The UNI Panthers dropped to a tie for fourth place in the most recent Mid-American Conference Coaches Poll. The second rankings in February have UNI tied with Kent State at 13 points. Missouri continues to lead the MAC with 27 points for first place, while Central Michigan and Ohio round out the top three with 17 and 14 points, respectively.
Not a whole lot has changed for UNI in the past month; Dylan Peters is still number one at 125 pounds. Blaize Cabell is also number one at 285 pounds. Both men have held down their respective number one rankings the entire year. Cabell will get his shot at number three Jake Gunning this weekend in Buffalo.
At 165 pounds Cooper Moore continues to hold at number two, behind only Missouri’s Daniel Lewis. Lewis defeated Moore 8-2 at the Cliff Keen National Invitational back in December. Lewis will probably be Moore’s toughest competition to become UNI’s first three-time MAC Champion. Bryce Steiert also held his fourth place spot at 157 pounds for the fifth consecutive poll.
UNI lost a point when Trevor Jauch dropped a spot at 141 pounds, falling to fourth. Jauch has been battling a knee injury that he sustained about a month ago.
You can find the complete MAC rankings below, as well as the team rankings. You can see UNI wrestle in their final dual of the season this Friday night when they travel to Buffalo.
2016 MAC Second February Weight Class Rankings:
125 – 1. Dylan Peters (Northern Iowa, Junior); 2. Barlow McGhee (Missouri, Sophomore); 3. Brent Fleetwood (Central Michigan, Sophomore); 4. Shakur Laney (Ohio, Freshman).
133 – 1. Cameron Kelly (Ohio, Freshman); 2. Mack McGuire (Kent State, Senior); 3. Zach Synon (Missouri, Junior); 4. Corey Keener (Central Michigan, Junior).
141 – 1. Matt Manley (Missouri, Junior); 2. Zach Horan (Central Michigan, Senior); 3. Steve Bleise (Northern Illinois, Redshirt Freshman); 4. Trevor Jauch (Northern Iowa, Senior);
149 – 1. Lavion Mayes (Missouri, Junior); 2. Alexander Richardson (Old Dominion, Senior); 3. Justin Oliver (Central Michigan, Redshirt Freshman); 4. Mike DePalma (Kent State, Senior).
157 – 1. Ian Miller (Kent State, Senior); 2. Lucas Smith (Central Michigan, Senior); 3. Spartak Chino (Ohio, Senior); 4. Bryce Steiert (Northern Iowa, Freshman).
165 – 1. Daniel Lewis (Missouri, Redshirt Freshman); 2. Cooper Moore (Northern Iowa, Junior); 3. Tyler Buckwalter (Kent State, Senior); 4. Austin Reese (Ohio, Redshirt Freshman).
174 – 1. Mike Ottinger (Central Michigan, Senior); 2. Blaise Butler (Missouri, Senior); 3. Cody Walters (Ohio, Senior); 4. Trace Engelkes (Northern Illinois, Junior).
184 – 1. Jack Dechow (Old Dominion, Junior); 2. Willie Miklus (Missouri, Sophomore); 3. Andrew Romanchik (Ohio, Senior); 4. Jordan Ellingwood (Central Michigan, Sophomore).
197 – 1. J’Den Cox (Missouri, Junior); 2. Kyle Conel (Kent State, Redshirt Freshman); 3. Phil Wellington (Ohio, Senior); 4. Shawn Scott (Northern Illinois, Junior).
HWT – 1. Blaize Cabell (Northern Iowa, Senior); 2. Gage Hutchison (Eastern Michigan, Sophomore); 3. Jake Gunning (Buffalo, Redshirt Freshman); 4. Newton Smerchek (Central Michigan, Sophomore).
2016 MAC Second February Rankings (Feb. 18, 2016)
1. Missouri (27.0)
2. Central Michigan (17.0)
3. Ohio (14.0)
t-4. Kent State (13.0)
t-4. Northern Iowa (13.0)
6. Old Dominion (7.0)
7. Northern Illinois (4.0)
8. Eastern Michigan (3.0)
9. Buffalo (2.0)