On Friday, the NCAA released the first of three coaches' panel rankings for the 2011-12 wrestling season and six Eagles were featured, including top-ranked heavyweight Ryan Flores. The final rankings will be part of the selection process to determine the qualifiers for the 2012 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships.

To participate in the 2012 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, wrestlers in each weight class will be measured by winning percentage, rating percentage index (RPI) and coaches' rankings. The coaches' rankings are compiled by a vote of coaches across the nation, where each qualifying tournament has five coaches rank the top 33 wrestlers in two weight classes. For ranking purposes, coaches must select a wrestler as a starter at a designated weight class. In addition, coaches may only select one wrestler per weight class.

Six American student-athletes are featured in the first set of rankings with two Eagles appearing in the top-three at their respective weight class. At heavyweight, Flores is No. 1 as he has posted a 7-0 record this season with six pins. Fellow senior Ganbayar Sanjaa has defeated three ranked opponents this year en route to a 13-1 record. The Midlands runner-up has registered three major decisions, two falls, and one technical fall.

Matt Mariacher comes in at No. 12 at 141 lbs. with a 16-5 record this year. The senior has recorded three major decisions, two falls, and two technical falls. Junior Daniel Mitchell, meanwhile, is also in the top-20, checking in at No. 17 at 197 lbs. The Midlands placewinner is 12-6 on the campaign with four pins and three major decisions.

The Eagles have two other wrestlers in the top-33 at their weight classes, No. 31 Thomas Williams at 125 lbs. and No. 32 Kevin Tao at 149 lbs. Williams is 14-9 this year with four falls, four major decisions, and one technical fall. Tao has also posted 14 victories with eight losses and leads the team with eight major decisions along with a technical fall.

The Eagles return to action on tonight, January 20 against North Carolina State at 8 p.m. in Bender Arena. Live video coverage will be available on Eagles Vision TV.