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 The ranking is the highest in program history for the Bearcats as
members of NCAA Division II, after ending last season ranked No. 9
in the poll. The 2013-14 season was the programs first full season
as members of NCAA Division II, finishing in 10th place at the NCAA
Division II Wrestling National Championship.
Maryville University enters the season as the top-ranked team,
followed by Ouachita Baptist University with the No. 2 ranking.
University of Nebraska-Kearney, national runner-up last season,
comes in at No. 3, while defending national champion, Notre Dame
College, and Saint Cloud State University round out the top five
ranked No. 4 and No. 5, respectively.
McKendree posted an overall dual record of 12-3 last season,
matching the 2007-08 team for the second most dual wins in a season
since the program began in 2003-04. The Bearcats earned dual meet
wins last season over four teams ranked in this year’s preseason top
25 in No. 1 Maryville, No. 2 Ouachita Baptist, No. 12 University of
Central Missouri, and No. 15 Augustana College (S.D.).
 McKendree has five individuals ranked in the top seven of their
respective weight class to begin the year. Seniors
Nick Haferkamp (Lincoln, Ill., Lincoln
Community) and Julian Smith (Florissant, Mo., Hazelwood
Central) both come in at No. 2 at 165 and 197 pounds, respectively,
while senior John Vogt (Festus, Mo., Ste. Genevieve) is ranked No. 6
at 184 pounds. Seniors Josh Ballard (Troy, Ill., Triad) and Luis
Alba (Kissimmee, Fla., Cypress Creek) round out the Bearcat
individuals by earning No. 7 rankings at 157 and 174 pounds,
respectively.
Haferkamp finished in fourth place at
last year’s national championship and ended the year with an overall
record of 30-15. The No. 2 ranking is the highest for Haferkamp
after ending last season ranked No. 4 at 165 pounds.
Smith finished last year as NCAA Super Region II champion and as
national runner-up at 197 pounds with a record of 42-8. His No. 2
ranking is also the highest of his career after being the only
McKendree wrestler ranked in all eight rankings last season,
climbing as high as No. 3.
Vogt won the NCAA Super Region II crown at 184 pounds last season
and was a national qualifier last season, ending his season with an
overall record of 29-14. His No. 7 ranking is his first appearance
in the rankings.
Ballard missed out on qualifying for the national tournament last
season after suffering an injury at the Super Region II tournament,
ending his season with a mark 33-14. Ballard earned wins over
top-ranked, and defending national champion Jonatan Rivera of Notre
Dame (Ohio), and No. 2 ranked Clint Poster of Saint Cloud last
season. Ballard was ranked in the top eight five times, including as
high as No. 4 twice, last season.
Alba was a national qualifier last season and ended his season with
an overall record of 33-16. The No. 7 ranking is his first
appearance in the rankings.
 The Bearcats will begin their season on Sunday, Nov. 2 in Oklahoma
City, Okla., at the Oklahoma City University Open with matches
scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. McKendree will host its first home dual
of the season on Friday, Nov. 7 against Missouri Baptist University
at 7 p.m. NCAA Division II Wrestling Rankings - Preseason -
Oct. 27
Rank School (State) Points
1. Maryville (Mo.) 151
2. Ouachita Baptist (Ark.) 142
3. Nebraska-Kearney 134
4. Notre Dame (Ohio) 122
5. St. Cloud State (Minn.) 121
6. McKendree (Ill.) 116
7. Mercyhurst (Pa.) 114
8. Western State (Colo.) 94
9. Central Oklahoma 87
10. Lindenwood (Mo.) 77
[to top of second column] |
11. North Carolina-Pembroke 54
12. Central Missouri 53
13. Kutztown (Pa.) 52
14. Lake Erie (Ohio) 51
15. Augustana (S.D.) 45
16. Upper Iowa 44
17. Ashland (Ohio) 34
18. California Baptist 30
19. Newberry (S.C.) 29
20. Colorado Mesa 23 Others receiving votes: Adams State
(Colo.), Findlay (Ohio), Fort Hays State (Kan.), Gannon (Pa.),
Indianapolis (Ind.), Southwest Minnesota, Tiffin (Ohio),
Pittsburgh-Johnstown (Pa.)
Individual Rankings (with McKendree Wrestlers)
157 Pounds
1. Jonatan Rivera, Notre Dame (Ohio)
2. Clint Poster, St. Cloud State (Minn.)
3. James Martinez, Colorado Mesa
4. Derrick Weller, Lindenwood (Mo.)
5. Brady Bersano, California Baptist
6. John Crowley, Colorado School of Mines
7. Josh Ballard, McKendree (Ill.)
8. Chase White, Nebraska Kearney
165 Pounds
1. Chris Watson, Central Oklahoma
2. Nick Haferkamp, McKendree (Ill.)
3. Dimitri Willis, Maryville (Mo.)
4. Cody Quinn, Minnesota State-Mankato
5. Gabe Fogarty, St. Cloud State (Minn.)
6. Ty Loethen, Central Missouri
7. Bo Candelaria, Kutztown (Pa.)
8. Matt Vandermeer, Lake Erie (Ohio)
174 Pounds
1. Elliot Copeland, Western State (Colo.)
2. Zeb Wahle, Maryville (Mo.)
3. Jacob Begin, Southwest Minnesota
4. August Mizia, Mercyhurst (Pa.)
5. Josh Rodriguez, Fort Hays State (Kan.)
6. Joe Pittman, Newberry (S.C.)
7. Luis Alba, McKendree (Ill.)
8. Clayton Jennissen, St. Cloud State (Minn.) 184 Pounds
], Dallas Smith, Ouachita Baptist (Ark.)
2. Nick Brughardt, Maryville (Mo.)
3. Kyle Piatt, Western State (Colo.)
4. Jared Holliday, Newberry (S.C.)
5. Jon Inman, Fort Hays State (Kan.)
6. John Vogt, McKendree (Ill.)
7. Blake Sorenson, Upper Iowa
8. Zack Zelcs, Gannon (Pa.)
197 Pounds
1. Romero Cotton, Nebraska-Kearney
2. Julian Smith, McKendree (Ill.)
3. Evan Rosborough, Lake Erie (Ohio)
4. Kenny Breauz, Lindenwood (Mo.)
5. Sam Mangum, Western State (Colo.)
6. Paco Petana, Colorado Mesa
7. Jayd Docken, Augustana (S.D.)
8. Andrew Reggi, San Francisco State (Calif.)
[Eric Buck, McKendree University]
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