Wolves dominate Super Region I rankings for second straight time

Posted on | December 13, 2011 | No Comments

December 5, 2011

NEWBERRY, S.C. – The Newberry College wrestling team sits atop the Super Region I coaches poll for the second straight time as released today. The Wolves have the No. 1 ranked grappler in four different weight classes and have the No. 2 at four others. Newberry has been atop the rankings in both polls this season and has at least one wrestler in the top four of every weight class.

“We are constantly talking about the process of getting better,” head coach Jason Valek said. “We can see it each time we head to the mat. We need to develop more confidence in our talents and draw on those to move forward.”

National runner-up BJ Young (Jackson, N.J.) comes in No. 1 at 141 pounds. Connor McDonald (Rehoboth, Del.) is atop the rankings at 125 while Mitchell Brown (Omaha, Neb.) (184) and Jake Elkins (Trussville, Ala.) (285) also received No. 1 rankings. Brown sits at 8-1 and was fourth in the opening Super Region I poll.

Four Wolves are second at their respective weight classes. Matt Oliver (Toms River, N.J.) is second at 133. Deral Brown (Elgin, S.C.) was second at 149 while Sean Byrnes (Jackson, N.J.) is ranked No. 2 at 165. Travis Sheehy(Suwanee, Ga.) was ranked No. 4 in the previous poll but has ascended to second at 174.

Karl Reed (Mount Laurel, N.J.) is ranked No. 3 at 197 while Taylor Knapp (Lawrenceville, Ga.) sits at No. 4 at 157.

Date: January 7-8, 2012

Divisions: DII, DIII, NAIA, NJCAA,Women

Place: Prairie Capital Convention Center – Springfield, Illinois

Division II: Augustana, Central Missouri, Central Oklahoma, Findlay, Kings, Limestone, Maryville, Nebraska Kearney, Newberry College, Northern State, San Francisco State, St. Cloud State, Truman State, UM- Mankato, Upper Iowa, and UW-Parkside

Division III: Augsburg, Centenary, Concordia (MN), Dubuque, Elmhurst, Ithaca, Johnson and Wales, Mount Union, North Central, Olivet, Rhode Island, St. John’s, UW- Lacrosse, UW – Stevens Point, UW- Whitewater, and Wartburg.

NAIA: Baker, Campbellsville, Cumberland (TN), Dakota Wesleyan, Dickinson State, Great Falls, Grandview, Jamestown, Lindsey Wilson, Midland, Missouri Valley, Morningside, MSU-Northern, Shorter, Southern Oregon, and Waldorf.

NJCAA: Clackamas, Harper, Iowa Central, Labette, Lincoln, Muskegon, Northwest, and Rend Lake.

Women: King College, Jamestown College, Lindenwood University, Missouri Valley, Menlo, Oklahoma City University, Simon Fraser University, and University of the Cumberlands.

Scott Casber
Founder/Host
Takedown Wrestling Radio and TV
USA Wrestling Weekly
515-707-8657