Oklahoma State wrestling: 9 Cowboys ranked in first 2020 coaches’ panel rankings

The NCAA released the first of four coaches’ panel rankings for the 2019-20 season Friday with nine Oklahoma State wrestlers in the initial rankings at their weight classes. The final rankings will be one of the criteria used as part of the selection process to determine qualifiers and seeding for the NCAA Championships, which are March 19-21 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The rankings are determined by a vote from 14 coaches in each weight class with two head coaches from each of the seven conferences (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, EIWA, MAC, Pac-12 and SoCon). Coaches only consider wrestlers designated as a starter and those that have competed within the past 30 days. Winning percentage, rating percentage index (RPI), head-to-head competition, quality wins and results against common opponents also factor into the coaches’ rankings.

OSU’s Nick Piccininni (No. 4 at 125 pounds), Boo Lewallen (No. 3 at 149), Travis Wittlake (No. 9 at 165) are the top ranked Big 12 wrestlers at their weight classes. Dakota Geer (No. 10 at 197) also made the top 10.

Reece Witcraft (No. 25 at 133), Dusty Hone (No. 14 at 141), Wyatt Sheets (No. 22 at 157), Andrew Shomers (No. 30 at 174) and Anthony Montalvo (No. 20 at 184) are OSU’s other ranked wrestlers.

Kaden Gfeller (141) and Joe Smith (174) are both ranked by several publications, but since they’re not the starters at their weight Hone and Shomers received the ranking.

OSU in coaches’ panel rankings

125: Nick Piccininni (No. 4)

133: Reece Witcraft (No. 25)

141: Dusty Hone (No. 14)

149: Boo Lewallen (No. 3)

157: Wyatt Sheets (No. 22)

165: Travis Wittlake (No. 9)

174: Andrew Shomers (No. 30)

184: Anthony Montalvo (No. 20)

197: Dakota Geer (No. 10)