MANHEIM, Pa. -- The Old Dominion wrestling team was ranked No. 16 in the first USA Today/NWCA Division I Coaches Poll released Tuesday. The Monarchs, who begin the season this Sunday, return three All-Americans in 2015-16.
Oklahoma State was ranked No. 1, as the Cowboys return four All-Americans and received 10 of 12 first place votes. Penn State, Michigan, Iowa and returning NCAA Champion Ohio State round out the top five teams.
The Monarchs will square off in dual meet competition against five of the top 25 programs, as ODU will host No. 14 North Carolina and No. 23 Northern Iowa and will travel to No. 9 Missouri, No. 12 NC State and No. 22 Ohio. Virginia, Central Michigan and Kent State, who all received votes, are also on the ODU dual schedule for the 2015-16 year. Additionally, the Monarchs could potentially wrestle No. 6 Virginia Tech and No. 13 Iowa State at the Virginia Duals in January.
Coming in at No. 16, Old Dominion is ranked ahead of some household names such as Big Ten powerhouse Minnesota, Big 12 standout Oklahoma and 2015 NCAA third place team Edinboro.
The Monarchs start off the season on Sunday, Nov. 1 at the Clarion Open, and Alexander Richardson will compete live on ESPNU at 5 p.m. in the 50th Annual NWCA All-Star Classic on the same day.
Complete USA Today/NWCA Coaches Poll
1. Oklahoma State
2. Penn State
3. Michigan
4. Iowa
5. Ohio State
6. Virginia Tech
7. Lehigh
8. Cornell
9. Missouri
10. Nebraska
11. Illinois
12. NC State
13. Iowa State
14. North Carolina
15. Wisconsin
16. Old Dominion
17. Minnesota
18. Rutgers
19. Oregon State
20. Oklahoma
21. West Virginia
22. Ohio
23. Northern Iowa
24. Edinboro
25. North Dakota State
VOUCHER BOOKS
Take advantage of the great offer to attend ODU wrestling matches through the ODU Wrestling Season Ticket Voucher Book available online here. Each voucher book contains 12 vouchers. These vouchers are good for any regular season ODU home wrestling match during the 2015-2016 season.
Be sure to follow Old Dominion Wrestling on Twitter at @ODUWrestling, find them on Facebook at OldDominionWrestling and subscribe to ODU Wrestling on YouTube!