Wrestling Team Opens Season Ranked 13th

Joe Brandt
Joe Brandt

The AU wrestling team will begin the 2013-14 season ranked 13th in the country. The first national poll of the season was released on Wednesday (Oct. 23).

AU finished in a tie for 15th in the nation a year ago. The Eagles bring back two All-Americans - sophomore Michael Labry at 133 pounds and junior Joe Brandt at 197 pounds. Both of those grapplers begin the season nationally ranked. Labry is ranked third in the country. Brandt is ranked sixth in the nation.

Notre Dame is ranked first in the country with 156 points. Two-time defending national champ Nebraska-Kearney is ranked second with 151 points. Central Oklahoma is third with 145 points.

AU will host this year's national championships. That will be held Mar. 14-15 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Ashland fans can get an early look at the Eagles this Friday (Oct. 25, 7 p.m.) when the Eagles put on their annual Purple and Gold Intrasquad meet. That will also be the first time Eagle fans will observe Josh Hutchens in action as the head coach. Hutchens is in his first season at AU. He takes over for Tim Dernlan, who left college coaching last spring.

The NCAA national poll can be found below.

Rank School Points Last Year's Finish
1. Notre Dame 156 3rd
2. Nebraska-Kearney 151 1st
3. Central Oklahoma 145 4th
4. St. Cloud State 138 2nd
5. Newberry 128 6th
6. Adams State 120 7th
7. Upper Iowa 107 5th
8. Pitt-Johnstown 99 14th
9. Ouachita Baptist 88 12th
10. Indianapolis 84 19th
11. Minn. State-Mankato 82 8th
12. Kutztown 61 24th
13. Ashland 55 T15th
14. Western State 50 20th
15. Lake Erie 37 T17th
T16. Findlay 29 T15th
T16. Truman State 29 22nd
18. Gannon 23 T29th
19. Maryville 16 11th
20. Mercyhurst 14 T29th

AU

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