University of Minnesota Athletics
Wrestling Remains Sixth in NWCA Poll
12/15/2009 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Manheim, Pa. - The Golden Gopher Wrestling team held steady today (Dec. 15), landing at No. 6 in the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) top-25 for the second straight week.
In their first week of the season with two duals on the schedule, the Gophers were perfect, going 2-0. It started with their 28-14 win over No. 12 Nebraska on Dec. 10, and was capped by their dominating 41-3 win over Northern Colorado on Dec. 13.
The Gophers have been among the top-six all season long, opening the season in the spot six weeks ago. Iowa remains No. 1, where they have been all season long, garnering all 11 first place votes. The entire top-six remained the same, in fact, with Iowa State at No. 2, Ohio State at No. 3 and Oklahoma State and Central Michigan at four and five respectively.
The Gophers earned 214 points, separating themselves from No. 7 Cornell with 210, whom they were tied with last week. The Gophers hold a 3-1 overall record, heading into the semester break.
Among the Big Ten, Minnesota, Iowa and Ohio State are joined No. 13 Indiana, No. 15 Penn State, No. 18 Wisconsin, and No. 20 Illinois. With the exception of No. 3 Ohio State, Minnesota will face off this season with each of the Big Ten teams in the poll. They also host No. 2 Iowa State on Jan. 3, in their first dual meet of the New Year. Nine total duals still await the Gophers after the calendar turns.
In the latest InterMat Individual rankings, eight Gophers landed among the best in the nation. At 133, Jayson Ness (Bloomington, Minn.) is ranked highest, earning a No. 2 tally. Zach Sanders (Wabasha, Minn.) at 125 and Dustin Schlatter (Massillion, Ohio) at 165 are each ranked No. 4, while Mike Thorn (St. Michael, Minn.) is ranked sixth at 141. Mario Mason (Moorestown, N.J.) is ranked No. 9 at 149, Ben Berhow (Hayward, Minn.) is ranked No. 11 at heavyweight, Jake Deitchler (Anoka, Minn.) is ranked No. 12 at 157 and Sonny Yohn (Alamosa, Colo.) is ranked No. 18 at 184 to complete the Gophers in the Individual rankings.
Next up for the Golden Gophers is the Southern Scuffle on Dec. 29 & 30 in Greensboro, N.C.
NWCA Rankings - 12/15/09
No. Team, Rec
1. Iowa (11), 9-0-0
2. Iowa State, 1-1-0
3. Ohio State, 5-0-0
4. Oklahoma State, 1-0-1
5. Central Michigan, 5-0-0
6. Minnesota, 3-1-0
7. Cornell, 0-1-0
8. Boise State, 5-0-0
9. Maryland, 7-1-0
10. Oklahoma, 4-0-1
11. Lehigh, 6-2-0
12. Nebraska, 5-2-0
13. Indiana, 8-0-0
14. Kent State, 4-0-0
15. Penn State, 5-1-1
16. Missouri, 1-2-0
17. Edinboro, 2-2-0
18. Wisconsin, 2-3-0
19. Cal Poly, 2-0-0
20. Illinois, 4-2-0
21. Arizona State, 3-2-0
22. Pittsburgh, 6-1-1
23. Virginia, 7-1-0
24. Old Dominion, 0-1-0
25. Oregon State, 6-1-0
-UM-
Players Mentioned
