IHSWCA Preseason Rankings

PERRY MERIDIAN TOPS FIRST STATE WRESTLING POLL

Two-time defending state champion Perry Meridian is ranked No. 1 in the season’s first high school wrestling rankings.

With many teams heading to their opening matches this weekend, the Indiana High School Wrestling Coaches Association (IHSWCA) has tabbed the Falcons as the team to beat when all is said and done next February.

Perry Meridian defeated Crown Point, 43-14, in the final match of the IHSAA’s state dual meet series last Feb. 25.

The IHSAA has since ended its dual meet tournament and will decide this season’s state champ at the individual finals on Feb. 15-16, 2013.

The Falcons are loaded once again, with nine returning starters, six returning state meet qualifiers and five returning state place winners.

Long-time powerhouse Evansville Mater Dei is ranked No. 2 in the first coaches poll. Rounding out the top five are Indianapolis Cathedral, Merrillville and Crown Point.

Rankings are determined by a vote of coaches’ representatives around the state.

The Top 20 poll:

1. Perry Meridian

2. Evansville Mater Dei

3. Indianapolis Cathedral

4. Merrillville

5. Crown Point

6 (tie). Franklin

6 (tie). Penn

8. Bloomington South

9. Center Grove

10. Yorktown

11. Hamilton Southeastern

12. Mishawaka

13. Warren Central

14. New Palestine

15. Evansville Reitz

16 (tie). Indianapolis Roncalli

16 (tie). South Bend Clay

18. Elkhart Memorial

19. Jimtown

20. Danville

Also receiving votes: Avon, Bellmont, Jeffersonville, Lake Central, Leo, Lowell, Muncie South, Portage, Westfield