The Old State Capitol building in the heart of the University of
Iowa campus
It's been the talk of talk radio, the stuff of water-cooler conversations: The Princeton Review's annual rankings of the top 371 colleges in the U.S. (Their Top 20 "Top Party Schools" list is usually the headline-grabber, but the organization -- not affiliated with Princeton University -- ranks colleges on 62 criteria, including the quality of food, and accessibility of profs.)
In a previous article, the Examiner looked at a couple of the Princeton Review's sports-related lists... and indicated which schools with major wrestling programs found themselves on those lists. Now, we take a look at the programs that placed in the top five at the 2009 NCAA Division I championships.
#1. University of Iowa. The home to the Hawkeyes (who placed first in the team standings for the 22d time in the 80-year history of the NCAA wrestling championships), Iowa found itself on a number of the Princeton Review's lists, including 10th on the "Major Frat and Sorority Scene", #12 on "Party School" and 17th on the "Lots of Hard Liquor" list. On a brighter note, Iowa was named a Best Midwestern School.
#2. Ohio State University. The Buckeyes came within 4 1/2 points of Iowa in the team standings at the 2009 NCAAs. In terms of the Princeton Review, the Columbus-based school scored a couple nines: a #9 ranking as a "Best Jock School" and #9 for "Best Athletic Facilities." It also earned a place on the Best Midwestern School list.
#3. Iowa State University. The Cyclones can be proud of their third-place performance at the nationals and place among Princeton Review's Best Midwestern School list... but may not be as proud of their #18 ranking in the "Profs Get Low Marks" list.
#4. University of Nebraska - Lincoln. The Cornhuskers rank high in athletics, scoring a #6 on the "Jock Schools" list, #16 on "Everyone Plays Intramural Sports" list, and #16 in "Students Pack the Stadium" ranking. Nebraska earned a place on the Princeton Review's Best Midwestern Schools list.
#5. Cornell University. The Ivy League school located in Ithaca, New York found itself listed as a Best Northeastern School... and ranked highly on some highly desirable lists: #6 for "Best College Library", #9 for "Best Campus Food" (a serious problem for college wrestlers striving to make weight), and #15 for "Best Career Services."
Comments
The Princeton Review didn't rank wresting schools. This is a very quirky misrepresentation of the rankings in Princeton Review's "Best 371 Colleges" book. For firsthand info, go to www.princetonreview.com to see the 62 categories by which schools are actually ranked -- all of which are based on how students at the 371 schoos rated their colleges on various topics and reported on their campus experiences at them.
Response to Jeanne: To clarify -- "Best Wrestling Schools" is NOT one of the Princeton Review's 62 categories for ranking schools. The purpose of my series is to provide readers with a picture of how the Princeton Review has ranked various colleges that have top wrestling programs. It is NOT a misrepresentation, at least no more so than something called "Princeton Review" that has nothing to do with Princeton University. -- Mark
Mark, this is a good article and good idea. As a wrestling fan, I was very interested in knowing where some of the top wrestling schools rank on this list. Thanks for writing - good job.
great job doing top5 schools. As a former High School National Champ/Military Wrestler, I like to keep up on the top schools. Glad to see my hometown Buckeyes #2 on your list as well. Great Wrestlers from my home stateare the last thing many ohians think of when they hear OSU. Its mainly a football state. We actually have some of the best wresling schools in the midwest though. St Paris Graham and Madison Plains rank in te top of their divisions just to name a couple.SPG consistanatly sends damn near their whole team every yr to state. MPHS aslo usually sends atleast 6-7 wrestlers as well to state every yr since 1998. including there only two multi yr national champs in myself and Billy"the intimidator" WIckline.
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