Cumberland Opens at No. 17 in NAIA Preseason Rating; Six Phoenix Ranked Individually

LEBANON, Tenn.--Cumberland wrestling enters the 2026-27 season ranked No. 17 in the NAIA Men's Wrestling Preseason Coaches' Rating, collecting 80 points with six Phoenix earning individual national rankings.

Sammy Shires leads Cumberland's ranked contingent at No. 4 in the 141-pound weight class. Ethan Gomez joins Shires in the top 10, opening the season at No. 7 at 165 pounds.

Logan Heckert checks in at No. 12 at 174 pounds, while Chase Walker begins the year ranked No. 14 at 125 pounds. Kameron Stiffler sits at No. 22 at 133 pounds, and Antonio Parker rounds out Cumberland's nationally ranked wrestlers at No. 23 at 157 pounds.

Grand View (Iowa) holds the top spot in the preseason rating with 243 points, followed by Southern Oregon with 218. Southeastern (Fla.) and Life (Ga.) are tied for third with 201 points apiece, while Providence (Mont.) completes the top five with 165.

Cumberland is one of four Mid-South Conference programs ranked in the top 25. Campbellsville leads the conference contingent tied for No. 10 with 114 points, followed by Cumberlands at No. 12 with 111 and Lindsey Wilson at No. 15 with 90. Georgetown and Midway are both in the receiving votes category.

The next NAIA men's wrestling rating is scheduled for Thursday, November 19.

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Players Mentioned

Ethan Gomez: 5' 4"; Senior

Sammy Shires: 5' 7"; Redshirt Junior

Logan Heckert: 5' 9"; Junior

Antonio Parker: 5' 10"; Freshman

Chase Walker: 5' 4"; Freshman

Kameron Stiffler: Junior

Players Mentioned

Ethan Gomez
: 5' 4"; Senior

Sammy Shires
: 5' 7"; Redshirt Junior

Logan Heckert
: 5' 9"; Junior

Antonio Parker
: 5' 10"; Freshman

Chase Walker
: 5' 4"; Freshman

Kameron Stiffler
: Junior