The 2018-19 NCWA season will start just as it ended...with Mid-Atlantic Conference foes The Apprentice School (Newport News, VA) and Liberty University (Lynchburg, VA) battling out for the top spot at year's end. The Apprentice School was edged out by Liberty by a 1/2 point in last year's National Tournament in Allen, TX. 2nd year Head Coach Micah Amrozowicz had vowed to not let that happen again as he reloads the Shipbuilders' squad with several returning All-Americans that did not compete in last season's 2nd place finish. Sixteen of the #1 ranked Shipbuilders (79 total ranking points) on this year's squad are currently ranked in the top-15 with two returning champions in Colton Messick (Jr-125) and Ross Graham (Jr-197). Also ranked #1 for the Builders is Chad Simmons who is moving up from 157 to 165 after finishing in 2nd last season. Liberty is ranked #2 as a team with 68 points and 13 wrestlers ranked including a returning champion of their own in Austin Amos (Sr-197 after winning at 235 in 2018). Sharing the spotlight with Austin will be #2 ranked Jeff Allen at 235 (transfer from Virginia Tech) and #1 ranked Dominick Johnson at 285 (finished 6th last year).

For full rankings view the following PDF: 2018-19 NCWA Preseason Rankings.

Rounding out the top-10 in Division 1 are perennial contenders Central Florida (40), Grand Valley State (33), Toledo (29), UMBC (27), Grays Harbor (20), Temple (17), Middle Tennessee State (15), and North Texas / Springfield Tech CC (14). Division 2 is currently spear-headed by East Carolina (18 points), West Chester (14), Iowa State WC (13), Penn State WC (13-returning D2 Champions), and 6 other squads with 12 and 11 points.

The #1 ranked wrestlers in each weight class include Colton Messick (Jr, Apprentice - 125), De'Ante Evans (Sr, Toledo - 133, 2nd in '18), Tyler Sage (Sr, Florida - 141, 2nd in '18), Zach Blevins (So, Toledo - 149, 1st in '18), Dan Ritz (Sr, Penn State WC - 157, 3rd in '18), Chad Simmons (Sr, Apprentice - 165), Jacob Berry (So, Springfield Tech - 174, 3rd in '18), Vincent Levin (Jr, Florida Gulf Coast - 184, 3rd in '18), Ross Graham (Jr, Apprentice - 197), Harun Bogdanic (Sr, Grand Valley State - 235, 4th in '18), and Dominick Johnson (Sr, Liberty - 285, 6th in '18).