University of Minnesota Athletics
Wrestling Remains at No. 5 in NWCA Top-25
12/1/2009 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Manheim, Pa. - For the second consecutive week, Golden Gopher Wrestling checks in at No. 5 in the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Top-25 Poll, announced today (Dec. 1).
Last week, the Gophers moved into the No. 5 spot after opening the season at No. 6. Minnesota earned 228 points this week to land in fifth place, behind Iowa who notched all 11 first place votes and 275 total points to remain at No. 1. The entire top-five remains unchanged as Iowa State earns 264 points at No. 2, and Oklahoma State checks in with 251 points and Ohio State has 243 at No. 3 and No. 4 respectively.
Minnesota, Iowa and Ohio State are three of seven Big Ten teams to grace the top-25. Indiana falls in line next at No. 13, with Penn State remaining steady at No. 15. All seven Big Ten teams are ranked in the top-20 as Wisconsin at No. 18, and Illinois at No. 20 round out the league representation.
The Gophers' hosted their first dual of the season last week, topping Cal State Bakersfield in impressive fashion to move to 1-0. The stakes are raised this week, though, as Minnesota travels to Oklahoma State. The third-ranked Cowboys and fifth-ranked Gophers meet for their top-five match-up on Friday Dec. 4 at 7:00 pm. It will mark the Gophers first match with a top-five team since last season on Feb. 20, when the took on No. 4 Iowa State.
Also released today were the InterMat rankings where the Gophers find themselves at No. 4, ahead of Friday opponent Oklahoma State, who is No. 5.
In the InterMat individual rankings, eight Gophers gained recognition, led once again by Dustin Schlatter (Massillion, Ohio) who is ranked No. 1 at 165. Jayson Ness (Bloomington, Minn.) remains at No. 2 at 133, while Zach Sanders (Wabasha, Minn.) at 125 and Mike Thorn (St. Michael, Minn.) at 141 each earn No. 4 rankings. Also in the top-10 are Ben Berhow (Hayward, Minn.), ranked No. 8 at heavyweight, and Mario Mason (Moorestown, N.J.) ranked No. 9 at 149. Finally, Jake Deitchler (Anoka, Minn.) at No. 11 at 157, and Sonny Yohn (Alamosa, Colo.) at No. 16 at 184 complete the Gophers in the individual rankings.
NWCA Rankings - 12/01/09
No. Team, Points, Rec
1. Iowa, 275, 7-0
2. Iowa State, 264, 1-0
3. Oklahoma State, 251, 1-0
4. Ohio State, 243, 4-0
5. Minnesota, 228, 1-0
6. Central Michigan, 218, 5-0
7. Boise State, 204, 4-0
8. Maryland, 199, 5-1
9. Cornell, 187, 0-1
10. Lehigh, 178, 6-2
11. Nebraska, 161, 4-1
12. Oklahoma, 159, 4-0
13. Indiana, 143, 6-0
14. Kent State, 128, 2-0
15. Penn State, 116, 4-1
16. Missouri, 105, 1-2
17. Edinboro, 97, 2-1
18. Wisconsin, 85, 1-3
19. Old Dominion, 69, 0-1
20. Illinois, 54, 2-2
21. Arizona State, 52, 3-2
22. Virginia, 50, 7-1
23. Cal Poly, 32, 2-0
24. Virginia Tech, 31, 6-1
25. Pittsburgh, 23, 5-1
-UM-
Players Mentioned
