Mercyhurst's Pogel Ranked Fifth in Division II :: The Lakers are ranked 16th in the team poll

Jan. 9, 2008

Erie, Pa. - Brian Pogel, Mercyhurst's 149-pound junior, was ranked No. 5 in this week's NCAA Division II Individual Rankings. As a team, the Lakers were ranked 16th.

Earlier this week, Pogel moved to No. 1 in the East Region and is now the fifth-ranked wrestler in his weight class in the nation. Pogel leads the team with an impressive 16-5 record and four of his losses have come against Division I opponents.

In the opening dual of the NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals on Saturday, Pogel will have potential showdown with No. 1-ranked Todd Meneely of second-ranked Nebraska-Omaha. All eight nationally ranked wrestlers at 149 pounds will be in action at this weekend's event.

Prior to dropping two matches to Division I opponents from Cleveland State and Buffalo last weekend, Pogel had seven-straight matches and captured first place at Ashland's Simonson Invitational.

As a team, the Lakers dropped three spots to No. 16. Five of the Lakers' six losses have come to Division I teams. The Lakers will face a stiff challenge this weekend as eight top-10 teams in Division II will be in action.

The Lakers open the NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals against Nebraska-Omaha on Saturday at 11 a.m.