Photo by: All Pro Photography/Dale Sparks
Updated NCAA Coaches’ Rankings, RPI Announced
February 08, 2018 04:48 PM | Wrestling
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The second NCAA Division I Wrestling Coaches' Panel Rankings and the first edition of the NCAA Division I Wrestling Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) were released by the NCAA on Thursday.
Redshirt senior Jacob A. Smith (197), redshirt junior Zeke Moisey (125) and redshirt freshman Matthew Schmitt (133) of the West Virginia University wrestling team appear in the top 33 of the NCAA Coaches' Panel Rankings. Moisey and Schmitt also check-in to the top 33 of the RPI rankings, along with redshirt freshman Kyler Rea (149) and true freshman Nick Kiussis (165).
Wrestlers must have 17 matches against Division I opponents to be eligible for the RPI rankings. Forfeits do not count towards that total.
Moisey appears at No. 11 in the RPI and is ranked 16th overall in the coaches' panel rankings at 125 pounds. He boasts a team-leading 18-7 mark on the year, pacing the Mountaineers with 32 match points and 23 takedowns. The Northampton, Pennsylvania, native has topped two opponents ranked inside Intermat's Top-20 Poll and has won seven of his last eight dual matches, including two victories by tech. fall.
Schmitt comes in at No. 19 in the RPI and is ranked at No. 30 at 133 pounds in the coaches' panel, moving up two spots from his previous rank of No. 32 in the rankings released on Jan. 18. Schmitt, who ranks second on the team with 17 wins, has a team-high five major decisions on the year. The Platte City, Missouri, native earned his first victory over a ranked opponent on Jan. 21, defeating No. 20 Ian Parker of Iowa State in a 4-2 decision in sudden victory.
Smith remains in the NCAA coaches' panel rankings, checking in at No. 21 at 197 pounds. The Charleston, West Virginia, native has a 9-5 overall mark, winning four his last six Big 12 matches by decisions.
Rea checks in at No. 31 in the RPI rankings at 149 pounds with an 11-11 record on the year. Kiussis also appears at No. 32 at 165 pounds with an 11-11 mark. Of note, Kiussis has a team-high five pins on the year.
After a month on the road, the Mountaineers (5-5, 4-3 Big 12) return home for a match against No. 12 South Dakota State on Sunday, Feb. 11, at 2 p.m. West Virginia will host its annual Cradles for Cancer event against the Jack Rabbits for the second straight year.
The match was started by fourth-year coach Sammie Henson in 2015 in honor of his wife, Stephanie, a breast cancer survivor, as a way to raise awareness for cancer. WVU Medicine will be sponsoring the match and collecting donations for the breast cancer program at the WVU Cancer Institute. Fans are encouraged to wear pink to the match and can get the WVU Athletics official "pink" t-shirt with a donation of $10 or more to WVU Medicine.
Mountaineer fans also can bring their valentine to the meet and get two tickets for the price of one. Tickets are available at a cost of $5 for general admission and $3 for youth and seniors. Groups of 10 or more can purchase tickets for $2 each. Tickets are available by visiting WVUGAME.com, calling 1-800-WVU-GAME or at the Mountaineer Ticket Office, located at the Gold Gate of the WVU Coliseum.
For more information on the Mountaineers, visit WVUsports.com and follow WVUWrestling on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Redshirt senior Jacob A. Smith (197), redshirt junior Zeke Moisey (125) and redshirt freshman Matthew Schmitt (133) of the West Virginia University wrestling team appear in the top 33 of the NCAA Coaches' Panel Rankings. Moisey and Schmitt also check-in to the top 33 of the RPI rankings, along with redshirt freshman Kyler Rea (149) and true freshman Nick Kiussis (165).
Wrestlers must have 17 matches against Division I opponents to be eligible for the RPI rankings. Forfeits do not count towards that total.
Moisey appears at No. 11 in the RPI and is ranked 16th overall in the coaches' panel rankings at 125 pounds. He boasts a team-leading 18-7 mark on the year, pacing the Mountaineers with 32 match points and 23 takedowns. The Northampton, Pennsylvania, native has topped two opponents ranked inside Intermat's Top-20 Poll and has won seven of his last eight dual matches, including two victories by tech. fall.
Schmitt comes in at No. 19 in the RPI and is ranked at No. 30 at 133 pounds in the coaches' panel, moving up two spots from his previous rank of No. 32 in the rankings released on Jan. 18. Schmitt, who ranks second on the team with 17 wins, has a team-high five major decisions on the year. The Platte City, Missouri, native earned his first victory over a ranked opponent on Jan. 21, defeating No. 20 Ian Parker of Iowa State in a 4-2 decision in sudden victory.
Smith remains in the NCAA coaches' panel rankings, checking in at No. 21 at 197 pounds. The Charleston, West Virginia, native has a 9-5 overall mark, winning four his last six Big 12 matches by decisions.
Rea checks in at No. 31 in the RPI rankings at 149 pounds with an 11-11 record on the year. Kiussis also appears at No. 32 at 165 pounds with an 11-11 mark. Of note, Kiussis has a team-high five pins on the year.
After a month on the road, the Mountaineers (5-5, 4-3 Big 12) return home for a match against No. 12 South Dakota State on Sunday, Feb. 11, at 2 p.m. West Virginia will host its annual Cradles for Cancer event against the Jack Rabbits for the second straight year.
The match was started by fourth-year coach Sammie Henson in 2015 in honor of his wife, Stephanie, a breast cancer survivor, as a way to raise awareness for cancer. WVU Medicine will be sponsoring the match and collecting donations for the breast cancer program at the WVU Cancer Institute. Fans are encouraged to wear pink to the match and can get the WVU Athletics official "pink" t-shirt with a donation of $10 or more to WVU Medicine.
Mountaineer fans also can bring their valentine to the meet and get two tickets for the price of one. Tickets are available at a cost of $5 for general admission and $3 for youth and seniors. Groups of 10 or more can purchase tickets for $2 each. Tickets are available by visiting WVUGAME.com, calling 1-800-WVU-GAME or at the Mountaineer Ticket Office, located at the Gold Gate of the WVU Coliseum.
For more information on the Mountaineers, visit WVUsports.com and follow WVUWrestling on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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