Providence, R.I.—Rhode Island College senior Nathan Lackman (Wernersville, Pa.) is ranked No. 1 in the nation (Div. III) at 165 lbs. in the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Preseason Rankings.
 
In addition, Rhode Island College is tied for 17^th in the NWCA's Preseason Tournament Team Ranking.
 
Lackman garnered the top spot at 165 lbs. in the New England Wrestling Association (NEWA) Preseason Individual Rankings.
 
As a junior in 2021-22, Lackman was the NCAA Div. III National Champion at 157 lbs. and earned All-American honors at the NCAA National Championship. He joined Mike Bonora '07 (2008) and Billy Cotter '96 (1994) as the only other Anchormen in program history to win a national title. The No. 3-seeded Lackman went a perfect 4-0 at the National Championship. He scored a takedown 37 seconds into sudden victory to defeat No. 1-seeded Kaidon Watters from RIT, 5-3, in the finals to claim the title.
 
He was also named a Scholar All-American by the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA). Lackman earned All-Region honors by going 5-0 at 157 lbs. at the NCAA Div. III Northeast Regional Championship. He was named the NEWA Wrestler of the Year and First Team All-NEWA at 157 lbs.
 
He went 35-0 at 157 lbs. with 11 pins, 74 takedowns, two reversals, 15 escapes and 29 near-falls. Remarkably, he was not taken down the entire season. Lackman was named to the NEWA Dual Championship All-Tournament Team. He was the individual champion at 157 lbs. at the Doug Parker Invitational on Nov. 20.
 
Head Coach Jay Jones' team is ranked tied for 12^th in the preseason rankings, with Castleton holding down the top spot in the 16-team league. In 2021-22, the Anchormen finished 14^th (19 teams) with a team score of 41.5 at the NCAA Div. III Northeast Regional Championship, hosted by Springfield on Feb. 26-27.
 
Rhode Island College finished 13^th (15 teams) with a 2-2 record at the New England Wrestling Association (NEWA) Headlock Hunger Dual Championship, hosted by Johnson and Wales on Jan. 23.
 
The Anchormen went 8-12 in dual action on the season.
 
Rhode Island College will open the 2022-23 season at the Rhode Island Open, held at Providence Career and Technical Academy on Saturday, Nov. 5 (8 a.m.).