Mankato, Minn. — Minnesota State wrestling stands tied for third in the 2017-18 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Coaches Preseason Poll.
St. Cloud State, which received eight first-place votes, is rated first and followed by Upper Iowa, Minnesota State and Augustana, MSU-Moorhead, Mary, Northern State, Southwest Minnesota State and Minot State.
The Mavericks, who enter the year tied for 16th in the national preseason poll, return three NCAA DII national tournament qualifiers, including two All-Americans.
Corey Abernathy and Matthew Blome each earned All-American honors last year after they both finished in eighth place at the national tournament. Abernathy (184 lbs.), rated fourth nationally in his weight class heading into 2017-18, recorded a 24-9 record last season while Blome (197 lbs., rated fifth nationally), wrestled to a 28-11 mark and garnered the team’s Newcomer of the Year Award. Dylan Herman (157 lbs., rated ninth nationally), also qualified for the NCAA tournament on the back of an 18-12 record.
The Mavericks will also be boosted by the return of Louie Sanders, Daniel Close, and Zach Johnson, all of whom finished with at least 17 wins last season and participated in the NCAA Super Region 3 Tournament for Minnesota State. Andrew McFall and Chris Zimmer are expected to contribute greatly to the team this season after wrestling in duals and regionals for the Mavericks last year.
Head coach Jim Makovsky, who is entering his 25th season in charge of the Mavericks, owns a career mark of 263-111-3 (.697) at Minnesota State. His college career record sits at 286-130-4 (he also coached at Valley City State for four years prior to MSU where he posted a 23-19-1 record).
Minnesota State opens its season Saturday at the Rochester Community & Technical College Tournament in Rochester, Minn.
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NSIC Preseason Wrestling Coaches’ Poll
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