Grand Canyon looks for its ninth straight dual meet win when it plays host to the University of Great Falls 7 p.m. Saturday at Antelope Gym.
GCU (10-3) is No. 5 in the Basford Poll rankings and No. 7 in the National Wrestling Coaches Association poll. Great Falls was No. 1 in the NAIA last week, but comes to Phoenix No. 3 in the rankings.
The Antelopes feature six national ranked wrestlers in their lineup including,
Kyle McCrite (4th – 125),
Bobby Ward (7th – 149),
Ted Bristol (4th – 157),
Victor Carazo (2nd – 174),
Celic Bell (7th – 197) and
Jordan Johnson (5th – 285).
Great Falls probable lineup has eight wrestlers ranked in the NAIA poll, led by top-ranked Anthony Varnell (141). Other ranked wrestlers scheduled to compete Saturday are, Danny Lutrell (9th – 125), Myles Mazurkiewicz (5th – 141), Mike Vassar (4th – 149), Ryan Leonard (9th – 157), Noah Hatton (10th – 165), Kamron Jackson (3rd – 197) and Sears Tiernan (6th – 285).
GCU beat Great Falls last season at the Mile High Duals in Prescott, Ariz., 29-9.
The 10 dual victories for the Antelopes are tied for second most in NCAA Division II. No. 1 ranked St. Cloud State is 14-0 and No. 3 Newberry is 10-1. GCU’s three losses are to St. Cloud, Newberry and Arizona State.
Grand Canyon won 13 straight duals to finish up 2011, giving it 23 wins in the last 26 duals. The Antelopes have 11 more duals remaining in 2012, including the match with Great Falls. Seven are against foes from the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. GCU is 3-0 in RMAC matches and wrap up the home season Jan. 28 against two league opponents, Adams State (5 p.m.) and San Francisco State (7 p.m.).