The Kent State wrestling team is now among the nation’s elite.

The Flashes (14-4-1) ranks No. 25 in the National Wrestling Coaches Association Division-I Top 25.

The Top 25 also includes other Mid-American Conference teams. Central Michigan is ranked No. 4 and Northern Illinois is ranked in the No. 24 spot.

The Flashes are on an eight-match unbeaten streak with seven wins and one tie. But, the team gained national attention after a tough battle with Central Michigan Sunday. The Flashes put up a fight and only lost by eight points with the final result of 23-15.

It is the first time the Flashes have been nationally ranked in four years and the first time that Kent State coach Jim Andrassy has garnered the honor since joining the Flashes.

“It’s nice to be considered with those top 25 teams,” Andrassy said in a press release yesterday. “But we think we’re even better than that. Now it’s time to really prove ourselves at the MAC Championships and the National Tournament.”

The MAC Championships will be held at Northern Illinois and begin at 1 p.m. on March 3 in DeKalb, Ill.

– Kali Price