EIGHT JACKS RANKED IN FINAL COACHES’ POLL

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Upcoming Event: Wrestling versus Big 12 Championships on March 6, 2026
/
Wrestling
vs Big 12 Championships
Tulsa, Okla.
Upcoming Event: Wrestling versus NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships on March 19, 2026
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Wrestling
vs NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
Cleveland, Ohio

INDIANAPOLIS — Eight South Dakota State wrestlers maintained their ranking in the top 33 of their respective weight classes in the third coaches' rankings for the 2026 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships.

In addition, weight-class pre-allocations for the upcoming NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships were announced.

The coaches' rankings are determined by a vote of three coaches in each weight class. For ranking purposes, coaches may only consider a wrestler that has been designated as a starter at a respective weight class. Wrestlers must have eight Division I matches in the weight class to be considered with at least one match within the last 30 days.

The RPI is a calculation that consists of three factors: winning percentage, opponent winning percentage (strength of schedule) and opponent's opponent winning percentage (opponent's strength of schedule). Only matches against Division I opponents at the designated weight class count towards the RPI, and a wrestler needs to have wrestled 15 matches to be ranked.

Bennett Berge continues to lead the way for the Jacks in the Rankings, coming in at No. 6 in the Coaches' Rankings. He is followed closely by Julian Tagg, who comes in at No. 10 at 141 pounds. Moses Espinoza-Owens and Cael Swensen round out the Jacks in the top-20 of their weight class at 174 and 157 pounds respectively, coming in at No. 14 and 16.

Luke Rasmussen, Marcus Espinoza-Owens and Brady Roark all hold their spots at their individual weight classes, coming in at No.28, No. 29 and No. 21, respectively. Cale Seaton makes his first appearance in the rankings at No. 31 in the Coaches' Rankings and No. 25 in RPI

The Big 12 Conference was awarded a total of 63 automatic pre-allocations for the 2026 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. The allocations, which include at least six bids for eight weight classes, will be determined by placings at the Big 12 Wrestling Championship March 6-7 in Tulsa, Okla.

The coaches' ranking and RPI are two of several criteria that will be evaluated during the at-large selection and seeding process along with head-to-head competition, quality wins, conference tournament placement, results versus common opponents and win percentage.

A full description of the entire selection process for the 2026 Division I Wrestling Championships is available at ncaa.org.

The 2026 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships take place March 19-21 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, marking the third time the city will host.

Third Coaches Rankings/Second RPI
125: Brady Roark: 21/34
133: Cale Seaton: 31/25
141: Julian Tagg: 10/19
157: Cael Swensen: 16/24
165: Marcus Espinoza-Owens: 29/40
174: Moses Espinoza-Owens: 14/19
184: Brock Fettig: NR/37
197: Bennett Berge: 6/NR
285: Luke Rasmussen: 28/34

ALLOCATION TABLE:

Conference	125	133	141	149	157	165	174	184	197	285	Total
Atlantic Coast Conference	5	3	5	4	4	4	3	4	3	4	39
Big 12 Conference	5	8	7	5	5	4	7	8	8	6	63
Big Ten Conference	9	8	7	9	8	9	10	8	10	9	87
Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association	2	2	3	1	2	4	3	3	2	4	26
Ivy League	2	2	3	3	4	3	2	1	1	2	23
Mid-American Conference	2	4	2	4	4	2	2	3	2	2	27
Pacific-12 Conference	2	1	1	2	1	1	1	1	2	1	13
Southern Conference	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	10
Pre-Allocations	28	29	29	29	29	28	29	29	29	29	288
At-Large	5	4	4	4	4	5	4	4	4	4	42

-GoJacks.com-

Calendar

Upcoming Events

Recent Results

Players Mentioned

Bennett Berge

Marcus Espinoza-Owens

Moses Espinoza-Owens

Brock Fettig

Luke Rasmussen

Brady Roark

Cale Seaton

Cael Swensen

Julian Tagg

Upcoming Event: Wrestling versus Big 12 Championships on March 6, 2026

Upcoming Event: Wrestling versus NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships on March 19, 2026

Completed Event: Wrestling versus North Dakota State on February 22, 2026 , Loss , 13, to, 20

Completed Event: Wrestling versus Jackrabbits Open on February 15, 2026 , , 4 Champions

Completed Event: Wrestling versus #19 Northern Iowa on February 8, 2026 , Loss , 13, to, 19

Completed Event: Wrestling versus Northern Colorado on February 1, 2026 , Win , 31, to, 10

Completed Event: Wrestling versus Air Force on January 30, 2026 , Win , 37, to, 5

Completed Event: Wrestling versus #3 Iowa State on January 25, 2026 , Loss , 7, to, 29

South Dakota State University Athletics