Five Rated Regionally, Two Nationally in Preseason Mat Poll

William Penn University Athletics

Oskaloosa–In many ways it may be a rebuilding season, but the raters are not treating it that way as the Statesmen wrestling team is holding its own as the NAIA’s preseason top-20 poll was released today.

William Penn is ranked #22 with 18.5 points and has three individual ranked nationally. Scottie Bonds (Jr., Chicago, Ill., Physical Education) is pacing the trio, sitting in fourth place at 149 pounds.

Bryan Pittman (Sr., Flossmoor, Ill., Information Technology), in 12th at 141 pounds, and John Altieri (Fr., Warwick, R.I., Sociology), in 13th at 125 pounds, are also ranked.

Four-time defending national champion Grand View maintains its stronghold from years past, holding the #1 spot with 113.5 points. Oklahoma City (82), Indiana Tech (73), Missouri Valley (72.5), and Montana State-Northern (64) round out the top five.

The Statesmen also open the year sixth in the Central Qualifying Group with 74 points; Grand View leads the way with 211 points. The NAIA has increased from four qualifying groups to six.

Bonds, Pittman, and Altieri are all in runner-up positions at their respective weights, while 157-pounder Christian Padilla (Sr., Tampa, Fla., Secondary Education) and 184-pounder Tyler Foubert (Fr., Gibson, Iowa, Business Management) are both sixth.

For the complete polls, click here http://www.naia.org/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=27900&ATCLID=210185756

William Penn begins the season by traveling to Des Moines November 7 for the Grand View Open.