KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association has announced its preseason coaches poll for the 2023-24 wrestling season.
 
Newman enters its twentieth year of intercollegiate competition. In this milestone season, the Jets look to leave a mark nationally, regionally, in state and in the city of Wichita.

The 2023-24 campaign will culminate in the national championships being held in Park City at Hartman Arena on March 15^th and 16^th. Fittingly, the season begins in that same venue, forming a bookend to the twentieth season of Newman Wrestling.

Head Coach Ryan Smith said, "We like where we are at currently with our core group of Sophomores and very talented Freshmen."

Rising Junior, Jace Fisher returns from a campaign that culminated in a trip to Cedar Rapids at the 2023 National Championships. The Goddard, Kansas native is poised to face a loaded 157 lb weight class in his efforts to return to the national stage hosted locally.

"We return Jace Fisher as our lone national qualifier from 2023, but he wasn't alone on the podium at the Super Regional." Smith added.

Five Jets placed at the 2023 Super Regional in Edmond, Oklahoma. The Jets return four of the five placers. Those include Fisher, who advanced to nationals as well as, Jevin Foust, Dylan Sheler and Hunter Dietrich.
Coach Smith believes last year's successes are building blocks for the future. "We expect some noise from our other placers as they continue to climb the ranks in 2024."

Fisher's qualification on the national stage was a return to the highest level of competition for the Jets as Kameron Frame's 2021 appearance was the last time the Jets qualified an individual. Frame remains on staff along with his brother, Kendall.

Joining Head Coach Ryan Smith on staff is former Newman Wrestler, Mitch Arnold. Arnold returns to the staff after a previous stint from 2013-2017.
THE POLL

Central Oklahoma, the defending NCAA Division II National Champion, tabbed the top spot in the 2023-24 MIAA preseason coaches poll. The Bronchos took home the team title at the 2023 championship.
  
Nebraska Kearney was picked second in the preseason poll with 21 points. The Lopers captured the team title at the 2022 NCAA Division II national championship and ended last season's campaign with a top-10 finish at the national stage.
 
Central Missouri and Fort Hays State tied for the No. 3 spot in the poll. Both the Mules and Tigers totaled 15 points.

Newman tied for the fifth spot in the poll with seven points. Ouachita Baptist, the team who tied with Newman, is competing in the MIAA for the first time this season. The Tigers' wrestling program has been competing as a member of the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) since the 2018-19 academic year.
 
The 2023-24 wrestling season begins with the Falcon Invite on Saturday, November 4^th. The complete wrestling schedule can be found here.

2023-24 MIAA Wrestling Preseason Coaches Poll

1. Central Oklahoma [5] – 25 points
2. Nebraska Kearney [1] – 21 points
T3. Central Missouri – 15 points
T3. Fort Hays State – 15 points
T5. Newman – 7 points
T5. Ouachita Baptist – 7 points 
[#] = First Place Votes