ALLEN, Texas – Liberty University leads the NCWA Championships after the first day, advancing seven wrestlers into the quarterfinals but using its depth with nine other alive in the consolation rounds for a 74-point total and a moderate cushion over the field. The Apprentice School is comfortably in second place for the moment with 66.5 points, while Central Florida is 14 points back in third with 60 points. Two-time defending champion Emmanuel College is fourth with 56 points, with BYU just behind in fifth at 55.5. Grays Harbor College and Washington State are tied for sixth at 50 points.

We have broken down our first-day coverage into separate stories on each weight class on our site.

Full coverage of the NCWA Championships is available to watch and follow along at www.arena.flowrestling.org. Wrestling begins again at 9 a.m. Friday with the championship quarterfinals and the two rounds of 16 consolation matches. The championship semifinals are at 7 p.m.

The top 20 after Thursday’s action is:
1. Liberty – 74
2. Apprentice – 66.5
3. Central Florida – 60
4. Emmanuel College – 56
5. BYU – 55.5
6t. Grays Harbor College – 50
6t. Washington State – 50
8t. Middle Tennessee – 49
8t. Springfield Tech CC – 49
10. Grand Valley State – 46
11. Md.-Baltimore County – 45.5
12. Queens Univ. of Charlotte – 42
13. Colorado State – 33
14. Toledo – 32
15. Alfred State – 31
16. Akron – 29
17. Maine – 28
18. Florida – 27
19. Penn State WC – 25.5
20. Iowa State WC – 25