INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.- The NCAA released qualifier allocations for the 2016 NCAA Championships on Thursday. The Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) posted the second-most bids of any conference with 51. The Binghamton wrestling team will compete at the EIWA Championships next weekend.
 
From the NCAA-
"Each qualifying tournament was awarded spots per weight class based on current year data.  Each wrestler was measured on the following: Division I winning percentage at the weight class; rating percentage index (RPI); and coaches ranking. 
 
For each wrestler that reached the threshold in at least two of the three categories, his qualifying tournament was awarded a qualifying spot in that weight class.  Each qualifying tournament, with automatic qualifying status, was awarded a minimum of one wrestler per weight class, which will go to the tournament champion, even if they did not have any wrestlers reach at least two of the three thresholds.  NCAA tournament spots for each qualifying event will be awarded at the tournament based solely on place-finish.
 
After all of the qualifying events have concluded, the NCAA Division I Wrestling Committee will meet in-person to select the remaining 46 at-large qualifiers, which will be announced on March 9.  All weight classes will consist of 33 wrestlers.  The at-large selections will be made based on the following criteria: head-to-head competition; quality wins; coaches ranking; results against common opponents; RPI; qualifying event placement; and winning percentage."
 
The EIWA received 51 spots this season, trailing only the Big Ten (71). In six different weight classes, the EIWA had the most or second-most allocations. The 174-pound and 184-pound weight classes notched seven spots apiece.
 
In the latest EIWA composite rankings, three Bearcats are featured. Steve Schneider is fifth among 184-pounders, while Jack McKeever is seventh in the 174-pound division. Vincent DePrez is ninth in the 157-pound weight class.
 
Coach Matt Dernlan will take ten grapplers to EIWAs next weekend. Sixteen teams will send competitors to Princeton on March 5-6. Seeding for the tournament will be held on Friday, March 4. Each weight class will compete in a double-elimination tournament, with top qualifiers advancing to the NCAA Championships, held March 17-19 at Madison Square Garden.
 
BU went 11-7 overall and 7-4 in the EIWA this season. It marked the Bearcats' best finish in its three years in the conference, with Binghamton tying for sixth in the standings.