National Duals

The National Duals will feature the top nine teams in the nation and 12 of the top 14. In all, 13 of the 16 teams in the tournament are ranked in the top 25 in the latest USA Today/InterMat/NWCA coaches poll.

The Golden Gophers have already faced five of the 16 teams in the National Duals in dual meet competition this season. Hofstra, currently ranked third in the nation, handed Minnesota its only loss of the season, 18-17, at the Northeast Duals. The Gophers rebounded to defeat Central Michigan, 24-9, and Penn, 28-12, later in the day. Minnesota also defeated Oklahoma State, 21-15, and Iowa State, 19-13, earlier this year.

This is the fourth time Minnesota will compete in the National Duals in the state of Iowa. Minnesota has reached the finals each time, winning the title twice. Last year, the Gophers defeated top-ranked Oklahoma State, 21-14, in the championship match. Minnesota also finished first in 1998 with an 18-17 win over Iowa in Iowa City. The following year at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, the Golden Gophers fell to Oklahoma State, 20-17, in the finals.

Four Minnesota wrestlers still hold perfect records heading into the weekend. Manuel Rivera is 22-0 at 141 pounds with five pins, five major decisions and one tech fall. Dustin Schlatter is 17-0 with two pins, one major and seven tech falls. Roger Kish is also 17-0 with eight pins, one major decision and one tech fall. Cole Konrad is 13-0 with six pins and two major decisions.

Nine Minnesota wrestlers are ranked individually in the polls. Defending national champions Cole Konrad (Hwt) and Dustin Schlatter (149) both hold the top spot in their weight class across the board. Mack Reiter (133), ranked No. 4 by W.I.N. Magazine, is expected to return from a knee injury in February.

Senior heavyweight Cole Konrad has a chance to tie the school record for consecutive wins this weekend. With 54 consecutive victories dating back to the beginning of last season, Konrad trails only Tim Hartung, who set the record at 58 in 1999.

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