Five Wrestlers Ranked in Initial RPI Rankings

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - The NCAA released the second of four coaches' panel rankings and the debut reveal of the ratings percentage index (RPI) for the 2018-19 wrestling season. The final rankings will be tools used as part of the selection process to determine qualifiers and seeding for the 2019 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships on March 21-23 at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. Half of CSU Bakersfield's starting lineup was ranked in the top 33 competitors in the RPI rankings, led by No. 10 Sean Nickell at 133 pounds.

Nickell has been nationally ranked nearly all season, but has hovered between No. 15-No. 20, saw himself crack the top 20 in the RPI. He ranks 22nd in the coaches rankings. The redshirt season sports a 20-8 record on the year with his biggest win coming against No. 16 Matthew Schmitt of West Virginia. The Bakersfield native was rewarded for his effort with the Pac-12 Wrestler of the Week award after the big win.

Dominic Ducharme also cracked the top 20 for the Roadrunners and was slotted at No. 17 in the RPI. He was ranked 29th by the coaches. The 184-pounder is the reigning conference wrestler of the week and has 19 victories on the season. The redshirt sophomore has been on fire since December, going 12-4 in his last 16 matches, including a decision over No. 22 Jackson Hemauer of Fresno State last Saturday.

Russell Rohlfing and Jacob Thalin both check in at No. 27 in their respective weight classes in the RPI ratings. Rohlfing was the highest rated Roadrunner by the coaches' panel, checking in at No. 19. He is currently ranked No. 20 by FloWrestling and owns decisions over No. 6 Jarrett Degen of Iowa State and No. 9 Pat Lugo of Iowa. Rohlfing has 15 wins on the year at 149 pounds. Thalin has mustered a 12-13 record so far this year. The redshirt junior has a big opportunity in front of him on Saturday when he will do battle with No. 5 Josh Shields of Arizona State. His best win to date was early this season when he defeated No. 31 Isaac Bast of Kent State.

Finally, the hero of the Feud on the Field, Carlos Herrera checks in at No. 32. Herrera has managed a 10-14 record, including a 12-4 major decision over Duke's Josh Finesilver, who was rated 19^th. Saturday's match will also be critical for Herrera as his possible opponent Cory Crooks is rated 33^rd.

The Roadrunners will be hunting for their third consecutive victory on Saturday at Arizona State. The dual will be broadcasted on the Pac-12 Network and will begin at 1:30 p.m. MST.

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Players Mentioned

Dominic Ducharme: 184; 6' 0"; Redshirt Sophomore

Carlos Herrera: 141; 5' 6"; Redshirt Junior

Sean Nickell: 133; 5' 7"; Redshirt Senior

Russell Rohlfing: 141; 5' 10"; Redshirt Junior

Jacob Thalin: 165; 6' 0"; Redshirt Junior

Players Mentioned

Dominic Ducharme
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Sophomore
: 184

Carlos Herrera
: 5' 6"; Redshirt Junior
: 141

Sean Nickell
: 5' 7"; Redshirt Senior
: 133

Russell Rohlfing
: 5' 10"; Redshirt Junior
: 141

Jacob Thalin
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Junior
: 165