@MizzouWrestling Ranked Sixth in OpenMat Preseason Rankings
10/8/2018 3:07:00 PM | Wrestling
Six Tigers ranked among top 20 in respective weight classes; including three among top-five
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Wrestling was well-represented in the OpenMat.com Preseason National Rankings, announced Monday (Oct. 8). Mizzou checked in at No. 6 nationally in the preseason poll, which was the top position in the poll among all teams from the Mid-American Conference. With 45 points in the poll, Mizzou trailed only Penn State (No. 1 with 116), Ohio State (No. 2 with 85.5), Oklahoma State (No. 3 with 74.5), Iowa (No. 4 with 69.5) and Michigan (No. 5 with 51.5).
Mizzou will wrestle nine teams ranked in OpenMat.com's preseason top-25, giving Brian Smith's group one of the most challenging slates in the country as the team looks to secure its fifth consecutive top-10 finish at the NCAA Championships. Of those nine duals vs. ranked opponents, three will be at home.
As expected with a team ranked among the national elite in the preseason rankings, several Tiger grapplers rank highly in their respective weight classes. Two-time All-American and 2018 fourth-place finisher at 141 pounds Jaydin Eierman (Columbia, Mo.) ranks third at that weight class, the top spot of any Tiger in the rankings.
Both Grant Leeth (Kearney, Mo.) and Daniel Lewis (Blue Springs, Mo.) rank fourth at their weight classes (149 and 174, respectively) to give Mizzou three top-five individuals in the preseason rankings. John Erneste (Kansas City, Mo.) ranks eight at 133 pounds to give Mizzou four grapplers in the top-10.
Rounding out the rankings are Connor Flynn (Dardenne Prairie, Mo.) who is 12th at 165 pounds and Canten Marriott (Excelsior Springs, Mo.) who is 14th at 184 pounds.
Mizzou opens the season Nov. 3 at Illinois and official team practice begins Wednesday (Oct. 10). For all the latest on Mizzou Wrestling, stay tuned to MUTigers.com and follow the team on Twitter and Instagram (Mizzou Wrestling) and like the team on Facebook (University of Missouri Wrestling).
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