12

UNI wrestling at Big 12 Championships
Tulsa, Oklahoma; BOK Center
March 3-4
SCHEDULE (CT) – March 3, 2018

10 a.m.: doors open
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: prelim matches / quarterfinals
4 p.m.: doors re-open
5 to 9 p.m.: semifinals / 1^st and 2^nd round consolations

SCHEDULE (CT) – March 4, 2018

Noon to 2 p.m.: consolation semifinals / 3^rd- and 5^th-place matches / true place matches
5 p.m.: doors re-open
6 p.m.: finals (10 matches, 1 mat)
8:15 p.m. team trophy presentation

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PDF OF BRACKETS
PDF OF SEEDINGS / RANKINGS / ALLOCATIONS

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Three Panthers earned top seeds heading into this weekend's Big 12 Conference Championships set in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

UNI's Max Thomsen at 149 pounds, Taylor Lujan at 174 pounds and Drew Foster at 184 pounds earned No. 1 seeds at the Big 12.

It will be the Panthers' debut at the tournament. UNI will be competing for spots at the national tournament. The Big 12's 45 allocations ranks third among the conferences. The Big Ten leads the way with 80, and Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association earned 47 spots.

The top four seeds at each weight receive a bye in the first round of the tournament. Panthers who earned byes:

Josh Alber – 141 pounds
Max Thomsen – 149 pounds
Taylor Lujan – 174 pounds
Drew Foster – 184 pounds
Jacob Holschlag – 197 pounds

Six Panthers remain in the national rankings, while seven earned a top-33 RPI.
WT – ranked wrestler / RPI / ranking among Big 12 competitors – allocations at weight

125 pounds – No. 19 Jay Schwarm / 14 RPI / 5^th – take 7
141 pounds – No. 9 Josh Alber / 2 RPI / 3^rd – take 3
149 pounds – No. 7 Max Thomsen / 8 RPI / 1^st – take 5
157 pounds – Logan Ryan / 31 RPI / NR – take 3
174 pounds – No. 7 Taylor Lujan / 7 RPI / 1^st – take 5
184 pounds – No. 11 Drew Foster / 5 RPI / 1^st – take 4
197 pounds – No. 15 Jacob Holschlag / 6 RPI / 3^rd – take 4

BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP BOOKED THROUGH 2020

The Big 12 Conference and the Tulsa Sports Commission have partnered to host the Big 12 Wrestling Championship at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, for the next two years. The 2019 Championship will be held March 9-10. The 2020 Championship will be March 7-8.

The Big 12 Wrestling Championship is the largest neutral-site wrestling conference championship in the NCAA. In 2017, a record crowd of more than 15,000 fans saw Oklahoma State win its 14th postseason conference championship.

ALLOCATION EXPLANATION

Each qualifying tournament was awarded spots per weight class based on current year data. Each wrestler was measured on the following: Division I winning percentage at the weight class; ratings percentage index (RPI); and coaches' ranking.
For each wrestler that reached the threshold in at least two of the three categories, his qualifying tournament was awarded a qualifying spot in that weight class. Each qualifying tournament, with automatic qualifying status, was awarded a minimum of one wrestler per weight class, which will go to the tournament champion, even if they did not have any wrestlers reach at least two of the three thresholds. NCAA tournament spots for each qualifying event will be awarded at the tournament based solely on place-finish.
After all of the qualifying events have concluded, the NCAA Division I Wrestling Committee will meet in-person to select the remaining 47 at-large qualifiers, which will be announced on March 6. All weight classes will consist of 33 wrestlers. The at-large selections will be made based on the following criteria: head-to-head competition; quality wins; coaches' ranking; results against common opponents; RPI; qualifying event placement; and winning percentage.

COACHES RANKINGS AND RPI RANKINGS EXPLANATION

The coaches' rankings are compiled by a vote of coaches representing each conference. For ranking purposes, coaches may only consider a wrestler that has been designated as a starter at a respective weight class. To be eligible for the rankings, wrestlers must have participated in at least five matches against Division I opponents in the weight class and have wrestled within the last 30 days.
To be eligible for an RPI ranking, a wrestler must have a minimum of 17 Division I matches at a given weight class.

NATIONAL TOURNAMENT

The 2018 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships takes place at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland March 15-17.

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