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St. Cloud State Ranked Third in NSIC Preseason Poll

October 29, 2009

St. Paul, Minn. - The 2009-10 NSIC Wrestling Preseason Coaches' Poll has been released and St. Cloud State University gained a third place ranking in this year’s poll.

The Huskies finished the 2008-09 season with an 8-5 overall record and a 5-2 record in the NSIC.  SCSU went on to place second at the NCAA regional in 2009, and the Huskies gained an eighth place ranking at the NCAA Division II championships last winter under the leadership of coach Steve Costanzo.

Minnesota State University, Mankato received 54 points, good enough for first place in the poll. Points were assigned from the top 5 individuals in each of the ten weight classes using the following point system: 1st = 10, 2nd = 7, 3rd = 4, 4th = 2, 5th = 1. Augustana received 48 points for second to narrowly edge out Upper Iowa and St. Cloud State, who tallied 45 points to tie for third place in the poll.

At the individual level, SCSU junior Gabe Suarez was ranked second in the NSIC at 141-pounds, while senior Jacob Roberts earned a first place preseason ranking at 149-pounds.  Junior John Sundgren (157-pounds), sophomore Tad Merritt (165-pounds) and junior Derek Skala (174-pounds) all earned second place preseason rankings in the NSIC poll.

SCSU will open action in 2009-10 with the annual Black/Red Classic on Nov. 8 in Halenbeck Hall at 2 p.m.

2009-10 NSIC Wrestling Preseason Coaches’ Poll
1. Minnesota State; 54
2. Augustana; 48
3. Upper Iowa; 45
    St. Cloud State; 45
5. Minnesota State Moorhead; 18
6. Northern State; 16
7. Southwest Minnesota State; 12
8. Mary; 2

Complete NSIC Wrestling Preseason Coaches’ Poll