Photo by: All Pro Photography/Dale Sparks
NCAA Qualifier Allocations Announced
February 22, 2018 07:10 PM | Wrestling
NORMAN, Okla. – The NCAA announced qualifier allocations for the 2018 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships on Thursday. The most recent Coaches' Panel Rankings and Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) were released as well.
The Big 12 Conference was awarded 45 automatic qualifying spots, third most behind the Big Ten Conference (80) and the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (47). The 125-pound weight class will qualify the top seven finishers at the 2018 Big 12 Championship – the most of any weight class. A weight-by-weight breakdown is listed below:
Each Division I starter was evaluated for Division I wins at their respective weight class, RPI and coaches' panel rankings. For each Big 12 wrestler that reached the threshold in two of three categories, the league was awarded a qualifying spot in that weight class. NCAA tournament spots will be awarded at the Big 12 Championship based solely on place-finish.
Wrestlers who do not earn a bid at their qualifying tournament may still be eligible for one of 47 at-large bids, 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' panel rankings, results against common opponents, RPI, qualifying event placement and winning percentage.
A trio of Mountaineers rank in the top-33 of their respective weights in the most recent NCAA coaches' panel rankings. The 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.
Redshirt junior Zeke Moisey comes in at No. 15 at 125 pounds. The Northampton, Pennsylvania, native finished the regular season with a team-leading 20 wins on the year. Moisey also paced the Mountaineers with 28 takedowns and is currently tied for the team lead with five pins. Of note, West Virginia's five of six wins this season started with bonus victories from Moisey, including a trio of pins, one tech. fall and one major decision.
Redshirt senior Jacob A. Smith checks-in at No. 22 in his weight class of 197 pounds. The Charleston, West Virginia, native finished the regular season with an 11-6 overall mark, winning four of his last five duals.
Redshirt freshman Matthew Schmitt rounds out the Mountaineers in the coaches' panel, ranking No. 32 at 133 pounds. The Platte City, Missouri, native ranks second on the team with 18 wins, finishing the regular season with an 18-10 overall mark. He also has a team-high five major decisions on the year.
Additionally, Moisey and Schmitt both appear in the RPI rankings, checking in at No. 12 and No. 24, respectively. To be eligible for an RPI ranking, a wrestler must have a minimum of 17 Division I matches at their given weight class.
After a week off from competition, West Virginia heads to the 2018 Big 12 Championship on March 3-4. The event will be held at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Of note, the championships will be available to subscribers at FloWrestling.
For more information on the Mountaineers, visit WVUsports.com and follow WVUWrestling on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
The Big 12 Conference was awarded 45 automatic qualifying spots, third most behind the Big Ten Conference (80) and the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (47). The 125-pound weight class will qualify the top seven finishers at the 2018 Big 12 Championship – the most of any weight class. A weight-by-weight breakdown is listed below:
| 125 | 133 | 141 | 149 | 157 | 165 | 174 | 184 | 197 | HWT |
| 7 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
Each Division I starter was evaluated for Division I wins at their respective weight class, RPI and coaches' panel rankings. For each Big 12 wrestler that reached the threshold in two of three categories, the league was awarded a qualifying spot in that weight class. NCAA tournament spots will be awarded at the Big 12 Championship based solely on place-finish.
Wrestlers who do not earn a bid at their qualifying tournament may still be eligible for one of 47 at-large bids, 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' panel rankings, results against common opponents, RPI, qualifying event placement and winning percentage.
A trio of Mountaineers rank in the top-33 of their respective weights in the most recent NCAA coaches' panel rankings. The 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.
Redshirt junior Zeke Moisey comes in at No. 15 at 125 pounds. The Northampton, Pennsylvania, native finished the regular season with a team-leading 20 wins on the year. Moisey also paced the Mountaineers with 28 takedowns and is currently tied for the team lead with five pins. Of note, West Virginia's five of six wins this season started with bonus victories from Moisey, including a trio of pins, one tech. fall and one major decision.
Redshirt senior Jacob A. Smith checks-in at No. 22 in his weight class of 197 pounds. The Charleston, West Virginia, native finished the regular season with an 11-6 overall mark, winning four of his last five duals.
Redshirt freshman Matthew Schmitt rounds out the Mountaineers in the coaches' panel, ranking No. 32 at 133 pounds. The Platte City, Missouri, native ranks second on the team with 18 wins, finishing the regular season with an 18-10 overall mark. He also has a team-high five major decisions on the year.
Additionally, Moisey and Schmitt both appear in the RPI rankings, checking in at No. 12 and No. 24, respectively. To be eligible for an RPI ranking, a wrestler must have a minimum of 17 Division I matches at their given weight class.
After a week off from competition, West Virginia heads to the 2018 Big 12 Championship on March 3-4. The event will be held at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Of note, the championships will be available to subscribers at FloWrestling.
For more information on the Mountaineers, visit WVUsports.com and follow WVUWrestling on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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