Lehigh University Athletics

Photo by: Sam Janicki
Three Mountain Hawks Appear in Top Five of Initial NCAA Coaches' Ranking
1/19/2023 9:34:00 PM | Men's Wrestling
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Eight Lehigh wrestlers appear in the first NCAA coaches' ranking for 2022-23 unveiled Thursday evening.
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The coaches' rankings are determined by a vote of 14 coaches in each weight class with two head coaches from each of the seven conferences. For ranking purposes, coaches may only consider a wrestler that has been designated as a starter at a respective weight class. Wrestlers must have eight Division I matches in the weight class to be considered with at least one within the last 30 days.Â
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Leading the way for the Mountain Hawks is sophomore Michael Beard, who occupies the No. 3 spot at 197.
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In all, three Mountain Hawks are ranked in the top five of their respective weight classes, with sophomore Connor McGonagle ranked fifth at 133 and senior Josh Humphreys ranked fifth at 157.
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Other Lehigh wrestlers to include in the coaches' ranking include first-year Carter Bailey (No. 30 at 125), sophomore Malyke Hines (No. 31 at 141), sophomore Max Brignola (No. 29 at 149), graduate student Tate Samuelson (No. 18 at 184) and first-year Nathan Taylor (No. 28 at 285).
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The coaches' ranking is one of several criteria that will be evaluated by the NCAA Division I Wrestling Committee during the at-large selection and seeding process along with head-to-head competition, quality wins, Ratings Percentage Index (RPI), conference tournament placement, results versus common opponents and win percentage.
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The second coaches' ranking and first RPI will be released in early February.
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The 2023 NCAA Championships will be held March 16-18 in Tulsa, Okla.
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The Mountain Hawks are back on the road for two duals this weekend as Lehigh visits Penn Friday at 6 p.m. at the Palestra in Philadelphia and then visits Navy Saturday at 7 p.m. from Alumni Hall in Annapolis, Md. Both duals will be broadcast on ESPN+. Audio coverage of the Penn match will be available on Fox Sports Radio 94.7 FM and 1230 AM and LVFoxSports.com beginning at 5:45 p.m.
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The 2022-23 Lehigh wrestling season is presented by the Historic Hotel Bethlehem.
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Like Lehigh Wrestling on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive updates throughout the season.   Â
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The coaches' rankings are determined by a vote of 14 coaches in each weight class with two head coaches from each of the seven conferences. For ranking purposes, coaches may only consider a wrestler that has been designated as a starter at a respective weight class. Wrestlers must have eight Division I matches in the weight class to be considered with at least one within the last 30 days.Â
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Leading the way for the Mountain Hawks is sophomore Michael Beard, who occupies the No. 3 spot at 197.
Â
In all, three Mountain Hawks are ranked in the top five of their respective weight classes, with sophomore Connor McGonagle ranked fifth at 133 and senior Josh Humphreys ranked fifth at 157.
Â
Other Lehigh wrestlers to include in the coaches' ranking include first-year Carter Bailey (No. 30 at 125), sophomore Malyke Hines (No. 31 at 141), sophomore Max Brignola (No. 29 at 149), graduate student Tate Samuelson (No. 18 at 184) and first-year Nathan Taylor (No. 28 at 285).
Â
The coaches' ranking is one of several criteria that will be evaluated by the NCAA Division I Wrestling Committee during the at-large selection and seeding process along with head-to-head competition, quality wins, Ratings Percentage Index (RPI), conference tournament placement, results versus common opponents and win percentage.
Â
The second coaches' ranking and first RPI will be released in early February.
Â
The 2023 NCAA Championships will be held March 16-18 in Tulsa, Okla.
Â
The Mountain Hawks are back on the road for two duals this weekend as Lehigh visits Penn Friday at 6 p.m. at the Palestra in Philadelphia and then visits Navy Saturday at 7 p.m. from Alumni Hall in Annapolis, Md. Both duals will be broadcast on ESPN+. Audio coverage of the Penn match will be available on Fox Sports Radio 94.7 FM and 1230 AM and LVFoxSports.com beginning at 5:45 p.m.
Â
The 2022-23 Lehigh wrestling season is presented by the Historic Hotel Bethlehem.
Â
Like Lehigh Wrestling on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive updates throughout the season.   Â
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