Sixth Rated in Qualifying Group

William Penn University Athletics

Oskaloosa– Despite most of its top individuals a weight higher than they will be when it counts, the Statesmen wrestling team is still doing well in the rankings as the NAIA’s second top-20 poll was released Wednesday.

William Penn dropped two more positions from the previous rating to #18 with 28 points.

Scottie Bonds (So., Chicago, Ill., Physical Education) has yet to wrestle at his natural 133 pounds, but is beating up on the bigger boys enough to be ranked third at 141 pounds.

Three other Statesmen are also ranked at a weight that is higher than they will likely settle on later in the year. Kyle Soderblom (Sr., Newton, Iowa, Biology) is eighth at 197 pounds, while Ishmael Rempson (Sr., Olympia Fields, Ill., Industrial Technology) is tenth at 165 pounds. Brad Watson (Jr., Rolla, Mo., Physical Education) wraps up the nationally-rated grapplers in 16th at 149.

Grand View is still #1 with 154 points, while Southern Oregon has closed the gap a bit with 108 points. Montana State-Northern (76), Great Falls (Mont.) (71.5 points), and Campbellsville (Ky.) (64.5 points) are well off the pace to round out the top five.

William Penn has fallen off a bit in the North Qualifying Group, currently ranking fifth with 87 points. WPU is only one point behind Morningside and Northwestern for third however. Concordia (Neb.) is again first with 144 points, but York (Neb.) is right on its heels with 138 points.

Bonds is first at 141, while Soderblom is second at 197. Rempson is holding at third at 165, while Watson (4th) and Lane Colwell (Jr., Knoxville, Iowa, Computer Science) (6th) give WPU two rated wrestlers at 149.

Adam Habeil (So., Mulberry, Fla., Physical Education) is ranked for the first time at William Penn, sitting in sixth at 133 pounds.

For the complete polls, go to http://www.naia.org/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=27900&ATCLID=209542164