2/3/2010 4:44:30 PM
EDMOND, Okla. - Junior Charlie Pipher is the No. 1 wrestler at 184 pounds in the latest Division II Wrestling Coaches Association National Poll released earlier today. Western State improved to No. 12 in the team standings, Donovan McMahill moved up to No. 4 at 197 pounds and Charlie Alexander remained at No. 4 in the heavyweight rankings.
Pipher was sidelined with a knee injury for more than a month before returning with a pin against Air Force's James Ciccone at the 20th Annual Tracy Borah Duals Jan. 23. He won a 6-5 decision against Adams State's Torbin Walters Jan. 28 and came within a point of a major decision against Chadron State's Chris Leak Jan. 29.
McMahill switched spots in the national rankings with Adams State's Kyle Sand after defeating the defending the national champion on a late takedown last Thursday. McMahill also posted a 2-1 decision against Neil Delaney of Air Force in his only other match since the last polls were released Jan. 19.
Alexander remained on the bench during the Tracy Borah Duals because of a back injury but returned with a pin against Adams State's Taylor Stam Jan. 28 to close a 21-point rally for the Mountaineers in the win. He followed with a 3-2 decision the next night against RJ Boylan of Chadron State.
Both Mountaineer opponents this weekend are nationally ranked again this week, with Fort Hays State moving up two positions, ahead of Adams State, to No. 15. Nebraska-Kearney remains at No. 9, tied with St. Cloud State. Western State takes on Fort Hays State Feb. 5 before traveling to Nebraska-Kearney Feb. 6 in a pair of 6 p.m. MST duals.
NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches Association National Poll (Feb. 3)
1. Nebraska-Omaha
2. Newberry
3. Upper Iowa
4. Pittsburgh-Johnstown
5. Wisconsin-Parkside
6. Augustana
7. Minnesota State
8. Gannon
T9. St. Cloud State
T9. Nebraska-Kearney
11. North Carolina-Pembroke
12. Western State
13. Central Oklahoma
14. Findlay
15. Fort Hays State
16. Adams State
17. West Liberty
18. Kutztown
19. San Francisco State
20. Grand Canyon
Receiving votes: Central Missouri, East Stroudsburg, Indianapolis, Mesa State, Northern State
184 Pounds
1. Charlie Pipher, Western State
2. Mitchell Schultz, Upper Iowa
3. Derek Skala, St. Cloud State
4. Austin Boehm, Nebraska-Omaha
5. Lucas Haag, Wisconsin-Parkside
6. Tim Darling, Kutztown
7. Bryan Blanton, Newberry
8. Landon Hall
197 Pounds
1. Jacob Marrs, Nebraska-Omaha
2. Keeno Griffn, Newberry
3. Ty Copsey, Augustana
4. Donovan McMahill, Western State
5. Kyle Sand, Adams State
6. Lucas Munkelwitz, St. Cloud State
7. Mitch Knapp, West Liberty
8. Vince Bordi, San Francisco State
Heavyweight
1. Brady Wilson, Minnesota State
2. Elijah Madison, Nebraska-Omaha
3. Dustin Finn, Central Oklahoma
4. Charlie Alexander, Western State
5. Frank McGrath, Gannon
6. Jacob Kahnke, St. Cloud State
7. Lynn Panko, Indianapolis
8. Steve Franklin, San Francisco State