When the National Wrestling Coaches Association dual team rankings came out late last week, the Central College wrestling team made their debut at No. 12. It’s the first dual team rankings of the season. Central was not included in the third regular season tournament team rankings.

Individually, senior Shandon Akeo moved up to the no. 3 spot at 125 pounds and Rob Areyano remained at No. 11 at 149 pounds. Akeo is 10-0 on the season, winning five times by fall. Three of his falls came in the first period, including twice within a minute of the match starting. He also earned a bracket title at the Pointer Open in November. Areyano is 9-2 on the season, winning six times by fall. He has won his last six matches and has notched 18 takedowns. He defeated No. 12 Riley Wright of Coe College earlier this season and has only lost to a Division II wrestler and the No. 6 wrestler in Division 3 from North Central College in Illinois.

As a team, Central is 5-2 on the season and have won five straight matches after losses against No. 1 Coe College and No. 10 Johnson & Wales University (R.I.). Central wrestling’s next competition is hosting a triangular against Schreiner University (Texas) and St. John’s University (Minn.) on Friday.