CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Results of the American Rivers Conference Wrestling Preseason Poll (as voted on by the league's head coaches):
| 2020-21 American Rivers Conference Coaches' Preseason Wrestling Poll |
| Rank |
School (1st place votes) |
Points |
2019-20 Dual Meet Record |
| 1. |
Wartburg (7) |
63 |
16-1, 7-1 A-R-C |
| 2. |
Loras (1) |
56 |
14-1, 8-0 A-R-C (A-R-C & Regional Champions) |
| 3. |
Coe (1) |
52 |
10-2, 6-2 A-R-C |
| 4. |
Dubuque |
37 |
10-4, 4-4 A-R-C |
| 5. |
Luther |
36 |
11-6, 5-3 A-R-C |
| 6. |
Central |
35 |
12-6, 3-5 A-R-C |
| 7. |
Nebraska Wesleyan |
18 |
5-8, 2-6 A-R-C |
| 8. |
Buena Vista |
14 |
3-9, 0-8 A-R-C |
| 9. |
Simpson |
13 |
3-12, 1-7 A-R-C |
*Coaches are not permitted to vote for their own teams.
Wartburg is the preseason favorite to win the league’s championship and regain their place atop the American Rivers Conference. The Knights earned 63 points in the poll, recording seven of nine first-place votes. Coming off their dethroning of the Knights and the program’s first conference title, Loras is picked to finish second. The Duhawks picked up 56 points and one first-place vote. Coe claimed the final first-place vote and earned 52 points in the poll to finish third. Capsules on all nine teams -- follow here:
New Coaches: None
The Schedule: As with so much of what has happened since March12, 2020 when the novel coronavirus pandemic shutdown college sports, the 2021 season will be like no other in conference history. There were no contest for any school in 2020. This year’s conference scheduled will be adjusted to a series four wrestling triangular duals that creates a round-robin schedule. The first conference triangulars of the season are scheduled for a week from this Saturday, January 23, with a handful institutions competing in non-conference duals prior to the start of conference action.
Opening weekend of conference triangulars will see Nebraska Wesleyan host Buena Vista and Simpson. Dubuque and Wartburg will head to Decorah, Iowa with Luther serving as host. Also hosting on January 23 is Coe. Central and Loras will make the trip to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The series of triangulars will lead into the NCAA Lower Midwest Regional Championships the weekend of February 27 at the Five Flags Center in Dubuque, Iowa. The Lower Midwest Regional is hosted by Loras College.
The Regional will see A-R-C wrestlers vie for a spot in the 2021 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships. In a typical year, where varying aspects of competition do not need to be altered to account for the novel coronavirus, the top three wrestlers from each weight class earn the privilege to compete at the NCAA Championships. However, the virus has continued to put the NCAA in a challenging position. Late into the fall of 2020 the NCAA governance structure made the hard decision to reduce field sizes for individual and team sports to 75% of their typical size. For wrestling, that means the field has been reduced from 180 qualifiers to 135. The NCAA Championship Committee is now working to establish criteria to determine national qualifiers.
The 2021 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships will be held March 12-13 at the La Crosse Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
The American Rivers Conference will serve as host of the 2022 and 2026 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships, to be held at the Alliant Energy PowerHouse in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
2019-20 Season Review: The 2019-20 wrestling season was historic on many levels. The evening of February 14, 2020 provided one of those historic moments, when then third-ranked Loras College snapped top-ranked Wartburg's 220 consecutive conference dual wins to claim the program's first Conference title. The Duhawk victory also brought Wartburg's streak of 27-straight conference titles to an end. Loras and Wartburg each won 5-of-10 matches in the tightly contested 19-17 victory for the Duhawks. The difference in the match came down to Loras' two bonus-point victories. Loras’ win also marked the program's first win over the Knights since January 23, 1992.
A year ago, wrestlers of the A-R-C were poised to make a run at the top of the championship podium, with the league claiming 20 of the 30 national qualifying spots available to the Lower Midwest Region. Additionally, these wrestlers were set to pursue All-American honors with the American Rivers Conference serving as host of the National Championships and the location Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Sadly, that quest was brough to a halt on March 12, 2020, just one day before the start of the championships, when the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) announced that all winter and spring championships were cancelled for the rest of the school year due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) honored twenty American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) wrestlers All-Americans; 12 first-team honorees, five second-team honorees, and three third-team honorees. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the cancelation of the championships, All-American honors were based on each wrestler's overall body of work through the regional tournaments and up to the national championships.
