EDMOND, Okla. – The Mercyhurst University wrestling team is now ranked 11^th in the nation, released Wednesday, Feb.8 by the NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches Association. 

Mercyhurst is 13-5 in dual meets this year with a 4-1 record since the last national poll.  Their lone loss came to Ashland University who jumped the Lakers in the rankings to No.10.  St. Cloud State is a perfect 19-0 this season in duals and has been named the No.1 team in four of the five polls this season.  The Huskies received all eight first-place votes to finish with 160 points.

Newberry remained No. 2 with 151 points, Upper Iowa stayed third with 139.5 and Nebraska-Kearney switched places with Augustana (S.D.) to round out the top five teams.  Making up the second half of the top 10 is Central Oklahoma, Grand Canyon (Ariz.), Pittsburgh-Johnstown, Adams State (Colo.) and Ashland (Ohio).

Seniors' Fred Hale and Josh Shields as well as redshirt junior Jordan Shields all remain nationally ranked in their respective classes.  Hale, the Lakers heavyweight, is 26-6 this season and has won seven consecutive bouts, which include two wins over nationally ranked foes.  Mercyhurst and Ashland sent their nationally ranked grapplers onto the mat with Hale prevailing with a 9-4 decision win in front of a home crowd.  Hale's current hot streak has propelled him four spots in the rankings as he now ranks as the No.4 grappler in the nation.

157lb Jordan Shields remained the No.6 wrestler in the nation as the top eight spots in the class all stayed the same.  Shields is 17-3 this season and is currently on a four bout win streak.  Since the last national poll the 157-pounder is 2-0 with wins over Sean Floor of Gannon and Jarrod Shaw of West Liberty.

Josh Shields stayed put in the No.3 spot at the 165lb class.  Shields trails only Tad Merrit of St.Cloud State and Joey Wilson of Nebraska-Kearney who rank one and two respectively.  Shields registered one win since the last rankings were released, against Shippensburg's Neal Grudi.  The win helps Shields to an 8-2 overall and dual record thus far this season.

The Lakers head into their final dual meet of the season tomorrow, Feb.10 against the University of Findlay, the No.14 team in the country.  Match time is set for 7 p.m.  Mercyhurst holds a slight head-to-head advantage as they are 5-4-1 all-time against the Roughnecks.  Last season the Lakers rattled off three consecutive bout wins to end the meeting in an 18-18 tie.