Northwestern University Athletics
'Cats on the Rise in NWCA/Intermat Rankings
1/14/2009 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Jan. 14, 2009
Complete NWCA/Intermat Rankings
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Two Northwestern wrestlers saw their standings in the national polls rise following a series of dominating performances on the sport's premier stages. Senior Jake Herbert, undefeated at 18-0, regained his place as the nation's No. 1 wrestler at 184 pounds, while junior All-American Brandon Precin moved up a spot to No. 2 at 125.
No. 19 Northwestern competed at the NWCA National Duals tournament in Cedar Falls, Iowa, this weekend, where Herbert picked up his 10th and 11th pins of the season. His first of the day came in a critical spot for Northwestern, earning six must-have points against No. 14 Vince Jones of Nebraska. The 2007 NCAA champion and school's all-time leader in winning percentage followed that performance with a fall in 2:15 over Missouri's Dorien Henderson.
In winning his third Midlands Championship on Dec. 30, Herbert defeated No. 3 Phil Keddy of Iowa in the finals, 15-1. Just one of Herbert's 18 victories has come by decision, with the rest ending either in major decision, tech fall or pin. He overtakes the top spot in the rankings previously held by Mike Pucillo of Ohio State.
Precin also impressed at the National Duals, needing just 2:01 to pin Nebraska's Andy Pokony in the first match before handling Missouri's Troy Dolan by a 9-2 margin in the second. He improved to 18-1 this year and will likely crack the 100-win plateau for his career before the season is over; he is currently 88-25 in three years at NU.
Precin also captured a Midlands title this season, his first, knocking off Iowa State's Tyler Clark in the final by a 3-2 decision. At the National Duals this weekend, Clark defeated Indiana's Angel Escobedo, the 2008 national champion who had held the weight class' No. 1 ranking since the season began.
Other Wildcats in the NWCA polls include No. 16 Keith Sulzer (141 pounds) and No. 17 Jason Welch (157 pounds).
Northwestern's (7-3) Big Ten season begins in earnest on Friday, Jan. 23, vs. Michigan State in Evanston.
