This Weekend in Peacock Wrestling... The Peacock wrestling program is on the road in Louisville, Kentucky to compete in their twelfth straight NWCA National Duals this Friday and Saturday, Jan. 4-5. UIU is one of sixteen teams competing in the NCAA Division II bracket in which all but two of the teams are either ranked or receiving votes in the most recent NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches Association Top 25 Poll. No. 21 Upper Iowa will line up against West Liberty University at 9 a.m. ET on Friday at the Kentucky Exposition Center.
Setting the Scene... The National Duals are a two-day annual tournament which features 16 teams each from NCAA Division II, 24 from Division III and 16 from NAIA, as well as 16 NJCAA teams and 12 NCWA teams. UIU will compete with the following wrestlers at the National Duals. At 125 pounds, Maleek Williams (13-3) and Jared Hensley (5-5). At 133 pounds, Justin Folley (17-4). At. 141 pounds, Ryan Schmalen (6-9) and Wilson Metellus (0-0). At 149 pounds, Ryan Steffen (6-9). At 157 pounds, Mac Spotts (10-7) and Tucker Black (11-5). At 165 pounds, Brock Benitz (4-2). At 174 pounds, Jordan Gundrum (16-5) and Connor Williams (12-5). At 184 pounds, Dalton Hahn (20-4). At 197 pounds, Nick Baumler (11-2) and Bodie Garnier (4-3). At Heavy weight, Triston Westerlund (2-2).
Competing in the Division II Bracket… Fourteen of the sixteen teams in competition on Friday are in the latest NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches Association Top 25 or receiving votes. Eleven teams are in the Top 25 including No. 1 University of Nebraska-Kearney, No. 2 St. Cloud State University, No. 3 Notre Dame College, No. 4 University of Pitt-Johnstown, No. 5 McKendree University, No. 7 Wheeling Jesuit University, No. 8 Lindenwood University, No. 13 University of Central Oklahoma, No. 14 Fort Hays State University, No. 18 University of Indianapolis, No. 21 Upper Iowa University, while West Liberty University, University of Wisconsin-Parkside and Gannon College are all receiving votes. Seton Hill University and Limestone University are the two programs not mentioned in the latest poll.
Upper Iowa's Recent History at the Duals... Upper Iowa has placed in the top eight in ten of the last eleven years at the National Duals. Upper Iowa claimed 8th place ten years ago, improved to 7th place the next year, and then claimed 5th place nine years ago. After a 1-2 record in 2011, the Peacocks returned in 2012 with their best-ever finish at the duals. Upper Iowa claimed third-place after dropping a tight match in the semis to St. Cloud State and then defeating Nebraska-Kearney. In 2013, the Peacocks placed sixth with a 3-2 record, and six years ago UIU posted a 3-1-1 record to place seventh. The tie in 2014 came in the quarterfinals against Central Oklahoma and UIU moved the consolation side instead of the semifinals based on criteria in their match with the Bronchos. Four years ago, UIU upset the Mercyhurst Lakers and the McKendreee Bearcats on the first day, but lost to Notre Dame and St. Cloud State on Saturday afternoon to place fourth. In 2016, the Peacocks placed fifth with a 4-1 record after defeating four ranked teams along the way including Wheeling Jesuit (24-15), Newberry (24-13), Tiffin (29-15) and Nebraska-Kearney (21-20) in an unreal finish in the fifth-place match. The lone loss for UIU came in the championship quarterfinals to the No. 1 Saints of Maryville University (33-10). In 2017, Upper Iowa placed seventh with a 3-2 record thanks to wins over Mercyhurst, Tiffin and Maryville, while wins over reigning NCAA DII Champion Notre Dame, Lake Erie and Colorado State-Pueblo fueled a seventh place finish last season.
UIU in Duals this season… The Peacocks are 2-0 in duals this year after defeating Truman State University (56-0) and Minot State University (33-11). UIU wrestlers are 17-3 in the 20 matches during those duals with nine bonus-point wins including six wins by fall, two by tech fall and one by major decision.
Peacocks in the Rankings… Upper Iowa is ranked No. 21 in the country in the latest national poll and boasts four individuals in the rankings as well. Maleek Williams (125) is ranked No. 10 in the nation with a 13-3 record this season. Justin Folley (133) made his first appearance in the national poll this week and is ranked No. 7 in the country with a 17-4 record. Dalton Hahn (184) has enjoyed a great start to his sophomore campaign; he is 20-4 and ranked No. 7 in the country. Nick Baumler (197) rounds out the nationally-ranked group with an 11-2 record and a No. 12 ranking.
Getting to know the Hilltoppers… This is West Liberty's first invitation to the prestigious event since the 2010 season. West Liberty competed at the 40th Annual Midwest Classic in Indianapolis with Upper Iowa. WLU, like UIU, had a pair of placers as Logan Kemp made it all the way to the 197-pound championship match before settling for runner-up honors while Corey Secrist battled through the consolation rounds to earn an eighth-place finish at 125.
Who's Up Next... Depending on the outcome of the Upper Iowa-West Liberty dual, the Peacocks will line up against either the winner or loser of the No. 2 St. Cloud State-Seton Hill dual on Friday at 1 p.m. or 3 p.m. ET.
