#2 Life Vs #6 Southeastern Sun Nov 7th @ Takedown At Yorktown

 

One of the most exciting things in college wrestling this season, is that this is the first year ever of Southern States Athletic Conference wrestling!  We have two of the best teams in NAIA wrestling, Life & Southeastern, both of which want to be the first ever SSAC team champions by the end of 2027!  These two wrestling giants will be meeting early on this season, as they do battle this Sunday at the Takedown At Yorktown! 

Should be a very exciting dual & these are the matches JT1Wrestle looks forward to most. 

Mikey Doerr Vs Jake Bucci
125

Life Vs Southeastern. As already noted, two teams both looking to rule the SSAC by the end of the season.  What fun it is to start things off with two light weights both looking to start off '26-'27 with a bang! Mikey Doerr had some big wins last season & Jake Bucci placed 4th at the prestigious Missouri Valley Invitational.  

Isaiah Rubio Vs Aaron Lucio
133 lbs

3rd & 2nd thus far in the NAIA nation, I believe it is fair to say that Aaron Lucio is a contender for both an SSAC title as well as a National title in 2027.  Isaiah Rubio himself last season, a Battle in the Bluegrass champion.  When these two met in the dual, Lucio scored a takedown in the first period, and those were the only real points scored in what ended in a 4-1 decision for the Fire.  Team pride, ranking, seeding at conference, a whole lot on the line in this match of talented light weights. 

Mauro Michel vs Andrew Voiles Or Drew Jones
141 lbs 

In the NAIA it's not uncommon to have more than one talented wrestler at a weight & therefore you never know who will be sent out onto the mat.  What I can tell you is that at the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) last season, Andrew Voiles defeated teammate Drew Jones 4-2 in the semi-finals in route to a 2nd place finish.  Mauro Michel then majored Jones 12-3 for a 3rd place finish & Michel also finished 3rd in the NAIA Nation a couple of weeks later.  Michel Vs Voiles is the match I want to see, because I wouldn't be at all surprised if that ends up being out SSAC final. 

149
Elvis Solis Vs Mario De La Torre

Wrestling sure can be a funny sport at times. Often times one of the toughest to predict.  At the AAC last year, Elvis Solis took it to Mario De La Torre in the finals in a 13-3 major decision.  Yet at the NAIA championships, De La Torre finished 4th to Solis finishing 7th.  

174
Reese Jones Or Konlin Weaver Vs Ty Rodriguez Or Husam Mustafa

A lot of talent here at 174 lbs & I can't tell you for sure what we will end up seeing.  I can tell you what I hope we end up seeing though.  I'd love to see a rematch of last year's AAC championships where Reese Jones squeaked past Ty Rodriguez in a 2-1 decision.  Jones vs Husam Mustafa Or Rodriguez vs Weaver could also be a lot of fun as well.  Or We could also possibly see Jones or Weaver move up to 184 lbs to take on a very tough August Batson. 

197
Efren Arizmendez Vs Gentry Smith

Two-time AAC runner-up Gentry Smith who finished R12 at last year's NAIA championships is looking to win a SSAC title this year.  Efren Arizmendez will be a great first test in route to acing that final exam.  Smith is favored, but I look for this to be a good match.