Cuthbert Leads WPU in Central Qualifying Ratings
William Penn University Athletics
Oskaloosa–The William Penn wrestling team has a few individuals who will be in the hunt for a national tournament berth as the NAIA’s fifth top-20 poll was released Wednesday.
While no Statesmen are ranked nationally, four grapplers are receiving recognition in the Central Qualifying Group. As a team, the team is seventh in the Central Qualifying Group with 45 points; Grand View is first with 228 points.
Heavyweight Matthew Cuthbert (Fr., Yucaipa, Calif., Sociology) tops the quartet in fourth place, while 125-pounder John Altieri (Fr., Warwick, R.I., Sociology) is fifth.
149-pounder Kionte Crocker (So., Brandon, Fla., Industrial Technology) and 184-pounder Cody Jones (Fr., Oskaloosa, Iowa, Biology) are both sixth at their respective weights.
The top three placers at each weight class at the Qualifying Group Tournaments receive an automatic bid to nationals, while 60 additional at-large berths will also be selected. WPU will compete in the Central Qualifying Group Tournament on February 20 in Marshall, Mo.
Nationally, Grand View is #1 with 190 points, while Missouri Valley (91.5), Montana State-Northern (89.5), Oklahoma City (87), and Indiana Tech (69.5) round out the top five.
For the complete polls, go to http://www.naia.org/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=27900&ATCLID=210185756
William Penn is home Thursday, hosting Hannibal-LaGrange in dual-meet action on Senior Night. Wrestling begins at 7 p.m.
