Contact: Nathan Cameron, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications, 563-588-7243

Jan. 27, 2021 - With the release of the fifth installment of the National Wrestling Coaches Assocation (NWCA) national polls, the No. 1 Loras College wrestling team (9-0, 4-0 A-R-C) are back on top of the dual rankings and No. 7 in tournament rankings after downing the Luther College Norse and the then-ranked No. 3 Coe College Kohawks at the American Rivers Conference duals on Jan. 22. The Duhawks are currently the only team in the top-10 with an undefeated record in dual action. 

Last weekend at the A-R-C Duals, the Duhawks blew past the Luther College Norse, walking away with a 43-4 victory, earning four victories by fall and four by major decision. In their second dual of the day, Loras met up with Coe College and overcame a 12-0 deficit to come away with an exciting 19-18 win to remain undefeated on the season. 

Individually, eight Duhawks are ranked in the top-15, beginning with Jared Hensley who came in at No. 11 at 125 lbs. So far in the season, the senior has compiled a 13-2 record with six pins to his name. At 141 lbs., Jalen Schropp checked in at No. 14 with a 15-3 record, winning six by fall. Senior 149 lb. grappler Daniel Ruiz came in at No. 9 in this week's rankings, collecting 12 wins thus far on the year. 

Zeke Smith, who was named A-R-C Wrestler of the Week after pinning Coe's Brady Henderson in the 157 lb. matchup, came in at No. 7 in the class while Gabe Fiser clocked in at No. 14 at 165 lbs. after tying the score against Coe with a win by decision over LJ Henderson. Senior Jacob Krakow came in at No. 3 in the 174 lbs. class, compiling a record of 10-2 on the year and putting the Duhawks in the lead against Coe with a major decision over Tristan Westphal, who is currently ranked at No. 8.

Undefeated at 184 lbs. with a 16-0 record, Shane Liegel came in ranked No. 2 in the class after solidifying the Duhawks' win over Coe with a decision over Ryan Schott who is ranked No. 9 in the class. Brady Vogel rounded out the Duhawks' individual rankings, making his first appearance in the top-15 this year clocking in at No. 15 after going 1-1 in the A-R-C duals and battling against Coe's Kaleb Reeves in the heavyweight matchup, going into sudden victory to keep Coe at bay and giving the Duhawks the 19-18 victory. 

The Duhawks return to the mat on Thursday, Jan. 27 as they head to Cedar Rapids, Iowa to face the Nebraska Wesleyan University Prairie Wolves. The dual is scheduled for a 4:30 PM start on the campus of Coe College.