Wrestling: WVU Earns No. 25 Ranking
October 27, 2008 11:51 AM | General
By Ira Green for MSNsportsNET.com
October 27, 2008
USA Today/InterMat/NWCA Preseason Rankings
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University wrestling team earned the 25th spot in the USA Today/InterMat/NWCA preseason Team Rankings, announced recently. The Mountaineers also placed six wrestlers in the Top 20 in the individual preseason rankings.
WVU finished last season with an 8-5 overall mark and went 4-2 in the Eastern Wrestling League (EWL). The Mountaineers concluded the 2007-08 campaign in third place at the EWL Tournament and in 31st at the NCAAs.
“Hopefully it's a beginning point for us and we can move up from there,” Head Coach Craig Turnbull said. “It is nice recognition for the program to see it nationally ranked and to see six of the 10 starters nationally ranked. Hopefully that'll gain some momentum from a fan perspective and people will come out and support this team.”
Junior Brandon Rader earned the highest mark in the individual rankings, placing as high as sixth in the 141-pound division. A Parkersburg, W.Va., native and a two-time All-American, Rader had his 2007-08 season cut short after re-injuring his knee at Cal Poly.
In the 184-pound class, senior Kurt Brenner earned the No. 8 ranking. The Freedom, Pa., native posted a 20-5 overall mark and compiled a 6-0 record in EWL competition en route to his second EWL title. He defeated Edinboro’s Chris Honeycutt in an 11-7 decision.
Also earning a Top 10 rank was senior 149-pounder David Jauregui. The Santa Ana, Calif., native, who is No. 10 in the poll in his respective weight class, qualified for his third NCAA Tournament last season and notched two wins at the NCAAs. Jauregui finished as the runner-up at the EWL Championships in a close, 4-2 decision against Edinboro’s Daryl Cocozzo.
At heavyweight, senior Dustin Rogers earned the No. 13 ranking. A Corning, Calif., native, Rogers overcame an early injury last season and worked his way toward a 13-8 overall mark. Heading into the NCAA Tournament, Rogers was ranked No. 15 by InterMat and posted a 2-2 mark at the event.
Senior Chance Litton garnered the No. 15 ranking at the 174-pound weight class. Also a Parkersburg, W.Va., native, Litton qualified for his first NCAA Tournament and also recorded his first win at the NCAAs, defeating Bucknell’s Shane Riccio, 7-1. Litton posted a 9-3 dual-match record.
Rounding out the rankings is junior Donnie Jones. The Slickville, Pa., native earned the No. 16 ranking at the 165-pound division. Jones qualified for his first NCAA Tournament last season after finishing second at the EWL Championships. He finished the season 5-1 in EWL competition and also notched a win the NCAAs.
“That ranking is one I hope we could move up from. We would like to think we are a Top 15 program, but that gives us something to shoot for and something for the guys to earn their way into it,” Turnbull continued. “I'd rather earn our way into it so I would rather start lower and earn it through their productivity throughout the year.”
WVU begins its season with the 26th annual WVU Open on Nov. 15 in the WVU Shell Building. The all-day event showcases several participating teams and serves as a tune-up for the rigorous season.
