The first NWCA/USA Today Division I Team Coaches Poll for the 2009-2010 season has been released.  Reigning NCAA Team Champion Iowa was the unanimous choice for the top spot in the rankings.  Overall eight conferences have teams represented in the Top 25 and five conferences have teams in the Top 10. 

The NWCA/USA Today Division I Team Coaches Poll Committee is made up of one coach from each conference.  A number one ranking is worth 25 points and a number 25 ranking is worth one point.

Iowa returning to the top of the leader board this year, after their second consecutive NCAA Team Title. Followed by Iowa State, who finished their season last year with a third place finish and is now under the leadership of new Head Coach Kevin Jackson. Ohio State bumps down one spot to No. 3 after a second place finish at the NCAA Tournament in both 2008 and 2009.

Cornell advanced one spot in the rankings coming in at No. 4 to start their season. Oklahoma State makes the biggest jump numbers wise after finishing out their season with a 16^th place finish last year, as they now round out the top five.

A new poll will be released every Tuesday from now until the week of the NCAA Division I Wrestling Tournament and can be found at www.nwcaonline.com.    

NWCA/USA Today Division I Team Coaches Poll

Rank                Team                           Points

1.                     Iowa                            275 (unanimous)

2.                     Iowa State                   263

3.                     Ohio State                   245

4.                     Cornell                        240

5.                     Oklahoma State          227

6.                     Minnesota                   219

7.                     Nebraska                     194

8.                     Boise State                  190

9.                     Maryland                     181

10.                   Missouri                      179

11.                   Central Michigan         170

12.                   Wisconsin                    148

13.                   Edinboro                     146

14.                   Indiana                        126

15.                   Penn State                   123

16.                   Oklahoma                    93

17.                   Lehigh                         87

18.                   Kent State                   70

19.                   Illinois                         61

20.                   Arizona State              56

21.                   Virginia                       49

22.                   Old Dominion             40

23.                   Michigan                     35

24.                   Virginia Tech              29

25.                   Hofstra                       21

Others Receiving Votes:  American, Bucknell, Cal Poly, Chattanooga, Harvard, Michigan State, Navy, Northern Iowa, Northwestern, Penn, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Wyoming   

The National Wrestling Coaches Association, established in 1928, is a professional organization dedicated to serve and provide leadership for the advancement of all levels of the sport of wrestling with primary emphasis on scholastic and collegiate programs. The membership embraces all people interested in amateur wrestling.

The NWCA, through its organizational structure, promotes communication, recognizes achievement, recommends rules and regulations, sponsors events, and serves as an educational and informational source. Additionally, the NWCA strives to foster the sportsmanship and integrity that are the cornerstones of athletic competition.