KANSAS CITY, MO – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has released the Coaches' Top 20 Preseason Poll and Menlo Men's Wrestling rings in at #4 in the nation! The Oaks were awarded 144 points as a team and currently have 8 wrestlers individually ranked. Menlo had a 4th place finish as a team at the NAIA National Championships last season with 4 All-American wrestlers placing in the top 7 of their weight classes. Reigning National Champion at 165, Rysan Leong, sits on top of his weight class going into the 2023-24  season. 

 

Coaches' Top 20 Preseason Poll Rankings

133 - #3 Jovan Garcia

The senior from Tolleson, Arizona showed determination and grit last season to earn Cascade Collegiate Conference runner-up and to qualify for his first NAIA Nationals. There, Garcia placed 7th after wrestling back on day 2 to become an All-American. Jovan is hungry for more this year!  Jovan is currently ranked #1 in the Cascade Conference preseason ranks. 

 

141 - #11 Brant Porter

Newcomer Brant Porter has already made it to the leaderboards of the NAIA without even touching a mat for the Oaks yet. Porter competed at Northern Idaho College last season and went 5-0 at the Junior College National Championship to earn the 141-Title. The JUCO All-American is looking to continue that title into the NAIA! Brant is currently ranked #2 in the Cascade Conference preseason ranks.    

 

157 - #15 Christopher Gaxiola

The senior out of Clovis, CA, Christopher Gaxiola, comes in at #15 at 157. Last season Gaxiola wrestled at 149 and went 8-5. He finished 4th at the Cascade Championships and was a national qualifier for the NAIA Championships. Gaxiola is confident moving into the new weight class going into the new season. Christopher currently sits #4 in the Cascade Conference preseason ranks. 

 

165 - #1 Rysan Leong   

Rysan Leong sits at the top of the 165 weight class after his Championship run in his junior season. Last year, Leong was a powerhouse for the Oaks with a record of  27-12. He was National Champion after winning an upset victory over the #1 seed to earn his All-American honor. Rysan has been training all summer long to come in even stronger for his final year on the mat! Rysan is also ranked #1 in the Cascade Conference preseason ranks. 

 

174 - #7 Maximus Zamora 

Maximus Zamora is another returning National qualifier for the Oaks. The junior from Moses Lake, Washington was 20-12 last year and had a 4th place finish in the Cascade Championships. Max is ranked #3 in the Cascade Conference preseason ranks. 

 

174 - #17 Ledger Petracek

Another new Oak on the roster has made his way onto the top 20 list before competing for the Oaks for his first year. The junior transfer from Elk Grove, CA is a 2x Junior College All-American. Petracek carries his experience from North Idaho College to Atherton in hopes of making a name in the NAIA! Ledger is currently ranked #5 in the Cascade Conference preseason rankings. 

184 - #11 Isaiah Morales

Isaiah Morales had an incredible first year as an Oak with a record of 23-10. Isaiah fought hard at the Cascade Collegiate Conference Championships to earn 3rd place and qualify for the NAIA Championships. Morales now has a year under his belt and will look towards another national appearance! The 184-pounder is currently ranked #3 in the Cascade Conference preseason ranks. 

 

HWT - #7 Antonio Dacosta

The senior out of Torrance, CA is looking to end on a high note for his final season as an Oak! Last year, Dacosta went 23-9 with a 2nd place finish in the Cascade Championships to qualify for the NAIA Championships. Antonio is currently #2 in the Cascade Conference preseason rankings.