Indiana University Athletics
Hoosiers Named in WIN Preseason Rankings
9/13/2016 4:59:00 PM | Wrestling
NEWTON, Iowa – Wrestling Insider News (WIN) announced their preseason team and individual rankings for the upcoming 2016-17 wrestling season. As a team, Indiana is projected to finish in the top 30, and two Hoosier grapplers landed on the individual preseason top-20 lists.
Returning NCAA All-American Nate Jackson debuts at No. 5 in the 174 lbs. rankings, the second-highest ranking by a Big Ten wrestler in that class. Elijah Oliver, who qualified for the NCAA Championships in his freshman year last season, opens the season at No. 16 in the 125 lbs. rankings, fourth amongst Big Ten wrestlers.
Jackson returns for his final collegiate season after tallying a 35-9 record with a fourth-place finish at the Big Ten Championships and a fifth-place podium finish at the NCAA Championships. Jackson reached the NCAA semifinals before falling by one point to Bo Nickal (Penn State), and bounced back in the fifth-place bout by beating Lelund Weatherspoon (Iowa State), 5-2.
Perceived as a top contender for this season's NCAA Championships, Jackson has a wide range of experience in facing wrestlers in this preseason top 20. Throughout his career, Jackson has taken the mat against 10 of the top 20, including nine last season, and he holds a career record of 12-6 against the group. This year, Jackson is projected to meet at least five top-20 wrestlers in Big Ten dual action, starting with No. 14 Nick Wanzek (Minnesota) at home on January 22.
Oliver made an outstanding entry into the college ranks last season, posting a 32-10 overall record with a fifth-place finish in the Big Ten Championships and his first NCAA berth. For his efforts, Oliver earned a first-team selection to the Amateur Wrestling News' All-Rookie team.
Now in his sophomore season, Oliver will look to build from last year's success as he eyes a tough slate of opponents in the upcoming dual season. Last year, Oliver faced five wrestlers in this year's preseason top 20, during which he scored two wins over preseason No. 5 Conor Youtsey (Michigan) and a win over No. 20 L.J. Bentley (Pittsburgh). He's projected to face at least four top-20 grapplers this season, including rematches against No. 14 Alfredo Rodriguez (SIU-Edwardsville), No. 10 Tim Lambert (Nebraska), and No. 1 Thomas Gilman (Iowa). His first big test in dual action will be the Hoosiers' double at SIU-Edwardsville, when Oliver will enter the circle against No. 14 Alfredo Rodriguez (SIUE) and No. 11 Josh Rodriguez (North Dakota State).
The Indiana wrestling season is rapidly approaching. The Hoosiers will open the campaign with a double dual at Cal Poly on Thursday, November 3. Indiana's first home dual of the season will also serve as their Big Ten opener, hosting No. 13 Wisconsin on Friday, December 9 at 7:00 p.m. ET.
Returning NCAA All-American Nate Jackson debuts at No. 5 in the 174 lbs. rankings, the second-highest ranking by a Big Ten wrestler in that class. Elijah Oliver, who qualified for the NCAA Championships in his freshman year last season, opens the season at No. 16 in the 125 lbs. rankings, fourth amongst Big Ten wrestlers.
Jackson returns for his final collegiate season after tallying a 35-9 record with a fourth-place finish at the Big Ten Championships and a fifth-place podium finish at the NCAA Championships. Jackson reached the NCAA semifinals before falling by one point to Bo Nickal (Penn State), and bounced back in the fifth-place bout by beating Lelund Weatherspoon (Iowa State), 5-2.
Perceived as a top contender for this season's NCAA Championships, Jackson has a wide range of experience in facing wrestlers in this preseason top 20. Throughout his career, Jackson has taken the mat against 10 of the top 20, including nine last season, and he holds a career record of 12-6 against the group. This year, Jackson is projected to meet at least five top-20 wrestlers in Big Ten dual action, starting with No. 14 Nick Wanzek (Minnesota) at home on January 22.
Oliver made an outstanding entry into the college ranks last season, posting a 32-10 overall record with a fifth-place finish in the Big Ten Championships and his first NCAA berth. For his efforts, Oliver earned a first-team selection to the Amateur Wrestling News' All-Rookie team.
Now in his sophomore season, Oliver will look to build from last year's success as he eyes a tough slate of opponents in the upcoming dual season. Last year, Oliver faced five wrestlers in this year's preseason top 20, during which he scored two wins over preseason No. 5 Conor Youtsey (Michigan) and a win over No. 20 L.J. Bentley (Pittsburgh). He's projected to face at least four top-20 grapplers this season, including rematches against No. 14 Alfredo Rodriguez (SIU-Edwardsville), No. 10 Tim Lambert (Nebraska), and No. 1 Thomas Gilman (Iowa). His first big test in dual action will be the Hoosiers' double at SIU-Edwardsville, when Oliver will enter the circle against No. 14 Alfredo Rodriguez (SIUE) and No. 11 Josh Rodriguez (North Dakota State).
The Indiana wrestling season is rapidly approaching. The Hoosiers will open the campaign with a double dual at Cal Poly on Thursday, November 3. Indiana's first home dual of the season will also serve as their Big Ten opener, hosting No. 13 Wisconsin on Friday, December 9 at 7:00 p.m. ET.
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