University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota Moves to No. 1 in the Country
2/21/2012 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Feb. 21, 2012
The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers moved to the top of the NWCA/USA Today Division I Coaches Poll following their team championship at the NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals.
The Gophers avenged two earlier season losses last weekend by defeating No. 4 Iowa and former No. 1 Oklahoma State, on their way to the Mat Mayhem Title.
Oklahoma State had previously held the No. 1 spot for six straight weeks this season.
Rounding out this week's Top 10 are: Minnesota, Penn State, Oklahoma State, Iowa, Illinois, Cornell, Ohio State, Nebraska, Pittsburgh and Missouri.
Purdue joins the Top 25 this week.
The NWCA/USA Today Division I Team Coaches Poll Committee is made up of one coach from each conference. A number one ranking is worth 25 points and a number 25 ranking is worth one point.
This poll is based on a dual meet ranking.
A new poll will be released every Tuesday from now until the week of the NCAA Division I Wrestling Tournament and can be found at www.nwcaonline.com.
NWCA/USA Today Division I Team Coaches Poll
| Rank | School | Total | Prev. Rank | Record |
| 1 | Minnesota (9) | 249 | 3 | 14-3 |
| 2 | Penn State (1) | 236 | 2 | 13-1 |
| 3 | Oklahoma State | 232 | 1 | 16-2 |
| 4 | Iowa | 221 | 4 | 14-4 |
| 5 | Illinois | 208 | 5 | 16-4 |
| 6 | Cornell | 197 | T6 | 11-1 |
| 7 | Ohio State | 194 | T6 | 13-4 |
| 8 | Nebraska | 176 | 8 | 15-4 |
| 9 | Pittsburgh | 160 | 9 | 14-2 |
| 10 | Missouri | 157 | 10 | 13-4 |
| 11 | Wyoming | 150 | 11 | 10-3 |
| 12 | Oklahoma | 143 | 12 | 13-5 |
| 13 | Kent State | 128 | 13 | 14-5 |
| 14 | Michigan | 125 | 14 | 6-6 |
| 15 | Lehigh | 112 | 15 | 12-5 |
| 16 | Oregon State | 99 | 16 | 10-3 |
| 17 | Maryland | 91 | 17 | 15-1 |
| 18 | Northwestern | 77 | 18 | 11-4 |
| 19 | Binghamton | 71 | 19 | 15-4 |
| 20 | Virginia | 70 | 21 | 11-1 |
| T21 | Edinboro | 35 | 20 | 9-4 |
| T21 | Virginia Tech | 35 | 22 | 8-6 |
| 23 | Hofstra | 32 | 24 | 12-3 |
| 24 | Old Dominion | 14 | 23 | 13-10 |
| 25 | Purdue | 12 | NR | 10-10 |
Others Receiving Votes: American, Central Michigan, Chattanooga, West Virginia.
The National Wrestling Coaches Association, established in 1928, is a non-profit organization for the advancement of all levels of the sport of wrestling with primary emphasis on developing coaches who work in academic environments. The membership embraces all people interested in amateur wrestling.
The three core competencies of the NWCA are: Coaching Development, student-athlete welfare, and promotion of wrestling.
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