EDMOND, Okla. – After going 4-2 since the last national poll was released the Mercyhurst College wrestling team slipped two spots as they now rank 10th in the nation, according to the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II Wrestling Coaches Association poll released today, Jan.25.

Pitt-Johnstown and Adams State both jumped Mercyhurst in the national rankings.  Pitt-Johnstown went from 13^th in the nation to eighth while Adams State went from 12^th to ninth.  St. Cloud State remained the No.1 team in the country followed by Newberry College.  Newberry's only loss this season has come to St. Cloud State.  Upper Iowa and Augustana are tied for the three spot as Nebraska-Kearney rounds out the top five teams in the poll.

The Mountain Cats of Pitt-Johnstown, Ashland University, and West Liberty are the only Super Region I teams named in the nation's top 20.  Ashland is tied for 12^th in the rankings while West Liberty ranks 14^th.  Gannon University, Kutztown University, and North Carolina-Pembroke are all receiving votes.

Senior Fred Hale, redshirt junior Jordan Shields, and graduate student Josh Shields were all named together in the national rankings for the second consecutive poll.  Hale the Lakers heavyweight grappler dropped one spot in the 285lb class after registering a 3-1 performance since the last national poll.  During that stretch Hale beat then ranked No.4 Jake Elkins of Newberry College in a 9-8 decision.  Currently the Mentor, Ohio native and eighth ranked wrestler in the nation carries a three match win streak into Thursday's dual meet action against Gannon University.

Jordan Shields remains the sixth ranked wrestler in the nation at the 157lb class after posting a 3-1 record since Jan.11.  Shields is 15-3 on the season while accumulating seven major decisions.  Josh Shields ranks as the No.3 grappler for the second consecutive poll.  The 165-pounder is 7-2 on the season with his most recent win coming against No.7 Matt Vandermeer.

As a team, Mercyhurst is 9-4 on the year with all four losses coming to nationally ranked opponents.  The Lakers recently competed in the Super Region I Duals held in Johnstown, Pa. where they went 3-1 losing to No.2 Newberry in the second meet on Saturday, Jan.21.

The Lakers take the mat tomorrow, Jan.26 against cross-town rival Gannon at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center at 7 p.m.  Gannon holds a slight edge in the head-to-head battle as the Golden Knight have won six-of-11.