MASON CITY – The NIACC wrestling team is ranked fifth in the NJCAA poll released Wednesday and have wrestlers ranked in seven of the 10 weight classes.
The Trojans were sixth in the preseason poll and sixth in the December poll.
Clackamas CC is ranked first, North Idaho is second, Iowa Central is third and Northeastern Oklahoma A&M is fourth.
Ellsworth is ranked eighth.
NIACC sophomores Nosomy Pozo (18-5 with 3 pins) is ranked No. 1 at 149 pounds and Yoanse Mejias (19-2 with 5 pins) is top-ranked at 157 pounds. Pozo and Mejias are both defending national champions at their respective weights.
Also for NIACC, freshman Paul Mascarenas (14-5 with 3 pins) is ranked third at 125 pounds, Shiquan Hall (15-5 with 4 pins) is ranked 12th at 133 pounds, freshman Jake Marlin (9-2 with 3 pins) is 10th at 141 pounds, freshman Ben Wallace (10-7 with 8 pins) is fifth at 184 pounds and freshman Lawrence Phillips (8-4 with 6 pins) is 12th at 285 pounds.
NIACC returns to action Saturday at the Central College Open in Pella.
NJCAA wrestling team rankings
Clackamas CC; North Idahol College; Iowa Central; Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College; NIACC; Muskegon CC; Labette CC; Ellsworth; Southwestern Oregon CC; Nassau CC; Northwest College; Western Wyoming CC; Springfield Technical CC; Harper College; Neosho County CC; Colby CC; Darton State College; Northwest Kansas Technical College; Highline College; Jamestown CC.
