WC’s Pierce, Collins, McCoy included in latest NWCA regional rankings
Pictured (l-r) are Ryder Pierce, Jackson Collins and Thane McCoy. (Wilmington College photos)
The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) announced their latest individual regional rankings Friday, and the Wilmington Quakers had three wrestlers ranked in Region 4.
All three ranked wrestlers are freshmen. Ryder Pierce is ranked No. 6 at 197 pounds, Jackson Collins is ranked No. 7 at 141 pounds and Thane McCoy is ranked No. 8 at 157 pounds.
Pierce (Springfield, Ohio/Wayne HS) is 7-5 overall this season, and 4-2 in duals. This is his second time being ranked regionally this season, as he was also No. 6 during the first rankings at 197 pounds. He is second on the team with four wins by fall and his seven victories are third on the team.
Collins (Cleveland, Ohio/Berea-Midpark HS) is 3-1 overall this season, with all his matches coming in dual action. Last weekend at the Averett University Cougar Duals was his first action of the season. He won two matches by fall and his other by decision. He defeated Mauricio Reyes of Averett in his first match of the season by way of 11-7 decision, and Reyes is also ranked at 141 pounds in Region 4 at No. 8.
McCoy (Wilmington, Ohio/Wilmington HS) leads the Quakers with nine wins this season and four tech. falls and sits at 9-6 overall this season and 6-2 in duals. He has wrestled all but one match at 157 pounds, with the other at 165 pounds. He has wrestled a pair of matches against regionally ranked opponents this season. Ramiro Guerrero of The University of Olivet is ranked No. 4 in Region 5, and McCoy had a high-scoring 23-18 decision loss to him at the season opening Trine Invitational. His other match was against Xavier Swanson of Averett, who is ranked No. 6 in Region 4 at 165 pounds, where he lost by major decision, 10-1.
Wilmington is back on the mats on Tuesday, Jan. 14 at the University of Mount Union in dual action at 7 p.m.
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