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

Team Rankings
Individual Rankings

Feb. 11, 2010 - The North Central College wrestling team holds steady at 10th in the latest National Wrestling Coaches Association NCAA Division III rankings, while four Cardinals continue to be ranked in the top 10 in their respective weight classes.

The Cardinals (12-5-1) sent a contingent to last weekend's University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Blugold Invitational, but last sent their full varsity squad to the Wheaton College Pete Willson Invitational on Jan. 29-30. North Central is one of two College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin teams in the top 20, as Elmhurst College (7-5-1) is ranked 18th. Last season's Division III runner-up, Augsburg College (Minn.), is ranked first, while the defending national champion, Wartburg College (Iowa), is second.

North Central's highest-ranked individual wrestler is Nathan Fitzenreider (30-3), who is currently second at 133 pounds. Johnny Starzyk (11-2) is ranked third at 141, while Gabe Youel (26-3) is third at 184. Joe Norton (21-4) is 10th at 125.

The Cardinals host the CCIW Championships at Gregory Arena on Thursday. North Central will be gunning for its third straight conference team title, while Youel will be seeking his fourth straight individual conference crown. Cardinal 197-pounder Vinnie Sapienza will attempt to win a third straight individual title, and Cowan Brown will look to add a 174-pound championship to the title he won at 157 last season.

First-round matches will begin at 5 p.m., with championships matches slated to start at 7:15.