Jan. 28, 2009 - The North Central College wrestling team remains sixth in this week's Brute/Adidas NCAA Division III National Top 25 Poll, released Wednesday by the National Wrestling Coaches Association.

The Cardinals recorded their 13th straight dual-meet victory and improved to 14-2 in dual competitions on Jan. 21, defeating College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin rival Elmhurst College (Ill.) at Gregory Arena. North Central outpointed the 13th-ranked Bluejays, 23-10.

Ben Youel (Sr., Crystal Lake, Ill./Crystal Lake Central) has risen one spot to second in the national individual rankings at 165 pounds. Youel, who has a record of 27-2 this season, now only sits behind Justin Hanson of Wartburg College (Iowa). Hanson defeated Youel, 5-3, at the Concordia University (Wis.) Open on Nov. 22, but Youel turned the tables by defeating Hanson, 8-3, at Wartburg's Dick Walker Invitational on Dec. 13.

Gabe Youel (Jr., Crystal Lake, Ill./Crystal Lake Central) continues to occupy the No. 3 spot at 184 pounds, trailing top-ranked Romeo Djoumesi of Wartburg and second-ranked Mike Wilcox of Delaware Valley College (Pa.) Gabe Youel's record remains perfect at 29-0 this season.

New to the rankings this week is Jason Fitzenreider (Jr., West Chicago, Ill./Wheaton North), who is rated eighth at 149 pounds. Fitzenreider's season record currently stands at 18-1. Willie Holst of top-ranked Augsburg College (Minn.) holds the top spot at 149.

The Cardinals participate in the Pete Willson Invitational at Wheaton College (Ill.) on Friday and Saturday. Friday's action is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m., and wrestling will resume on Saturday at 9:30 a.m.