MANHEIM, PA – The defending National Champion Lopers of Nebraska-Kearney will enter the year as the top team in NCAA Division II, as announced by the NCAA Division II Coaches Rankings Friday afternoon.

INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS

Dalton Jensen's Lopers amassed 75 total points behind five ranked wrestlers and are followed by St. Cloud State (68 pts.), Indianapolis (66 pts.), Central Oklahoma (61 pts.) and Augustana (58 pts.) in rounding out the Top 5.

St. Cloud, UIndy, Central Oklahoma, Augustana, West Liberty, Lander and Pitt.-Johnstown all lead the field with six ranked wrestlers, while Adams State is the lone program to feature two top-ranked wrestlers.

There are returning National Champions topping the individual rankings at 125, 141, 149, 157, 174, 197, and 285. Cole Laya, a two-time defending champion at 125, leads the returners, while Abner Romero makes his return at 174 after topping the podium in 2021. Zeth Brower (141), Noah Hermosillo (149), Josiah Rider (157), Dalton Abney (197), and Darrell Mason (285) also return to defend their national titles from a season ago.

The regular season opens for NCAA Division II Nov. 1, with the first regular season edition of the rankings slated for Dec. 2.