THIEL WRESTLING SQUAD RANKED 21 IN NWCA PRESEASON RANKINGS

Kevin Fenstermacher
Assistant Athletic Director
Sports Information Director
75 College Ave.
Greenville, PA 16125
Phone - 724.589.2187
Fax - 724.589.2880
kfenstermacher@thiel.edu
www.thiel.edu/athletics

For Immediate Release: October 26, 2006

THIEL WRESTLING SQUAD RANKED 21 IN NWCA PRESEASON RANKINGS

GREENVILLE, Pa. (Oct. 26) -- The Thiel College wrestling team received some preseason recognition this week as the team enters the year number 21 in the Brute-Adidas National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Division III team rankings while seniors Corey Murphy (Corry/Corry) and Kyle Brown (Meadville/Meadville) begin the year ranked sixth and seventh in their respective weight classes.

"I think as a coach rankings are very nice to look at and the number 21 preseason ranking is a tribute to how we finished last year. Our team has a lot of returners from last season," said fourth-year head coach Craig Thurber. "The top 25 preseason ranking is a good motivator for the team to see that other people think so highly of them, but we must continue to work hard to improve upon it to reach or goal of being one of the top 10 teams nationally."

Murphy, picked sixth at 165 pounds, has a career record of 81-37 and finished the 2005-2006 season with an overall record 22-5. He was a 2006 NCAA Division III national qualifier after posting his second-straight Midwest Regional championship. Murphy was a NCAA Division III all-American after finishing eighth at the 2005 National Championships.

"Corey is a senior and it is nice for him to be recognized as high as he is. Being ranked is something that gives you a reason to train harder. People get a little more excited to wrestle someone that is ranked. Knowing Corey he will work harder than ever to maintain his ranking and hopefully beat some people that are ranked higher than he is so he can move up," said Thurber.

Brown, picked seventh at 285 pounds, has a career record of 87-24 after posting a season record of 36-5 last year. He finished as the runner-up at the Midwest Regional qualifier last season after winning the 285-bracket and qualifying for the national championships in 2005. Brown is also a three-time NWCA Scholar All-American.

"Kyle has been beating ranked kids throughout his whole career and it is great to finally see him get the recognition he deserves. He has had a very good career up to this point and I expect him to take this preseason ranking seriously, knowing that becoming an all-American is definitely within his reach," said Thurber.

The Thiel wrestling squad opens its season at the West Liberty State College Hilltopper Open on Saturday, Nov. 4.

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www.thiel.edu/athletics

		Kevin Fenstermacher Assistant Athletic Director Sports Information Director 75 College Ave. Greenville, PA 16125 Phone - 724.589.2187 Fax - 724.589.2880 kfenstermacher@thiel.edu www.thiel.edu/athletics

For Immediate Release: October 26, 2006 THIEL WRESTLING SQUAD RANKED 21 IN NWCA PRESEASON RANKINGS GREENVILLE, Pa. (Oct. 26) -- The Thiel College wrestling team received some preseason recognition this week as the team enters the year number 21 in the Brute-Adidas National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Division III team rankings while seniors Corey Murphy (Corry/Corry) and Kyle Brown (Meadville/Meadville) begin the year ranked sixth and seventh in their respective weight classes. "I think as a coach rankings are very nice to look at and the number 21 preseason ranking is a tribute to how we finished last year. Our team has a lot of returners from last season," said fourth-year head coach Craig Thurber. "The top 25 preseason ranking is a good motivator for the team to see that other people think so highly of them, but we must continue to work hard to improve upon it to reach or goal of being one of the top 10 teams nationally." Murphy, picked sixth at 165 pounds, has a career record of 81-37 and finished the 2005-2006 season with an overall record 22-5. He was a 2006 NCAA Division III national qualifier after posting his second-straight Midwest Regional championship. Murphy was a NCAA Division III all-American after finishing eighth at the 2005 National Championships. "Corey is a senior and it is nice for him to be recognized as high as he is. Being ranked is something that gives you a reason to train harder. People get a little more excited to wrestle someone that is ranked. Knowing Corey he will work harder than ever to maintain his ranking and hopefully beat some people that are ranked higher than he is so he can move up," said Thurber. Brown, picked seventh at 285 pounds, has a career record of 87-24 after posting a season record of 36-5 last year. He finished as the runner-up at the Midwest Regional qualifier last season after winning the 285-bracket and qualifying for the national championships in 2005. Brown is also a three-time NWCA Scholar All-American. "Kyle has been beating ranked kids throughout his whole career and it is great to finally see him get the recognition he deserves. He has had a very good career up to this point and I expect him to take this preseason ranking seriously, knowing that becoming an all-American is definitely within his reach," said Thurber. The Thiel wrestling squad opens its season at the West Liberty State College Hilltopper Open on Saturday, Nov. 4.






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