Mavericks Tied for 16th in the Nation in Latest NWCA Poll
Fayette, Iowa. – The latest national poll has been released and the Minnesota State wrestling team has risen inside the Top-20 and is now in a tie for 16th.
The Mavericks rose in the NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches Association Poll following dual wins over Central Missouri and MSU Moorhead. Minnesota State’s ranking is the third highest among NSIC teams. St. Cloud State holds down the top spot in the poll while Upper Iowa is tied for 6th. The University of Mary, Augustana and MSU Moorhead are all receiving votes in the poll.
The Mavericks are well represented in the individual rankings. Corey Abernathy is the highest rated Minnesota State wrestler, ranked 6th at 184 pounds. Abernathy holds a 12-2 record this season and is a returning All-American. Zach Johnston earned his first national ranking of the year after an impressive performance against Nick Becker of UW-Parkside and Adam Blees of MSU Moorhead. Johnston is now the 7th-rated wrestler at 174 pounds. Matthew Blome is rated 9th at 197 pounds. The returning All-American from Mount Horeb, Wis., is 10-3 for Minnesota State this year. Kyle Rathman enters the national ranking for the first time in his Maverick career and is the 11th-rated wrestler at 149 pounds. Rathman recently upset the #3 wrestler in the nation from UW-Parkside and holds a team-high win total this season for Minnesota State with 18 wins. The four wrestlers represent the highest total of individuals ranked nationally in the NWCA poll this season for the Mavericks.
Minnesota State is back in action on Friday in Fayette, Iowa., taking on #6 Upper Iowa at 7:00 p.m.
