KANSAS CITY, Mo.- The MIAA released its 2025 MIAA Wrestling Preseason Coaches Poll. Nebraska Kearney snagged the top spot in the poll with five first place votes, and a total of 25 points. Central Oklahoma earned one first place vote, to help them take the second spot in the poll. The Jets earned (tied) fourth place in the preseason poll with nine points, tying Fort Hays State and Ouachita Baptist. 

2025-26 MIAA WRESTLING PRESEASON RANKINGS
1. Nebraska Kearney [5] – 25 points
2. Central Oklahoma [1] – 21 points
3. Central Missouri – 17 points
T4. Fort Hays State – 9 points
T4. Newman – 9 points
T4. Ouachita – 9 points 

Mitch Arnold enters his first season leading the Jets. This marks his third stint on the staff, having previously served as an assistant coach from 2012-2016 and again from 2023-2024. Between his time at Newman, Arnold spent years coaching at Andover Central High School and Bishop Carroll High School. He returns to Newman with a decade of wrestling coaching experience. A four-year student-athlete for the Jets, Mitch was a two-time NCAA National Qualifier in 2010 and 2012, becoming the first NCAA Qualifier in Newman Wrestling history. He earned his degree in Communications in 2013. Prior to Newman, he attended Bishop Carroll Catholic High School in Wichita, where he helped lead his team to three state championships. Bishop Carroll was ranked 16th nationally in 2007 and 2008. Arnold is a three-time Kansas State Champion, a freshman national champion, and a high school All-American.

The Jets return 16 wrestlers for the 2025-26 season, including seniors Caleb Wunsch, Hunter Dietrich, Jevin Foust, De'Leon Freeman, Chris Mapp, Trent Moses, Keton Patterson, Colby Schreiner, and Dylan Sheler. Wunsch earned Second Team All-MIAA Honors last season with a 26-11 record, claiming the "Most Falls" Award in Division II (all classes) and finishing sixth at Regionals. Foust also placed at Regionals, finishing fifth at 133 lbs.Newman adds six freshmen and several transfers to the roster, including Braden Tatum, a transfer from Newberry College. Tatum qualified for Nationals last season after placing third at 141 lbs at Regionals.
The Jets will open their season on November 1 at the Falcon Open, followed by the Colby CC Duals on November 4. Newman's home opener will be the Red and Blue Dual on November 9, followed by a home match against Friends on November 12. The Jets return to Fugate in the second semester to host the Jet Open on January 4. Their final home match will be on February 22 against Fort Hays State, closing out the regular season. Postseason action begins February 28 at NCAA Regionals, with Nationals beginning March 13.