KANSAS CITY, MO – The University of the Cumberlands women's wrestling team will open the 2025-26 campaign ranked #4 with 158 points in the NAIA Women's Wrestling Preseason Coaches' Poll, announced by the national office Thursday afternoon. 

The ranking comes on the heels of a historic 2024-25 season for the Patriots, highlighted by their best-ever finish at the NAIA National Championships. Cumberlands scored 116.5 points to place third overall, earning six All-American honors and cementing themselves among the nation's elite programs. The Patriots also finished runner-up at the Mid-South Conference Championships with 159 points, as Katie Gomez captured an MSC title and four other Patriots earned All-Conference recognition. 

Cumberlands is joined in the preseason poll by #10 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) and #19 Campbellsville (Ky.) as Mid-South Conference representatives, while Life (Ga.), the defending national champions, claim the top spot with 193 points. Grand View (Iowa) and Providence (Mont.) round out the top three. 

The Patriots also feature a strong presence in the individual national rankings, with nine wrestlers ranked across eight weight classes. Leading the way is Micah Miller (formerly Fisher), who sits #2 at 160 lbs. following a standout freshman campaign that saw her earn All-American honors. Alivia Ming enters the season #3 at 145 lbs., while Shammilka Miranda is ranked #3 at 117 lbs., both expected to anchor the Patriots' middle weights. 

At 103 lbs., Angelina Casteneda is ranked #6, joined by teammate Dutchess King at #12, giving UC early-season depth at the lightest class. Presley Anderson checks in at #11 at 124 lbs., and Mary Jane Porter holds the #12 spot at 131 lbs. In the upper weights, Saiheron Preciado-Meza is #6 at 180 lbs., while Naomi Duenas and Destiny Marquez rank #7 and #18 at 207 lbs., respectively. 

The Patriots will open their season with the Red vs. Blue intrasquad dual on Thursday, October 23, at 8 p.m. inside the UC Volleyball Gym in Williamsburg, Ky. Cumberlands will then travel to Ohio to compete at the Tiffin University Women's Open on Saturday, November 1. 

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