The rankings situation at 141 pounds is probably one of the most compelling situations we’ve seen in a very long time. So let’s sum up the problem before explaining the resolution. 

NC State senior Kevin Jack defeated Wyoming senior Bryce Meredith at the All-Star Classic to start the season. Then Cornell freshman Yianni Diakomihalis defeated Meredith at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational on Dec. 2 to make a huge move in the rankings. 

Fast forward to last week and Meredith takes out Missouri redshirt sophomore Jaydin Eierman and Jack on his way to a title in Reno. Then the biggest result came a few days later when Meredith knocked off Oklahoma State redshirt senior Dean Heil and put an end to two-time returning NCAA champ's 55-match win streak.

And that is the problem faced. Who gets the No. 1 spot? Let’s get to the explanation of how things shook out at the top of 141.

This might be the most controversial new No. 1 we've had in recent memory, and we can honestly appreciate the legitimate gripes from the Heil or Diakomihalis supporters. 

However, we put more stock in the greater number of top-tier wins by Meredith this season and used his signature win over Heil in front of his hometown crowd in Cheyenne, WY, as the ultimate deciding factor. 

Meredith is a two-time All-American, finishing fourth and second in the last two tournaments, respectively, so he has already proven himself as an upper-echelon guy. As the rankings stand now, Meredith has wins over Nos. 2, 4, 5, 8 (twice), 9, 11 (twice), and 20. Of the contenders in the top four (Meredith, Heil, Diakomihalis, and Jack), only Meredith has more than four top 20 wins. Also, no one else, but him has multiple top five wins.

Watch Bryce Meredith take out Dean Heil to close out the dual:

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Obviously, the strong arguments for Dean or Yianni to be No. 1 are recognized. Yianni has the head-to-head win over Meredith, who has the head-to-head win over Heil. On the other hand, Heil was riding a 55-match win streak, and there is precedent for giving two-time defending champs a mulligan after surprising upsets (e.g. Logan Stieber, Ed Ruth, etc). But when you combine Meredith's pedigree, superior wins this season, and signature victory over a legend, his bona fides outweigh his two losses this year, shooting the Cheyenne gunslinger up to the No. 1 spot. 

Which brings us to our next conundrum: ranking the No. 2 and 3 wrestlers. While it may seem counterintuitive to move Diakomihalis down one slot despite the fact that he is undefeated on the year, strength of schedule matters, and Yianni, through no fault of his own, has not faced as tough a schedule as Meredith. Nor does he have the body of work close to that of Heil. 

Watch Yianni Diakomihalis take out Bryce Meredith at CKLV:

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No matter the order, there will always be valid arguments to the contrary. And because the All-Star Classic matches don't count for seeding purposes (but they do for our rankings), we very well might see Diakomihalis close out the season undefeated and earn the No. 1 seed in March. 

So for CP and Spey, if you agree with our rankings, our sincere thanks. And if you disagree, it was the other guy that made that decision!

Want to get in touch with the rankers? Follow Christian and Andrew on Twitter @CPyles8 and @SpeyWrestle or email: Christian.pyles@flosports.tv or andrew.spey@flosports.tv