LAKELAND, Fla.—Six matches between four of the Top 20 NAIA wrestling programs will take place Saturday morning at The Fire Pit as Southeastern hosts its annual Fire Duals starting at 10 a.m.
The Fire come into Saturday's matches with a 6-0 dual record and are ranked seventh in the latest coaches' poll, released Thursday afternoon. Additionally, they have 10 individuals ranked in their respective weight classes.
Southeastern will face No. 8 University of the Cumberlands in the first dual of the day and No. 17 Indiana Tech will face No. 2 Reinhardt on Mat 2.
Cumberlands, like Southeastern, went 5-0 during the NAIA duals at Lindsey Wilson last weekend. Eight wrestlers in the projected lineup this weekend have national rankings, led by No. 3 Tres Leon at 157. Leon finished third at 149 at nationals last season.
Dylan Chatterton is SEU's highest-ranked individual, also at 157, and is ranked fourth.
Another possible Top 10 match is at 133 where No. 8
Olson Delisca could meet No. 10 Jacob Seto of the Patriots. Delisca redshirted during the 2018-19 season, but finished fourth at 125 during the 2017-18 season.
The Fire will face Indiana Tech in the second round of duals. The Warriors have taken part in two individual tournaments, and will be in dual competition for the first time this weekend. Gaige Torres is ranked fifth at 149 this season, and Scottie Sopko is also in the Top 10, checking in at ninth at 174. He could potentially face
Coleman Bryant of SEU, who is ranked 11
th.
The day will close with SEU facing Reinhardt, which is second in the coaches' poll behind Grand View who has been No. 1 for the last seven years.
The Eagles have eight wrestlers ranked in the Top 10, and 10 total ranked wrestlers. Justin George is No. 1 at 165, and Cole Tentety is third at the same weight. At 184, Antonio Stewart is ranked second. RU also has two other wrestlers ranked third in Koby Milner at 125 and Michael Carew at 174.
Tickets can be purchased in advance online. Matches involving Southeastern will be streamed at SEUFire.com/watch.
