Eastern Climbs Three Spots in Newest NAIA Top-20 Rankings
By Paul Hall on Monday, January 24th, 2022 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
LA GRANDE – (Information provided by EOU Athletics)The NAIA has released its fourth edition of the Men’s Wrestling Coaches’ Top-20 rankings and Eastern Oregon University remains in the national poll.
The Mountaineers moved up to No. 17 in the fourth regular season rankings of 2021-22. Their ranking is three spots higher than their previous rank of 20th. Along with moving up in the polls, Eastern has three grapplers that are still individually ranked.
Garnering national recognition as an individual is Keegan Mulhill at 174 pounds (8th), Kyle Knudtson at 184 pounds (5th), and Noel Orozco at 285 pounds (2nd). The trio have been nationally ranked in their respective weight classes throughout the 2021-22 season so far.
In the latest conference rankings through the NAIA, the Mountaineers are ranked fourth behind Menlo College, Embry-Riddle (Ariz.), and Montana State-Northern. In the national rankings, Eastern is one of four squads ranked in the top-20 out of the Cascade Collegiate Conference.
Menlo and MSU-Northern are the highest ranked CCC squads at a tie for eighth. EOU is the only full time CCC member ranked in the top-20 at 17th, followed by Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) at 18th. Four other teams are still in the receiving votes category in Vanguard (Calif.), Providence, Southern Oregon, and Corban.
