NIACC's Pena ranked preseason No. 1 at 285 pounds
MASON CITY - NIACC sophomore Mario Pena is ranked No. 1 at 285-pounds in the Intermat's NJCAA preseason rankings.
Pena was an NJCAA all-American at 285 pounds as a freshman last season when he placed fourth at the national tournament.
Pena was 21-10 with four falls and one major decision during his freshman campaign.
NIACC freshman Austin Anderly is ranked eighth at 141 pounds and sophomore Jacob Niichel is ranked sixth at 149 pounds.
Niichel qualified for the national tournament as a freshman. He was 17-14 with nine falls and two major decisions in the 2015-16 season.
NIACC is tied for 11th in the preseason team rankings released by the NJCAA Wrestling Coaches Association. Iowa Western is ranked No. 1, Iowa Lakes is ranked No. 2, Iowa Central is ranked fifth and Ellsworth is ranked ninth.
NIACC opens its season Saturday at the Luther College Open in Decorah.
NJCAA Wrestling Coaches Association preseason rankings
1. Iowa Western; 2. Iowa Lakes, 3. Latette; 4. Western Wyoming; 5. Iowa Central; 6. Camden County; 7. Niagara County; 8. Rowan Gloucester; 9. Ellsworth; 10. Northeastern Oklahoma A & M; T11. Clackamas; T11. Harper; T11. NIACC; 14. RCTC; 15. Nassau; 16. Otero; T17. Highline; T17. Jamestown; T17. Southwestern Oregon; T20. Barton; T20. Colby.
