2023-24 NCAA DI Rankings

141 - Jesse Mendez

Jesse Mendez ends the year as the NCAA Champion after defeating Beau Bartlett in dramatic fashion in the NCAA Finals with a last-second takedown. Most of the rankings follow the results from the NCAA Tournament, however it's worth explaining a few of the wrestlers' spots at 141.

First, Lachlan McNeil sits at the #7 spot even though he defeated Real Woods and placed 6th at the NCAA Tournament. After McNeil's win over Woods, McNeil lost to Beau Bartlett in the semis and then injury defaulted out of the tournament. We're not faulting him for that loss but we're rewarding Woods for wrestling the rest of the tournament and defeating Anthony Echemendia. It's also worth mentioning that McNeil has losses on the year to Cole Matthews (2), Ryan Jack (2), Tom Crook, and Real Woods. 

The other wrestler worth explaining is Vance Vombaur - especially in his relation to Cael Happel who Vombaur defeated at NCAAs. After that victory, Vombaur went on to place 8th and also defeated Josh Edmond. However, at Big Tens, Vombaur dropped matches to Mitch Moore and Brock Hardy. During the regular season, Vombaur was defeated by Mitch Moore (twice), Brock Hardy (twice) Danny Pucino, Real Woods, Lachlan McNeil, and Gavin Drexler. Despite the loss to Vombaur, Happel had a much better season with wins over Brock Hardy (twice), Sergio Lemley, and Anthony Echemendia. Because of that, Happel remains ranked above Vombaur. 

Do you have questions or comments for the rankers? We welcome and encourage your feedback. Hit up Jon Kozak (email: Jonathan.Kozak@flosports.tv; Twitter: @KozakJon) and JD Rader (email: jd.rader@flosports.tv; Twitter: @rader_jd).