MANHEIM, Pa. – Two-time defending national champion Nebraska Kearney is second in the first NWCA Division II Men's Wrestling Coaches Association rankings of the season.
The Glenville State (W.V.) Pioneers take the top spot for the first time in program history and totaled 70.0 points, edging out UNK (61.5). Wisconsin-Parkside is third (58) with Mary, N.D. (57.5) and Gannon, Pa. (54) rounding out the top five. MIAA members Central Missouri (11th) and Central Oklahoma (19th) are also in the top 25.
Returning national champion Otgonbayar "Augie" Batsuuri (Mongolia) is No. 1 at 174 pounds with 2026 third-place finisher and Chadron State transfer Mason Villwok (Elkhorn) second at 197 pounds. Another newcomer, heavyweight Naasir Edmonds (Virginia Beach), is tabbed 11th after finishing third at the 2026 NJCAA Championships. Finally, fifth-year team members Zach Ourada (8th/125 lbs.) and Joseph Airola (3rd/141 lbs.) and fourth-year member Cael Robb (9th/157 lbs.) are all in the top 10 as well.
GSU had eight individuals ranked including top-ranked Nick Johnson (197 lbs.).
Competition starts for Division II wrestling Nov. 1 with the next edition of this poll released Nov. 19. UNK has its annual "Blue/Gold" scrimmage Oct. 31 at 11 a.m. with the season starting in earnest Nov. 12 at Chadron.
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University of Nebraska Kearney
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