Prior NCWA Programs now ranked in the top 10 of NCAA Division II East Region

Both Newberry College and Belmont Abbey, former NCWA Programs now turned NCAA, are this season ranked #1 and #10 respectively in the NCAA Division II East Region Preseason Rankings, released Monday. The scarlet and gray finished first last year at the East Region Tournament and eighth at the NCAA Division II National Championships.

Newberry had all ten of their projected starters ranked in the top six for the ten weight classes. The scarlet and gray also had three grapplers voted as the top wrestler in their respective weight class; Matt Oliver (Toms River, N.J.) at 125 lbs., Bryant Blanton (Summerville, S.C.) at 174 lbs. and Cy Wainwright (Green Cove Spring, Fla.) at 285 lbs.

Belmont Abbey 's 125 pound Chris Neidermeier ranked #2 will Challenge the top ranked Oliver for the #1 spot when they meet in their February 9th duals.

Four Newberry wrestlers were ranked in the top three for their weight class including senior Keeno Griffin (Jacksonville, Fla.), who is ranked second at 184 lbs., senior Andrew Young (Summerville, S.C.), who is ranked third at 133 lbs., senior Tony Washington (Georgetown, S.C.), who is ranked third at 141 lbs. and junior Latra Collick (Berlin, Md.) who is ranked third at 149 lbs.

The three other Newberry wrestlers and two Belmont Abbey wrestlers were also ranked in the top six.

Newberry's head Coach Jason Valek returns seven NCAA Qualifiers and three NCAA All-Americans to the squad that went 16-7 in dual meets and won its first NCAA East Region Championship last year.