| 1st |
|
Wartburg College
Head Coach: Eric Keller (11th season)
2019-20 Dual Record: 16-1, 7-1 A-R-C
2019-20 Conference Finish: 2nd
2019-20 NCAA Finish: Canceled, Covid-19
Returning All-American(s): 6
All-American(s) Lost: 2
Returning All-Region: 6
Returning NCAA Qualifiers: 7
Eric Keller - "Wartburg Wrestling is simply focused on getting better each and every day and reaching our full potential. The one thing we can control is our day-to-day focus, fight, and effort. Our goal is to enjoy the journey, which means having fun every step of the way. The American Rivers Conference is the best wrestling conference in the nation. We feel fortunate to be a part of a conference that understands, appreciates, and values this great sport." |
| Key Returners: |
|
| Owen McClave - 125lbs. (Sr.) |
2018 NCAA All-American (133lbs.) |
| Brady Kyner - 125lbs. (Sr.) |
2019 NCAA Qualifier: Round of 12 |
| Joe Pins - 133lbs. (So.) |
15-4 2019 Record, only one DIII loss |
| Kris Rumph - 141lbs. (Jr.) |
2020 NCAA All-American (1st Team), #1 seed at NCAA championships, 17-1 record; 2019 NCAA Qualifier: Round of 12 |
| Brock Rathburn - 141lbs. (Sr.) |
2018 NCAA Champion; 2019 National Qualifier |
| Bady Fritz - 149lbs. (Jr.) |
2019 NCAA All-American (6th) |
| Zayren Terukina - 149lbs. (Jr.) |
2020 Record: 15-6 |
| Kyle Briggs - 174lbs. (Sr.) |
2x All-American: 2019 (3rd), 2020 (1st Team); #2 seed at 2020 NCAA championships, undefeated at 174lbs. |
| Kobe Woods - 197lbs. (Sr.) |
2019 NCAA Regionals (4th), Ranked #3 at end of year rankings |
| Jordan Brandon - HWT (Sr.) |
2020 NCAA All-American (1st Team), #5 seed at 2020 NCAA championships |
| 2nd |
|
Loras College
Head Coach: TJ Miller (5th season)
2019-20 Dual Record: 16-1, 8-0 A-R-C (A-R-C & Regional Champions)
2019-20 Conference Finish: 1st
2019-20 NCAA Finish: Canceled, Covid-19
Returning All-American(s): 4
All-American(s) Lost: 4
Returning All-Region: 5
Returning NCAA Qualifiers: 4
TJ Miller - "We are really excited for the opportunity to compete again. We are going to have some new faces in the line-up this season which is very exciting. We are extremely fortunate to be in the A-R-C where we get to have the opportunity to compete this season." |
| Key Returners: |
| Zach Licht - 133lbs. (Jr.) |
2020 Scholar All-American |
| Mason McMillen - 141lbs. (Jr.) |
2020 Regionals Placer (5th); 2x Scholar All-American |
| Zeke Smith - 149lbs. (Jr.) |
2020 Scholar All-American |
| Daniel Ruiz - 149lbs. (Jr.) |
2020 NCAA All-American (3rd Team); NCAA Regionals (2nd) |
| Jacob Krakow - 174lbs. (Sr.) |
2x NCAA All-American: 2019 (8th), 2020 (1st Team) |
| Shane Liegel - 184lbs. (So.) |
2020 NCAA All-American (1st Team) |
| Wyatt Wriedt - HWT (So.) |
2020 NCAA All-American (2nd Team) |
| Slade Sifuentes - HWT (Sr.) |
2020 Scholar All-American |
| 3rd |
|
Coe College
Head Coach: John Oostendorp (20th Season)
2019-20 Dual Record: 10-2, 6-2 A-R-C
2019-20 Conference Finish: 3rd
2019-20 NCAA Finish: Canceled, Covid-19
Returning All-American(s):
All-American(s) Lost: 2
Returning All-Region: 7
Returning NCAA Qualifiers: 2
John Oostendorp - "We are excited to get the season going. We return a strong nucleus from a team that finished 2nd in our 19 team Regional last year. As always, the competitiveness of the Conference will provide for some great duals which we are excited to be part of." |
| Key Returners: |
|
| Alex Friddle - 125lbs. (So.) |
4th at 2020 Regional |
| Brock Henderson - 133lbs. (Jr.) |
2020 NCAA Qualifier, 4th at 2018 NCAA Regional |
| Riley Wright - 141lbs. (So.) |
2020 NCAA Qualifier |
| Josh Kerke - 149lbs. (Sr.) |
4th at 2020 Regional |
| Luke Silva - 165/174lbs. (Jr.) |
7th at 2020 Regional |
| Tristin Westphal - 174lbs. (So.) |
5th at 2020 Regional |
| Kaleb Reeves - 285lbs. (So.) |
5th at 2020 & 2019 NCAA Regional, 2019 U23 Greco All-American (4th) |
| 4th |
|
University of Dubuque
Head Coach: Jon McGovern (18th season)
2019-20 Dual Record: 10-4, 4-4 A-R-C
2019-20 Conference Finish: 5th
2019-20 NCAA Finish: Canceled, Covid-19
Returning All-American(s): N/A
All-American(s) Lost: N/A
Returning All-Region: 4
Returning NCAA Qualifiers: 1
Jon McGovern - "We have one of our biggest group of seniors returning (12) this year to the roster alongside a very solid recruiting class. We have a lot of solid leadership in the wrestling team alongside a group of committed hard working competitors in the room. We are looking forward to the upcoming season in the toughest conference in NCAA DIII Wrestling." |
