Northwestern University Athletics
Six ’Cats Ranked in NCAA Coaches' Poll
2/22/2018 4:09:00 PM | Wrestling
EVANSTON, Ill. — Six Northwestern wrestlers were ranked in the Coaches' Poll of the most recent national wrestling rankings, while five Wildcats were among the top-33 in RPI, it was announced Thursday.
Sebastian Rivera (5/9), Ryan Deakin (11/5), Johnny Sebastian (17/17), Conan Jennings (19/19), Colin Valdiviez (32/27), and Mitch Sliga (--/29) were ranked in the RPI and/or Coaches' Poll, respectively.
RANKING RUMBLINGS
The coaches' rankings are compiled by a vote of coaches representing each conference. For ranking purposes, coaches may only consider a wrestler that has been designated as a starter at a respective weight class. 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.
ALL ABOUT THE ALLOCATION
Each qualifying tournament was awarded spots per weight class based on current year data. Each wrestler was measured on the following: Division I winning percentage at the weight class; ratings percentage index (RPI); and coaches' ranking. For the full, weight-by-weight breakdown, visit the NCAA's webpage.
For each wrestler that reached the threshold in at least two of the three categories, his qualifying tournament was awarded a qualifying spot in that weight class. Each qualifying tournament, with automatic qualifying status, was awarded a minimum of one wrestler per weight class, which will go to the tournament champion, even if they did not have any wrestlers reach at least two of the three thresholds. NCAA tournament spots for each qualifying event will be awarded at the tournament based solely on place-finish.
After all of the qualifying events have concluded, the NCAA Division I Wrestling Committee will meet in-person to select the remaining 47 at-large qualifiers, which will be announced on March 6. All weight classes will consist of 33 wrestlers. The at-large selections will be made based on the following criteria: head-to-head competition; quality wins; coaches' ranking; results against common opponents; RPI; qualifying event placement; and winning percentage.
UP NEXT
Northwestern will compete next in the 2018 Big Ten Wrestling Championships at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Michigan, on March 3-4.
The 2018 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships takes place at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland on March 15-17.
Sebastian Rivera (5/9), Ryan Deakin (11/5), Johnny Sebastian (17/17), Conan Jennings (19/19), Colin Valdiviez (32/27), and Mitch Sliga (--/29) were ranked in the RPI and/or Coaches' Poll, respectively.
Additionally, the NCAA announced qualifier allocations for the 2018 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. The Big Ten led the way with 80 total spots out of the 283 total.Here's where the #B1GCats rank in the most recent coaches poll/RPI release. pic.twitter.com/0TLpOaE9v9
— Northwestern Wrestling (@NUWrestle) February 22, 2018
Continued...#B1GCats pic.twitter.com/i5yvRFQHks
— Northwestern Wrestling (@NUWrestle) February 22, 2018
RANKING RUMBLINGS
The coaches' rankings are compiled by a vote of coaches representing each conference. For ranking purposes, coaches may only consider a wrestler that has been designated as a starter at a respective weight class. 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.
ALL ABOUT THE ALLOCATION
Each qualifying tournament was awarded spots per weight class based on current year data. Each wrestler was measured on the following: Division I winning percentage at the weight class; ratings percentage index (RPI); and coaches' ranking. For the full, weight-by-weight breakdown, visit the NCAA's webpage.
For each wrestler that reached the threshold in at least two of the three categories, his qualifying tournament was awarded a qualifying spot in that weight class. Each qualifying tournament, with automatic qualifying status, was awarded a minimum of one wrestler per weight class, which will go to the tournament champion, even if they did not have any wrestlers reach at least two of the three thresholds. NCAA tournament spots for each qualifying event will be awarded at the tournament based solely on place-finish.
After all of the qualifying events have concluded, the NCAA Division I Wrestling Committee will meet in-person to select the remaining 47 at-large qualifiers, which will be announced on March 6. All weight classes will consist of 33 wrestlers. The at-large selections will be made based on the following criteria: head-to-head competition; quality wins; coaches' ranking; results against common opponents; RPI; qualifying event placement; and winning percentage.
UP NEXT
Northwestern will compete next in the 2018 Big Ten Wrestling Championships at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Michigan, on March 3-4.
The 2018 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships takes place at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland on March 15-17.
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