LAKELAND, Fla. -- The SEU Wrestling Team, ranked No. 3 in the NAIA Preseason Coaches' Poll, opens its 2025-26 campaign this weekend with two major early-season tournaments on the road. Under the direction of head coach
Travis Patrick, the Fire will begin action on Saturday at the Patriot Open in Corbin, Kentucky, before heading to Salem, Virginia, for the Southeast Open on Sunday. Both events feature deep and talented fields across NAIA and NCAA divisions, giving SEU an immediate test to kick off the season.
SEU enters the year loaded with 11 nationally ranked wrestlers, led by No. 1
Aaron Lucio (133) and a trio of top-five returners in
Andrew Voiles (No. 3 at 141),
Mario De La Torre (No. 4 at 149),
Kasten Grape (No. 2 at 197), and
Gentry Smith (No. 4 at 197). The Fire also showcase impressive depth with
Brodie Christmas (No. 15 at 125),
Drew Jones (No. 15 at 141),
Ryan Bennett (No. 18 at 157),
Austin Scott (No. 20 at 157),
Jovon Mitchell (No. 10 at 165), and
John Roberts (No. 19 at 184) all earning preseason national recognition.
At the Patriot Open, SEU will field a large travel roster featuring
Jake Bucci, Christmas,
Erick Hair, and
Chaz McDonald at 125;
Chris Dinsdale at 133;
Joey Hutchins at 141;
Raymond Cavey,
Noah Gregory, and
Jaxon Mackey at 149;
Joseph Kindred and
Justin Krebs at 157;
Xavier Barnhart at 165; and a deep 174-pound group of
Tyson Barnhart,
Husam Mustafa,
Lane Reardon,
Ty Rodriguez, and
Kai Shultz. In the upper weights,
August Batson,
Jonathan Vanderbilt, and
Derek Washington will wrestle at 184,
John Roberts and
Ralph Sanchez at 197, and
Seth Tshiams and
Bryce Wheatley at 285.
Meanwhile, a smaller contingent will compete at the Southeast Open, featuring some of SEU's top-ranked veterans — Lucio (133),
Drew Jones (141), De La Torre (149), Mitchell (165), Grape (197), and Smith (197).
The Fire enter the new season following a historic 2024-25 campaign that saw SEU place third at the NAIA National Championships and produce a program-record eight All-Americans. Returning to the lineup from that group are
Aaron Lucio (3rd at 133 lbs.),
Andrew Voiles (6th at 141 lbs.),
Mario De La Torre (5th at 149),Â
Anthony Federico (6th at 165 lbs.), and
Gentry Smith (6th at 197 lbs.). The Fire also welcome
Kasten Grape who was an All-American at Doane last season. With that experienced core leading the way, SEU looks to build on last season's success and continue its rise as one of the premier programs in the NAIA.
After this weekend's dual-tournament opener, SEU will remain on the road for another busy stretch, beginning with a dual at Reinhardt University on Saturday, November 8 at 11 a.m. in Waleska, Georgia, followed by a full team appearance at the Georgia Open on Sunday, November 9 in Franklin Springs, Georgia. The early slate will continue to test SEU's depth as the Fire prepare for a loaded midseason schedule and a push toward national contention.
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