Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Rises to #20 in NWCA/USA TODAY Coaches Poll
1/16/2018 11:51:00 AM | Wrestling
EVANSTON, Ill. — Fresh off an upset of #16 Wisconsin on Friday night, Northwestern wrestling (7-1, 2-1 Big Ten) has shot up to be the 20th-ranked team in the nation, per the NWCA/USA TODAY Coaches Poll released Tuesday.
It is NU's highest team ranking since being named the 18th-best team in January 2015.
Chicago's Big Ten Team has been led by a duo of redshirt first-years, #4 Ryan Deakin (149) and #10 Sebastian Rivera (125).
Deakin, who has amassed a 22-3 record to start his Wildcat career, is one of only two newcomers in the most recent Intermat poll at 149 lbs. Rivera, with a nearly-unblemished, 18-1 mark, has posted the best Wildcat record through the first 19 bouts since Jason Tsirtsis went 18-1 to start his sophomore campaign in 2014-15.
Two other Wildcats are ranked entering NU's Friday night dual against #18 Nebraska (4-3, 2-1 Big Ten).
Redshirt junior Johnny Sebastian (174), ranked 18th, and first-year Colin Valdiviez (133) have helped to propel the Wildcats to their team ranking.
The Wildcats have been highly-touted among the national polls, led by W.I.N. Magazine's TPI ranking, which puts Northwestern at 15th. TrackWrestling (18th), InterMat Tournament (20th), and InterMat Dual (22nd) also rate the 'Cats among the best teams in the nation.
Northwestern will host #18 Nebraska on Jan. 19 at historic Patten Gymnasium. The dual will start at 7 p.m. CT. Tickets are available by calling (888) GO-PURPLE or by accessing NUsports.com.
It is NU's highest team ranking since being named the 18th-best team in January 2015.
Chicago's Big Ten Team has been led by a duo of redshirt first-years, #4 Ryan Deakin (149) and #10 Sebastian Rivera (125).
Deakin, who has amassed a 22-3 record to start his Wildcat career, is one of only two newcomers in the most recent Intermat poll at 149 lbs. Rivera, with a nearly-unblemished, 18-1 mark, has posted the best Wildcat record through the first 19 bouts since Jason Tsirtsis went 18-1 to start his sophomore campaign in 2014-15.
Two other Wildcats are ranked entering NU's Friday night dual against #18 Nebraska (4-3, 2-1 Big Ten).
Redshirt junior Johnny Sebastian (174), ranked 18th, and first-year Colin Valdiviez (133) have helped to propel the Wildcats to their team ranking.
The Wildcats have been highly-touted among the national polls, led by W.I.N. Magazine's TPI ranking, which puts Northwestern at 15th. TrackWrestling (18th), InterMat Tournament (20th), and InterMat Dual (22nd) also rate the 'Cats among the best teams in the nation.
Northwestern will host #18 Nebraska on Jan. 19 at historic Patten Gymnasium. The dual will start at 7 p.m. CT. Tickets are available by calling (888) GO-PURPLE or by accessing NUsports.com.
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