Notre Dame begins season ranked No. 1 in Division II

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EDMOND, Okla. -- Notre Dame (Ohio) edged out the two-time defending national champions to earn top billing in the NCAA Division II preseason poll that was released Wednesday by the Division II Wrestling Coaches Association.

The Falcons earned six first-place votes and finished with 156 points to earn the No. 1 spot over Nebraska-Kearney, which received the remaining two first-place votes and ended with 151 points in balloting of head coaches from around the country. The Lopers have won the last two national titles, while Notre Dame finished a close third last year in its first season of Division II competition.

Central Oklahoma was third in the poll with 145 points, followed by St. Cloud State (Minn.) with 138 and Newberry (S.C.) with 128. The Bronchos came in fourth in last year's national tournament and the Huskies were runners-up for the second straight season, finishing just three points behind UNK.

Rounding out the top 10 is Adams State (Colo.), Upper Iowa, Pittsburgh-Johnstown (Pa.), Ouachita Baptist (Ark.) and Indianapolis (Ind.).

The 2014 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships will be held March 14-15 in Cleveland, Ohio.