Lights move up one spot in NAIA Poll

The Montana State University-Northern wrestling team has this weekend off. But when the Lights return to the mat next weekend, they'll do so with a No. 4 ranking in the NAIA.

The new NAIA Coaches Poll, released Wednesday night, saw the Lights move up one spot to No. 4. MSU-N is coming off a strong showing at last weekend's Battle of the Rockies, in which the Lights beat both then No. 4 Oklahoma City and No. 9 Concordia of Nebraska in duals, as well as crown three champions and place nine wrestlers in the open tournament.

Individually, the Lights now boast 10 nationally ranked wrestlers. Garrett DeMers remains No. 1 at 197 pounds, while Toby Cheff is No. 2 at heavyweight. Heavyweight is also one of two weights at which the Lights have two ranked wrestlers. Taylor Kornoely jumped all the way up to No. 4 at heavyweight. At 149 pounds, the Lights have Drake Randall ranked No. 14 and Brandon Weber ranked No. 16.

Senior Willie Miller remained ranked No. 4 at 174 pounds. Blake Ivie is ranked No. 11 at 133 pounds, Matt Weber moved into the rankings at No. 13 at 141 pounds, Tommy Cooper is ranked No. 12 at 157 and Andrew Bartel is ranked No. 8 at 165.

The Lights return to action next Wednesday with a dual at Menlo College. They will also compete in the annual Reno Tournament of Champions on Dec. 20.

NAIA Wrestling Coaches Poll

Rn. Prv. Pts.

1 1 Grand View 136

2 2 Indiana Tech 107.5

3 3 Missouri Valley 105

4 5 MSU-Northern 82

5 4 Oklahoma City 70.5

6 7 Life Georgia 67

8 11 Simpson (Calif.) 50

9 9 Concordia (Neb.) 48

10 14 Southern Oregon 43

11 15 Doane (Neb.) 41

12 17 Menlo (Calif.) 40

13 8 Great Falls 38

14 15 York (Neb.) 36.5

15 12 Midland (Neb.) 33

16 20 Cumberland 29.5

17 9 Lindsey Wilson 27

18 19 Embry-Riddle 24

19 13 Cumberlands 22

20 18 Wayland Baptist 20

Others receiving votes: Williams Baptist (Ark.) 18.5; Ottawa (Kan.) 17; Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) 16; Benedictine (Kan.) 14; Lyon (Ark.) 13; Warner Pacific (Ore.) 13; William Penn (Iowa) 12; Northwestern (Iowa) 10.5; Missouri Baptist 10; Baker (Kan.) 8; Morningside (Iowa) 7; Hastings (Neb.) 7; Davenport (Mich.) 7; Briar Cliff (Iowa) 6; Lindenwood-Belleville (Ill.) 5.5; Jamestown (N.D.) 4; Waldorf (Iowa) 2.5; St. Andrews (N.C.) 2.5; Bacone (Okla.) 1.5; Brewton-Parker (Ga.) 1.