Eight individuals hold on to No. 1 ranking; new top-ranked grapplers at 133 and 141 pounds

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - For a fifth consecutive week, Notre Dame College (Ohio) tops the NAIA Wrestling Coaches' Top 20 Poll, the NAIA announced Tuesday. The Falcons continue to have 12 ranked individuals among their respective weight classes to total 144.5 points. Great Falls' (Mont.) 10 ranked grapplers earned the Argos 93 points to hold steady at No. 2. With two top-ranked and nine other wrestlers listed, Missouri Valley is a tight third with 92.5 points. Lindenwood (Mo.) is fourth with 84 points, followed by McKendree (Ill.) at No. 5 with 81 points.

Notre Dame in 8-1 in dual meet action and since losing to Ohio State 37-3 on Nov. 22, the Falcons have decimated seven straight foes by a combined score of 223-31. Most recently, Notre Dame pounded NCAA Division II Seaton Hill (Pa.) 41-9. Seven of the 10 contested weights resulted in bonus points for the Falcons, including five falls. Top-ranked 197 pounder Derek Foore is 19-0 in his junior campaign. Notre Dame has at least one individual ranked at all weights, except 133 pounds.

Second-ranked Great Falls has the nation's top 184-pound grappler in Michael French. The Argos, like Notre Dame, are visible in nine weight classes, absent only from 141 pounds. Great Falls' dual record stands at 12-3.

Missouri Valley is the only team in this week's poll to have multiple top-ranked individuals, Colin Pierce took over 133 pounds after spending the last poll at No. 2 and 157-pounder Joseph Cornejo held on to his No. 1 ranking.

Cumberland's (Tenn.) Michael Davis moved to No. 1 at 141 pounds, pushing the defending national champion Adam Koballa of Notre Dame back to second.

Mitchell Lofstedt of Southern Oregon (125), Lindenwood's Samuel Schmitz (149), Brad Lower of Grand View (Iowa) (165), Enock Francois of California Baptist (174) and Simon Fraser's (B.C.) Arjan Bhullar (HWT) all retained their No. 1 ranking at their respective weight class.

The poll was voted upon by a panel of head coaches representing each of the groupings. The final poll of the 2009-10 season will be announced on Feb. 16.

Others receiving points: Hastings College (Neb.) 9; Menlo (Calif.) 7.5; Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) 6.5; William Penn (Iowa) 5.5; Waldorf (Iowa) 3.5.

Click here to view the individual ratings.