ICYM: 45 Pennsylvania Natives Ranked in The First NCAA Coaches Panel

When it comes to Wrestling, Pennsylvania rocks – we all know that. Even the NCAA Coaches Panel knows it. In their first of four panel rankings a total of 45 wrestlers from the Keystone State are included. The rankings include the Top 33 ranked wrestlers at each weight-class.

According to the NCAA, 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.

While having 45 wrestlers ranked in the Top 33 at each weight may not sound like a lot, considering there are 330 wrestlers listed, check this out: 19 of those 33 wrestlers from Pennsylvania are all ranked in the Top 10. 

Now that is impressive.

Those near the top include a list of usual suspects. Returning 2-time National Champions Vincenzo Joseph (165 pounds) and Jason Nolf (157 pounds) each earn the #1 spot. 2018 National Champion Spencer Lee (125 pounds) comes in at #2 – as does Pittsburgh Panther Micky Phillippi (133 pounds).

At 133 pounds four of the Top 10 ranked wrestlers are all from PA with #4 Austin DeSanto, #5 Luke Pletcher, and #9 Ethan Lizak – in addition to Phillippi. 

Not to be outdone is 157 pounds and 165 pounds where a total of seven wrestlers are ranked Top 10 between the two weight-classes. In addition to Nolf – 157 pounds includes NCAA Finalist #4 Hayden Hidlay, #5 Kaleb Young, and true-freshman #10 Zack Hartman. The log-jam at 165 pounds includes #4 Chance Marsteller and #5 Josh Shields.

Check out the complete rankings below with Pennsylvania Natives highlighted.

[embeddoc url=”https://www.papowerwrestling.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/2019_1st_coaches_ranking_jan_24.pdf”]