Nov. 15, 2007

EVANSTON, Ill.-- Ranked sixth in the latest release of the USA Today/NWCA/InterMat Division I Coaches Poll, the Northwestern wrestling team received an even bigger honor on Wednesday as they were ranked No. 2 in the Division I Tournament Strength Rankings.

The poll is geared to ranked teams based on how they would fare in a tournament, not in individual opens or by individual talents. Northwestern received a score of 61.5, which was behind only Minnesota and ahead of Big Ten foes Michigan, Ohio State and Iowa at third, sixth and seventh respectively, and ahead of Nebraska and Iowa State, which sit at fourth and fifth.

In the individual rankings by weight class, six Wildcats are ranked in the top 20 in the country at their weight. Brandon Precin (Orland Park, Ill./Carl Sandburg) is ranked 11th in the 125-lb. division, Eric Metzler's (Luxemburg, Wis./Luxemburg-Casco) first-career ranking comes at No. 19 at 133 lbs., Ryan Lang (North Royalton, Ohio/Lakewood St. Edward) atop the poll at 141 lbs., Nick Hayes (Council Bluffs, Iowa/Lewis Central) is eighth at 174 lbs., Mike Tamillow (Oak Park, Ill./Fenwick) third at 197 lbs. and Dustin Fox (Galion, Ohio/Galion) first in the heavyweight division.

There was no change in the top 25 poll from last week, as Northwestern held its spot at No. 6. Minnesota received all 12 first place votes, while Iowa State, Oklahoma State, Iowa and Michigan round out the top five.

Northwestern continues its season at the Missouri Open on Sunday in Columbia, Mo.