Sept. 23, 2010

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Fighting Illini wrestling team has been ranked No. 9 in WIN Magazine's preseason tournament power index (TPI) and individual rankings Wednesday. The TPI is WIN's prediction of how teams will finish at the 2011 NCAA Championships. In the individual rankings, senior Jimmy Kennedy is ranked No. 1 at 141 pounds and junior Jordan Blanton is No. 3 at 174 pounds, both of which are career-best rankings.

Kennedy's No. 1 preseason ranking marks the first time an Illini has held down the top spot in any poll since Mike Poeta was No. 1 for the week of Dec. 9, 2008. It also is the first time an Illini has earned a No. 1 preseason ranking since Alex Tirapelle was named the top 157-pounder heading into the 2005-06 campaign.