INDIANAPOLIS--- The NCAA released Friday the first of three coaches’ panel rankings for the 2011-12 wrestling season. The final rankings will be one of the tools used as part of the selection process to determine the qualifiers for 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 to earn spots for the 2012 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. The coaches’ rankings are compiled by a vote of coaches across the nation. 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.

The top-ranked wrestlers at each weight class in the inaugural rankings are: Zachary Sanders, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (125 pounds); Devin Carter, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (133 pounds); Kendric Maple, University of Oklahoma (141 pounds); Frank Molinaro, Pennsylvania State University (149 pounds); Kyle Dake, Cornell University (157 pounds); David Taylor, Penn State (165 pounds); Nick Amuchastegui, Stanford University (174 pounds); Joe LeBlanc, University of Wyoming (184 pounds); Christopher Honeycutt, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania (197 pounds) and Ryan Flores, American University (Heavyweight).

Click here for January 19 Wrestling Coaches Panel Rankings