Mavericks Rise to No. 11 in NWCA Top-25 Poll

Fayette, Iowa – The Minnesota State wrestling team is now rated No. 11 in the latest edition of the NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches Association Top-25 Poll.

The Mavericks concluded their dual season last week with away matches against the Northern State Huskies and the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs. Minnesota State won both contests with finals scores of 42-3 and 27-6 respectively. The Mavericks are the third rated Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference competitor in the Top-25 poll. They trail No.1 St. Cloud State and No. 6 Upper Iowa while the University of Mary, Augustana, Minot State and Northern State are all receiving votes.

The Mavericks have four wrestlers rated nationally in the Individual rankings. They Include Andrew McFall, Daniel Close, Zach Johnston and Corey Abernathy.

Andrew McFall enters the individual rankings for the first time this season and is now the fifth-rated wrestler at 125-pounds. McFall has gained 15-5 record this season and has won eight of his last nine matches. The Sophomore from Oswego, Ill., is 7-3 in duals for the Mavericks and has a standout victory over No. 7 Maleek Williams of Upper Iowa.

Daniel Close has won 15 of his last 16 matches for Minnesota State and is now the No. 9 rated wrestler at 157-pounds. Close holds a 17-4 record for the Mavericks, is 8-1 in duals, and has won 13 decision matches this season. Close enters the rankings on the back of four consecutive victories including an upset of then No. 1 Larry Bomstad of St. Cloud State.

Zach Johnston moved up in the individual rankings from the seventh-rated wrestler at 174-pounds to become the fourth-rated wrestler in his weight class. The Waukee, Iowa., native leads the Mavericks with 14 decision victories this season, helping him to gain an 18-5 overall record. Johnston has wins over No. 5 Kolton Eischens (SCSU) and No. 7 Jordan Gundrum (UIU) in duals this season.

Corey Abernathy remains the No. 6 rated wrestler at 184-pounds in the most recent individual rankings. Abernathy is rated between two NSIC wrestlers in the poll in No. 5 Aero Amo of Augustana and No. 7 Tyree Overton of St. Cloud State. Abernathy has wrestled to an overall record of 15-4 this season, gaining 10 bonus-point victories, with three falls, three technical falls, and four major decisions.

NCAA DII Wrestling Coaches Association Rankings

Minnesota State will next take the mat at the NCAA Division II Super Region 3 tournament Feb. 23 and Feb. 24 in St. Cloud, Minn.

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