LAKELAND, Fla.—The Southeastern University wrestling team has faced some difficult competition in its first three dual meets of the season.
SEU is 1-2 to start the year with its win over No. 18 Reinhardt, and losses to No. 6 Cumberlands and NCAA Division II Limestone. Things won't get any easier on Monday, as the Fire head to the Desert Duals in Las Vegas.
Five of the 10 weight classes have a Mid-South Conference wrestler ranked at the top of it. Seven of the 10 weight classes have at least one SEU wrestler ranked in the Top 17. A total of 10 Fire wresters are ranked in the individual rankings; a program-best for the third-year squad.
During the annual battle at the Flamingo Hotel, the Fire will face three fellow Top 10 opponents, and a receiving votes squad.
The first match of the day will see Southeastern take on Warner Pacific, which boasts the No. 6 wrestler at 125 in Josh Johnson and the No. 18 149-pounder in Baylen Cooper.
Fourth-ranked Menlo College will be the second opponent. Javier Gonzalez, a returning All-American, is ranked third at 285, as is Anthony Orozco at 174.
The Fire will then have the task of battling six-time defending champion Grand View. The Vikings have been ranked at the top of the NAIA Coaches' Poll for 41-straight weeks, and have three wrestlers ranked No. 1 in their respective weight classes. This includes defending 141-pound champion Josh Wenger, defending 165-pound champion Grant Henderson, and returning All-American Dylan Blackford, who finished fifth at nationals, at 174.
The trip closes with a match against No. 10 Embry-Riddle of Arizona. Seven individuals, with Chandler Strand (125) and Kody Davis (174) each checking in at fifth.
To keep up with the action, follow along at
TrackWrestling.
