Central Oklahoma tops Division II poll, three-time defending champion Nebraska-Omaha ranked fourth

Mike Kirk Central Oklahoma Sports Information
10/31/2006

EDMOND, Okla. - Six-time champion Central Oklahoma is the slight favorite to capture the 2007 NCAA Division II wrestling national championship, according to the preseason poll released Tuesday by the NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches’ Association.

Only two points separated the top three teams, with the Bronchos earning four of the eight first-place votes and finishing with 152 points to edge out Nebraska-Kearney (151) and Minnesota State-Mankato (150). The Antelopes received three first-place votes and the Mavericks the other first-place nod in the balloting of coaches from around the country.

Three-time defending national champion Nebraska-Omaha was fourth in the rankings, with Pittsburgh-Johnstown (Pa.), Western State (Colo.), Indianapolis (Ind.), Upper Iowa, Fort Hays State and Augustana (S.D.) rounding out the top 10.

UCO, which won eight NAIA titles from 1979-89 in addition to claiming Division II crowns in 1992-93-94-95-02-03, has No. 1 Kyle Evans (141) leading a list of eight ranked individuals.

UNK, last year’s runner-up and the host of this season’s national tournament, is led by top-rated Brett Allgood (133) and Tervel Dlagnev (285). MSU-Mankato has seven top-eight individuals, headed by No. 2 Nick Smith (125).

Nebraska-Omaha has top-ranked wrestlers in defending national champions Cody Garcia (125) and J.D. Naig (174). Teammate Ross Taplin (165) is ranked second.