Great Falls, MT – With six returning All-Americans on the roster, the University of Great Falls wrestling team was dubbed the number four team in the nation today in the preseason NAIA Wrestling Coaches Poll. It’s the third consecutive top five preseason ranking for the Argos and the second year in a row at the number four spot. The Argos finished the 2008-09 season with a dual record of 13-5 and a number six ranking in the final poll of the season. Southern Oregon University topped the 2009 preseason poll with Notre Dame College (OH) and McKendree University (IL) coming in at second and third, respectively.

“We are very humbled to be in the top five again nationally to begin the season,” said UGF head coach Caleb Schaeffer, who begins his third season mentoring the Argo grapplers after an All-American collegiate career of his own at Montana State University-Northern. “It’s going to be up to our guys to prove that we belong there.”

Seven of Schaeffer’s wrestlers were among those listed in the individual national rankings, led by senior Brendon DeCock (Huntley, MT/Huntley Project High School) who ranks first in the 174 pound weight class currently. Others included in the individual rankings are senior Jason Costello (Redmond, WA/Squalicum High School – 6th @ 141 pounds), junior Byron Kuylen (Sidney, MT/MSU-Northern – 5th @ 149 pounds), junior Ross Mosher (Augusta, MT/Augusta High School – 4th @ 157 pounds), senior Jason Pence (Prineville, OR/Clackamas Community College – 9th @ 174 pounds), junior Michael French (Malta, MT/Malta High School – 3rd @ 184 pounds) and senior Alex Calvi (Cut Bank, MT/Cut Bank High School – 5th @ 197 pounds).

The Argos have one preseason dual remaining (Columbia & Gold Intersquad Dual this Saturday at Spirit Lake, ID) before their season officially opens on November 6 when they head to Boise State for a dual with the NCAA Division I Broncos, who finished last season with a 17-3 dual record and a number nine national ranking.