Four of the Tigers five returning All-Americans are ranked in the Top 12 individually, leading with third-ranked Tommy Pretty of Cincinnati, Ohio at 133 pounds. Jacob Murton, a sophomore from Louisa, Ky., is No. 9 in the 141-pound division, while senior James Linker of Louisville, Ky., is No. .5 at 165 pounds. The fourth All-American returning is Marion, Ohio sophomore Spencer Adams, who is ranked fourth at 184 pounds.

Two other wrestlers, Phillip Oudhuis and David Coffey, were ranked in the Top 12 for the first time preseason. Oudhuis, a junior from New Prairie, Ind., is No. 11 in the 174-pound class and Coffey, a sophomore from Lawrenceville, Ga., is No. 8 in the heavy weight division. Both were close to reaching All-American status at the 2009 national tournament in March.

The Tigers enter the year coming off a No. 7 finish nationally and a 10-8 record. Competition begins this year with a Nov. 7 match at Liberty University, which won the NCAA Division I East Region last season.

"It looks like we could have a really good team before its all over with. But they're going to have to be tough. We don't have an easy schedule," James said. "You've got to believe it's going to help us in the long run."

CU will host a wrestling clinic for high school students and youth this Saturday, Oct. 24 at 10 a.m. in Gosser Gym. The Tigers will scrimmage at 3 p.m.