Simpson ties for 11th in the nation in recent NWCA poll

MANHEIM, Pa. – After the first week of competition, the Simpson College women's wrestling team has surged into a tie for 11th in the nation in the NWCA's first regular season NCAA Women's Coaches Poll.

The Storm earned 15 points behind a deep lineup featuring ranked competitors at 103, 117, 124, 145, and 160 pounds. Simpson is now the highest ranking institution from the American Rivers Conference.

Simpson is led by Emaline Hicks, who climbs to No. 5 at 103 pounds after a 4-1 opening week highlighted by a statement upset over Iowa's Rianne Murphy, the preseason No. 2.

Annelise Obermark (145) and Keeley Kehrli (160) hold steady at No. 9 in their respective weight classes. Layla Phillips breaks into the rankings at No. 9 at 117 pounds following a 5-1 start that included a win over then-No. 8 Jasmine Luedtke of Wartburg, while Ashley Cannon secures the No. 9 spot at 124 pounds to round out Simpson's ranked contingent.

The Storm return to action this weekend at the Lindenwood Duals in Missouri, opening competition at 9 a.m. against Wayland Baptist.

NWCA INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS
No. 5 Emaline Hicks (103)
No. 9 Layla Phillips (117)
No. 9 Ashley Cannon (124)
No. 9 Annelise Obermark (145)
No. 9 Keeley Kehrli (160)

NWCA TEAM RANKINGS
1. Iowa, 118 points
2. McKendree, 111 points
3. Grand Valley State, 86 points
4. North Central, 78 points
5. Colorado Mesa, 38 points
6. Presbyterian, 35 points
7. King, 24 points
8. Aurora, 18 points
9. East Stroudsburg, 17 points
10. Otterbein, 16 points
t-11. Simpson (IA), 15 points
t-11. Northern Michigan, 15 points
t-13. Fort Hays State, 11 points
t-13. Tiffin, 11 points
15. Emmanuel (GA), 10 points
t-16. Chadron State, 9 points
t-16. Elmira, 9 points
t-16. Eastern, 9 points
19. William Jewell, 8 points
20. Quincy, 7 points
t-21. Adrian, 6 points
t-21. York, 6 points
t-21. New England, 6 points
t-24. Wartburg, 5 points
t-24. Lindenwood, 5 points