Oct. 26, 2010

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri wrestling team is ranked No. 11 in the first NWCA/USA Today Division I Team Coaches Poll, as released Tuesday.  Overall, five conferences are represented in the top 10 and seven conference represented in the top 25.

Of the Tigers' 18 dual meet opponents this season, nine are ranked in the top-25 of this initial poll.  Big 12 rivals Oklahoma State and Oklahoma rank third and eighth, respectively.  Illinois comes in at No. 10, while Nebraska sits at No. 15.  Sitting at No. 17 is Lehigh, while Purdue, Rutgers and Oregon State rank No. 20, 21 and 22.  Iowa State rounds out the list at No. 25.  On top of that, five Mizzou opponents are also receiving votes.  American, Hofstra, Indiana, Kent State and Maryland each sit just outside the top-25.

The Tigers return three NCAA qualifiers from last season in senior Todd Schavrien, junior Dorian Henderson and sophomore Brent Haynes.  Junior heavyweight Dom Bradley sits near the top in many of the preseason individual rankings.  Mizzou begins their season this Saturday with the annual Black and Gold exhibition meet, beginning at 9 a.m. CT in the Hearnes Center.  Missouri's first dual meet of the regular season is Friday, Nov. 12 against No. 10 Illinois in Edwardsville, Ill.

Stay tuned to mutigers.com for more information.