MANHEIM, Pa. | National Wrestling Coaches Association - McKendree University men's wrestling, which finished fourth in NCAA Division II last season, is prepped and ready to kick off its season next week as the No.3 team in the country, as released by the NWCA on Monday afternoon. The Bearcats sit third nationally with six ranked wrestlers including a top-ranked individual at 141lbs in Ronan Schuelke, who finished third in his weight class last spring. The remaining five wrestlers to begin the season are 149 Joey Semerad, 165 Cory Peterson, 174 Matt Ortiz, 197 Logan Kvien, and 285 Tyler Haynes. McKendree begins its 2024-25 campaign on November 6 against Kentucky Wesleyan at 7PM before playing host to No.2 Central Oklahoma on November 10 at 2PM with both duals taking place at the Melvin Price Convocation Center in Lebanon, Illinois.

RANKED INDIVIDUALS
141lbs - #1 | Ronan Schuelke
Schuelke, who tops his weight class to kick off the year, collected his first All-American honor in his first nationals appearance at the 2024 NCAA DII championships, placing third in his weight class overall. He finished the year with a 40-10 overall record while being named First Team All-GLVC, taking second at super regionals and fifth at the 44th Midwest Classic before his podium finish at nationals. 

149lbs - #7 | Joey Semerad
Semerad, ranking seventh to start the season, qualified for his first national championships in the 2023-24 season, narrowly falling in the blood rounds on a decision after he won his first consolation bout in sudden victory. He claimed a second place finish at super regionals while closing out the year with a 26-14 record overall. Semerad was also selected to First Team All-GLVC.

165lbs - #3 | Cory Peterson
Peterson, now a three-time All-American in as many trips to nationals, comes in at #3 in his weight class to begin the season. He returns following his fourth-place finish at nationals while claiming a third-place finish at super regionals and at the 44th Midwest Classic. Peterson added another First Team All-GLVC selection, finishing the season 32-8 overall. 

174lbs - #5 | Matt Ortiz
Ortiz is set to begin the season as #5 in his weight class, which he joined last year after competing at 165 the season prior. In his first season at 174lbs, he qualified for nationals behind a runner-up finish at super regionals after claiming seventh at the 44th Midwest Classic and multiple first-place tournament finishes early in the year. Ortiz fell in the back side rounds after narrowly dropping his quarterfinal matchup against the eventual national champion at the national championships.  He was selected to Second Team All-GLVC while going 26-12 on the season.

197lbs - #2 | Logan Kvien
Kvien begins his campaign as #2 in the 197lb weight class after battling upwards for an All-American finish at third last season. The redshirt senior tallied his second AA with his 2024 nationals finish while claiming third at super regionals. Kvien was given the Third Team All-GLVC nod while ending the year with a 22-14 overall record. 

285lbs - #9 | Tyler Haynes
Haynes ranks ninth in the heavyweight class to start the 2024-25 journey after earning his first nationals appearance last season. Haynes battled back at super regionals to make it to nationals, placing third in the regional championship. He earned All-GLVC status with a Third Team nod while concluding the season 18-10 overall.

NWCA NCAA DIVISION II NATIONAL RANKINGS (Poll #1)
1. St. Cloud State
2. Central Oklahoma
3. McKendree | 70 Points - 6 Individuals Ranked
4. UW-Parkside
5. Indianapolis
6. Nebraska-Kearney
7. Augustana
t8. Gannon
t8. Maryville
10. Pitt-Johnstown

NWCA NCAA DIVISION II INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS (Poll #1)
141lbs - #1 | Ronan Schuelke
149lbs - #7 | Joey Semerad
165lbs - #3 | Cory Peterson
174lbs - #5 | Matt Ortiz
197lbs - #2 | Logan Kvien
285lbs - #9 | Tyler Haynes

UP NEXT
Nov. 6 | 7:00PM vs. Kentucky Wesleyan | Melvin Price Convocation Center - Lebanon, Ill. | Watch / Live Stats
Nov. 10 | 2:00PM vs. No.2 Central Oklahoma | Melvin Price Convocation Center - Lebanon, Ill. | Watch / Live Stats
 

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