Eureka Men, Women Selected No. 2 in SLIAC Preseason Wrestling Poll

ST. LOUIS, Mo. –  The Eureka men's and women's wrestling teams have both been selected to finish second in the first-ever St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference wrestling championship in February.

Both Red Devils squads received the second-most votes in the polls, which were conducted by league coaches, the SLIAC announced on Wednesday.

On the men's side, the University of Ozarks was picked first. The Eagles are the longest running program in the conference (started in 2014) and returns an experienced and accomplished roster.

Fontbonne, which has been in existence since 2018, was third, followed by affiliate wrestling member Schreiner in fourth and Westminster in fifth.

First-year SLIAC member Lyon was selected sixth after moving from to the NCAA from the NAIA this year. First-year program Blackburn rounded out the poll in seventh.

Coached by Eric Biehl in its second season in program history, the Red Devils brings back a roster that features six wrestlers who qualified for nationals at the NAIA level at Lincoln College: Jake Jozwiak (125), Nathan Berta (133), Anthony Sartori (165), Thomas Culp (184), and Jackson Creasy (285).

Jozwiak and Berta both recorded over 20 wins last season, as did Gaige Owens (141). Senior Dominic Tenayuca also returns this season to a squad that features a slew of newcomers, such as Trevor Hedges, Bernie Cox, Mikie Hartnett, Asa Reed and Weston Swise.

The University of Ozarks also topped the field on the women's side, while Fontbonne finished right below the Red Devils in third.

Schreiner followed in fourth, with Westminster in fifth, Lyon in sixth and Blackburn in seventh.

Eureka brings back junior Gada Bryant, who placed sixth in regionals at 109 pounds last season, as well as pair of former NAIA national qualifiers at Lincoln in McKenzie Cook (143/155) and Audrey Driskell (143/155). Coach Biehl also welcomes a class of seven new women wrestlers, including Kyley Bair, who recorded over 100 wins in her high school career at Richwoods High School.

The Red Devils officially open the 2023-24 season on Saturday at the Dubuque Open. The competition begins at 9 a.m.