Wrestling Team Keeps Pushing Forward in National Rankings

Hackettstown, N.J.  - With the program's best ever national ranking, Head Coach John Garriques and the Centenary College wrestling team continues their quest for a national title as it was named the fifth best team in the nation on Wednesday in the latest National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) rankings.

After earning the seventh spot only a few weeks back in the national rankings, breaking the program's original best ranking of eighth in 2011, the Cyclones continue to make moves in the nation while three individual Cyclones earn national attention as well.

Junior Chris Burdge (Newton, NJ, Kittatinny) moved to the top spot at 157 lbs. with the help of a 14-0 record on the season so far. Of his 14 wins, six came from pins and four from major decisions while he has dominated his opponents for a team-high 65 team points for thus far.

Senior Kevin Dufresne (Newark, NJ, St. Benedicts Prep.) has made his way into the number nine spot at 174 lbs. in his first season in a Cyclones uniform, posting a 9-0 record on the season this far including a dominating performance at home against Hunter with a 21-5 tech fall with 5:27 in riding time.

Senior J.D. Zitone (Montague, Port Jervis) also moved into the sixth spot at 285 lbs. as he looks to repeat his undefeated season from last year, setting an 11-0 so far this season with five pins already.

The Cyclones look to show their national pride in January when they head out to compete in the prestigious NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals where the nation's elite teams compete in Springfield, Ill on January 12-13, 2013.

To view the full list of team national rankings, click here.

To view the full list of individual national rankings, click here.

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