TONIGHT IN PEACOCK WRESTLING… The No. 6 Peacock wrestling program is home for the second of three straight Northern Sun Conference duals in Dorman Gym tonight versus #16 Minnesota State. The Peacocks will wrestle in memory of Logan Luft (#LuftTuff) and recognize his courageous family on Donate Life night in Dorman Gym.
 
#LUFTTUFF… Logan Luft tragically passed away at the age of 15 this past 4th of July weekend in an ATV accident.  In a short period of time, Logan made a lasting impact on many people.  He was an avid fisherman, a strong cross country runner and an accomplished wrestler.  He was an individual others enjoyed to be around, his positive energy was contagious. But until his passing, what people didn't know, was that he was an ORGAN DONOR.  Logan's organs have already helped save the lives of others in critical need.  Although Logan is not physically here with us tonight, his spirit and gift of life is evident in so many others that are. Learn more about Donate Life Iowa (@IowaDonor)!
 
PEACOCKS IN THE RANKINGS… The Peacocks are ranked No. 6 in the nation along with the Bearcats of McKendree University. Logan Hopp, who is ranked second nationally at heavyweight, is 7-1 this season with four bonus-point wins including a fall, two tech falls and a major under his belt through eight matches. Josh Walker is ranked sixth at 133 pounds nationally and is 23-6 this season and is riding a six-match win streak. The redshirt senior has 16 bonus-point victories including 8 wins by fall, 5 by technical fall and 3 major decisions. Maleek Williams is carrying a 20-5 record this season with 10 bonus-point victories thanks to 8 falls and a pair of majors. Jordan Gundrum makes his first appearance in the rankings at No. 8 with an 18-5 record and 14 bonus-point wins. The junior 174-pounder has notched 10 falls and 4 major decisions and is coming off a defeat of No. 10 Adam Blees of MSU Moorhead. Brock Benitz rose in the rankings at 157 pounds; the redshirt-freshman is now ranked seventh in the country. The Mosinee, Wis. product is 20-4 this season with a team-high 13 falls and a major.
 
SCOUTING THE NO. MAVERICKS… The Mavericks rose in the NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches Association Poll following dual wins over Central Missouri and MSU Moorhead. The Mavericks are well represented in the individual rankings. Corey Abernathy is the highest rated Minnesota State wrester, ranked 6th at 184 pounds. Abernathy holds a 12-2 record this season and is a returning All-American. Zach Johnston earned his first national ranking of the year after impressive performance against Nick Becker of UW-Parkside and Adam Blees of MSU Moorhead. Johnston is now the 7th-rated wrestler at 174 pounds. Matthew Blome is rated 9th at 197 pounds. The returning All-American from Mount Horeb, Wis., is 10-3 for Minnesota State this year. Kyle Rathman enters the national ranking for the first time in his Maverick career and is the 11th-rated wrestler at 149 pounds. Rathman recently upset the #3 wrestler in the nation from UW-Parkside and holds a team-high win total this season for Minnesota State with 18 wins. The four wrestlers represent the highest total for individuals ranked nationally in the NWCA poll this season for the Mavericks.