Wrestling Ranks 18th in Brute-Adidas Preseason National Poll

The Heidelberg College wrestling team, winners of two of the last three Ohio Athletic Conference Regular Season Titles and three-consecutive OAC Tournament Championships, have been ranked 18th in the Brute-Adidas National Wrestling Coaches Association Division III Preseason Poll. A ranking committee of NWCA affiliated members voted on the preseason poll that was announced on Monday, Oct. 27.
 
A national ranking has been an ongoing occurrence for the Berg while under the guidance of seventh-year head coach Jason Miller. Miller is the reigning OAC Coach of the Year and guided the Berg to an 11-2 dual record a season ago, while standing a perfect 6-0 in league match ups. Listed under its 11 victories a season ago was five wins over ranked foes.
 
Adding a solid foundation to Heidelberg’s national ranking as a team are four wrestlers that are ranked in their individual weight classes. Leading the way are returning OAC Champions and national qualifiers Jerrad Hoxie (Grand Rapids, Mich. / Forest Hills Northern) and Zach Mizer (Canton, Ohio / Perry), along with Boomer Fechko (Brunswick, Ohio / Brunswick) and Robbie Brubeck (Findlay, Ohio / Findlay).
 
Hoxie, a sophomore, returns at 125 pounds after finishing his freshman campaign at 31-15 overall and 4-0 in the OAC. Hoxie upset Ohio Northern’s no. 7 David Penny in the OAC finals to earn a championship and a spot at nationals. At nationals Hoxie finished at 1-2.
 
Mizer returns after a solid sophomore season where he finished at 29-10 and 5-0 in the OAC at 149 pounds. Mizer earned his OAC Championship in 2008 and a trip to nationals with a triple overtime victory. He went to on to stand at 1-2 at nationals.
 
Fechko, a junior, battled back from an injury in the middle of the 2008 season to post a 16-6 overall record. In the early part of the OAC slate Fechko was called upon for two victories. He will look to make his first trip to nationals in 2009 after just missing out in the final seconds last year.  
 
Rounding out the list of individuals ranked in the preseason standings is Brubeck. Brubeck opened the 2008 season with nine-straight victories and a national ranking before being sidelined with an injury. He has returned from the setback and will look to pick up where his season was shortened a year ago.
 
Heidelberg opens its 2008 season at the Ashland Open hosted by nationally ranked and Division II foe Ashland University. The open is scheduled for Nov. 15 beginning at 9:00 a.m.