Ashland University's wrestling team is ranked 17th in preseason rankings released Monday (Oct. 25) by the Division II Wrestling Coaches Association.
Two Eagle wrestlers are preseason top-eight in their respective weight classes. Junior Michael Labry, a two-time All-American, is ranked second at 133 pounds following back-to-back seasons in which he went 31-2 and placed fourth at nationals as a freshman, then was 35-5 and placed third at nationals as a sophomore.
Sophomore Brent Fickel is ranked sixth at 149 pounds. In 2013-14, Fickel was 28-9 with a team-high 14 falls, and qualified for nationals.
The Eagles will begin the 2014-15 season on Saturday, Nov. 8, at the Mercyhurst Open. AU's home schedule starts two weeks later on Saturday, Nov. 22, with the Simonson Open.
Rank/School (State) Pts Last Year
1. Maryville (Mo.) 151 3rd
2. Ouachita Baptist (Ark.) 142 4th
3. Nebraska-Kearney 134 2nd
4. Notre Dame (Ohio) 122 1st
5. St. Cloud State (Minn.) 121 6th
6. McKendree (Ill.) 116 10th
7. Mercyhurst (Pa.) 114 22nd
8. Western State (Colo.) 94 20th
9. Central Oklahoma 87 5th
10. Lindenwood (Mo.) 77 7th
11. North Carolina-Pembroke 54 11th
12. Central Missouri 53 18th
13. Kutztown (Pa.) 52 17th
14. Lake Erie (Ohio) 51 25th
15. Augustana (S.D.) 45 24th
16. Upper Iowa 44 15th
17. Ashland (Ohio) 34 14th
18. California Baptist 30 12th
19. Newberry (S.C.) 29 16th
20. Colorado Mesa 23 19th
Others receiving votes: Adams State (Colo.), Findlay (Ohio), Fort Hays State (Kan.), Gannon (Pa.), Indianapolis (Ind.), Southwest Minnesota, Tiffin (Ohio), Pittsburgh-Johnstown (Pa.)
AU
WREST/DS