ERIE, Pa. - The Gannon wrestling team dropped three spots and is ranked eighth in the latest NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches Association Top 20 released Thursday morning. Individually, four Golden Knights are listed in the national rankings.
Defending national champion Nebraska-Omaha is the unanimous No. 1 team for the fifth consecutive poll. The Mavericks received 160 points. Newberry (S.C.) (152), Upper Iowa (138), Pitt-Johnstown (130) and Wisconsin-Parkside (123) completed the top five.
Augustana (S.D.) (107), Minnesota State (106), Gannon (103), St. Cloud State (Minn.) (96) and Nebraska-Kearney (96) rounded out the top 10.
Gannon (5-3) dropped three spots despite winning two matches since the last rankings, defeating rival Mercyhurst (31-14) and Waynesburg (39-3). The Golden Knights produced victories against then-No. 3 Nebraska-Kearney (18-16) and current-No. 3 Upper Iowa (21-18) January 9 at the National Duals. The squad’s three losses have come against No. 2 Newberry, No. 4 Pitt-Johnstown and No. 7 Minnesota State.
Frank McGrath (Hammonton, N.J./St. Augustine Prep) remained fifth nationally in the heavyweight division for the fifth consecutive rankings. The senior, who is tabbed No. 1 in the East region, is 17-2 overall with five pins. He has won seven of eight dual matches. McGrath captured championships at the National Catholic Invitational and the Ashland Open. He ranks eighth all-time at Gannon in career pins (26) and 12th in career victories (79).
Corey Bowers (Pasadena, Md./Chesapeake) also stayed fifth at 133 pounds for the second consecutive poll. The senior has produced a 23-3 overall record and 6-2 dual mark. He has recorded nine pins. Bowers has won individual titles at the National Catholic Invitational and the East Stroudsburg Open, as well as winning the 133-pound title at the 2009 PSAC Championships. He defeated NCAA Division I Jay Ivanco of Clarion 4-3 in the finals. The Pasadena, Md., native owns 56 career victories and ranks 11th all-time at Gannon in pins (20).
Zach McKendree (Vandergrift, Pa./Kiski Area) remained seventh in the 157-pound division for the second consecutive rankings. The junior, who is ranked second in the East region, is 21-9 overall and 5-1 in dual matches. He also has eight pins. McKendree is a two-time national qualifier and has finished in the top three during back-to-back NCAA Division II East Regionals in 2007 and 2008. He has 70 career victories and ranks 12th all-time at Gannon with 19 career pins.
Kevin McElhaney (Jamestown, Pa./Jamestown Area) moved into the 149-pound rankings for the first time since January 5, being tabbed eighth. The senior is 16-15 overall and 4-4 in dual action, finishing seven matches via a pin. The senior owns 68 career victories while ranking third all-time at Gannon in career pins (32).
Gannon returns to action Saturday, February 6 at a tri-meet hosted by Ashland University. The Golden Knights face East Stroudsburg at 10 a.m. and Ashland at 12 noon. East Stroudsburg was among others receiving votes in the latest NCAA Division II Top 20 poll.
For the complete NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches Association Top 20, please
click here.