| Key Returners: |
|
| Luke Radeke - 149lbs. (So.) |
2019 NWCA Academic All-American |
| Jessy Diaz - 157lbs. (Sr.) |
NCAA Regionals: 2019 (6th) |
| Zarik Anderson - 165lbs. (Sr.) |
NCAA Regionals: 2019 (8th), 2020 (4th) |
| Pilo Perez - 174lbs. (So.) |
2020 record of 17-1 |
| Tevin Bailey - 184lbs. (Jr.) |
2019 NCAA Regionals: (2nd); 2019 NCAA Qualifier |
| Chris Nielsen - 197lbs. (Sr.) |
N/A |
| Rob Melise - HWT (Sr.) |
2018 NCAA Regionals (5th) |
| 5th |
|
Luther College
Head Coach: Dave Mitchell (25th season)
2019-20 Dual Record: 11-6, 5-3 A-R-C
2019-20 Conference Finish: 4th
2019-20 NCAA Finish: Canceled, Covid-19
Returning All-American(s): 0
All-American(s) Lost: 0
Returning All-Region: 4
Returning NCAA Qualifiers: 0
Dave Mitchell - "We had a nice young team last year that wrestled its way into the Top 20 National Rankings. We return most everyone and get a couple of others returning from medical hardship years and are excited to make another jump this season. The American Rivers Conference and Lower Midwest Regional will again be loaded with a number of Top 25 Nationally ranked teams and a number of highly ranked individuals. It is exciting to finally get back on the mats competing and I think the A-R-C has a good plan in place to do so." |
| Key Returners: |
| Tyler DiFiore - 141lbs. (Jr.) |
NCAA Regionals: 2019 (6th), 2020 (7th) |
| Marcus Mandler - 149lbs. (So.) |
2020 NCAA Regionals (5th) |
| Ira Kuehn - 184lbs. (Sr.) |
NCAA Regionals: 2019 (4th), 2020 (5th) |
| Sage Nugent - 174lbs. (So.) |
2020 record: 8-1 (before season ending injury) |
| Donovan Corn - 197lbs. (So.) |
2020 NCAA Regionals (6th) |
| 6th |
|
Central College
Head Coach: Eric Van Kley (14th season)
2019-20 Dual Record: 12-6, 3-5 A-R-C
2019-20 Conference Finish: 6th
2019-20 NCAA Finish: Canceled, Covid-19
Returning All-American(s): 1
All-American(s) Lost: 2
Returning All-Region: 3
Returning NCAA Qualifiers: 1
Eric Van Kley - "Very excited to have the opportunity to compete at any level this season. Many challenges related to Covid. Our highest priority this season will be student-athlete safety but balancing with desire to compete at a high level. Central's Wrestling Team will have a lot of new faces but excited for their potential." |
| Key Returners: |
| Shandon Akeo - 133lbs. (Sr.) |
2020 Regionals: (4th) |
| Rob Areyano - 149lbs. (Jr.) |
2020 Regionals: (3rd); NCAA Qualifier |
| Griffen McBride - 184lbs. (Sr.) |
2020 Regionals: (4th) |
| Sam Zook - 285lbs. (Jr.) |
2020 Record: 17-8 |
| 7th |
|
Nebraska Wesleyan University
Head Coach: Brandon Bradley (6th season)
2019-20 Dual Record: 5-8, 2-6 A-R-C
2019-20 Conference Finish: 6th
2019-20 NCAA Finish: Canceled, Covid-19
Returning All-American(s): 1
All-American(s) Lost: 0
Returning All-Region: 1
Returning NCAA Qualifiers: 1
Brandon Bradley - "We look to have another break out season while returning an All-American in the program. As always the conference is one of the best in the nation and we are excited to compete against the best." |
| Key Returners: |
|
| Eron Haynes - 133lbs. (Jr.) |
2019 NCAA All-American (8th); NCAA Regionals: 2019 (2nd), 2020 (6th) |
| 8th |
|
Buena Vista University
Head Coach: Mark Rial (3rd season)
2019-20 Dual Record: 3-9, 0-8 A-R-C
2019-20 Conference Finish: 8th
2019-20 NCAA Finish: Canceled, Covid-19
Returning All-American(s): 0
All-American(s) Lost: 0
Returning All-Region: 1
Returning NCAA Qualifiers: 0
Mark Rial - "We are excited and grateful to compete this year. Our guys have been working hard and doing their part to stay healthy. We are looking forward to seeing how some of the underclassmen compete. As always, the conference will be solid." |
| Key Returners: |
| Floyd Miller - 174lbs (So.) |
N/A |
| Don Phillips II - 197lbs. (Sr.) |
2019 NCAA Regionals |
| 9th |
|
Simpson College
Head Coach: Dylan Peters (2nd season)
2019-20 Dual Record: 3-12, 1-7 A-R-C
2019-20 Conference Finish: 8th
2019-20 NCAA Finish: Canceled, Covid-19
Returning All-American(s): 0
All-American(s) Lost: 0
Returning All-Region: 1
Returning NCAA Qualifiers: 0
Dylan Peters - "I'm excited for our guys to have the opportunity to compete this season. We are going to be grateful every time we step out on the mat this year." |
| Key Returners: |
|
| Dylan McChesney - 125lbs. (Jr.) |
2019 NCAA Regionals (6th) |
