Fort Hays State wrestler Walker Clarke is ranked No. 1 in the 184-pound class in the latest NCAA Division II rankings, released today (Jan. 11) by the NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches Association. The Tiger wrestlers as a team dropped from 12th to 15th in the poll, while sophomore Mitchell Means also fell in the 149-pound class, dropping from No. 2 to No. 3.

Clarke, a junior from Stillwater, Okla., rose in the rankings from No. 3 to No. 1, passing Derek Skala of St. Cloud State (Minn.) and Mitch Schulz of Upper Iowa. Clarke is 11-1 on the season with his only loss coming at the Midwest Classic to Kyle Reid of McKendree, where Clarke finished sixth. Clarke won his weight class at the Newman Invitational and Bob Smith Open this season.

Means, a sophomore from Goddard, Kan., dropped one place in the 149-pound class. Raufeon Stotts of Nebraska-Kearney jumped to No. 2 after being unranked in the last poll. Means, an All-American a season ago, was ranked No. 2 in the two previous polls. Most recently, Means won the Newman Invitational on Dec. 11.

The Tigers fell from No. 12 to No. 15 in the poll. FHSU is 3-1 this season in duals, including 2-1 in the RMAC. In their three wins, the Tigers defeated Central Oklahoma (21-18), who is No. 6 in the polls; New Mexico (40-12) and Chadron State (24-10). FHSU dropped a close 18-15 decision to No. 20 CSU-Pueblo for their lone loss in dual action.

Rank School (State) Points Last Ranking
1. St. Cloud State (Minn.) 160 3rd
2. Newberry (S.C.) 152 1st
3. Upper Iowa 141 2nd
4. Nebraska-Kearney 138 4th
5. Augustana (S.D.) 127 6th
6. Central Oklahoma 116 7th
7. Grand Canyon (Ariz.) 112 5th
8. Mercyhurst (Pa.) 93 8th
9. Wisconsin-Parkside 85 11th
10. Limestone (S.C.) 80 NR
T11. King (Tenn.) 79 15th
T11. Adams State (Colo.) 79 9th
13. Pittsburgh-Johnstown (Pa.) 63 14th
14. West Liberty (W.Va.) 60 13th
15. Fort Hays State (Kan.) 47 12th
16. Findlay (Ohio) 40 17th
17. Minnesota State 27 19th
18. Ashland (Ohio) 23 10th
19. San Francisco State (Calif.) 16 NR
20. Colorado State-Pueblo 11 NR

Others receiving votes: Chadron State (Neb.), Colorado Mesa, East Stroudsburg (Pa.), Gannon (Pa.), Kutztown (Pa.), Mary (N.D.), Maryville (Mo.), North Carolina-Pembroke, Western State (Colo.).

-FHSU Sports Information-