Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Move Up in Latest InterMat Rankings
11/18/2014 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
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InterMat Wrestle Rankings -- Nov. 18
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Nearly three weeks into the college wrestling season, Northwestern (4-0) has earned a spot among nation's elite programs in the latest InterMat Team Tournament rankings and now has six dual starters ranked in the top-20 nationally at their respective weight classes.
The Wildcats currently stand No. 6 in the country in InterMat's Tournament rankings, behind (in order) Minnesota, Iowa, Ohio State, Cornell and Edinboro, and one spot ahead of four-time defending NCAA champion Penn State in eighth.
Individually, Northwestern now boasts two No. 1-ranked wrestlers, three in the top-5 and four in the top-10. Returning NCAA champion Jason Tsirtsis (149) and three-time All-American Mike McMullan (HWT) each began the year with impressive wins at the NWCA All-Star Classic and have looked every bit the part of the No. 1 wrestler in the country at their respective weight classes in the early going.
Senior and 2014 All-American Pierce Harger has continued to impress at 165 pounds, ranking fourth nationally and as the highest-ranked Big Ten competitor at his weight class. Harger's classmate, Alex Polizzi also moved up another spot this week to No. 9 at 197 pounds.
Tuesday's rankings also welcomed two new Wildcats into the fold, beginning at 141 pounds with junior Jameson Oster. Oster, who is coming off a redshirt season in 2013-14, entered the rankings at No. 18 thanks to an upset on Saturday of 10th-ranked Zach Horan of Central Michigan.
Also making his debut in the rankings is true freshman 157-pounder Bryce Brill of Mt. Carmel, Ill. Brill is off to a 4-0 start in the dual season, most recently getting a major decision victory over Central Michigan's Malcolm Martin on Saturday.
All six NU wrestlers will be in action when the Wildcats travel to this weekend's Keystone Classic event hosted by Pennsylvania.
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