Introducing the JUCO Tough National Top 20 Rankings, Simple Man-JUCO Tough All-American Teams & A Vision for a National JUCO Open

Junior college wrestling has long been one of the sport’s greatest untold stories. Every season, future NCAA or NAIA All-Americans, future Olympians, and international standouts sharpen their skills in either the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) or the California Community College Athletic Association (aka 3C2A). Yet despite the abundance of talent, there has never been a real unified way to evaluate and recognize the nation’s best junior college programs and athletes across both associations. It’s greater than two associations. 

Simple Man Wrestling aims to help change that.

Beginning this season, we are introducing three new initiatives designed to recognize junior college wrestling on a national scale:

• JUCO Tough Team National Top 20 Wrestling Poll
• Simple Man JUCO Tough First & Second Team All-American Teams
• A long-term vision for a National JUCO Open, bringing together the NJCAA and 3C2A.

Together, these initiatives are designed to celebrate every corner of junior college wrestling while creating meaningful comparisons between the nation’s strongest community college programs.

From the Archives

Norman Richmond vs. Billy Murphy: A Great Junior College Matchup

Some of the greatest matches in junior college wrestling never happened.

Looking back through the archives, one great matchup that would have captured the attention of wrestling people is a showdown between Norman Richmond of Sierra College and Billy Murphy of Iowa Central College.

Richmond entered the junior college ranks with one of the nation’s most accomplished high school résumés out of Oregon. The Oregon native was a two-time Oregon state champion, Fargo Greco-Roman National Champion, Fargo Freestyle National Runner-up, and Western Regional Freestyle Champion. Before arriving at Sierra College, he also defeated future Boise State All-American and NCAA finalist Jason Chamberlain.

At Sierra College, Richmond quickly established himself as one of the premier lightweight wrestlers in California. During the 2008-09 season, he captured the Cal State Fullerton Open, defeating future NCAA Division I qualifiers Filip Novachkov (Cal Poly) and T.J. Dillashaw (Cal State Fullerton) catching the attention of Arizona State University. He went on to dominate the 3C2A postseason, winning the 2009 3C2A Championship at 133 pounds while earning the tournament’s Most Outstanding Wrestler award.

Standing across from him in this hypothetical matchup would have been Billy Murphy, one of California’s most decorated high school wrestlers.

Murphy was a two-time California state champion, NHSCA Junior National Champion, NHSCA Senior National Champion, and Ironman Champion.

He began his collegiate career at the University of Iowa, where he redshirted while competing unattached, compiling an impressive 15-0 record. His victories included championships at both the Spartan Classic and the Kaufman-Brand Open, where he defeated teammate Dan Dennis, who later became a two-time NCAA All-American and NCAA finalist.

Murphy later transferred to Iowa Central Community College, where he dominated the NJCAA. During the 2008-09 season, he captured the NJCAA Championship at 133 pounds and was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Wrestler.

Although Richmond and Murphy never met, the matchup would have featured two of the most technically gifted 133-pound wrestlers of their time in junior college.

Richmond’s explosive freestyle offense and creativity would have contrasted with Murphy’s relentless pace, pressure, and Big Ten-tested fundamentals.

It’s one of junior college wrestling’s great “what-if” matchups one that reminds us just how much elite talent has passed through the junior college ranks.

Perhaps future generations won’t have to imagine anymore if more match ups actually happened like Todd Wilcox of Sierra College vs. Vinny Pisani of Iowa Central College.

Todd Wilcox vs. Vinny Pisani: A Matchup That Actually Happened

While some junior college matchups remained only hypothetical, one notable inter-association showdown actually took place between 3C2A champion and All-American Todd Wilcox of Sierra College and NJCAA runner-up and two-time All-American Vinny Pisani of Iowa Central Community College.

