Bonds #2, Three Others Ranked in NAIA
William Penn University Athletics
Oskaloosa–With four individuals ranked nationally, the Statesmen wrestling team is still considered a contender as the NAIA’s first top-20 poll was released today.
William Penn fell three spots from the preseason rating to #16 with 33 points.
Despite not having hit the mat yet, Scottie Bonds (So., Chicago, Ill., Physical Education) is again the top navy and gold grappler, remaining second at 133 pounds. He only trails Bryce Shoemaker of Baker (Kan.), whom he lost to in last year’s national semifinals.
Kyle Soderblom (Sr., Newton, Iowa, Biology) is next for WPU in seventh at 184 pounds, while 141-pounder Brad Watson (Jr., Rolla, Mo., Physical Education) is in the top ten as well in ninth. Ishmael Rempson (Sr., Olympia Fields, Ill., Industrial Technology) wraps up the nationally-ranked individuals in 13th at 165 pounds.
Grand View remains #1 with 150 points, while Southern Oregon is a distant second with 98.5 points. Great Falls (Mont.) (97.5 points), Montana State-Northern (71), and Missouri Valley (59) round out the top five.
In the North Qualifying Group, William Penn is ranked third out of 13 teams with 106 points. Concordia (Neb.) continues to be on top with 181 points.
Bonds is first, while Watson and Soderblom are both third at their respective weights. Rempson is currently third at 165.
149-pounder Lane Colwell (Jr., Knoxville, Iowa, Computer Science) and 157-pounder Charlton Benjamin (Sr., Atlanta, Ga., Sociology) are each fifth, while 197-pounder Skip Conner (So., Madison Heights, Mich., Sociology & Human Services) is sixth.
For the complete polls, go to http://www.naia.org/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=27900&ATCLID=209542164
William Penn travels to Minneapolis, Minn. Saturday to compete in the Augsburg Invitational.
