KANSAS CITY, Mo.—Another strong week on the mats had led to another jump in the NAIA Wrestling Coaches’ Top 20 Poll for Southeastern.
The Fire went from 16th all the way to ninth; the largest move up for anyone. The Fire were a point away from defeating No. 6 Cumberlands, which fell a spot, on Saturday. SEU is one of five Mid-South squads ranked in this week’s poll, with Life (No. 5) joining the Fire and Cumberlands (No. 7) in the Top 10.
This marks the highest ranking in program history for the team, which began competition in 2015.
Individually, the Fire have a program-record 10 ranked wrestlers with four in the Top 10 in their respective weight classes. Ethan Owen is the highest ranked individual, checking in at fifth at 133. At 125, Olson Delisca is seventh. Following an upset win over Tristan Macri, Angel del Cueto moved all the way to eighth at 165.
Joining del Cueto in the 165-pound ranking is Matthew Cates at 16th. The Fire also have two wrestlers ranked at 149 with Dylan Chatterton 12th and Kyle Kirkham 18th. At 184, Chris Williams is 10th and Jason Davis is 15th.
Josiah Gittman checks in at 12th in the 197-pound weight class, and Evyn Insalaco is 17th at 157.
The Fire travel to Gaffney, S.C. Friday to take on NCAA Division II Limestone College.