On Monday, the NCAA released the first coaches ranking of the 2023-24 season, with Rutgers wrestling getting some good representation.
Rutgers is currently 10-2 on the season.
No. 14 Rutgers wrestling had nine wrestlers appear in the coaches’ rankings, including six in the top 16 (No. 5 Yaraslau Slavikouski (HWT), No. 7 Dylan Shawver (133), No. 8 John Poznanski (197), No. 11 Mitch Moore (141), No. 13 Jackson Turley (174), and No. 16 Dean Peterson (125)).
These rankings are determined by a vote of 14 coaches in each weight class, with two head coaches from each of the seven conferences. Also, these wrestlers must have eight matches in their weight classes to qualify for this poll.
Rutgers in the First NCAA Coaches’ Rankings
| Ranking | Wrestler | Weight Class |
| No. 5 | Yaraslau Slavikouski | HWT |
| No. 7 | Dylan Shawver | 133 |
| No. 8 | John Pozanski | 197 |
| No. 11 | Mitch Moore | 141 |
| No. 13 | Jackson Turley | 174 |
| No. 16 | Dean Peterson | 125 |
| No. 18 | Brian Soldano | 184 |
| No. 27 | Andrew Clark | 157 |
| No. 33 | Michael Cetta | 149 |
The next time the Scarlet Knights hit the mat is on Saturday, January 27, when they host No. 9 Minnesota as Rutgers continues their quest to the 2024 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships on March 21-23.
Note to wrestling coaches/media/fans
First coaching poll- a wrestler must have 8 matches at the weight
Rankings were due last Thursday. They do not reflect this past weekends matches.
This would of helped if the wrestling community would of been notified
— Coach Scott Goodale (@CoachGoodale) January 22, 2024
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The NCAA coaches’ rankings are one of several categories the NCAA Division I Wrestling Committee evaluates when choosing their selections for the 2024 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. Other criteria the committee reviews when selecting are head-to-head competition, quality wins, Ratings Percentage Index (RPI), conference tournament placement, results versus common opponents, and win percentage.