The National Wrestling Coaches Association has released their 2021-22 Preseason Coaches Poll and individual rankings. Upper Iowa is ranked ninth in the poll after placing 12^th at the 2021 NCAA Division II Championships last March.
 
UIU's finish was thanks to a pair of All-Americans including 197-pounder Zach Ryg (3rd) and 141-pounder Tate Murty (6th). Chase Luensman and Eric Faught both qualified and posted wins at the NCAA Championships coming up just one win shy of joining their team­mates as All-Americans.
 
Entering the 2021-22 campaign, four Peacocks claimed a place in the NWCA Division II Preseason Rankings. All four of UIU's national qualifiers from the 2020-21 season are among the nation's favorites to bring home hardware from St. Louis in March.
 
Ryg is ranked No. 2 at 197 pounds after posting a 12-1 record last year and claiming third place at the 2021 NCAA Division II Championships. The Plymouth, Iowa native scored a win by fall and two major decisions while his only loss came to the eventual NCAA Champion in the semifinals. Following the season, Ryg was named the NSIC Rookie of the Year and the NWCA Division II Rookie of the Year.
 
Murty comes in at No. 4 in the 141-pound rankings. Murty went 9-8 last season, but won seven of his matches in the postseason including a 5-1 record at the NCAA Super Region V Championships and a 2-3 mark at the NCAA Division II Championships to claim sixth place in St. Louis, Mo. The Fountain City, Wis. product posted seven bonus-point wins including three by fall and four by major decision.
 
Faught grabbed the No. 8 ranking at 149 pounds. Faught was 8-4 last season with four wins by major decision. Faught claimed third at the NCAA Super Region V Championship thanks to a 3-1 record and then reached the consolation second round at the NCAA Division II Championships before his season ended.
 
Luensman is ranked No. 9 at 157 pounds going 9-3 last year. Luensman won the NCAA Super Region V Championship with a 3-0 mark joining Ryg at the top of their respective podiums. The Monticello, Iowa product went 1-2 at the NCAA Division II Champsionships. Luensman earned one win by tech fall and two by major decision last season.
 
Upper Iowa finished the shortened season with a 3-3 dual meet record which included wins over Minnesota State University Moorhead, the University of Wis­consin-Parkside and Augustana University.
 
The Peacocks will open their 2021-22 schedule at the Simpson College Open in Indianola, Iowa on Saturday, Nov. 6. Upper Iowa's first home action is slated for Sunday, Dec. 12; UIU will face the University of Central Missouri in Dorman Memorial Gymnasium at 2 p.m.