INDIANAPOLIS – The NCAA has released qualifier allocations for the 2014 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships and the last of three coaches’ panel rankings and the second Rating Percentage Index (RPI) for the 2013-14 wrestling season. The final rankings and RPI will be two of the tools used as part of the selection process to determine the qualifiers for the NCAA Championships.
The Southern Conference was allocated 16 spots for the NCAA Championships, with three each at 149 pounds and 165 pounds, two each at 157 pounds and heavyweight and one each at the six other weights.
Wrestlers in each weight class will be measured by winning percentage, rating percentage index (RPI) and coaches’ rankings to earn spots for their respective qualifying tournaments for the 2014 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. The coaches’ rankings are compiled by a vote of coaches representing each qualifying tournament. 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 an RPI ranking, a wrestler must have a minimum of 17 Division I matches at a given weight class. The top 33 wrestlers in the RPI are listed for each weight class.
The Southern Conference is represented by 14 wrestlers in the coaches’ panel and 11 in the RPI. They are: Campbell’s Tyler Walker (No. 28 coaches’ rankings) at 125 pounds; Chattanooga’s Nick Soto (16 coaches/17 RPI) at 133; The Citadel’s Ugi Khishignyam (18/23) at 141; Appalachian State’s Dylan Cottrell (10/10), The Citadel’s Matthew Frisch (23/21) and Davidson’s Kevin Birmingham (29 coaches) at 149; The Citadel’s Aaron Walker (25 coaches) and Chattanooga’s Alex Hudson (26/29) at 157; The Citadel’s Turtogtokh Luvsandorj (7/9), Chattanooga’s Cory Mock (8/6) and Gardner-Webb’s Austin Trott (23/27) at 165; Chattanooga’s Levi Clemons (32 coaches) at 174; Chattanooga’s John Lampe (33 RPI) at 184; and Chattanooga’s Dawson Peck (24/23) and Campbell’s Eloheim Palma (30/18) at heavyweight.
The 2014 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships will take place March 20-22 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Okla. For more information and to purchase tickets, head to NCAA.com.