@MizzouWrestling Selected Preseason No. 1 by MAC Coaches
10/15/2015 8:40:00 AM | Wrestling
The league coaches picked #TigerStyle to claim its fourth straight MAC title
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Wrestling was ranked preseason No. 1 in the Mid-American Conference by the league's coaches, as announced on Thursday by the MAC. Based on individual rankings, three-time defending MAC Champion Mizzou earned 21 points to claim the top spot over No. 2 Ohio (16 points).
Each of the nine MAC schools were ranked based on the number of first through fourth-place votes collected in the individual voting system. First-place votes were worth four team points, second-place votes netted three points, third-place votes secured two points and fourth-place votes earned one point.
Two Mizzou grapplers, junior J'den Cox (197 lbs.) and redshirt junior Zach Synon (133 lbs.) were ranked first in their respective weight classes by the league coaches. Six other Tigers cracked the top four of the individual weight class rankings, including redshirt senior Blaise Butler (2nd - 174 lbs.), junior Joey Lavallee (2nd – 149 lbs.), redshirt sophomore Willie Milkus (2nd – 184 lbs.), redshirt junior Lavion Mayes (3rd – 141 lbs.), redshirt sophomore Barlow McGhee (4th – 125 lbs.) and redshirt freshman Daniel Lewis (4th – 165 lbs.).
As a team, the Tigers edged out Ohio, Northern Iowa (15) and Old Dominion (15). Mizzou hasn't lost a MAC dual since falling to Northern Iowa on Jan. 24, 2014. The Tigers went an undefeated 24-0 last season, including a perfect 8-0 mark in conference play. The season culminated with Mizzou's third consecutive MAC Championship since joining the league three years ago.
The 2016 MAC Wrestling Championships will take place March 5-6 at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan. For all the latest on Mizzou Wrestling, stay tuned to MUTigers.com and follow the team on Twitter @MizzouWrestling.
Full INDIVIDUAL MAC Preseason Rankings
125 – 1. Dylan Peters (Northern Iowa, Junior); 2. Brandon Jeske (Old Dominion, Junior); 3. Brent Fleetwood (Central Michigan, Sophomore); 4. Barlow McGhee (Missouri, RS Sophomore).
133 – 1. Zach Synon (Missouri, RS Junior); 2. Mack McGuire (Kent State, Senior); 3. Corey Keener (Central Michigan, Junior); 4. KeVon Powell (Ohio, Senior).
141 – 1. Chris Mecate (Old Dominion, Senior); 2. Zach Horan (Central Michigan, Senior); 3. Lavion Mayes (Missouri, RS Junior); 4. Jake Hodges (Northern Iowa, Sophomore).
149 – 1. Alexander Richardson (Old Dominion, Senior); 2. Joey Lavallee (Missouri, Junior); 3. Tywan Claxton (Ohio, Senior); 4. Mike DePalma (Kent State, Senior).
157 – 1. Ian Miller (Kent State, Senior); 2. Lucas Smith (Central Michigan, Senior); 3. Spartak Chino (Ohio, Senior); 4. Jarrett Jensen (Northern Iowa, Senior).
165 – 1. Cooper Moore (Northern Iowa, Junior); 2. Shaun'Qae McMurtry (Northern Illinois, Junior); 3. Jordan Wohlfert (Central Michigan, Junior); 4. Daniel Lewis (Missouri, RS Freshman).
174 – 1. Cody Walters (Ohio, Senior); 2. Blaise Butler (Missouri, RS Senior); 3. Mike Ottinger (Central Michigan, Senior); 4. Trace Engelkes (Northern Illinois, Junior).
184 – 1. Jack Dechow (Old Dominion, Junior); 2. Willie Miklus (Missouri, RS Sophomore); 3. Andrew Romanchik (Ohio, Senior); 4. Cody Caldwell (Northern Iowa, Senior).
197 – 1. J'Den Cox (Missouri, Junior); 2. Phil Wellington (Ohio, Senior); 3. Anthony Abro (Eastern Michigan, Senior); 4. Shawn Scott (Northern Illinois, Junior).
HWT – 1. Blaize Cabell (Northern Iowa, Senior); 2. Mimmo Lytle (Kent State, Junior); 3. Jesse Webb (Ohio, Sophomore); 4. Gage Hutchison (Eastern Michigan, Sophomore).
2015-16 MAC TEAM Preseason Poll
1. Missouri (21.0)
2. Ohio (16.0)
t3. Northern Iowa (15.0)
t3. Old Dominion (15.0)
5. Central Michigan (14.0)
6. Kent State (11.0)
7. Northern Illinois (5.0)
8. Eastern Michigan (3.0)
9. Buffalo (0.0)
Players Mentioned
