FULL NCAA RELEASE

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Nine Mizzou Wrestling grapplers were represented in the NCAA Wrestling Coaches' Panel rankings, announced Thursday by the organization. The rankings are the first of four to be released and will be one tool in determining qualifiers for the 2016 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, held March 17-19 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

To be eligible for the rankings, wrestlers must be designated a starter in their respective weight class, compete in five matches against Division I opponents, and have wrestled in the last 30 days.

In addition to the coaches' rankings, wrestlers will be measured by winning percentage and rating percentage index (RPI) in order to earn a spot at the 2016 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships.

Four Tigers were ranked in the top-five in their respective weight classes, led by junior 197-pounder J'den Cox (Columbia, Mo.), who was ranked No. 2 at 197 pounds. Cox, the 2014 197-pound National Champion, is 8-1 in dual competition and 18-1 overall, recording seven technical falls, tied for fifth-most in a season in program history. Redshirt sophomore 184-pounder Willie Miklus (Altoona, Iowa) was ranked at No. 3 at 184 pounds. Miklus leads the Tigers in dual points this season with 44, tallying four falls en route to 9-0 record in dual competition.

#TigerStyle's only undefeated wrestler, redshirt junior 149-pounder Lavion Mayes (Mascoutah, Ill.) came in at No. 3 at 149 pounds. The Tiger junior is 18-0 this season and 9-0 in dual competition. Mayes has captured individual titles at the Joe Parisi Open and the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational. Redshirt freshman 165-pounder Daniel Lewis (Blue Springs, Mo.) came in at No. 4 at 165 pounds. Lewis took home the "Most Falls in the Least Amount of Time" Award in December at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational. The Missouri native has eight falls on the season, all coming in the first period.

Redshirt junior 141-pounder Matt Manley (Perry, Okla.) was rated No. 6 in the 141-pound weight class. Manley has 22 wins on the season, the most of any Tiger. Coming in at No. 8 at 174 pounds was redshirt senior Blaise Butler (Belvidere, Ill.). Butler is 10-3 on the season and placed third at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational. Redshirt junior 133-pounder Zach Synon (Cary, Ill.), 14-5 on the season, ranked No. 10 at 133 pounds. With a 13-5 record on the season, redshirt sophomore 125-pounder Barlow McGhee (Rock Island, Ill.) ranked No. 11. After moving up two weight classes, redshirt senior 157-pounder Le'Roy Barnes (Belton, Mo.) came in at No. 29 at 157 pounds. Barnes is 9-4 since moving up to the 157-pound weight class.

Mizzou will hit the road for its next dual, squaring off against No. 5-ranked Oklahoma State on Friday, Jan. 22. The dual from Stillwater, Okla. is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. CT.

For all the latest on Mizzou Wrestling, stay tuned to MUTigers.com and follow the team on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (MizzouWrestling).

MAC Wrestlers Ranked