Completed Event: Wrestling versus Harold Nichols Cyclone Open on January 18, 2026 , , One Champ
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Wrestling
Harold Nichols Cyclone Open
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Iowa State University Athletics
Cyclone Wrestlers Picked Second in Preseason Poll
10.24.2008 | Wrestling
AMES, Iowa ? The Iowa State Cyclone wrestling team has been rated as the second-best team in the country according to the USA Today/Intermat/NWCA team rankings. The Cyclones return six All-Americans to their lineup. They also lead all teams with nine ranked wrestlers.
Two-time national finalist Jake Varner leads the team as the top-ranked grappler at 197 pounds in the Intermat/NWCA/NWMA individual rankings. Varner is moving up from 184 pounds. Nick Gallick, at 141 pounds, and David Zabriskie, at heavyweight, both enter the rankings in the second spot at their respective weights. Gallick placed fifth at last year's NCAA Championship and Zabriskie placed sixth.
Jon Reader returns at 165 pounds and is ranked at number four, after finishing seventh last year. Iowa State's returning 133-pound seventh place All-American, Nick Fanthope, is ranked fifth.
Cyler Sanderson is rated in the seventh spot after placing seventh at last year's NCAA Championship.
Newcomer Duke Burk is picked as the 10th best in the 174-pound weight class. Other Cyclone's receiving rankings are Tyler Clark and Mitch Mueller, rated at 13th in the 125-pound and 149-pound weight classes, respectively.
The USA Today/InterMat/NWCA Coaches Poll is voted on by a representative member of each Division 1 wrestling conference. The InterMat/NWCA/NWMA Individual Rankings are voted on by members of the National Wrestling Media Association.
The Cyclone squad opens the 2008-09 wrestling season at home in Hilton Coliseum against Utah Valley on Nov. 13 at 7 p.m.
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