Four SCSU wrestlers won in last weekend's Husky Open.
Here are the power rankings heading into Week 2 of DII wrestling action:
1 – St. Cloud State: There's no reason to think top-ranked St. Cloud State is slowing down. SCSU had four champions – five if you count the double forfeit at 197 pounds – at the annual Husky Open last Saturday. Brett Velasquez (125), Jarred Oftedahl (133), Larry Bomstad (157) and Austin Goergen (285) each claimed titles, Goergen with three pins and a major decision. Next up for the reigning champs is Concordia College (Minn.) on Dec. 31.
RELATED: SCSU goes from hunter to hunted
2 – Pittsburgh-Johnstown: The Mountain Cats led the DII contingent at the annual PSAC Championships at Lock Haven, putting Cody Law at the top of the podium and getting a silver medal from Tyler Reinhart. Getting 2016 national champion Nick Roberts (133) back is key for the Cats. UPJ head coach Pat Pecora has 561 dual wins, eight behind Olivet College’s Jare Klein for second all-time. With this team, Pecora will be the No. 2 man before the season is done.
3 – Maryville (Mo.): Former NCAA finalist Zeb Wahle led a small group of Saints at the Doane Open in Crete, Nebraska, last weekend. The 184-pounder won five matches and was champion for his weight class. The Saints have not competed in a dual this season and will not until the NWCA National Duals on Jan. 5-6. Another tournament is on tap this weekend, the always-tough Midwest Classic.
Wrestling Saints Pick up Six Placers at Doane University Open. Wahle Wins at 184 Pounds. https://t.co/cKrerpSAHd
— Maryville Athletics (@MaryvilleSaints) December 12, 2016
4 – Nebraska-Kearney: UNK outscored four opponents 159-26 at the Augie Duals last Saturday, beating host Augustana (SD), 27-11. Twenty-three of the Lopers’ 34 victories included bonus points. Sophomore 141-pounder Jeff Bizzle and freshman 125-pounder Vlad Kazaskov could be nice additions to an already strong lineup.
5 – Mercyhurst (Pa.): The Lakers were sixth at the PSAC Championships, finishing behind DII rival UPJ. Veterans Willie Bohince (125), Francis Mizia (165) and Andy Welton (285) were top three with Bohince falling in the finals to Edinboro’s Sean Russell. MU should battle UPJ, Maryville and Upper Iowa for top honors in Indy.
Congratulations with the third place finish for big Andy Welton today at PSACs pic.twitter.com/jBzwsP8qFh
— Mercyhurst Wrestling (@LakersWrestling) December 11, 2016
6 – Upper Iowa: The Peacocks improved to 3-0 with a 42-3 whipping of Minot State last Saturday. UIU takes a very good squad to Indianapolis for the Midwest Classic, a tournament that includes four of the top five teams in Division II.
7 – Notre Dame College: The Falcons will send wrestlers to the Cleveland State Open this weekend. Frank Romano’s group will not wrestle a dual until the NWCA National Duals.
8 – Newberry (S.C.): After a busy dual schedule, the Wolves have been off two weeks. Division II will found out how strong Newberry is at the Midwest Classic. Monday’s DII rankings show the Wolves at No. 11 with Ashland (Ohio).
Knocking on the door:
California-Baptist, McKendree (Ill.), Tiffin (Ohio), Northern State (S.D.), Ashland (Ohio)
