Heidelberg Grapplers Top Preseason Polls

Not only have they already been ranked fourth in the nation at Division III in the Brute/National Wrestling Coaches Association preseason poll, the Heidelberg College wrestling team has now also been ranked atop both the Ohio Athletic Conference Dual Meet and Tournament Championships Polls. The polls, voted upon by OAC wrestling coaches, gave Heidelberg six votes for first in each category, with John Carroll coming in second on both receiving one vote for first.

Baldwin-Wallace College and Ohio Northern University came in third and fourth respectively on both polls, with Mount Union College following in fifth, Muskingum came in sixth, and rounding out the polls in seventh place was Wilmington College.

“It is always flattering to be regarded highly by your peers, we have been working extremely hard thus far this season and are hoping we can live up to those expectations,” commented head coach Jason Miller, “The team is looking forward to the challenge of being the target.  One things for certain, when you’re considered the pre-season number one you always get your opponent's best.”

The Student Princes finished last year’s dual meet season in second behind John Carroll for the OAC title, but came back to win the OAC Championship Tournament by a decisive amount. Miller was awarded OAC Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season, and Joe Pflug (Maple Heights, Ohio / Maple Heights) was named the John Summa Most Outstanding Wrestler.

Three ’Berg wrestlers also qualified for the national tournament. They included Pflug, who placed third at 149 lbs., Nick Sanchez (Lima, Ohio / Bath), who qualified at 141 lbs., and Ryan Bowers (Lima, Ohio / Elida), who represented Heidelberg in the heavyweight class. All three are back for the upcoming season, along with six other OAC tournament placers for the Berg, which boasts one of the largest programs in the nation.

The men open up their season Tuesday, November 13 at Tri-State in Angola, Ind. at 7 p.m.