MANHEIM PA – The University of Mary made an impressive jump to #11 in the latest National Wrestling Coaches Association rankings. Additionally, four Marauders are ranked individually in the second NWCA regular season poll of the 2022-23 season.
After opening the season by winning all four duals and claiming a 7
th place team finish at the 43
rd Midwest Classic, the largest NCAA Division II meet of the year, the Marauders jumped 11 slots from the first NWCA rankings of the season released in early December. The latest rankings by the NWCA were announced December 23 and are based on a team's tournament strength, not a team's dual strength.
Central Oklahoma tops the team rankings, followed by Nebraska Kearney and St. Cloud State. The Marauders are ranked fourth among Northern Sun squads (#3 St. Cloud State, #9 Wisconsin Parkside, #9 Upper Iowa). Other ranked NSIC teams are Northern State (#21) and Southwest Minnesota State (#24) with Augustana (13), Minot State (6) and Minnesota State (1) receiving votes.
Following a championship-winning performance at the Midwest Classic,
Max Bruss is ranked #3 in the 174 weight class, the top mark among the Marauders. The junior from De Pere, WI, is 15-2 this season and was a national qualifier in 2021.
All-American Reece Barnhart is ranked 4
th at 133. The sophomore from Bismarck, ND, finished 2
nd at the Midwest Classic and is 14-4 on the season.
Braydon Huber, a 2-time All-American and a 3-time national qualifier, ranks 9
th at 165. The junior from Post Falls, ID, owns a record of 11-1.
Matthew Kaylor holds down the #12 slot at 197. The Bismarck, ND, junior is a 2022 NCAA tournament qualifier with a record of 12-6 for the 2022-23 season.
The Marauders return to action at the NWCA National Duals on January 6-7 in Lexington, KY. The Northern Sun season commences January 12.
UMary next competes at home January 27 when the Marauders host Parkside.
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