Ashland University wrestling jumped up three spots to No. 5 in the country on Friday (March 2) in the last edition of the National Wrestling Coaches Association poll that will be released prior to the national championships.
Redshirt sophomore Bret Romanzak's regional title and 35-3 record has been enough to earn him the top spot in the nation at 165 pounds for the first time in his career.
AU's returning All-Americans in redshirt seniors Luke Cramer (197 pounds) and Jordan Murphy (184) are each No. 2 in their respective weight classes. At 21-0, Murphy will head to nationals undefeated for the second year in a row.
Christian Price, a redshirt sophomore at 174 pounds, is No. 8 in the country, the highest ranking of his career.
Unranked junior Lawrance Dudgeon rounds out the list of Eagles who will make the trip to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for the NCAA Division II Championships on March 9-10.
Ashland is looking to carry on the momentum it had at Findlay last Friday (Feb. 23) and Saturday (Feb. 24), where it won its first regional championship under fifth-year head coach Josh Hutchens.
The Eagles finished sixth at nationals with three All-Americans in 2017, their best finish since taking fourth in 2002. Each of the top four teams at the national championships earn a spot on the podium.
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