Iowa tied for second in WIN’s preseason rankings

Wrestling Insider Newsmagazine has released its 2014-15 preseason NCAA Division I team and individual rankings.

The University of Iowa is tied with Cornell for second, four points back of the University of Minnesota in the opening installment of the publication's ratings.

The Hawkeyes have seven wrestlers ranked in the top eight after placing fourth in March and return four of six All-Americans from last season. Bobby Telford, who was fourth last season, is Iowa's highest ranked wrestler. The two-time All-American and three-time NCAA qualifier is third at heavyweight.

All-Americans Cory Clark, included at 133, and 174-pounder Mike Evans are each ranked fourth. Returning All-American Nathan Burak (197) and Nick Moore (165) are both sixth. Sophomores Thomas Gilman (125) and Sammy Brooks (184) are ranked seventh and eighth, respectively. Josh Dziewa (141) and Brody Grothus at 149 are 12th.

Iowa State is ranked 12th after a 12th-place finish at the 2014 NCAA Championships. The Cyclones have three returning All-Americans in 197-pounder Kyven Gadson, who placed fourth last season, Michael Moreno (165), who placed fifth in March, and Earl Hall at 125 after an eighth-place performance at the NCAA tournament. Gadson and Moreno are both third, while Hall is 10th. Tanner Weatherman (174) is 11th and 184-pounder Lelund Weatherspoon is 15th.

University of Northern Iowa opens at 24th. The Panthers finished 15th at the 2014 NCAA Championships with three All-Americans. Dylan Peters is the lone national medalist that returns. The sophomore is ranked sixth, placing fifth last season. Levi Wolfensperger, a previous national qualifier, returns to the lineup after a red-shirt season. Wolfensperger is 12th at 133. National Qualifiers Cooper Moore (165), Cody Caldwell (174) and heavyweight Blaize Cabell are included in the rankings. Moore is 11th, Caldwell is 17th and Cabell, a former Independence prep, is 18th.

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