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Mavericks pin down #2 ranking

Wednesday, February 9, 2005

Edmond, Okla. -- The Minnesota State wrestling team moved up three spots in the latest edition of the NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches Association Poll released Wednesday. The Mavericks, who had been ranked fifth, earned the second-spot in the poll by virtue of their 20-14 victory over then second-ranked Augustana followed by a 26-9 win over then #18 MSU-Moorhead. The ranking marks the highest that the Mavericks have ever been ranked in the poll, the previous high came during the 1993-94 season when MSU was ranked fourth.

Several Maverick grapplers are also recognized in the poll. Freshman 125-pounder Nick Smith (Yankton, S.D.) moved to fourth, after being ranked fifth in the previous poll. In the 141-pound weight class sophomore Brandon Girtz (Forest Lake, Minn.) debuts in the rankings at eighth. Sophomore Jason Rhoten (Kasson, Minn.) stayed at third, while junior Mathias Bitz (Bismark, N.D.) moved up two spots from seventh to fifth.

Sophomore Travis Krinkie (Blue Earth, Minn.) and junior John Koons (Crosby, Minn.) each held serve in the 174 and 184 pound weight classes. Krinkie remains fourth, while Koons stayed at third. At 197-pounds, senior Josh Janousek (Greenbush, Minn.) dropped a spot from fifth to sixth, while senior heavyweight Mike Englemann (Spencer, Iowa) fell from sixth to seventh.

The Mavericks (14-2, 5-0 NCC) host their final home duals of the 2004-05 season this weekend as they entertain #13 Wisconsin-Parkside Friday at 7:00 p.m., and top-ranked Nebraska-Omaha Saturday evening at 7:00 p.m.

NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches Association Poll

Rank

Team

Points

Last Ranking

1

Nebraska-Omaha

160

1st

2

Minnesota State

149

5th

3

Nebraska-Kearney

142

3rd

4

Augustana (S.D.)

141

2nd

5

Central Oklahoma

127

4th

6

Pittsburgh-Johnstown

121

6th

7

Ashland (Ohio)

112

7th

8

Mercyhurst

103

8th

9

Adams State

88

9th

10

Shippensburg

87

10th

11

Findlay

80

11th

12

Wisconsin-Parkside

63

13th

13

Fort Hays State

54

12th

14

Western State

45

14th

15

Kutztown

42

15th

16

Minnesota State-Moorhead

34

18th

17

Turman State

30

20th

18

Central Missouri State

26

NR

19

Gannon

24

16th

20

Colorado School of Mines

13

NR

Mavericks in the Individual Rankings

Wt.

Rank

Name

Record

125

4

Nick Smith

9-2

141

8

Brandon Girtz

25-11

149

3

Jason Rhoten

21-5

157

5

Mathias Bitz

24-8

174

4

Travis Krinkie

25-6

184

3

John Koons

23-9

197

6

Josh Janousek

27-6

Hwt

7

Mike Englemann

22-8