SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio -- Notre Dame retained its No. 1 ranking in the most recent release of the NAIA Coaches' Poll on Tuesday. (NAIA Release)

The Wrestling Falcons garnered 119.5 points in what was the fifth poll of the 2010-11 season. NDC was a mere 3-1/2 points ahead of Grand View (Iowa), which garnered 115 points on the strength of 12 ranked grapplers. Notre Dame had 10 of its wrestlers earn Top-10 nods, including #Jeffrey Pelton# (149 pounds), #Thomas Straughn# (157), #Derek Foore# (197) and #Orlando Scales# (Hwt.). Foore is one of two top-ranked wrestlers in the nation who is undefeated on the season. The 2010 national champion at 197 is 18-0 this season after going 4-0 at last week's Simonson Open in Ashland, Ohio.

The NDC mat men have now occupied the top spot in the rankings in 12 consecutive polls dating back to Nov. 24, 2009. Their grasp on that No. 1 spot, however, was lightened a bit by the emergence of Grand View. The 3-1/2-point margin between the Falcons and Vikings marks the slimmest point lead for NDC in any of the 12 polls.

McKendree (Ill.) and Campbellsville (Ky.) were tabbed as the No. 3 and 4 teams in the poll, respectively, with 83 and 82 points. Notre Dame will face Campbellsville as part of a twin dual in Kentucky on Saturday. No. 17 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) will be the other team NDC tangles with in a round-robin of ranked teams.

The Blue & White had at least one wrestler ranked in eight weight classes. The Falcons did not have an athlete ranked at either 125 or 133.

The poll was voted upon by a panel of head coaches representing each of four regional groupings. The next poll will be announced on Feb. 8.


Won-loss records noted are for collegiate bouts except where noted otherwise. Collegiate bouts do not include those against junior college and club opponents.