KANSAS CITY, MO – The University of the Cumberlands women's wrestling team climbed one spot to fourth in the latest NAIA Women's Wrestling Coaches' Top 20 Rating, announced by the national office. The Patriots totaled 141 points in the poll and have 11 wrestlers ranked nationally across eight weight classes. 

Cumberlands moved up from a tie for fifth in the preseason ratings, increasing its point total from 138 to 141. The Patriots added two new wrestlers to the national rankings, while four returning ranked wrestlers improved their positions. 

Leading the way for UC is Saiheron Preciado-Meza, who climbed one spot to third nationally at 180 lbs. after opening the season ranked fourth. Joining her in the 180-pound class is Nevaeh Hayden, who enters the weight class ranked fourth nationally after previously holding the sixth spot at 160 lbs. 

At 117 lbs., Shammilka Miranda moved up two spots to fourth nationally after opening the season ranked sixth. Miranda recently earned a third-place finish at the Eagle Madness Open, posting a 5-1 record with four technical falls and one fall, including victories over two nationally ranked opponents. 

Freshman Aaliyah Brown enters the national ratings for the first time at #13 in the 103-pound weight class. Brown opened her collegiate career with a fourth-place finish at the Tiffin University Open before earning a top-six finish at the Eagle Madness Open, where she defeated #12 Alyssa Quezaire of Life University in a 6-5 decision. 

At 124 lbs., Kaitlin Castro holds the 14th spot nationally, while Cumberlands has two wrestlers ranked at 131 lbs. Aubree Kooren is ranked ninth, followed by Presley Anderson, who enters the ratings at #16. Anderson opened the season with a seventh-place finish at the Tiffin University Open. 

Ruth Jimenez is ranked eighth nationally at 138 lbs. after opening the season sixth. Jimenez earned a fourth-place finish at the Tiffin University Open, highlighted by a 5-0 decision over Abigail Mozden of Mount Union, a 2026 NCAA All-American who placed fifth at the national championships. 

At 160 lbs., Sierra Mefford holds the tenth spot nationally, while Naomi Duenas and Destiny Marquez round out the Patriots' ranked wrestlers at 207 lbs. Duenas climbed one spot to ninth, while Marquez moved up to 11th nationally. 

Cumberlands is one of four Mid-South Conference teams ranked in the national top 20, joined by #2 Life (Ga.), #3 Indiana Tech, and #11 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.). Campbellsville (Ky.), Montreat (N.C.), and Rio Grande (Ohio) also received votes in the poll. 

Grand View (Iowa) remains atop the national rankings with 189 points, followed by Life with 166 and Indiana Tech with 149. Cumberlands sits fourth with 141 points, while Wayland Baptist (Texas) rounds out the top five with 139 points. 

The Patriots will return to the mats on Friday, November 13, and Saturday, November 14, for the Missouri Valley Open at Missouri Valley University in Marshall, MO. 

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