Mountaineer wrestlers were well-represented in FloWrestling‘s national ranking and could soon be ranked as a program.
Rankings are as follows:
Jett Strickenberger, Jr. 125 (2-0) No. 24
The reigning JUCO national champion transfer from Northwest Kansas Technical College won by fall (3:50) in his first match and upset Brandon Kaylor in the finals by a score of 4-1 in sudden victory. Strickenberger, previously not ranked was named Co-Big 12 wrestler of the week.
Jordan Titus, RS So. 141 (4-0) No. 17
Titus, an NCAA qualifier last year, started on the right track after winning the 141 weight class in the open division. Titus teched (19-2, 5:24) his first opponent and scored three decisions (one major) on his way to the title. He was previously ranked at 19.
Ty Watters, Fr. 149 (4-1) No. 18
Watters was the runner-up in the 149 weight class as he lost to No. 4 ranked Caleb Henson of Virginia Tech by a major decision (11-2). Watters pinned his first opponent, he was previously not ranked.
Caleb Dowling, Sr. 157 (4-1) No. 24
After being a runner-up in 2022, Dowling placed 5th at 157 in the South East Open. Dowling has moved up one spot of his previous ranking of No. 25.
Peyton Hall, Sr. 165 (4-1) No. 17
Hall an All-American and NCAA qualifier in 2022, lost to previously unranked Garrett Thompson of Ohio University in the semi-finals. Hall took third place and has dropped three places from his previous ranking of No. 14.
Brody Conley, RS Fr. 174 (1-2) No. 31
Conley was named the team rookie of the year last year and won his first by a 9-7 decision. Conley lost by default in his second match and forfeited his third; He stays put with his No. 31 ranking.
Dennis Robin, RS Jr. 184 (3-1) No. 20
Robin pinned his first opponent in 36 seconds and wrestled back to third after losing by decision in the semis. Robbin has climbed up from his precious ranking of 27 in the 184 pound weight class.
Austin Cooley, RS Jr. 197 (3-2) No. 29
Yet another NCAA qualifier for the Mountaineers in 2022, Cooley placed fifth. Cooley’s rankings drop nine spots from his previous spot of 20.
Michael Wolfgram, RS Sr. (3-1) No. 17
The last NCAA qualifier returning for the Mountaineers was the runner-up in the heavyweight class, losing to now ranked No. 16 Taye Ghadiali from Campbell. Wolfgram’s ranking remains the same.
The wrestling team will be hosting Cleveland State, Duke and Kent State on Saturday at 1 p.m. in the Coliseum.
