EVANSTON, Ill. — Five Wildcats were listed among the top-20 wrestlers in their weight class in W.I.N. Magazine's preseason rankings, it was announced Tuesday.
 
Additionally, the Wildcats were tabbed as the 15th-best team in the nation in the publication's Tournament Power Index.
 
The individual rankings for NU was highlighted by sophomore Sebastian Rivera's second-overall mark in the 125-pound weight class. The New Jersey native was an All-American last season, placing sixth in his debut NCAA Championships.
 
Sophomore Ryan Deakin, fresh off a 32-win campaign, is ranked seventh in the nation at 157 lbs.
 
Next-highest for the 'Cats is senior Johnny Sebastian at 11th-overall at 174 lbs. He finished fourth in a stacked weight class at the 2018 Big Ten Championships.
 
Two more Wildcat grapplers found their way into the inaugural rankings: senior Conan Jennings (13th) and sophomore Colin Valdiviez (17th).
 
Northwestern opens its season against North Dakota State on November 4. The Wildcats will make their return to the new Welsh-Ryan Arena on Nov. 18 with the squad's home opener against Virginia Tech.
 

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