Tiffin University's men's wrestling team places 11th in the latest Open Mat national poll, with numerous TU grapplers also ranked.
The Dragons were ranked 11th overall as a team in the poll, one of three G-MAC teams making an appearance. Lake Erie was 9th overall followed by Tiffin and Ashland (14th).
Topping the field in the NWCA poll was Lander with 97 points followed by West Liberty with 91 and Central Oklahoma with 79.
Individually 141-pound Zack Donathan was ranked tops in the nation following his national championship in 2023.
Donathan posted a record of 14-1 en route to the NCAA Division II National Championship after taking the Super Region 3 championship as well. Donathan also earned the pins award at the NCAA Championship.
Donathan also previously was named G-MAC Wrestler of the Year. He joins Garrett Gray (285) and Nick Mason (197) as national champs for Tiffin.
Casey Barnett was also highly touted, placing 4th at 157 pounds. Overall he went 19-6 with 9 falls in 2023. He placed first in the Region and qualified for NCAA Nationals while also earning First Team All-G-MAC.
Connor Twigg (174) was ranked 17th and Jake Noon (197) was ranked 18th in the poll, while Clayton Ours (285) was also tabbed 18th.
Twigg went 29-13 overall with 9 falls, placed 4th in the Region, and was Third Team All G-MAC. Noon went 19-13 with 7 falls and 2 major decisions, was the Region champion, and qualified for the NCAA Championships. Ours went 26-13 with 6 falls, placed 4th in the Region, and was a First Team All-G-MAC selection.
Also in the Open Mat individual poll, Matthew Zuckerman was ranked 18th at 149 pounds. Last year Zuckerman went 12-7 overall with 3 major decisions and was named Second Team All-G-MAC.
Also making his debut in the rankings was Anthony Aniciete at 125 pounds where he is ranked 18th. Aniciete recently went 5-0 at the Southeast Open, winning his weight class. Last season he went 20-7 with 3 falls.