Wrestling Begins New Year With Record Ranking at No. 2

By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – With a new campaign just two days away for Reinhardt wrestling, the Eagles will begin 2019-20 in uncharted territory as the nation's second-ranked squad – a new program-high – as the NAIA revealed its 2019 Wrestling Coaches' Preseason Top 20 Poll on Thursday night.
 
The hometown squad jumped up three spots from last year's postseason rating and received 141 voting points – just behind Grand View (Iowa) – who claimed its eighth-consecutive national title in 2018-19.
 
To view the entire release from the NAIA, please click here.
 
"Man, what a testament to our kids in the work they've put in," head coach Jeff Bedard said. "We are very excited to start the season this weekend and hopefully get the ball rolling in the right direction. We return everybody and had a really good recruiting class. Coach Moley has done a really good job of getting the guys ready for this weekend. I have a lot of gratitude and I am very thankful for the great kids that we have on our team."
 
The Eagles earned their final positioning of the season after a pair of third-overall placements nationally – Justin George (157 pounds) and Antonio Stewart (184) – and a fifth-place finish in Michael Carew (174).
 
The squad wasn't done there, either, as Koby Milner came in sixth-place at 125 and Cole Tenety was eighth at 165.
 
All five of the Reinhardt student-athletes also earned All-American status for their finishes in their respective weight classes.
 
George – who is now at 165 pounds – is one of five new wrestlers at No. 1 to begin the 2019-20 season.
 
The quest back to nationals begins on Saturday in the Georgia Open.

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