DSU moves to No. 3 in NAIA wrestling rankings

By Dickinson Press Staff

February 10, 2009 at 10:00 PM

The Dickinson State wrestling team jumped to No. 3 in the NAIA national rankings on Tuesday.

The Blue Hawks climbed one spot thanks to a dual win over Great Falls (Mont.), which it was tied with at No. 4 in the last rankings.

Lindenwood (Mo.) remained at the top of the national poll while McKendree (Ill.) was ranked No. 2.

Two DSU wrestlers -- Stanton Schlecht (165) and Shane Bennett (174) -- earned No. 2 rankings in their individual weight classes.

DSU 184-pound senior Brett Owen, despite beating top-ranked Michael French of Great Falls during a dual last week, fell one spot to No. 5 while French remained No. 1.

Eli Zuniga climbed into the rankings at No. 5 at 141 after moving up a weight class and dropping out of the early season rankings. Angel Olea also climbed into the 125-pound rankings for the first time this season at No. 7.

Junior Jake Kallestad and senior Matt Michaelson are both ranked at 197. Kallestad is third while Michaelson is sixth. Nick Zumwalt moved up one spot to No. 7 at 157.

NAIA Pts Pvs

1. Lindenwood (Mo.) 98 1

2. McKendree (Ill.) 64 3

3. Dickinson State 61 T4

4. Great Falls (Mont.) 51 T4

5. Southern Oregon 50 2

6. Missouri Valley 42 6

7. Notre Dame (Ohio) 40 7

8. Menlo (Calif.) 35 8

9t. Dana (Neb.) 28 9

9t. Montana St.-Northern 28 10

11. Missouri Baptist 26 T12