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Barket, Wallace Remain in NCAA Coaches’ Rankings
2/16/2026 9:29:00 AM | Wrestling
DURHAM, N.C. — The NCAA released its second edition of the coaches' rankings for the 2026 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championship with the Duke tandem of Connor Barket and Aidan Wallace still among those listed.Â
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Wallace was ranked No. 27 in the 174-pound class, while Barket was No. 23 overall at heavyweight.Â
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The coaches' rankings are determined by a vote of three coaches in each weight class. For ranking purposes, coaches may only consider a wrestler that has been designated as a starter at a respective weight class. Wrestlers must have eight Division I matches in the weight class to be considered, with at least one within the last 30 days.
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A product of Mahwah, New Jersey, Wallace dropped three spots to No. 27 in the ranking at 174 pounds. He has logged a 25-3 record on the season and has won seven out of his last eight bouts. Wallace's 25 wins on the year ranks tied for fifth on Duke's single-season record charts.Â
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Barket, who is from West Lafayette, Indiana, remained No. 23 in the NCAA rankings with an 18-5 ledger. His 18 wins on the year ranks tied for seventh in the Blue Devil single-season record book. Barket is looking for his second appearance in the NCAA Championship and is currently 12-3 in dual match action.Â
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The coaches' ranking is one of several criteria that will be evaluated by the NCAA Division I Wrestling Committee during the at-large selection and seeding process along with head-to-head competition, quality wins, Ratings Percentage Index (RPI), conference tournament placement, results versus common opponents and win percentage.
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The 2026 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships will take place March 19-21 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland.Â
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Duke enters the final week of the regular season with two bouts remaining – at Virginia Tech Friday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m., before hosting Cornell Sunday, Feb. 22 at 12 p.m.
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To stay up to date with Blue Devils wrestling, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWRES".
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#GoDuke
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Wallace was ranked No. 27 in the 174-pound class, while Barket was No. 23 overall at heavyweight.Â
Â
The coaches' rankings are determined by a vote of three coaches in each weight class. For ranking purposes, coaches may only consider a wrestler that has been designated as a starter at a respective weight class. Wrestlers must have eight Division I matches in the weight class to be considered, with at least one within the last 30 days.
Â
A product of Mahwah, New Jersey, Wallace dropped three spots to No. 27 in the ranking at 174 pounds. He has logged a 25-3 record on the season and has won seven out of his last eight bouts. Wallace's 25 wins on the year ranks tied for fifth on Duke's single-season record charts.Â
Â
Barket, who is from West Lafayette, Indiana, remained No. 23 in the NCAA rankings with an 18-5 ledger. His 18 wins on the year ranks tied for seventh in the Blue Devil single-season record book. Barket is looking for his second appearance in the NCAA Championship and is currently 12-3 in dual match action.Â
Â
The coaches' ranking is one of several criteria that will be evaluated by the NCAA Division I Wrestling Committee during the at-large selection and seeding process along with head-to-head competition, quality wins, Ratings Percentage Index (RPI), conference tournament placement, results versus common opponents and win percentage.
Â
The 2026 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships will take place March 19-21 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland.Â
Â
Duke enters the final week of the regular season with two bouts remaining – at Virginia Tech Friday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m., before hosting Cornell Sunday, Feb. 22 at 12 p.m.
Â
To stay up to date with Blue Devils wrestling, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWRES".
Â
#GoDuke
Â
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