KANSAS CITY, MO – The University of the Cumberlands Men's Wrestling team will open the 2026-27 campaign ranked 12th in the NAIA Men's Wrestling Preseason Rating, announced by the national office Thursday afternoon. The Patriots totaled 111 points in the preseason poll and have 10 wrestlers ranked in the top 25 of their respective weight classes.

The ranking comes following a strong 2025-26 season that saw Cumberlands capture the Mid-South Conference Championship and finish 18th at the NAIA National Championships. Leading the way for UC is Malachia Harris, who enters the season ranked sixth nationally at 165 lbs.

At 125 lbs., Elijah Valencia opens the season ranked 23rd nationally, while Eli Peyton holds the ninth spot at 141 lbs. LJ Loreto enters the year ranked 25th at 149 lbs., followed by Noah Elliott, who is also ranked 25th at 157 lbs.

Harris leads the way at 165 lbs. with his sixth-place ranking, while teammate Rider Trumble joins him in the weight class at 16th nationally. MacLaine Percival enters the season ranked 22nd at 174 lbs.

At 184 lbs., Lane Kiser opens the year ranked ninth nationally, while Diego Morales holds the 10th spot at 197 lbs. Rounding out UC's nationally ranked wrestlers is heavyweight Trey White, who enters the season ranked 14th at 285 lbs.

Cumberlands is one of four Mid-South Conference teams ranked in the preseason top 25, joined by 10th-ranked Campbellsville, #15 Lindsey Wilson, and #17 Cumberland University. Georgetown College and Rio Grande also received votes in the poll. Grand View (Iowa) holds the top spot with 243 points, followed by Southern Oregon with 218 points. Southeastern (Fla.) and Life (Ga.) are tied for third with 201 points each, while Providence (Mont.) rounds out the top five.

The Patriots will kick off their season with the annual Pepsi Patriot Open on Saturday, October 31, in Corbin, Ky.

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