UNI Wrestling Earns 6 Spots in NCAA Rankings

PDF of complete rankings

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – UNI wrestling secured 6 spots in the first of four NCAA coaches' panel rankings for the 2018-19 wrestling season.

Complete list:

125 pounds: Jay Schwarm – No. 29 (qualified for NCAAs last year)
141 pounds: Josh Alber – No. 6 (three-time NCAA qualifier)
149 pounds: Max Thomsen – No. 10 (two-time NCAA qualifier, 2017 All-American)
165 pounds: Bryce Steiert – No. 12 (two-time NCAA qualifier)
174 pounds: Taylor Lujan – No. 8 (two-time NCAA qualifier)
184 pounds: Drew Foster – No. 6 (two-time NCAA qualifier, 2017 All-American)

Alber made a recent jump in all the national polls after a win over No. 3 Jaydin Eierman of Missouri. The win helped secure Big 12 Wrestler of the Week honors for Alber, who is one victory away from 100 career wins.

All six Panthers who cracked the initial lineups are returning NCAA qualifiers. Foster and Thomsen each earned All-America honors in 2017.

The Panthers host two meets this week starting with Northern Colorado 7 p.m. Friday and wrapping up with Oklahoma 2 p.m. Sunday.

Northern Colorado will bring in two wrestlers who cracked the initial NCAA rankings with No. 17 Rico Montoya at 125 pounds and No. 17 Jacob Seely at 197 pounds.

A top-10 matchup is expected in the Oklahoma dual with No. 6 Alber and Oklahoma's No. 10 Dom Demas. Also ranked for Oklahoma is No. 28 Davion Jeffries at 149 pounds and No. 33 Justin Thomas at 157 pounds. Also listed as a probable for Oklahoma is No. 28 Anthony Mantanona at 174 pounds for Oklahoma.

Fans are encouraged to white for the Oklahoma dual. Tickets for both duals are $10 and available online at UNIPanthers.com/tickets or by calling (319) 273-5455.

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