Big Ten Wrestling Opens 2012-13 Campaign This Week

PARK RIDGE, Ill. - Big Ten wrestling begins the 2012-13 season this week, as Indiana
and Michigan open on Thursday, and five conference squads hit the mat this weekend.
The Hoosiers host Manchester, while the Wolverines welcome Olivet in dual-meet
action.



Five conference squads take to the mat this weekend. On Saturday, Illinois begins
the season at the Loras Open in Dubuque, Iowa, while Michigan State and Purdue
travel to the Eastern Michigan Open in Ypsilanti, Mich. Nebraska and Ohio State see
their first action of the season on Sunday when the Huskers travel to Brookings,
S.D., for the Warren Williamson/Daktronics Open and the Buckeyes visit Buffalo,
N.Y., for the Buffalo Invitational.



Three teams begin the 2012-13 season next weekend.  On Nov. 9, Minnesota welcomes
Hofstra, and Northwestern travels to Stanford, while Wisconsin hosts Hofstra on Nov.
11. Iowa and Penn State open the season on Nov. 16, as the Hawkeyes visit
Chattanooga for a quad-meet and the defending national champion Nittany Lions host
Lehigh.



Eight teams enter the season ranked in the USA Today/NWCA/AWN Division I Coaches
Poll, including six squads in the top 10, giving the Big Ten the most ranked teams
of any conference in the country. Minnesota holds the top spot in the poll, checking
in at No. 1. Penn State follows at No. 2, with No. 4 Iowa, No. 5 Ohio State, No. 6
Illinois and No. 9 Nebraska also earning top-10 consideration. Michigan begins the
season ranked 13th, while Northwestern rounds out the group of ranked Big Ten teams
at No. 14. Purdue is also receiving votes entering the season.