University of Minnesota Athletics
Wrestling Fifth in NWCA Poll
2/25/2010 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Manheim, Pa. - The Golden Gopher Wrestling remained at No. 5 in the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) top-25 poll when it was released, Feb 24. Minnesota came in fifth for the seventh straight week.
The Gophers ended the Big Ten regular season with a win over then ranked No. 10 Penn State. It was senior day at the Sports Pavilion and during half time Gopher seniors Matt Everson, Nate Matousek, Jayson Ness and Dustin Schlatter were all honored for their hard work as Golden Gophers. Minnesota went on to beat Penn State 26-16, winning six of ten bouts. With the win, the Gophers end the regular season 12-5 overall, with a 7-1 mark in the Big Ten. The Big Ten tournament is Mar. 6-7 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
The Gophers have been among the top-six all season long, with this week marking their ninth week at No. 5 overall. Iowa remains No. 1, where they have been all season, garnering all 11 first place votes. The top four all stayed the same, with Iowa State at No. 2, Ohio State at No. 3 and Oklahoma State at No. 4. Minnesota's (12-5) five losses have all come from teams in the top-four, while eight of their wins have come from top-25 teams. Minnesota earned 231 points, edging No. 6 Cornell by 11 points.
Among the Big Ten, Minnesota, Iowa and Ohio State are joined by No. 10 Penn State, No. 13 Indiana, No. 14. Wisconsin, No. 21 Purdue, and No. 23 Illinois. Already having met Ohio State, With the Big Ten season wrapped up the Big Ten Tournament will begining on March 6 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
In the latest InterMat Individual rankings, seven Gophers landed among the best in the nation. Jayson Ness (Bloomington, Minn.) at 133, was the highest ranked Gopher on the team as he remained at No. 1 for the fourth straight week. Next in line is No. 2 Dustin Schlatter (Massillion, Ohio) at 157, followed by No. 6 Zach Sanders (Wabasha, Minn.) at 125. Scott Glasser (Bismarck, N.D.) at 174 moves up one spot to No. 7 followed by Mike Thorn (St. Michael, Minn.) at 141 ranked at No. 8. At 197, Sonny Yohn (Alamosa, Colo.) ranks No. 13, while Ben Berhow (Hayward, Minn.) returns to the rankings at No. 16 at heavyweight. Finally, Mario Mason (Moorestown, N.J.) rounds out the ranked Gophers, at No. 17 at 149.
NWCA Top-25 (2/23/10)
No. Team, Rec.
1. Iowa, 23-0
2. Iowa State, 13-2
3. Ohio State, 18-2
4. Oklahoma State, 14-2-1
5. Minnesota, 12-5
6. Cornel, 9-4-1
7. Lehigh, 16-3-1
8. Oklahoma, 16-3-1
9. Maryland, 19-4
10. Penn State, 13-6-1
11. Boise State, 15-3
12. Central Michigan, 17-2
13. Indiana, 16-3
14. Wisconsin, 9-9
15. Oregon St., 18-3
16. Kent State, 15-4
17. Pittsburgh, 17-1-1
18. Missouri, 7-7
19. Virginia Tech, 17-5
20. Cal Poly, 8-4
21. Purdue, 11-10
22. Rutgers, 19-5-1
23. Illinois, 8-8
24. Virginia, 16-6
25. Wyoming, 12-3
Others receiving votes: Arizona State, Edinboro, North Carolina, Old Dominion
Players Mentioned
