Crank up the Merrymen cause Southeast Wrestling in 2026-2027 is going to be HOT HOT HOT! 12 NAIA qualifiers last season & 9 return, plus a load of talent looking to fill in spots left void from graduating seniors. This will be our first year of the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) & the Fire are in a very good position to win the team title.
It was very rewarding to see Jovan Mitchell earn All-American status in his final season of eligibility. I spoke with Grand View assistant wrestling coach Aden Reeves about him & how it was difficult watching him on the sidelines knowing what he was capable of. Knowing what he would do if given the opportunity. Feelings will always be mixed regarding everything that happens in transferring, but knowing he finally got the post-season start, & finished top 8 in the NAIA nation was a very rewarding moment of the 2025-2026 season.
Tony Federico was a fun one to watch. 6th & 3rd in the NAIA nation, he was 1st & 3rd in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC).
Disappointed that Kasten Grape came up short of a third All-American honor, going 4th-3rd-R12 in his final three NAIA tournament showings. Nonetheless, he won a very tough Missouri Valley Invitational as he closed out his career.
Now as the Rolling Stones would say, "Spread out the oil, the gasoline" because we're gonna see the FIRE a mean, smooth machine.
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| 133 Aaron Lucio |
3rd & 2nd thus far in the NAIA, Aaron Lucio will contend for a national title this season. He has been 2nd & 1st thus far in the AAC, as he'll look to win his first SSAC title this season as well.
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| 141 Drew Jones |
Finishing one match shy of NAIA All-American honors last season, Drew Jones has AAC finishes of 3rd & 4th.
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| 141 Andrew Voiles |
2nd-3rd-2nd, Andrew Voiles never did win an AAC title, but he is very likely to win an SSAC title this year as a senior, as he'll also be a strong candidate for All-American honors.
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| 149 Mario De La Torre |
5th & 4th in the NAIA nation thus far, Mario De La Torre will be looking to become a three-time All-American in 2027. Two silver AAC medals in his collection, he'll be looking for SSAC gold as well.
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| 174 Husam Mustafa |
Husam Mustafa was 3rd at the AAC last season & one match shy of placing at the Missouri Valley Invitational.
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| 174 Ty Rodriguez |
Last season Ty Rodriguez was the runner-up at the AAC, the Missouri Valley Invitational champion & 3rd at the Pepsi Patriot Open.
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| 184 August Batson |
August Batson took 4th place finishes at both the AAC & the Pepsi Patriot Open.
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| 197 Gentry Smith |
One match shy of NAIA All-American honors & thus far 2nd-2nd in the AAC, Gentry Smith will look to win the SSAC this season & earn a top 8 finish at nationals.
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| HWT Bryce Wheatley |
Bryce Wheatley was 3rd in the AAC & 8th at the Missouri Valley Invitational last season.
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| 125 Jake Bucci |
Jake Bucci placed 4th at last year's Missouri Valley Invitational.
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| 141 Joey Hutchins |
Joey Hutchins was 4th at the Pepsi Patriot Open & one match shy of placing at the Missouri Valley Invitational.
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| 157 Ryan Bennett |
Ryan Bennett was one match shy of placing at the Missouri Valley Invitational last season.
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| 149 Ray Cavey |
Ray Cavey earned runner-up finishes at both the Pepsi Patriot Open & the Oppenheim Open last season, taking 7th place honors at the Missouri Valley Invitational.
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