This past Thursday, the National Wrestling Coaches Association as well as the National Duals Selection Committee released their Mid-Major Top 20 wrestling poll.
Of the 20 teams ranked by the NWCA AND NDSC, four of them are MAC schools. A top 20 show down will take place Friday in the Convo when No. 3 Northern Iowa takes on No. 17 Ohio.
Not only do the Northern Iowa Panthers (7-2, 4-0 MAC) come to Athens on Friday, but they are bringing with them seven ranked wrestlers in the top 15 in their respective weight classes.
With such talent, coach Joel Greenlee didn’t appear to be too stirred when the rankings of his teams opponent were brought up during film and the scouting report.
“Northern Iowa prepares the same way we do.” Greenlee said. “I mean, they put their singlet on one leg at a time just like we do.”
Northern Iowa won’t be the only team to have ranked wrestlers on the mat Friday. Ohio (6-4, 4-2 MAC) sophomores Shakur Laney (125) and Cameron Kelly (133) have earned spots in the top 20 poll at 17 and 16, respectively.
Laney, who has posted an overall record of 21-4 (7-1 duals) isn’t a stranger to the limelight after going 23-13 his freshman year and wrestling in both the MAC Championship as well as earning a berth in the NCAA Tournament.
The same can be said about Kelly after being ranked No. 10 in the preseason polls. Kelly has gone 16-7 overall this year with a 5-3 dual record. After posting a 23-9 record his freshman year, Kelly also earned a place in the MAC Championship last year and was the 13 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Despite all the accolades, Kelly’s attitude about them isn’t a conceited one.
“It’s not about competing at the level of being ranked.” Kelly said. “It’s about competing at the best level for me - that will make me the best Cam Kelly.”
The teams will face off Friday in The Convo with the first match slated to begin at 7 PM.