Wilcox entered the matchup coming off an impressive 2008 performance at the Harold Nichols Open at Iowa State University, one of the nation’s premier in-season tournaments. Competing against a field loaded with NCAA Division I talent, Wilcox placed among the tournament’s top six while earning victories over NCAA Division II national runner-up and two-time All-American George Ivanov of Nebraska-Omaha and NAIA National Champion Ray Stephens of Lindenwood. He eventually fell in a hard-fought 6-5 decision to future NCAA Division I National Champion Matt McDonough of Iowa. Throughout that season, Wilcox’s only collegiate losses came against NCAA Division I opponents, McDonough (twice) and Utah Valley’s Flint Ray.

Later that season, Wilcox made the trip to the Midwest, where he defeated Iowa Central’s Vinny Pisani by major decision in a rare cross-association matchup between two of the nation’s premier junior college wrestlers.

Wilcox’s success continued after Sierra College. He transferred to Grand Canyon University in Arizona. When announcing GCU’s 2009-10 recruiting class, head coach R.C. LaHaye praised both the overall class and Wilcox’s potential. “Hands down, they’re the best wrestling class we’ve recruited, but they’re also the best student-athletes we’ve recruited,” LaHaye said. LaHaye was especially complimentary of Wilcox, adding: “Todd’s probably our most talented recruit of the class. Definitely has potential to be an All-American right away.” Wilcox more than lived up to those expectations. After transferring to Grand Canyon he made GCU history by becoming the program’s first national champion, capturing the 133-pound NCAA Division II title. Wilcox’s breakthrough opened the door for future junior college transfers to become national champions at Grand Canyon.

Kyle McCrite, a two-time NJCAA All-American from North Idaho College, became the program’s second national champion. He was followed by former 3C2A champion and All-American from Modesto Junior College, Victor Carazo who captured GCU’s third NCAA Division II national title. The tradition continued with Tyrell Fortune, a two-time NJCAA champion and two-time All-American from Clackamas Community College in Oregon, who became the program’s fourth national champion before Grand Canyon discontinued wrestling following the 2015-16 season. Together, those four champions highlighted the invaluable role junior college transfers played in building one of Division II wrestling’s programs.

Pisani also enjoyed a successful collegiate career following Iowa Central. After earning NJCAA runner-up honors and becoming a two-time NJCAA All-American, he transferred to NCAA Division 1 Edinboro University, before finishing his career at York College of Pennsylvania, where he earned NCAA Division III All-American honors.

Wilcox-Pisani matchup serves as a reminder that junior college wrestling has never been confined to one association. It also underscores the need for a unified national platform that recognizes the best athletes from both the 3C2A and NJCAA while junior college wrestling continues to grow, recognizing those matchups and creating more opportunities for athletes should be part of the sport’s future while honoring the history of junior college wrestling.

Introducing the JUCO Tough Team National Top 20 Wrestling Poll

For decades, the NJCAA and 3C2A have developed elite wrestlers independently. The JUCO Tough National Top 20 Wrestling Poll seeks to recognize the strongest programs from both associations through one independent national ranking.

This official poll will evaluate every NJCAA wrestling program (I & 2) and 3C2A wrestling program using one methodology.

Ranking Criteria

CATEGORY	WEIGHT
Head-to-head dual meet results	30%
Tournament finishes (including major opens)	25%
Number of nationally ranked wrestlers	20%
Individual champions and All-Americans	15%
Strength of schedule	10%

The committee will evaluate:

• Every NJCAA wrestling program (I & II)
• Every 3C2A wrestling program
• Common opponents
• Inter-association competition
• Major open tournaments featuring both associations, NCAA and NAIA competition.

The rankings will function similarly to independent national media polls used in other sports by providing a broader picture of the nation’s strongest junior college wrestling programs.

Poll Schedule

The JUCO Tough Team National Top 20 will be released four times annually:

• First Overall Poll
• Midseason Poll No. 1
• Midseason Poll No. 2
• Final Postseason Poll

Every ranking release will include a written explanation detailing significant movement after major competitions.

Ranking Committee

The proposed committee will consist of:

• Two NJCAA coaches
• Two 3C2A coaches
• One independent wrestling media representative

Introducing the Simple Man JUCO Tough First & Second Team All-Americans

While team rankings recognize overall program strength, the JUCO Tough All-American Teams are designed to recognize the nation’s best individual wrestlers regardless of association.

