NAIA RELEASE - TOP 25
INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS

KANSAS CITY -- Southern Oregon wrestling will once again open a season as the team to beat in the NAIA, as the Raiders top the NAIA Wrestling Coaches' Preseason Top 20 Poll for the second consecutive season, the national office announced Wednesday.

The Raiders led the preseason poll last season before finishing second at the NAIA National Tournament with three individual national champions. Three Raiders rank atop their respective weight classes in the preseason poll, led by two-time national champion Mitchell Lofstedt (Roseburg, Ore./Roseburg) in the 125-pound weight class. Jimmy Eggemeyer (Kodiak, Alaska/Kodiak) tops the rankings at 149 pounds after finishing second at the national meet last season. Brock Gutches (Central Point, Ore./Crater) returns for his sophomore season looking to defend his 2012 championship in the 174, and he leads the preseason rankings as well.

Twelve total Raiders received preseason recognition in the individual rankings to total 139 team points. That point value gave Southern Oregon a lead of almost 45 points over second-ranked Campbellsville, which tallied 94.5 points. Defending national champion Grand View ranks third (93), followed by Baker (71.5) and Cumberlands (68) to round out the top five.

Southern Oregon hosts its annual Red & Black Intrasquad on Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. at Bob Riehm Arena, and the Raiders' season officially begins at the Pacific Open on Nov. 11 in Forest Grove. The Raiders host No. 8 Great Falls in the season's first home dual, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m.