Four Rated in Qualifying Group
William Penn University Athletics
Oskaloosa–William Penn’s wrestling team has its best ranking of the year entering its biggest regular season event as the NAIA released its sixth poll Wednesday.
Joao Vicente (Fr., East Providence, R.I., Secondary Education), who is 26-4 this year, continues to pace his team. The freshman is again third at 133 pounds.
Two other grapplers are also once again in the national poll. 197-pounder Kyle Soderblom (So., Newton, Iowa, Biology), who is 21-8, improves two position to #6, while heavyweight Nathan Veverka (Jr., Montezuma, Iowa, Industrial Technology), who is 12-10, also moves up a pair of positions to 13th.
The Statesmen now have a season-best ranking of #16 with 28.5 points.
Grand View remains #1 with 168 points, while Southern Oregon is again second with 118 points. Great Falls (Mont.) (93), Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) (90.5), and Campbellsville (Ky.) (85) round out the top five.
In the Central Qualifying Group ratings, William Penn has improved to its best spot of the year, holding sixth place with 61 points, while Grand View is still first with 224 points.
Vicente heads the 133-pound class, Soderblom is third at 197 pounds, and Veverka is fourth at heavyweight. Brad Watson (Fr., Rolla, Wis., Physical Education) is new to the rating, sitting in fifth place at 141 pounds.
