By Pete Scantlebury, NAIA Manager of Athletics Communications

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Menlo (Calif.) jumped ahead of Wayland Baptist (Texas) in the second edition of the NAIA Women’s Wrestling Coaches’ Top 20 Poll. Seven points separate the two teams.

Top 25 Highlights

• Menlo claims six of the top-ranked wrestlers in the most recent poll: Alleida Martinez (109 pounds), Gracie Figueroa (116 pounds), Solin Piearcy (136 pounds), Angela Peralta (143 pounds), Iman Kzem (155 pounds) and Precious Bell (170 pounds).
• Wayland Baptist has two top-ranked wrestlers in Ovieonce Ray (101 pounds) and Paige Baynes (191 pounds).
• Rounding out the top five were No. 3 Southern Oregon, No. 4 Campbellsville (Ky.) and No. 5 Life (Ga.).
• Entering the poll was Missouri Baptist at No. 11.
• This is the first year for women’s wrestling as an NAIA invitational sport. Twenty-five NAIA institutions field wrestling teams during the 2018-2019 season. Women’s wrestling will be eligible for championship status after two years of competition as an invitational sport and 40 institutions sponsor a varsity women’s wrestling team.

Poll Methodology

• The poll was voted upon by a panel of head coaches representing each of the four conferences and groupings.
• Two days prior to the national poll, each qualifying group rater submits the top six individuals from each weight class in his conference into the system. Only wrestlers listed on a conference ballot are considered for the national ballot.
• The top 20 individuals in each weight class are based on how each voter ranks the best individuals. An individual receives 20 points for each first-place vote, 19 for second place and so on through the list. This same point system is used to determine the team ranking.
• For the complete Top 20 calendar, click here.

2018-2019 NAIA Women’s Wrestling Coaches Top 20 Poll – No. 2

Dropped out: Central Christian (Kan.), Saint Mary (Kan.)

Receiving votes: Central Christian (Kan.) 14, Saint Mary (Kan.) 13

Top-ranked individuals | Individual Rankings

101 – Ovieonce Ray, Wayland Baptist

109 – Alleida Martinez, Menlo

116 – Gracie Figueora, Menlo

123 – Dajan Treder, Providence

130 – Andribeth Rivera, Campbellsville

136 – Solin Piearcy, Menlo

143 – Angela Peralta, Menlo

155 – Iman Kazem, Menlo

170 – Precious Bell, Menlo

191 – Paige Baynes, Wayland Baptist