INDIANAPOLIS -- The NCAA released Thursday the second of four coaches’ panel rankings and a preliminary release of the ratings percentage index (RPI) for the 2015-16 wrestling season. The final rankings and RPI will be two of the tools used as part of the selection process to determine the qualifiers and seeding for the 2016 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. This year’s event is March 17-19 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. For more information and to purchase tickets for the championship, visit NCAA.com/Wrestling.
Wrestlers in each weight class will be measured by winning percentage, rating percentage index (RPI) and coaches’ rankings to earn spots in their qualifying tournaments for the 2016 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. The coaches’ rankings are compiled by a vote of coaches representing each qualifying tournament. For ranking purposes, coaches may only consider a wrestler that has been designated as a starter at a respective weight class. In order 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.
MORE: Wrestling Award Standings
Among the top-ranked wrestlers by the coaches are four former national champions with Nathan Tomasello of Ohio State (125 pounds), Alex Dieringer of Oklahoma State (165), Gabriel Dean of Cornell (184) and Nick Gwiazdowski of North Carolina State (heavyweight).
The additional top-ranked wrestlers at each weight class by the coaches are: Nahshon Garrett, Cornell (133 pounds); Dean Heil, Oklahoma State (141); Zain Retherford, Penn State (149); Jason Nolf, Penn State (157), Bo Nickal, Penn State (174) and Morgan McIntosh, Penn State (197).
The top ranked wrestlers in each weight class of the RPI are: Ronnie Rios, Oregon St. (125 pounds); Garrett (133); Heil (141); Retherford (149); Joseph Smith, Oklahoma State (157); Dieringer (165); Nickal (174); Dean (184); McIntosh (197) and Austin Marsden, Oklahoma State (heavyweight).
To see the full list, click here.
