For each wrestler that reached the threshold in at least two of the three categories, his qualifying tournament was awarded a qualifying spot in that weight class. Each qualifying tournament, with automatic qualifying status, was awarded a minimum of one wrestler per weight class, which will go to the tournament champion, even if they did not have any wrestlers reach at least two of the three thresholds. NCAA tournament spots for each qualifying event will be awarded at the tournament based solely on place-finish.
After all of the qualifying events have concluded, the NCAA Division I Wrestling Committee will meet in-person to select the remaining 46 at-large qualifiers, which will be announced on March 9. All weight classes will consist of 33 wrestlers. The at-large selections will be made based on the following criteria: head-to-head competition; quality wins; coaches ranking; results against common opponents; RPI; qualifying event placement; and winning percentage.
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.
To be eligible for an RPI ranking, a wrestler must have a minimum of 17 Division I matches at a given weight class.
Among the top-ranked wrestlers by the coaches are four former national champions with Nathan Tomasello of Ohio State (125 pounds), Alex Dieringer of Oklahoma State (165), Gabriel Dean of Cornell (184) and Nick Gwiazdowski of North Carolina State (heavyweight).
The additional top-ranked wrestlers at each weight class by the coaches are: Nahshon Garrett, Cornell (133 pounds); Dean Heil, Oklahoma State (141); Zain Retherford, Penn State (149); Jason Nolf, Penn State (157), Bo Nickal, Penn State (174) and Morgan McIntosh, Penn State (197).
FULL COACHES RANKINGS
The top ranked wrestlers in each weight class of the RPI are: Tomasello (125 pounds); Garrett (133); Heil (141); Retherford (149); Thomas Gantt, North Carolina State (157); Dieringer (165); Brian Realbuto, Cornell (174); Dean (184); McIntosh (197) and Austin Marsden, Oklahoma State (heavyweight).
FULL RPI
The 2016 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships takes place at Madison Square Garden in New York City March 17-19. A limited number of single session tickets are still available, in addition wrestling fans can buy and sell official tickets through the NCAA Ticket Exchangeâ„¢. This gives ticket holders who are unable to attend a session a place to safely sell their tickets. Buyers can also get their tickets knowing the tickets are authentic and guaranteed, visit http://www.ncaa.com/tickets/wrestling/d1 for more information.
A full description of the entire selection process is in the 2016 Division I Wrestling Championships Pre-Championships Manual which is available at NCAA.org.
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