KANSAS CITY, MO – The University of the Cumberlands Men's Wrestling team will open the 2025-26 campaign ranked eighth in the NAIA Men's Wrestling Preseason Coaches' Poll, announced by the national office Thursday afternoon.

The ranking comes following a strong season for the Patriots in 2024-25, who captured the Mid-South Conference title for the first time since 2021–22 and held a spot inside the NAIA top five throughout the year. Cumberlands qualified 12 wrestlers for the NAIA National Championships, while compiling an 11–3 overall record and a 4–1 mark in conference duals. UC has 10 wrestlers ranked in the top 25 of their respective weight classes to open the season.

Leading the way for the Patriots is Matteo Vargo, who opens the year ranked third in the 125 lbs. weight class. Vargo had a strong 2024 campaign, qualifying for the NAIA National Championships and earning All-Conference honors.

Three Patriots enter the year ranked ninth in their respective weight classes. Riley Bettich holds the ninth spot at 125 lbs., while Austin Silva and Malachia Harris are both ranked ninth at 285 lbs. and 165 lbs., respectively. Each of them qualified for nationals last season and were key contributors to UC's conference title run.

At 174 lbs., Weston Melvin opens the season ranked 13th after qualifying for nationals and earning second-team All-Conference honors last season. Eli Peyton and Ty Lehman are both ranked 14th in their respective weight classes, with Peyton competing at 141 lbs. and Lehman at 149 lbs.

Brice Coleman is ranked 16th at 157 lbs., while heavyweight Wylie Dunn holds the 19th spot at 285 lbs. Rounding out UC's ranked wrestlers is Greyson Stevens, who sits 22nd at 197 lbs.
 
Cumberlands is one of six Mid-South Conference teams mentioned in the preseason poll, joined by fifth-ranked Campbellsville, #9 Cumberland University, and receiving votes are Lindsey Wilson, Rio Grande, and Georgetown College. Grand View (Iowa), the defending national champion, holds the top spot with 225 points, followed by Life (Ga.) and Southeastern (Fla.) rounding out the top three.

The Patriots will kick off their season with the annual Pepsi Patriot Open on Saturday, November 1, inside the Corbin Arena in Corbin, Ky.

For the latest and most up-to-date information on University of the Cumberlands Athletics, please visit www.cumberlandspatriots.com. Follow us on Twitter/X - @UC_Patriots and @UCPatsGameday, Instagram - @UCPatriots, TikTok - @ucpatriots, YouTube - Cumberlands Patriots, and Facebook - University of the Cumberlands Athletics.