Wrestlers #10 in Preseason NWCA National Poll; Valko, Whetstone both Earn #1 Rankings 10/22/09...Head Coach Pat Pecora's Mountain Cat wrestling team earned the #10 ranking in the 2009-10 NCAA Division II Preseason National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) National Poll when it was released on Thursday. Five Pitt-Johnstown wrestlers are individually-ranked, including 2009 All-Americans Shane Valko (133 lbs.) (Windber, Pa.) and Adam Whetstone (141 lbs.) (Claysburg, Pa.), who were both ranked No. 1 in their weight classes... (Complete Rankings) Valko, a two-time All-American who was the National Runner-up a year ago, and Whetstone, who placed fifth in 2009, are both the top-ranked wrestlers in their individual weight classes. 2008 All-American and 2009 National Qualifier Kyle Keane (Bradford, Pa.) is ranked fourth at 165 lbs., while two-time National Qualifiers Patrick Walsh (184 lbs.) (Leesport, Pa.) and Chris Dempsey (HWT.) (Sewickley, Pa.) are both ranked sixth. Defending National Champion Nebraska-Omaha was the unanimous pick by the coaches to retain its title in 2009-10.NWCA National Top-10(as of 10/22/09)1. Nebraska-Omaha (160 pts.)2. Minnesota State-Mankato (148 pts.)3. Newberry (S.C.) (138 pts.)4. Nebraska-Kearney (132 pts.)5. Adams State (CO) (123 pts.)6. Central Oklahoma (121 pts.)7. Western State (CO) (103 pts.)T8. St. Cloud State (MN) (95 pts.)T8. Upper Iowa (95 pts.)10. PITT-JOHNSTOWN (90 pts.)