Eligibility

Student-athletes must:

• Compete for an NJCAA or 3C2A member institution.
• Finish the season in good academic and athletic standing.
• Compete in their association post-season championship.
• Be ranked during the season or receive committee consideration.

Selection Criteria

CATEGORY	WEIGHT
Championship placement	40%
Head-to-head results	25%
Strength of schedule	15%
Wins over nationally ranked opponents	10%
Performance at major opens/inter-association events	10%

Championship Placement (40%)

The strongest emphasis is placed on postseason success.

Evaluation includes:

• NJCAA Champion
• 3C2A Champion
• Runner-up
• Third Place
• Fourth Place
• Other Placements 

Head-to-Head Results (25%)

Priority is given to victories involving:

• NJCAA vs. 3C2A competition
• Major open tournaments
• Common opponents
• A future National JUCO Open

Victories over NCAA Division I, Division II, Division III, and NAIA opponents are also considered when evaluating a wrestler’s overall body of work.

Strength of Schedule (15%)

Evaluation includes:

• Ranked opponents faced
• All-American victories
• Tournament difficulty
• Dual meet schedule

Ranked Wins (10%)

Additional credit is awarded for victories over ranked wrestlers from junior college or other divisions.

Major Tournament Performance (10%)

Strong performances at nationally recognized tournaments receive additional consideration, including events to name a few such as:

• Roadrunner Open
• Cowboy Open
• Grand View Open
• Harold Nichols Cyclone Open
• Other nationally recognized invitationals or opens featuring NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA, and CCCAA competition (Art Kraft Memorial, Reno etc.)
• A future National JUCO Open

Selection Process

Each weight class will include:

• First Team All-American — Highest overall evaluation.
• Second Team All-American — Second-highest overall evaluation.

Selections are based solely on the total body of work not on association affiliation.

For example, if the top two wrestlers nationally compete in the NJCAA, both should be selected. Likewise, if the top two come from the 3C2A, both earn recognition.

The objective is simple:

Recognize the best junior college wrestlers in America.

Selection Committee

To ensure balanced representation:

• Two NJCAA coaches
• Two 3C2A coaches
• One wrestling media representative or retired coach (Al Fontes – National Hall of Fame writer and Bob Dillinger Award recipient)

Looking Ahead: The National JUCO Open

Perhaps the most exciting long-term vision is the creation of a National JUCO Open.

Such an event would bring together the nation’s top NJCAA and 3C2A wrestlers in one tournament, creating true head-to-head competition between the two associations in early November or the weekend after both championships. The event can happen in a wrestling-rich region such as Tulsa, OK, Fresno, CA or even Reno or Las Vegas, NV with the right sponsor. The event can happen outside either association with support from coaches as well. Make it more than a tournament by turning it into a wrestling convention with a coaches clinic, officials clinic and recruiting fair for NCAA/NAIA coaches while building prestige of a true #1 and Most Outstanding Wrestler.

Beyond producing exciting matchups, the event would strengthen both the JUCO Tough National Top 20 Wrestling Poll and the Simple Man JUCO Tough All-American selections by providing direct comparisons across associations.

Just as importantly, it would shine a brighter national spotlight on junior college wrestling and provide another premier opportunity for athletes to showcase themselves before NCAA and NAIA coaches.

One Mission. One National Conversation.

Junior college wrestling has produced NCAA, NAIA All-Americans, Olympians, World Team members (Internationally as well), and countless coaches who have shaped the sport. Yet many of its greatest stories remain overlooked.

The JUCO Tough National Top 20 Wrestling Poll, the Simple Man JUCO Tough All-American Teams, and the vision of a National JUCO Open are intended to help bridge that gap.

By recognizing every junior college program and honoring the nation’s top athletes regardless of association, Simple Man Wrestling hopes to create a broader, more unified conversation around one of wrestling’s most appreciated and competitive levels.

The future of junior college wrestling isn’t divided between the NJCAA and 3C2A. It’s stronger when both are combined and recognized. 

Feature image: Fresno City / Indian Hills College athletic logos.