Jan. 11, 2008

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Erie, Pa. - On Saturday and Sunday, the No. 16-ranked Mercyhurst wrestling team joins 15 of the top programs in Division II to form an impressive field at the NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals held in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

The Lakers are one of 13 nationally ranked teams in the 16-team bracket. Seven of the nation's top eight teams will also be in action. The Lakers, 2-6 on the season, have a tough opening round draw in No. 2-ranked Nebraska Omaha. The two teams will tangle on Saturday at 12 p.m.

The headlining individual bout of that dual will be at 149 pounds where Mercyhurst junior Brian Pogel --ranked fifth in the nation-- squares off against Division II's top-ranked wrestler at 149 in Todd Meneely.

Seven of the nation's top eight wrestlers at 149 will be in action this weekend. In all, 56 nationally ranked wrestlers will hit the mats.

Nebraska-Omaha boasts a lineup that consists of seven wrestlers ranked in the top eight in Division II. Along with Meneely, 184-pounder Austin Boehm is ranked second and Jacob Marrs at 197 is ranked third.

Pogel is Mercyhurst's lone nationally ranked wrestler, but nine Lakers are ranked in the East Region. Pogel is No. 1 in the region and has a record of 16-5.

Red-shirt freshman Josh Shields has came on strong, posting a 16-6 record at 174 pounds. Shields has won eight-straight matches since falling in the third-place match at the Keystone Classic on Nov. 18. Five of his six losses have come against Division I opponents, and he is 7-1 against Division II wrestlers.

Senior Hudson Harrison, wrestling at 165 pounds, is 15-4 with all four losses coming against Division I opponents. He is ranked third in the region.

Should the Lakers knock off Nebraska-Omaha in the opening round, they will advance to wrestle the winner of No. 7 Ashland versus No. 17 Minnesota State-Moorehead and 4 p.m. on Saturday. A loss would drop the Lakers into the consolation bracket to face the loser of Ashland/Moorehead at 4 p.m.

Fans can watch the event on livesportsvideo.com and radio coverage will be provided by Takedown Wrestling Radio. Visit the for immediate bracket updates.