Thanks to a first place finish at the 2013 NWCA/Cliff Keen Division II National Duals on Jan. 12-13, the St. Cloud State University wrestling team (11-0, 1-0 NSIC) has gained its first number ranking of the season in the Division II national polls this week.
The Huskies topped the charts in the DIvision II Coaches’ poll with 160 points. Notre Dame College of Ohio placed second in the poll with 152 points, while Central Oklahoma rounded out the top three with 143.5 points. This marks the first time since the 2011-12 season that the Huskies have earned the number one spot in the DII national poll, as they move up from fourth place in the previous poll.
The Huskies will continue their 2012-13 season at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 17 with a home match against Minnesota State, Moorhead in Halenbeck Hall. On Jan. 19, the Huskies will compete at the 2013 Ranger Duals in Kenosha, Wis.
Individuallly, SCSU senior Andy Pokorny moved to number one in the nation at the 133-pound level in this week’s DII polls. At 125-pounds, SCSU’s Eric Forde moved into the national rankings for the first time this season with a number seven ranking and Clint Poster also debuted in the national rankings with a number eight place at 157-pounds.
SCSU’s Shamus O’Grady (184) and Jacob Kahnke (285) both maintained second place national rankings in their respective weight divisions in this week’s poll.
DIvision II Wrestling Coaches’ Poll – Jan. 16, 2013
1. St. Cloud State (Minn.) 160 4th
2. Notre Dame (Ohio) 152 7th
3. Central Oklahoma 143.5 3rd
4. Newberry (S.C.) 133.5 2nd
5. Wisconsin-Parkside 127 17th
6. Upper Iowa 124 5th
7. Kutztown (Pa.) 109 20th
8. Findlay (Ohio) 104 8th
9. West Liberty (W.Va.) 83 T10th
10. Colorado Mesa 77 14th
11. Pittsburgh-Johnstown (Pa.) 75 12th
12. Grand Canyon (Ariz.) 64 6th
T13. Nebraska-Kearney 61 1st
T13. Minnesota State-Mankato 61 9th
15. Fort Hays State (Kan.) 41 19th
16. Ashland (Ohio) 34 18th
17. Adams State (Colo.) 31 16th
18. Indianapolis (Ind.) 26 NR
19. Augustana (S.D.) 22 13th
T20. Ouachita Baptist (Ark.) 15 T10th
T20. North Carolina-Pembroke 15 NR
WATCH THE HUSKIES: Fans can watch the Huskies live in the St. Cloud area on Jan. 17. UTVS will televise the match against Moorhead live on Charter Cable Channel 21 with Scott Gross and John O. Peterson making the call from Halenbeck Hall. If you live outside the St. Cloud area, you can watch the action live on your computer with the Stretch Internet video feed.
LISTEN TO THE HUSKIES: The SCSU-Moorhead match will not be aired on the KVSC Sports Stream. The Huskies will return to KVSC Sports Stream on Jan. 19 at the Ranger Duals with John O. Peterson making the call from Wisconsin.
TEAM STATS: 2012-13 SCSU Team Stats
HUSKY NEWS AND NOTES: The Huskies have won 37 consecutive dual matches dating back to the 2010-11 season…Shamus O’Grady currently paces the Huskies with an impressive 22-1 record at 184-pounds this season…Clint Poster is another top Husky with a 21-2 record at 157-pounds this season…Poster also leads the Huskies with nine pins this season…Jake Kahnke is undefeated this season with a 9-0 record at 285-pounds…the Huskies have won 98 of their matches by falls this season…the Huskies captured their second consecutive NWCA/Cliff Keen DII National Duals title on Jan. 12-13 in Springfield, Ill…Eric Forde keeps moving up the charts and currently owns a solid 16-4 record this winter at 125 for the Huskies…Coach Steve Costanzo is in his seventh season at SCSU and is 90-23 during his tenure in the Granite City. Of note, Costanzo is a native of Bennington, Neb. and was coached in high school by Alan Pokorny, the father of current SCSU wrestler Andy Pokorny.