Eight-time champ Grand View leads NAIA preseason poll

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – After winning its eighth-consecutive national title last year, Grand View (Iowa) again starts the season as the No. 1 team in the NAIA Wrestling Coaches’ Preseason Top 20 Poll. The next installment of the Coaches’ Poll is scheduled for Nov. 21.

Top 25 Highlights (historical information dates back to 2000-2001)

• Grand View is No. 1 in the poll for the 52nd-consecutive time dating back to Oct. 17, 2012
• After winning their 8^th red banner in 2019 the Vikings are now tied with Adams State and Central State for the most national team titles (8) in NAIA history.
• Grand View had two individual national champions a year ago Evan Hansen and Josh Wenger, and both will return this season.
• Three-time NAIA National Champion, Evan Hansen looks to go four-for-four starting the 2019-20 season at No. 1 at 197 pounds.
• Five wrestlers who finished last year at No. 1 also start this season at No. 1: Josh Wenger, (149) of Grand View, Lucas Lovvorn (174) of Baker (Kan.) Anthony Orozco (184) of Menlo (Cailf.) and Brandon Reed (285) of Lindsey Wilson in addition to Evan Hansen (197).
• There are five new wrestlers at No. 1 to begin the 2019-20 season: Randy McCray Jr. (125) of Life (Ga.), Gresh Jones (133) of Dickinson State (N.D.), Ethan Owen (141) of Southeastern (Fla.), Tres Leon (157) of Cumberlands (Ky.) and Justin George (165) of Reinhardt (Ga.).
• Four teams are new to the poll, based on the postseason poll from last season: No. 3 Marian (Ind.), No. 11 Lourdes (Ohio), No. 18 Concordia (Neb.) and No. 19 Williams Baptist (Ark.)
• Since 2001, only Grand View (2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-2018, 2018-19), former members Notre Dame (Ohio) (2010-11) and Lindenwood (Mo.) (2006-07) have spent the entire season ranked No. 1.

2019-20 NAIA Wrestling Coaches’ Preseason Top 20 Poll (October 31, 2019)

Others receiving votes: Briar Cliff (Iowa) 35, Cumberland (Tenn.) 34, Northwestern (Iowa) 33, Morningside (Iowa) 33, Dickinson State (N.D.) 32, Doane (Neb.) 28, Saint Mary (Kan.) 24, Ottawa (Kan.) 22, Life Pacific 21, Corban (Ore.) 19, Hannibal-LaGrange (Mo.) 18, Jamestown (N.D.) 16, Missouri Baptist (Mo.) 14, Eastern Oregon 13, Simpson (Calif.) 12, Rochester 11, Wayland Baptist (Texas) 11, York (Neb.) 9, Bethany (Kan.) 8, Hastings (Neb.) 3, Midway (Ky.) 3, William Penn (Iowa) 3, Dakota Wesleyan (1) and WVY Tech (W.Va.)

Individual Rankings

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133 lbs

141 lbs

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184 lbs

197 lbs

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