NWCA/InterMat Releases Preseason Rankings
10/19/2006 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Oct. 19, 2006
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) and its media Web site, InterMat, have released the Division I preseason wrestling rankings for the 2006-07 wrestling season. Michigan State begins the season ranked 17th in the preseason poll.
The Spartans, as always, boast one of the toughest schedules in the nation. Thirteen of MSU's 14 duals are against teams ranked in the preseason Top 25, including seven in the top 10. MSU opens its dual-meet schedule Thursday, Nov. 16 in Stillwater, Okla., against defending national champion and second-ranked Oklahoma State.
Individually, senior Andy Simmons leads the way for the Spartans, ranked second at 141 pounds. His brother Nick, also a senior, enters the season ranked third at 125.
Andy placed fifth at the NCAA Championships last spring at 141 pounds en route to earning All-America honors for the second consecutive year. He went 36-6 his junior year and won the Big Ten title for the first time in his career.
Nick, a three-time All-American, has placed fourth at the NCAA Championships the past two years. He won his second straight Big Ten title last season and compiled an impressive 36-2 overall record.
Andy enters the season 15th on MSU's all-time wins list with 101, while Nick is in 17th with 97 victories. Nick is just 10 falls away from Jim Mason's all-time record of 45 set from 1980-84.
Redshirt freshman Rocky Cozart debuts at No. 18 in the rankings at 165 pounds. Cozart compiled a 13-3 record during his redshirt season, including a 9-2 mark at 165. He went 4-1 while wrestling at 174.
Michigan State starts the season at the Eastern Michigan Open on Saturday, Nov. 4 in Ypsilanti, Mich.
Players Mentioned
