Completed Event: Wrestling at #21 Oklahoma on January 30, 2026 , Win , 29, to, 10
Final
Wrestling
29
#21 Oklahoma
10
Iowa State University Athletics
NCAA Releases Pre-Allocation Spots, Third Coaches' Rankings, Second RPI
02.26.2026 | Wrestling
AMES, Iowa - The NCAA Division I Wrestling Committee announced the pre-allocation spots for the 2026 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships on Thursday.
The Big 12 was awarded 63 allocations, the second-most of any conference. Those allocations are broken down by weight class below and represent how many Big 12 Championship placewinners at each weight will automatically qualify for the NCAA Championships.
Big 12 Allocations By Weight
125:Â 5
133:Â 8
141:Â 7
149:Â 5
157:Â 5
165:Â 4
174:Â 7
184:Â 8
197:Â 8
285:Â 6
Total:Â 63
Each qualifying tournament was awarded pre-allocations to the national tournament based on regular season performance by conference wrestlers through February 23. The pre-allocations were determined by using a sliding scale of the three standards, win percentage, coaches' rank, and RPI ranking; while never going below the base of .700 winning percentage, top 30 coaches' ranking and top 30 RPI ranking until reaching the maximum of 29 wrestlers per weight class.
For each wrestler that reached the threshold in at least two of the three categories, his conference tournament was awarded a qualifying spot in that weight class. Each conference is awarded a minimum of one automatic qualification per weight class, which will go to the tournament champion, even if they did not have any wrestlers reach at least two of the three thresholds. NCAA championship spots for each qualifying event will be awarded at conference tournaments based solely on place-finish.
All 10 designated Cyclone starters received an allocation at their respective weight class. Eight Cyclones allocated via their coaches rank and RPI. Evan Frost (133) and Rocky Elam (197), who did not meet the 15-match minimum to receive an RPI, allocated via coaches rank and win percentage.
After all the conference tournaments have concluded, the NCAA Division I Wrestling Committee will meet in-person to select the remaining 42 at-large qualifiers, which will be announced on March 10, while brackets and seeding will be announced on NCAA.com at 8 p.m. on March 11. All weight classes will consist of 33 wrestlers.
Additionally, the NCAA released the third coaches rankings and second RPI of the season.
ISU Coaches Rank/RPI
125: Stevo Poulin - 10/8
133: Evan Frost - 6/-
141: Anthony Echemendia - 3/9
149: Jacob Frost - 10/20
157: Vinny Zerban - 6/5
165: Connor Euton - 16/21
174: MJ Gaitan - 12/11
184: Isaac Dean - 11/10
197: Rocky Elam - 2/-
285: Yonger Bastida - 1/5
The coaches' rankings are determined by a vote of three coaches in each weight class. Â For ranking purposes, coaches may only consider a wrestler that has been designated as a starter at a respective weight class. Wrestlers must have eight Division I matches in the weight class to be considered with at least one match within the last 30 days.
The RPI is a calculation that consists of three factors: winning percentage, opponent winning percentage (strength of schedule) and opponent's opponent winning percentage (opponent's strength of schedule). Only matches against Division I opponents at the designated weight class count towards the RPI and a wrestler needs to have wrestled 15 matches to be ranked. No forfeit of any kind counts toward the match minimum.
The coaches' ranking and RPI are two of several criteria that will be evaluated during the at-large selection and seeding process along with head-to-head competition, quality wins, conference tournament placement, results versus common opponents and win percentage.
The 2026 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships take place March 19-21 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland.
Players Mentioned
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