Heidelberg Wrestling Ranked Fourth in the Nation

According to the Brute/NWCA Division III Preseason Coaches Poll, Heidelberg College’s wrestling team, led by head coach Jason Miller, is projected at fourth in the nation for the upcoming 2007-08 season. The poll is sponsored by Brute and the National Wrestling Coaches Association, and determined by a committee of Division III college coaches.

Also ranked are six of the team’s returnees, who are led by Joe Pflug (Maple Heights, Ohio / Maple Heights) in the 149 weight class and ranked first, Ryan Bowers (Lima, Ohio / Elida) in the heavyweight position and predicted fifth in the nation, Nick Sanchez (Lima, Ohio / Bath) at 141 pounds and Ryan Fogliano (Maple Heights, Ohio / Maple Heights) at 197 are ranked seventh, Ian Rammel (St. Mary’s, Ohio / Spencerville) filling the 165 spot is predicted in eighth place, and Aaron Jonhenry (Berea, Ohio / Berea) at 157 who is in the number 10 spot in the nation.

“It's always great feelings to be ranked in the top five,” commented Miller, “However our wrestlers know that we need to continue working hard while staying focused and, in two weeks, go earn that ranking at our first match against Tri-State.”

During the 2006-07 season Heidelberg placed wrestlers in nine of the ten weight classes at the Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament and three qualified for the NCAA Nationals. Pflug placed third nationally for the team, while Sanchez, who led the team with a 26-7 record, and Bowers also joined him for the trip. Fogliano and Bowers both finished second at the OAC’s, with Bowers receiving the at-large bid for the conference, while Jonhenry came in third and Rammel in fourth.

“We are very fortunate to have a lot of depth this year, especially in the lower weights,” Miller remarked, “I believe we have several guys that can make an impact on the national seen.  Most importantly we need to maintain our health and focus during the next few months.”

The Berg begins its season Tuesday, November 13 at Tri-State in Angola, Ind. at 7 p.m.