10/23- Illini Wrestling Ranked No. 9 in Preseason NWCA Poll
Updated: October 23, 2008
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Two-time All-American Mike Poeta earned a No. 2 preseason national ranking at 157 pounds in the preseason poll released by Intermat/National Wrestling Coaches Association/National Wrestling Media Association and the Fighting Illini were tabbed No. 9, the publication announced Tuesday. Junior All-American Jimmy Kennedy was ranked No. 4 at 133 pounds, senior heavyweight John Wise earned a No. 7 ranking and junior 197-pounder Patrick Bond was ranked No. 8.
The Illini will face eight teams in the top-25 in dual action this season and eight of the top 13 teams in the rankings are from the Big Ten. Illinois doesnt compete against No. 7 Penn State or No. 12 Minnesota in a dual this season.
In addition, John Dergo is ranked No. 12 at 174 pounds, Roger Smith-Bergsrud is No. 13 at 165 pounds and Troy Tirapelle is ranked No. 15 at 141, rounding out the ranked Illini. Illinois begins the season with wrestle-offs Nov. 8 at 11:30 a.m. at Huff Hall.
USA Today/Intermat/NWCA Preseason Rankings
Rk. School
1. Iowa
2. Iowa State
3. Cornell
4. Ohio State
5. Missouri
6. Nebraska
T7. Penn State
T7. Oklahoma State
9. ILLINOIS
10. Michigan
11. Northwestern
12. Minnesota
13. Wisconsin
14. Boise State
15. Edinboro
16. Indiana
17. Maryland
18. Central Michigan
19. Old Dominion
20. Oklahoma
T21. Pennsylvania
T21. Navy
23. Virginia
24. Northern Iowa
25. West Virginia
