KANSAS CITY, MO – The University of the Cumberlands women's wrestling team will open the 2026-27 campaign tied for fifth in the NAIA Women's Wrestling Preseason Rating, announced by the national office. The Patriots totaled 138 points in the preseason poll and have 10 wrestlers ranked nationally across eight weight classes. 

The ranking comes following a 2025-26 season that saw Cumberlands finish 12th at the NAIA National Championships with 39 points. The Patriots had two wrestlers earn NAIA All-American honors as Micah Fisher-Miller and Saiheron Preciado-Meza each recorded seventh-place finishes in their respective weight classes. 

Leading the way for UC is Saiheron Preciado-Meza, who enters the season ranked fourth nationally at 180 lbs. after earning NAIA All-American honors with a seventh-place finish last season. 

At 117 lbs., Shammilka Miranda opens the season ranked sixth nationally, while Kaitlin Castro holds the ninth spot at 124 lbs. Aubree Kooren enters the year ranked eighth at 131 lbs., followed by Ruth Jimenez, who is ranked sixth at 138 lbs. 

In the 145-pound class, Genesis Gilmore enters the season ranked 13th nationally. Cumberlands will have a pair of ranked wrestlers at 160 lbs., as Nevaeh Hayden holds the sixth spot while teammate Sierra Mefford is ranked eighth. 

Rounding out UC's nationally ranked wrestlers are Naomi Duenas and Destiny Marquez at 207 lbs. Duenas enters the season ranked 10th, while Marquez holds the 12th spot nationally. 

Cumberlands is one of five Mid-South Conference teams ranked in the preseason top 20, joined by #2 Indiana Tech, #4 Life (Ga.), #7 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.), and #16 Campbellsville (Ky.). Montreat (N.C.) and Rio Grande (Ohio) also received votes in the poll. Grand View (Iowa) holds the top spot with 187 points, followed by Indiana Tech with 159 points and Ottawa (Kan.) with 152 points. Life ranks fourth with 149 points, while Cumberlands and Wayland Baptist (Texas) are tied for fifth with 138 points each. 

The Patriots will open their season on Sunday, November 1, at the Tiffin University Women's Open in Tiffin, Ohio. Competition is slated to begin at 11 a.m. 

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