The Fort Hays State wrestlers maintained No. 15 in the latest NCAA Division II wrestling poll released today (Jan. 25) by the NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches Association. Walker Clarke (No. 1) and Mitchell Means (No. 3) also maintained their rankings individually, while CJ Napier entered the rankings in the 141-pound class for the first time this year at No. 7.
 
The Tigers as a team remained in No. 15 for the second straight poll. Previously, the Tigers have been ranked No. 12 and No. 16 this season. Since the last rankings, the Tigers lost to Adams State, which is now ranked No. 9, in a close 21-19 dual.
 
Napier, a sophomore from Columbus, Kan., entered the individual rankings for the first time at No. 7. Napier is 3-0 on the season with all three wins by decisions in duals. He defeated Mac Fisher of CSU-Pueblo (5-4), Leandro Arias of Chadron State (9-3) and Casey Lynn of Adams State (4-2).
 
Clarke, a junior from Stillwater, Okla., continued to hold the top spot in the 184 class. For the second straight week, Clarke has held No. 1 in the rankings. Clarke is 11-1 on the season for the Tigers.
 
Means, a sophomore from Goddard, Kan., remained No. 3 in the 149-pound class. An All-American a season ago, Means is 7-3 this year.
 
The Tigers travel to the Kansas Cup on Sunday (Jan. 29) in Baldwin City, Kan. The event starts at 9 a.m.
 
1.                          St. Cloud State (Minn.)                                            160                                              1st
2.                          Newberry (S.C.)                                                         152                                              2nd
T3.                          Upper Iowa                                                                  135                                              3rd
T3.                          Augustana (S.D.)                                                        135                                              5th
5.                          Nebraska-Kearney                                                    129                                              4th
6.                          Central Oklahoma                                                      120                                              6th
7.                          Grand Canyon (Ariz.)                                                107                                              7th
8.                          Pittsburgh-Johnstown (Pa.)                                  100                                             13th
9.                          Adams State (Colo.)                                                   97                                              12th
10.                         Mercyhurst (Pa.)                                                         85                                                8th
11.                         Wisconsin-Parkside                                                    72                                                9th
T12.                       Ashland (Ohio)                                                             68                                               18th
T12.                       Limestone (S.C.)                                                          68                                               10th
14.                         West Liberty (W.Va.)                                                 55                                               14th
15.                         Fort Hays State                                                            39                                               15th
16.                         King (Tenn.)                                                                  38                                               11th       
17.                         Maryville (Mo.)                                                            20                                                NR
18.                         Western State (Colo.)                                               19                                                NR
19.                         Findlay (Ohio)                                                               18                                               17th
20.                         San Francisco State (Calif.)                                      16                                               19th                       
 
Others receiving votes:  Colorado Mesa, Colorado State-Pueblo, Gannon (Pa.), Indianapolis (Ind.), Kutztown (Pa.), Minnesota State, North Carolina-Pembroke.
 
141 Pounds
1.            Dalton Jensen, Nebraska-Kearney
2.            Chism Fink, Augustana (S.D.)
3.            Trevor Johnson, Mary (N.D.)
4.            B.J. Young, Newberry (S.C.)
5.            Jack Bachman, Pittsburgh-Johnstown (Pa.)
6.            Tywan Claxton, King (Tenn.)
7.            C.J. Napier, Fort Hays State
8.            Max Ortega, Adams State (Colo.)
 
149 Pounds
1.            Nate Herda, Augustana (S.D.)
2.            Raufeon Stotts, Nebraska-Kearney
3.            Mitchell Means, Fort Hays State
4.            Josh Hensley, Adams State (Colo.)
5.            Ethan Swope, Gannon (Pa.)
6.            Ryan Maus, Truman State (Mo.)
7.            Marc Hoff, Ashland (Ohio)
8.            Deral Brown, Newberry (S.C.)
 
184 Pounds
1.            Walker Clarke, Fort Hays State
2.            Tanner Keck, Central Oklahoma
3.            Derek Skala, St. Cloud State (Minn.)
4.            Mitch Schultz, Upper Iowa
5.            Dallas Smith, Ouachita Baptist (Ark.)
6.            Adam Walters, Findlay (Ohio)
7.            Adam Carey, Colorado State-Pueblo
8.            Gary Lantz, Pittsburgh-Johnstown (Pa.)