Five Cavaliers Ranked In InterMat Preseason Rankings

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Five members of the Virginia wrestling team enter the season nationally ranked according to the preseason polls released by InterMat on Tuesday (Sept. 27).

It’s a group of veteran wrestlers representing the Cavaliers in the individual rankings.

Justin McCoy leads the way at No. 10 at 165 pounds, entering his fifth season with the Cavaliers coming off his third consecutive NCAA berth a year ago along with All-ACC honors for the second straight season after posting a 19-4 record and taking a runner-up finish at the ACC Championships.

Jake Keating starts the season at No. 13 at 157 pounds after earning his second consecutive NCAA Championships berth last season. Keating posted a 17-7 record on the year and finished third at the ACC Championships to lock up the automatic bid.

Jarod Verkleeren is ranked No. 20 at 149 pounds after posting a 16-10 record a year ago in his first season with the Cavaliers after transferring into the program from Penn State.

Neil Antrassian, who is in his first season with the Cavaliers as a graduate transfer from Penn, is ranked No. 26 at 184 pounds. Antrassian posted a 16-11 record a year ago and was named an All-Ivy Honorable Mention selection. He was named an alternate for the NCAA Championships at 184 pounds.

Michael Battista enters his sixth season with the Cavaliers and is coming off a campaign that saw him earn his first NCAA Championship berth a year ago. Battista posted a 15-8 record on the year that included a trio of wins over nationally-ranked foes to propel him into the national rankings a year ago as he locked up the bid to the NCAA Championships.

Virginia begins its season at the Southeast Open on Nov. 5 in Roanoke, Va.

VIRGINIA WRESTLERS IN THE RANKINGS
149: No. 20 Jarod Verkleeren
157: No. 13 Jake Keating
165: No. 10 Justin McCoy
184: No. 26 Neil Antrassian
197: No. 33 Michael Battista