The Barton wrestling team is in the first rankings released for the 2017-18 season. The NJCAA just released the initial rankings this week with the Cougars among four teams in Kansas that are ranked.
Barton comes in at No. 16 in the first poll. The Cougars are tied for that spot with fellow region member Northwest Tech. Both teams accumulated 20 points in the poll. That is one spot back of No. 16 Pratt with 22 points.
The highest ranked team from the region is Colby. The Trojans are ranked No. 6.
Barton finished last season ranked No. 17. The Cougars placed 24th at the NJCAA Championships last winter.
A pair of Iowa teams are ranked 1-2 in the poll. Ellsworth is the No. 1 ranked team while Iowa Western is second along with North Idaho. Iowa Central is ranked fourth and rounding out the top five is Western Wyoming.
Individually, the Cougars have three wrestlers ranked in the Top six of their respective weight class.
Brix Brickey comes in fifth in the 285-pound division. David Kelly is also ranked fifth at 174. Ethan Dean is ranked No. 6 at 197.
Barton is in Lindsborg this weekend for the Bethany Invitational.