NIACC wrestlers ranked 7th
MASON CITY - The NIACC wrestling team is ranked seventh in the first rankings of the 2022 calendar year.
Western Wyoming is ranked first in the third rankings of the 2021-22 season. Pratt CC is ranked second.
Indian Hills is tied for third, Iowa Western is ranked eighth, Iowa Central is ranked 10th, Ellsworth is 18th and Iowa Lakes is ranked 20th.
NIACC has five ranked wrestlers, including top-ranked 165-pounder Christian Minto. Minto is the defending 165-pound national champion.
Other ranked NIACC wrestlers are Clarence Lee-Green (9th at 133 pounds), Deville Dentis (2nd at 149 pounds), Chase McCleish (8th at 184 pounds) and Jose Valdez (2nd at 197 pounds).
Valdez was the runner-up at 197 pounds at the 2021 national tournament.
NIACC returns to action Saturday at the Central College Invitational in Pella.
Notes: Lee-Green is 4-3 in the 2021-22 season ... Dentis is 3-1 ... Minto is 2-0 ... McCleish is 7-2 ... Valdez is 2-0.
NJCAA team rankings
1. Western Wyoming; 2. Pratt; 3. Northeastern Oklahoma A&M; 3. Clackamas; 5. Indian Hills; 6. North Idaho; 7. NIACC; 8. Iowa Western; 9. Muskegon; 10. Iowa Central; 11. Cloud County; 12. Triton; 13. Cowley; 14. Southwestern Oregon; 15. Harper; 15. Labette; 17. Niagara; 18. Ellsworth; 19. Northwest Kansas Tech; 20. RCTC; 20. Iowa Lakes.
