MANHEIM, Pa. | National Wrestling Coaches Association - McKendree University men's wrestling (14-4, 5-1 GLVC) rose to fifth in the final regular season national rankings, moving up four places from ninth nationally, as announced by the NWCA office on Monday afternoon. The Bearcats are fresh off their fifth Great Lakes Valley Conference crown, winning the title on Sunday, and place four in the individual rankings with 125
Christian Mejia, 133
Ryan Ripplinger, 141
Ronan Schuelke, and 165
Cory Peterson earning their spots in each respective weight class. McKendree prepares for the NCAA Super Regional - Region IV tournament on March 2 in Indianapolis, Indiana, hosted by UIndy, pushing for national qualification finishes for its wrestlers.
125 CLASS - #4 | Christian Mejia
Mejia continues to sit among the top of his weight class, totaling 24 wins on the season while owning a 13-match winning streak while being unbeaten in the 2024 calendar year. The redshirt senior went 4-0 in the GLVC this season, including three of four in bonus-point victory style. Mejia tallies 10 falls and six majors, leading the Bearcats in both categories. Mejia looks to add to his resume in the postseason in the coming weeks at regionals and nationals.
133 CLASS - #9 | Ryan Ripplinger
The redshirt senior out of Bismarck, North Dakota, rose in his second consecutive ranking after entering the 133 rankings at #10 in January. Ripplinger captured his latest four matches while going 5-0 in the GLVC this season, currenlty owning a 20-6 overall record. He totals four falls, four tech falls, and four majors on the campaign so far. He seeks his first nationals qualification on March 2 at Super Regionals.
141 CLASS - #2 | Ronan Schuelke
Schuelke, a first-year starter for the Bearcats, continues his climb up the ladder in the 141 weight class with his #2 spot in the latest poll. The 141 wrestler out of Carol Stream, Illinois, boasts a multitude of feats this season while owning a 33-8 record. Schuelke sits at 14-0 in the calendar year while owning a 15-match winning streak, dating back to his placing match at the 44th Midwest Classic. Schuelke will battle for his first postseason honors, vying for his spot at the national tournament during the Super Region IV tournament on March 2.
165 CLASS - #2 | Cory Peterson
Peterson, a returning two-time All-American, ranks up to second in his weight class following an outstanding month which included a defeat of then-#2 and reigning 165lb National Champion Chase Luensmann. The redshirt junior tallies 15-straight match wins while sitting 11-0 in the 2024 calendar year. Peterson ranks second on the Bearcats in winning percentage with a 25-5 overall record, which includes three pins, five techs, and two majors.
TEAM RANKINGS
1. Central Oklahoma
2. Lander
3. Augustana
4. St. Cloud State
t5. McKendree - 48 Points, 4 Ranked Individuals
t5. UW-Parkside
7. West Liberty
8. UNC-Pembroke
9. Nebraska-Kearney
10. Lake Erie
INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS
125 - #4 |
Christian Mejia, 23-4
133 - #9 |
Ryan Ripplinger, 18-6
141 - #2 |
Ronan Schuelke, 31-8
165 - #2 |
Cory Peterson, 24-5
UP NEXT | NCAA Super Regionals
March 2 | Region IV - NCAA Super Regionals | Indianapolis, Indiana - Nicoson Hall
