FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302

D3wrestle.com Rankings

Oct. 20, 2009 - Three North Central College wrestlers are ranked in the top 10 in NCAA Division III in their respective weight classes, according to the annual preseason rankings released by D3wrestle.com.

Two-time Division III All-American Gabe Youel is ranked second in the 184-pound class, while sophomore transfer Johnny Starzyk is ranked sixth at 133 pounds and four-year starter Joe Norton is ranked 10th at 125.

Youel has placed fourth at each of the past two Division III National Championships, and has won each of the last three College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin 184-pound championships. He enters his senior season owning a career record of 122-19 with 31 pins. He ranks sixth in North Central history in career victories, fourth in pins, and first in career winning percentage (.865).

Norton went 32-9 last season, placing third at the Great Lakes Regional Championships at 125 pounds. He has a career record of 71-47. Starzyk is preparing for his first season with the Cardinals after transferring from the University of Oklahoma.

North Central is coming off a season which saw it go 15-2 in dual-meet competition, establishing a new school record for wins, and post a second straight CCIW Championship. The Cardinals finished third at the Great Lakes Regional and 14th at the Division III National Championships.