Central wrestling team remains No. 12 nationally

Central Dutch Athletics

PELLA — The most recent National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Division III rankings kept the Central College wrestling team in the No. 12 slot.

At 197 pounds, sophomore Gavin Babcock (Altoona, Southeast Polk HS) is the only Dutch wrestler in the top 10, coming in at No. 9.

Babcock (18-3) has won 11 of his matches by fall this season, 10 of them coming in the first period. His three losses have come against the No. 6, No. 7, and No. 8 ranked wrestlers in the country.

Elsewhere in the American Rivers Conference, Wartburg College is No. 3, Loras College is No. 8 and Coe College is No. 10. In total, 17 wrestlers from the league are ranked in the top-10 of their weight class.

Central will be competing January 26 at the Duhawk Open in Dubuque.