Ashland University's wrestling team was picked as the No. 9 squad in the nation coming into the 2019-20 season by the National Wrestling Coaches Association.
The Eagles' No. 9 preseason ranking is their highest preseason start since at least the 2008-09 campaign.
Ashland, which finished 27th last year, has six wrestlers returning who have qualified for nationals during their career, five of whom are ranked.
Tristen Weirich, junior heavyweight, finished sixth in the nation last year, had a 29-11 record, and is anticipated to raise the bar even more this season. He was chosen as the No. 3 wrestler in the nation at 285.
Redshirt senior Bret Romanzak moved up a weight class from 165 to 174, and was picked as the No. 5 wrestler. Romanzak, a national champion at 165 in 2018, was 30-6 last year and a national qualifier.
Junior Aidan Pasiuk also was picked to finish No. 5 in his class, 184 pounds. Pasiuk is in his first season with the Eagles after transferring from Wheeling University. He was an All-American last season placing fifth at nationals.
Chandler Minnard, redshirt senior, was selected No. 9 at 141. He just missed qualifying for nationals last season, but was a qualifier in 2017, and tallied a 15-7 in the 2018-19 season that was highlighted by his victory at the Midwest Classic.
Redshirt senior Christian Price moved from 174 to 165, and was selected as the No. 10 wrestler in his new class. Price was a national qualifier each of the past two years and attained a 25-9 record last season.
Ashland's season will begin on Saturday (Nov. 2) at the Kent State Duals, where the Eagles will compete against Mercyhurst, Kent State and Edinboro beginning at 1 p.m.
AU
WR/SVS