Ashland University's wrestling team is less than a week away from the NCAA Division II regionals, and the Eagles now know where they sit both nationally and regionally in the rankings.
The Eagles have three grapplers nationally ranked and eight ranked in region in both polls, released on Monday (Feb. 18) night.
Redshirt sophomore Tristen Weirich (22-7) is Ashland's highest-ranked wrestler in the national poll, as he was tabbed as the nation's No. 7 wrestler at 285 pounds. Redshirt junior Bret Romanzak (26-5) was named the No. 8 wrestler at 165 pounds. The final nationally-ranked grappler for the Eagles was redshirt junior Chandler Minnard (13-5), the No. 12-ranked wrestler in the nation at 141 pounds.
Ashland was tied for No. 23 in the most recent national tournament rankings as a team.
Regionally, the Eagles were slotted No. 4 as a team, and have plenty of wrestlers the regional committee expects to be fighting for a top-three finish and a nationals bid.
Romanzak led the way for Ashland regionally, picked to finish No. 2 in the region at 165 pounds, while Minnard was picked to be fourth in the region at 141 pounds. Also picked at No. 4 at 285 pounds was Weirich.
At 125 pounds, redshirt freshman Bryce Davis (9-10) was named the No. 5 wrestler regionally. Freshman Luke Wymer (18-8) was also ranked No. 5 in the region, doing so at 133 pounds. Sophomore Carson Speelman (14-5) is the No. 5 grappler at 149 pounds. Ashland's last wrestler to be ranked fifth in region was redshirt junior Christian Price (22-6).
Redshirt freshman Peter Abraham (8-9) was placed at No. 6 in the region.
The Eagles will wrestle for a nationals berth at the NCAA Super Regional on Saturday (Feb. 23) in West Liberty W.Va., starting at 10 a.m.
AU
WRES/SVS