McCoy Ranked in Top 10

Jake McCoy moves up in NAIA wrestling coaches' poll

YC wrestling had three athletes ranked in the top 12 of the NAIA coaches' poll and yesterday received word that Jake McCoy moved into the top 10 after his stellar performance last week. McCoy, a senior from Coos Bay, Ore., dominated Thursday's match against Concordia's Alfredo Torres, pinning the once ranked #5 wrestler at the 4:34 mark.

During Saturday's York College Open in which 19 colleges and universities were represented, the senior earned the top honor for the Panthers, winning the 174 lbs weight class. After receiving a bye for his first match, McCoy scored a major decision in his second and pinned his final three opponents, defeating in the championship match University of Nebraska-Kearney's Drew Comito by fall in 6:32. He was awarded the tournament's Most Outstanding Wrestler in a field that included 215 wrestlers from 19 different colleges/universities representing all divisions.

Kyle Wichman, a junior from Silver Lake, Kan., placed second at 165 with two pins and a major decision. He is currently ranked #12 in the NAIA. Bakersfield, Calf., junior Brian Magno took 3rd at 133, pinning four of his opponents. Three YC wrestlers placed 5th at the open: Josh Lopez - 141, Nicholas Clarke - 149, and Joe Madison - 184. Although he did not wrestle over the weekend, Bradlee Carls, a junior from Bakersfield, Calf., is currently ranked #11.

With ten athletes qualifying for Nationals, head coach Ramon Diaz and associate head coach Greg Smith are nearing the mark set at the beginning of the season of taking 12 wrestlers to the NAIA National Championships: Miles Negley (125), Wes Negley (133), Brian Magno (133), Chrystian Banuelos (141), Josh Lopez (141), Nicholas Clarke (149), Jacob McCoy (165), Kyle Wichman (165), Bradlee Carls (197), and Ray Johnson (285)

Held at the Holthus Fieldhouse, the all day event featured an impressive six mats of action throughout the day. Click here for pics.