NCAA Release
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Three Maryland wrestlers were ranked in their respective weight classes in the first NCAA coaches' panel rankings for the 2016-17 season released Friday. Redshirt senior Billy Rappo (133), redshirt sophomore Alfred Bannister (149) and redshirt freshman David-Brian Whisler (197) were all ranked in the top-33.
The final rankings will be one of the tools used as part of the selection process to determine the qualifiers for the 2016 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships.
Wrestlers in each weight class will be measured by winning percentage, rating percentage index (RPI) and coaches' rankings to earn spots in their qualifying tournaments for the 2017 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships.
The coaches' rankings are compiled by a vote of coaches representing each qualifying tournament. For ranking purposes, coaches may only consider a wrestler that has been designated as a starter at a respective weight class. In order to be eligible for the rankings, wrestlers must have participated in at least five matches against Division I opponents in the weight class and have wrestled within the last 30 days.
Rappo checked in at the No. 32 spot in the 133-pound list, as the Hollad, Pa. native currently sports a 8-9 record with a 5-5 mark in duals this season. Rappo has wrestled one of the toughest schedules on the team this season, facing seven ranked opponents between 141 and 133 pounds. Rappo surprised some folks in the early rounds of the Midlands Championships December 29-30, knocking off two seeded opponents in his season debut at 133 pounds.
Bannister was tabbed 12th in the 149-pound ranking, as the La Plata, Md. native continues to have a standout year on the mat for Maryland. Bannister has been ranked in every InterMat Wrestling top-20 poll since November 8, and holds a 21-3 record and undefeated 11-0 mark in dual matches. He has knocked off four ranked opponents on the season, and has been clutch in close matches with 12 of his wins coming by one or two points.
Whisler earned the No. 31 ranking in the 197-pound division as the Warren, Ohio native is in the midst of a breakout season for the Terps. Whisler holds a 13-6 record (7-4 duals) with a team-best four major decision wins. He has won six out of his last eight dual matches dating back to Grapple at the Garden, with three of them coming by major decision.
Maryland will be back on the mat Friday night to face Big Ten counterpart Purdue at home at 7 pm.
-Terps-
