After a disappointing finish last year, the Iowa State wrestling team is looking to bounce back. And if the new preseason rankings are any indication, the Cyclones are going to do just fine this season.

Ranked fifth in the preseason Amateur Wrestling News and the National Wrestling Coaches Associations poll, the Cyclones boast four individuals ranked in the Top 10. Two of those ranked wrestlers were All-Americans last season and one was an All-American the season before.

Chris Bono is the top-ranked Cyclone, ranked second at 150 pounds behind Temoer Terry of Nebraska.

“The rankings are based on last year,” Bono said. “Last year doesn’t mean anything. This year I’ve got to go out and prove myself.

“Number two doesn’t mean anything unless I can back it up.”

One obstacle that Bono won’t run into this year is Iowa’s Lincoln McIlravy, a two-time NCAA champion. McIlravy has redshirted this season to concentrate on the Olympics.

“It takes a lot of pressure off me,” Bono said. “It’s one less good guy that I don’t have to prepare for.”

With the absence of McIlravy, one would think that the weight class would be lacking that one defined “champion,” but Bono doesn’t see it that way.

“By the end of the year, 150 is going to be a weight were everybody will run to, since ‘the champion’ is gone.”

Helping the team climb back into the driver’s seat is Dwight Hinson, last season’s Amateur Wrestling News’ Freshman-of-the Year, ranked third at 126 pounds. In his sophomore season Hinson is shooting for the gold.

“I’m proud of [my third-place finish], but it’s time to take it to another level,” he said. “My goal this year is to beat everybody.”