Dec. 9, 2007

Erie, Pa. - With two team championships and a convincing dual meet victory over West Liberty in the first month of the season, the Mercyhurst Lakers moved up one spot to No. 13 in the NCAA Division II Wrestling Rankings.

Mercyhurst, ranked 14th in the preseason, received 69 points to be slotted between Indianapolis at No. 12 and Minnesota State-Moorhead at No. 14. The Lakers benefited from Wisconsin-Parkside's drop, as it fell from ninth in the preseason poll to 19th.

Ranked No. 1 in the poll was Nebraska-Kearney with 158 points. Central Oklahoma fell out of a tie for first to third and Minnesota State-Mankato moved up to No. 2.

Individually, Mercyhurst sophomore Andy Lamancusa earned a No. 6-ranking at 157 pounds. Lamancusa has a 6-6 record this season, but has not lost to a wrestler from the Division II ranks all season.

Mercyhurst will have an opportunity to bolster its ranking on Friday when it takes on rival and No. 20-ranked Gannon in the annual War at the Shore.