Dutch men remain ranked in national wrestling poll entering 2024
PELLA — The third regular season edition of the National Wrestling Coaches Association Division III rankings was released last Wednesday and the Central College men’s wrestling team moved up to No. 16 in the Dual Team Rankings.
The Tournament Team Rankings were also released on Friday and Central shares the No. 21 spot with two other schools. The Tournament Team Rankings are not based on a team’s dual strength, but rather calculated based on individual rankings.
Individually, Gage Linahon (senior, Newton), slipped to No. 6 at 197 pounds and Pierre Baldwin (Carol Stream, Ill., West Chicago HS) Baldwin stayed No. 6 at 141 pounds.
Linahon is 19-3 this season, with his only Division III losses coming against No. 2 Parker Venz of Augsburg University (Minn.) and No. 6 Gabe Zierden of Concordia College-Moorhead (Minn.). He’s won 11 matches by either fall or technical fall.
Baldwin is 21-1 this season with victories against No. 7 Brad Rosen (North Central College [Ill.]) and No. 8 Sam Stuhl (Augsburg University [Minn.]). He’s twice been named the American Rivers Conference Men’s Wrestler of the Week for his performances.
Central hosts the Under Armour Invitational on Saturday, January 6 at 9:30 a.m. inside H.S. Kuyper Fieldhouse.
