MANHEIM, Pa.  The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) on Monday released its third list of rankings for the 2024-25 season, a list that shows Western Colorado's Cole Hernandez atop the 174-pound, NCAA Division II rankings.

Hernandez is 12-1 this season with his only defeat coming in the semifinal round of the Midwest Classic (De. 14-15) at which he rebounded with a 7-2 decision to advance to the 3rd/4th-place match, which he won by a 20-5 technical fall.

Hernandez is a returning two-time All-American, placing sixth in the 2023 NCAA DII championship and seventh at the championship last season.

Joining Hernandez in the NWCA rankings is teammate Dean Noble, who is third in the 149-pound rankings.

Noble, a 2024 All-American, is also 12-1 this season, his only loss coming in the championship match of the Midwest Classic.

The team rankings were also released Monday, showing Western Colorado up two spots to No. 13.

The Mountaineers this week are on the road for back-to-back-to-back duals, beginning with an exhibition match at Northeastern Junior College on Thursday, Jan. 23.

A Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference dual at Chadron State College follows on Friday, before the road trip concludes at Colorado School of Mines on Saturday for another RMAC dual.