Tiffin University had numerous standouts selected in the annual NWCA and Open Mat Men's Division II national wrestling preseason rankings.
The Dragons were ranked 12th overall as a team in the NWCA poll, one of four G-MAC teams making an appearance. Lake Erie was 7th overall followed by Tiffin, Ashland (15th), and Findlay (receiving votes). The team was ranked 13th in the Open Mat poll.
Topping the field in the NWCA poll was Lander with 82 points followed by West Liberty with 69 and Central Oklahoma with 63.
Individually 141-pound Zack Donathan was ranked tops in the nation in both polls 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 3rd at 157 pounds (4th in the Open Mat poll). 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) and Jake Noon (197) were both ranked 11th in the NWCA poll, while Clayton Ours (285) was tabbed 12th. Twigg was tabbed 17th in the Open Mat poll while Noon was 18th and Ours was 17th.
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.