Edmund, Okla. -- Minnesota
State will enter the 2007 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships
ranked second in the national polls.
The Mavericks, who have captured this year's North Central Conference
and NCAA Division II NCAA Central Region championships, were ranked
third in the previous poll.
MSU, which went 16-3 in dual action in 2006-07, has nine individuals
ranked in the top eight of each weight division.
Junior Jason Rhoten (32-8) is ranked #1 at 149-pounds and junior Andy
Pickar (165) is rated #1 at 165.
Other Mavericks ranked include junior Nick Smith (15-7, ranked third at
125), senior Jeff Pfaffinger (33-9, ranked third at 133), freshman
Travis Elg (24-7, second at 141), senior Brandon Girtz (35-7, fourth at
157), senior Travis Krinkie (22-9, eighth at 184), senior Ben Janike
(23-10, eighth at 197) and freshman Brady Wilson (38-8, third at 285).
MSU competes at the NCAA Division II Championship tournament March 9-10
in Kearney, Neb.
NCAA Division II Wrestling Poll - Mar 1, 2007
Rank, School (State), Points,
Prev.
1. Nebraska-Kearney 154 1
2. Minnesota State 152 3
3. Central Oklahoma 150 2
4. Nebraska-Omaha 130 4
5. Pittsburgh-Johnstown (Pa.) 127 5
6. Upper Iowa 121 7
7. Adams State (Colo.) 104 6
8. Fort Hays State (Kan.) 92 9
9. Indianapolis (Ind.) 91 15
10. Mercyhurst (Pa.) 89 10
11. Western State (Colo.) 81 12
12. Wisconsin-Parkside 73 13
13. Chadron State (Neb.) 52 16
14. Augustana (S.D.) 46 14
15. Shippensburg (Pa.) 40 NR
16. Ashland (Ohio) 39 11
17. West Liberty State (W.Va.) 36 8
18. Findlay (Ohio) 33 20
19. Minnesota State-Moorhead 30 NR
20. Newberry (S.C.) 17 17
Others receiving votes: Carson-Newman (Tenn.), Central Missouri,
Kutztown (Pa.), San Francisco State.
Source: NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches' Associationv