For Immediate Release: October 23, 2009
Contact: John Hartrick (hartrick@binghamton.edu)
Phone: 607-777-6800

BU wrestlers Patterson, Vinson in Intermat Preseason Rankings
Patterson is sixth at 184 pounds, Vinson is 13th at 149

InterMat Rankings

VESTAL, N.Y. -- For the first time in its Division I history, Binghamton has two nationally-ranked wrestlers heading into the season. Intermat released its preseason rankings and senior Josh Patterson and redshirt freshman Donnie Vinson are both ranked.

Patterson, who earned All-America honors last season with a seventh-place showing at the NCAA Championship, begins his final collegiate season ranked sixth at 184 pounds. He went 46-6 overall and led the nation in wins and pins (22). Patterson has 95 career wins and is closing in on BU's all-time wins record of 112, set by three-time Division III All-American Mark Gumble.

After going 21-2 competing as a red-shirt last season, Vinson opens his first collegiate campaign ranked 13th at 149 pounds. He is the second-highest ranking freshman in the weight class, behind seven seniors, two juniors, two sophomores and a freshman from Minnesota. Vinson is a former two-time state runnerup and high school All-American who placed eighth at the Junior World Championship in Greco-Roman over the summer.

Binghamton opens its 2009-10 season on November 15 when it hosts the BU Open in the Events Center.