UNI Wrestling: Big 12 Leads Nation at Two Weights

NCAA RANKINGS | NCAA RPI

INDIANAPOLIS — The Big 12 proved to be the deepest weight in the nation at two weight classes and earned the second most allocations for the 2019 NCAA wrestling tournament.

The conference earned the most allocations in the nation at 149 pounds and at 197 pounds, with seven wrestlers expected to earn an automatic bid to the national tournament.

Jay Schwarm, Max Thomsen and Taylor Lujan improved their final NCAA ranks, while Carter Isley registered an RPI.

Weight | Wrestler – NCAA rank (RPI)

125 | Jay Schwarm – 24 (28)
141 | Josh Alber – 7 (3)
149 | Max Thomsen – 9 (8)
165 | Bryce Steiert – 12 (8)
174 | Taylor Lujan – 7 (7)
184 | Drew Foster – 10 (2)
285 | Carter Isley – NR (21)

CONFERENCE	125	133	141	149	157	165	174	184	197	285	TOTAL
Atlantic Coast	2	4	4	4	4	4	3	5	4	3	37
Big 12	5	5	6	7	1	6	5	5	7	6	53
Big Ten	9	8	9	6	9	9	8	8	5	7	78
EIWA	4	4	3	5	6	4	5	6	6	4	47
EWL	1	2	1	1	1	3	1	1	1	2	14
Mid-American	4	3	4	1	5	1	2	2	1	4	27
Pacific-12	3	2	1	2	2	1	1	1	2	2	17
Southern	1	1	1	2	1	1	2	1	2	1	13
TOTAL	29	29	29	28	29	29	27	29	28	29	286

ALLOCATION PROCESS

Each qualifying tournament was awarded automatic bids 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 conference tournament was awarded a qualifying spot in that weight class. Each conference was awarded a minimum of one automatic bid 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 conference tournaments have concluded, the NCAA Division I Wrestling Committee will meet in-person to select the remaining 44 at-large qualifiers, which will be announced on March 12, while brackets and seeding will be announced on NCAA.com at 5 p.m. CT March 13. 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.

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.

BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIPS

UNI will head to the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, for the Big 12 Championships set for March 9-10.
Fans can buy all-session tickets starting at $37 through TicketMaster or the Big 12 Wrestling Championship page. Single-session tickets are also available for as low as $11.

Join fellow Panther fans in section 111, rows G-M.

The event will be streamed on FloWrestling.

BIG 12 SCHEDULE

Session I

10 a.m. CT | Doors open
11 a.m.-2 p.m. CT | Preliminary matches (40 matches – 4 mats)

Session II

4 p.m. CT | Doors open
5-9 p.m. CT | Semifinals and first round consolations (60 matches – 4 mats) / Quarterfinals (40 matches – 4 mats)

Session III

Noon-2 p.m. CT | Consolations semifinals (20 matches – 4 mats) / third- and fifth-place matches (20 matches – 4 mats) / true place matches if necessary

Session IV

6 p.m. CT | Doors open
7 p.m. CT | Finals (10 matches – 1 mat)

2019 NCAA DIVISION I CHAMPIONSHIPS

The 2019 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships takes place at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh March 21-23.

Wrestling fans can buy and sell official tickets through the NCAA Ticket Exchange. This gives ticket holders who are unable to attend a session a place to safely sell their tickets.

Buyers also can get their tickets knowing the tickets are authentic and guaranteed through NCAA.

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