Peacocks Ready to Chase Third Straight NCAA Team Trophy
3/9/2012 | Howard Thompson
The Upper Iowa wrestling team begins their run at the NCAA Division II Championships at 11:00 a.m. Friday. Fans can follow all the action through the Official Peacock Wrestling Championships Page.
Links to updated results, live video for all sessions and all mats, as well as a twitter stream that all fans can join in by using the #UIUWrestling hashtag.
A brief preview of UIU's seven national qualifiers can be found below as well as their first round opponent.
Trevor Franklin, R-Jr., South New Berlin, N.Y., Unadia Valley HS – 133 pounds (#1 NCAA)
First Round Opponent: Matthew Greene of Western State College (30-6, 4th at SR #4)
- 2011-12 Record: 28-9 (9-6 v. Div. II opponents - 7 falls and 6 major decisions)
- Currently on 40 Match Win Streak - Last loss came in December 2010
- Regional Finish: 1st (Third NCAA Super Regional Championship)
- Won last year's NCAA Championship at 125 pounds.
- Three-time National Qualifier (1-2 at 133 pounds in 2009, Champ in 2011, injured 2010)
Jordan Rinken, Fr., Denver, Iowa, Waverly-Shell Rock HS – 149 pounds
First Round Opponent: Ky Corley of the Univ. of Central Oklahoma (18-8, 1st at SR #2)
- 2011-12 Record: 24-0 (19-0 v. Div. II opponents - 11 falls, 1 tech fall and 4 major decisions)
- Regional Finish: 5th (UIndy wrestler that finished 3rd is out so Rinken gets shot)
- Part of three-straight High School Championship Teams at W-SR HS
- High School Record: 162-15
- Placed at Iowa State Tournament four times (4th-Fr., 2nd-So. & Jr., 2nd-Sr.)
Winston Robbins, R-Sr., Broadview, Ill., Proviso East HS – 157 pounds (#6 NCAA)
First Round Opponent: Teddy Bristol of Grand Canyon University (17-11, 3rd at SR #4)
- 2011-12 Record: 28-8 (18-5 v. Div. II opponents - 5 falls, 4 tech falls and 4 major decisions)
- Regional Finish: 2ndTwo-time National Qualifier
- Went 1-2 at 2011 Championships... win came vs. #1 George Ivanov of UNO in opening round
Blake Sorensen, Fr., Denver, Iowa, Denver HS – 165 pounds (#7 NCAA)
First Round Opponent: Thad Frick of East Stroudsburg University (24-9, 3rd at SR #1)
- 2011-12 Record: 20-10 (11-8 v. Div. II opponents - 4 falls and 3 major decisions)
- Regional Finish: 2nd
- Part of State Champion (Denver-Tripoli) as a senior.
- High School Record: 172-8
- Placed at Iowa State Tournament four times (2nd-Fr., 4th-So., 3rd-Jr. & Sr.)
Wade Gobin, R-Jr., Cannon Falls, Minn., Cannon Falls HS – 174 pounds (#6 NCAA)
First Round Opponent: Michael Lybarger of the Univ. of Findlay (26-7, 1st at SR #2)
- 2011-12 Record: 30-14 (15-7 v. Div. II opponents - 8 falls and 4 major decisions)
- Regional Finish: 4th
- Minnesota State Champion as a senior at Cannon Falls in 2008
Mitch Schultz, R-Jr., Postville, Iowa, Postville HS – 184 pounds (#8 NCAA)
First Round Opponent: Ross Brunkhardt of the Univ. of Nebraska-Kearney (16-6, 3rd at SR #4)
- 2011-12 Record: 23-8 (13-6 v. Div. II opponents - 3 falls, 3 tech falls and 8 major decisions)
- Regional Finish: 2nd
- Two-time National Qualifier
- All-American last year - finished 6th at 2011 Championships at 184
Zach Rosol, Sr., Nashau, Iowa, North Iowa Area CC, Nashua-Plainfield HS – 285 pounds (#6 NCAA) First Round Opponent: Jacob Southwick of Ashland University (23-5, 1st at SR #2)
- 2011-12 Record: 22-7 (5-4 v. Div. II opponents - 10 falls, 4 tech falls and 3 major decisions)
- Regional Finish: 4th (Lost to Meuleners of NSU and Kahnke of SCSU by one point each at Regionals)
- Two-time National Qualifier (1-2 last year at 285 pounds)