The Newberry College wrestling team secured all eight second place votes and kept the No. 2 spot in the Dec. 16 edition of the NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches Association poll.

Newberry (4-3) received 152 votes and kept the second place in the rankings for the second week in a row.

Nebraska-Omaha was the unanimous choice again at No. 1, with 160 points. Since the last poll, Newberry topped No. 5 Adams State, 42-7, No. 15 Findlay, 36-7, and No. 20 Grand Canyon, 33-15, at the Newberry Duals on December 5. Findlay jumped four spots and Grand Canyon achieved its first ranking of the season after the teams' appearances at the Duals, while Adams State slipped two places from No. 3.

While Newberry has already downed several ranked squads, the team will face others in the upcoming weeks. The Scarlet and Gray will square off against No. 4 Pittsburgh-Johnstown on January 22, which moves up one spot from No. 5. The Scarlet and Gray will also match up against No. 13 West Liberty on January 23, and both No. 16 Gannon and No. 19 Mercyhurst on January 30. West Liberty and Gannon both moved up one spot in the rankings, while Mercyhurst dropped one place. UNC Pembroke is also receiving votes in this edition of the rankings, and Newberry hosted the Braves at the Newberry Duals and will face the team on February 2, in Pembroke, N.C.

In addition to the team ranking, Newberry also features three wrestlers ranked nationally in their respective weight classes.

Matt Oliver (Toms River, N.J.) retains the No. 3 ranking at 125 lbs. Oliver has gone 14-2 in 2009 and defeated opponents from No. 15 Findlay and Division I foe No. 15 Kent State since the release of last edition's rankings. Oliver has a dual record of 6-1 this season and four of his 14 wins have come by fall.

Bryant Blanton (Summerville) keeps the No. 2 ranking at 184 lbs. Blanton has compiled an 18-4 record this year. Blanton has 10 falls on the year and 18 wins, which leads the Scarlet and Gray in both categories. Blanton won his matches against all three opponents at the Newberry Duals and earned a victory against Kent State.

Keeno Griffin (Jacksonville, Fla.) rounds out Newberry’s representation in the national rankings, staying at No. 1 at 197 lbs. Griffin has a 9-2 record this season and his most recent win, a 3-1 overtime win against Michigan, brought his current winning streak to seven. Griffin also won his match against Kent State and won all three of his matches at the Newberry Duals, including a 3-1 sudden victory win over Adams State’s Kyle Sand, who is ranked No. 1 at 184 lbs. in the newest rankings.

Newberry returns to competition on January 2 and 3, when the team travels to Indianapolis, Ind., to compete in the Midwest Classic.