Grays Harbor College Wrestling comes in at the top 10 spot in the last national poll before the conference championships. This years NCWA National Championship will be interesting with the additions of Bellarmine University and Queens University. Both programs are in the transition period of moving to NCAA-D1 and have joined the NCWA during this time. Bellarmine is a legitimate contender in their NCAA Southern Conference by compiling an overall dual record of 10-2 this season, with their only NCAA-D1 losses coming to Appalachian State and Gardner-Webb. They also defeated Liberty earlier this season. The current rankings have Liberty still at #1 with 78 points; however, Bellarmine has closed the gap considerably at #2 with 75 points.
The Chokers look to improve on the current ranking by having a strong Conference Championship and qualify wrestlers at multiple weight classes. The team is led by two returning All Americans,
Elijah Gandert at 141 and
Karter Kares at 165. Gandert, placed 7th last year and is currently 21-5 on the season and 10-0 in Conference competition. Kares (6-5) placed 8th last season looks to repeat as Conference Champion.
The Chokers have seven wrestlers that are ranked in their respective weight classes. #10
Dorian Tollenaar - 125,
#14
Jeremy Roberts - 133, #4
Elijah Gandert -141, #6
Bo Davis 141, #12
Karter Kares - 165, #12
Darrien Walters - 184, and #19
Elijah Fisher - 184.
NCWA NATIONAL RANKINGS (TOP 10)
#1 Liberty University (Lynchburg, VA) - 78
#2 Bellarmine University (Louisville, KY) - 75 [NCAA-D1]
#3 The Apprentice School (Newport News, VA) - 61
#4 University of Toledo (Toledo, OH) - 42
#5 Grand Valley State University (Allendale, MI) - 39
#6 Queens University of Charlotte (Charlotte, NC) - 29 [NCAA-D1]
#7 Springfield Tech CC (Springfield, MA) - 26
#8 University of Central Florida (Orlando, FL) - 21
#9 Allen University (Allen, SC) - 14 [NCAA-D2]
#10 Grays Harbor College (Aberdeen, WA) - 13
GHC will be hosting the Pacific Northwest Conference Men's and Women's Championships. February 25th at Hoquiam HS. Wrestling begins at 10am.
PNW Conference:
GHC, University of Washington, Washington State University, Western Washington University, Central Washington University, University of Oregon, Big Bend CC, Treasure Valley CC, Pacific Lutheran University, University of British Columbia.
