After claiming second place in the Big Ten dual meet season and finishing 11-1 overall last year, the Fighting Illini wrestling team opens its 2007-08 campaign ranked No. 13 by The Wrestling Mall and No. 17 by the National Wrestling Coaches Association.

The Illini return eight wrestlers who have qualified for the NCAA Championships at some point in their careers, and seven Illlini received preseason rankings by the NWCA. Mike Poeta (157 pounds), Jimmy Kennedy (133) and Roger Smith-Bergsrud (165) were all ranked in the top 10, while Gabe Flores (125), John Dergo (174), Patrick Bond (197), and John Wise (Hwt.) were also ranked by the NWCA and Troy Tirapelle received a No. 18 preseason ranking from TWM.

Coach Mark Johnson will bring his crew to the Missouri Open on Nov. 18 in Columbia, Mo., to begin the Illini’s season. Early tournaments, Johnson said, help to answer questions on how to get better.

“That’s why everyone goes to these things: to see what we are doing wrong, not so much what we’re doing right,” Johnson said. “(We find out) what we need to correct early on.”

As for leadership this year, Johnson expects the team to look up to Flores, Poeta and Tirapelle.

“They give us some leadership because they have been around the block,” Johnson said. “Anytime anybody has had success you look towards the top.”

But Poeta, a 2007 All-American, will not be participating in the Missouri Open with the rest of the Illini. Instead, the junior was invited to compete in the National Wrestling Coaches Association’s National All-Star Classic in Eugene, Ore., on Monday. Some of the country’s best wrestlers will be competing.

“It’s a prestigious event,” Poeta said. “It’s an honor to be going.”

Only 10 wrestlers were invited from the Big Ten to compete at the event, Poeta being the only from Illinois.

Even though the outcome will not impact Poeta’s record, Johnson’s advice for his captain was to enjoy it but stay focused.

“Go out there and relax and have fun,” Johnson said, “but not too much fun because there is a business side of it, too.”

Poeta will be taking on Wisconsin’s Craig Henning (157), an opponent he’s seen before.

“He beat me last year and losses don’t really sit well with me,” Poeta said. “So when guys beat me I have a little extra motivation during that match. If I wrestle hard and do the stuff that works for me, I should come out of this match with getting my hand raised.”