INDIANAPOLIS --- The NCAA released the second of three coaches’ panel rankings and the first Rating Percentage Index (RPI) for the 2008-09 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 2009 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships.
Wrestlers in each weight class will be measured by Division I winning percentage, RPI and coaches’ rankings to earn spots for the 2009 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. The coaches’ rankings are compiled by a vote of coaches across the nation. Each qualifying tournament has five coaches rank two weight classes each from one to 33. A wrestler receives 33 points for a first-place vote, 32 points for a second-place vote, etc. The high and low vote total for each wrestler is dropped to give a final point total.
To be eligible for RPI ranking, a wrestler must have competed in at least 15 matches against wrestlers who have also competed in at least 15 matches. All eligible ranked wrestlers are listed among the full rankings.
A full video description of the entire selection process is available at http://web1.ncaa.org/web_video/newmedia/wrestling10-21.html ,or you can review appendix C of the 2009 Division I Wrestling Championships Handbook, which is available at http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/champ_handbooks/wrestling/2009/1_wrestling_handbook.pdf .
The top ranked wrestlers of each weight class for the inaugural rankings include: Paul Donahoe, Edinboro University (125 pounds); Daniel Dennis, University of Iowa (133 pounds); Zach Tanelli, University of Wisconsin (141 pounds); Brent Metcalf, Iowa (149 pounds); Gregor Gillespie, Edinboro (157 pounds); Mack Lewnes, Cornell University (165 pounds); Steve Luke, University of Michigan (174 pounds); Jake Herbert, Northwestern University (184 pounds); Jake Varner, Iowa State University (197 pounds); and Mark Ellis, University of Missouri (Heavyweight).
The full rankings and RPI of each weight classes are available at www.ncaa.com .
