PRIMARY CRITERIA FORMULA
On Feb. 21, wrestlers in each weight class will be measured on the following: winning percentage (Win %), rating percentage index (RPI) and coaches’ ranking (CR). Win % is defined as Division I wins divided by total Division I matches contested. RPI is defined as Win %*, opponents’ Win %*, opponents’ opponents’ Win % (17-match minimum). CR is defined as the weight class-specific ranking as determined by the NCAA Division I Wrestling Coaches Ranking Panel.

*Note: Each wrestler who has 17 matches will have an RPI, without the requirement of the wrestler’s opponents to have 17 matches, as well.

Wrestlers must also have wrestled a minimum of eight matches at the championships weight class. Wrestlers who meet or exceed threshold levels for all three measures will be labeled “Gold Standard.” Wrestlers who meet or exceed threshold levels for any two of the three measures will be labeled “Silver Standard.” All Gold and Silver Standard wrestlers will earn a qualifier position for their respective weight class at their respective qualifying event. If a wrestler earns a Gold or Silver Standard label and does not compete in his conference or regional qualifying tournament, the qualifier position that was earned by this wrestler for his qualifying event will revert to the at-large pool, unless the wrestler who earned the qualifier position is replaced by a wrestler who also meets or exceeds the threshold levels for that respective weight class. If a qualifying event does not have any Gold Standard or Silver Standard wrestlers at a weight class, one qualifier position will be allocated for that qualifying event’s champion at that weight class. The committee will allocate the number of eligible automatic qualifiers of the 330 championships field using the primary formula. Threshold levels may slide up or down in concert (i.e., slide up to .800 Win %, top 20 RPI and top 20 CR or slide down to .700 Win %, top 30 RPI and top 30 CR) to achieve a total number of automatic qualifiers in the desired range. The maximum number of pre-allocations per weight class shall be 29.