SCSU tops DII national poll in latest rankings
The number one ranked St. Cloud State University wrestling team (12-1, 3-0 NSIC) will continue its 2016-17 season on Friday, Feb. 3 with a 7 p.m. home dual meet against NSIC rival Minot State University (3-13,0-5 NSIC) in Halenbeck Hall. The Huskies’ home weekend will continue on Saturday, Feb. 4 with a 2 p.m. dual meet in Halenbeck against longtime rival Minnesota State-Mankato (7-3, 4-0 NSIC).
The match on Feb. 4 has been designated as SCSU Wrestling Alumni Day and all former Husky wrestlers are invited back for the match. Please contact the wrestling office at 320-308-2996 for details on events surrounding Alumni Day.
Of note, Minnesota State Mankato received votes in the last DII national poll and most recently picked up a 25-13 win over #19 Upper Iowa on Jan. 26. The match to watch on Feb. 4 will be the 174-pound bout featuring SCSU’s #4 Clayton Jennissen and MSU’s #3 Adam Cooling.
The Huskies are looking to capture their sixth consecutive NSIC championship. The Huskies have won NSIC titles in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. SCSU has won 47 consecutive NSIC dual matches dating back to a loss vs. Augustana on Jan. 27, 2011.
Tickets for both matches are available at the gate on the day of the match and all SCSU students get into these matches for free.
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SCSU MAINTAINS #1 NATIONAL RANKING:
Defending national champion St. Cloud State held on to the top spot in NCAA Division II Wrestling in the latest edition of the NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches Association Poll, released Feb. 1 on D2wrestle.com
The Huskies feature nine nationally-ranked wrestlers, led by top-ranked Austin Goergen at 285. Nebraska-Kearney held at the #2 spot, while Notre Dame made the jump over Maryville and Wisconsin-Parkside to #3. The Saints and Rangers make up the rest of the top five in the four and five spots, respectively.
SCSU wrestlers ranked in the individual polls included #5 Brett Velasquez at 125, #6 Matt Nelson at 141, #10 James Pleski at 149, #9 Larry Bomstad at 157, #10 Gabe Fogarty at 165, #4 Clayton Jennissen at 174, #6 Uthman Rabiu at 184, #5 Vince Dietz at 197 and #1 Austin Goergen at 285.
The NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches Association Poll team rankings are tournament strength, and are determined by a points ranking based upon the ranking of a team’s individually ranked student-athletes.
NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches Association Poll
SCSU WRESTLING NOTEBOOK:
The Huskies scored a 51-0 win over St. John’s last week at home on Military Appreciation Night in Halenbeck Hall.
At the recent North Country Open, SCSU showed well as individual titles were brought home by Jordan Aquino at 125-pounds, Jarred Oftedahl at 133-pounds and Josh Berg at 165-pounds.
Adam Josephson placed second in the 197-pound division at the North Country Open. A talented athlete, Josephson was a four-year standout on the SCSU football team before opting to return to the mats for one season of intercollegiate wrestling. He was a four-time state tournament qualifier as a wrestler at Minneota H.S. and he also earned All-NSIC notice in football with the Huskies throughout his career.
Vince Dietz leads the Huskies with 21 wins (21-2) and Clayton Jennissen is 21-5), while Austin Goergen is 18-0 this season.
James Pleski gained his first national ranking of the season in the latest DII polls. He moves into the poll with a #10 ranking at 149-pounds this week. His record this year for the Huskies is now 17-6.
Mark Feb. 11 on your calendars as the Huskies will host the University of Mary at 2 p.m. in Halenbeck Hall. The day has been designated as SCSU Senior Day.
Next up for the Huskies will be a Feb. 9 match at #19 Upper Iowa in Fayette, Iowa.
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