NAIA wrestling is back with a lot of familiar storylines heading into the season. Grand View and Life University are set to stage another championship battle, a collection of top stars are back, several decorated newcomers are joining the mix and some new programs are debuting this season. 

Here's a look at what to watch this season:  

Team To Beat 

Grand View won its 11th national title in 12 years in March, and while the Vikings remain the favorite, this could be one of the tightest team races in NAIA history this year. Grand View returns six starters, including national champions Owen Braungardt at 197 and Greg Hagan at 285. The Vikings have three other wrestlers who placed third or better at the national tournament coming back, including national finalists Carson Taylor at 133 and Isaiah Luellen, who is moving up from 174 to 184. 

“We’re looking forward to finding out what’s unique about this team,” Grand View coach Nick Mitchell said. “After graduating a lot of seniors from last year’s team, it will be fun to see who steps up as leaders for us in all aspects.”

Top Contenders

With the current projected starters, Life University is neck-and-neck with Grand View, although that is likely to change for both teams by the second semester. Life is led by returning national champion Brevin Balmeceda at 149 and 2022 national champion Zane Lanham at 197. Along with those two, the Running Eagles return five other returning or former All-Americans. Life tested itself at the always-tough Southeast Open to start their season. 

“Our guys fought hard and had some good moments, but we also had some moments that opened our eyes,” Life coach Omi Acosta said. “I have high expectations for this team and we still have a long way to go to reach our goals.” 

Several other teams are in the trophy chase, along with Grand View and Life. Southeastern and Menlo — which finished third and fourth, respectively, at the NAIA Championships in March, will be in the hunt again. Campbellsville, Morningside, and Ottawa each have balanced teams, which will require all starters to pull their weight to earn a trophy. Lindsey Wilson, Montana State-Northern, Doane, and Cumberland each have a few big hitters who can help win a team trophy if they reach their potential.

Top Returning Stars 

There’s no shortage of returning stars at the NAIA level this season. Braungardt and Hagan are back after winning national titles for Grand View and NAIA champs Balmeceda Lanham are back for Life. Additionally, Menlo returns 165-pound national champion Rysan Leong and Southeastern’s 157-pound champ Sal Silva is back. Silva has a chance to become a five-time All-American. 

Along with the returning champs, Eastern Oregon’s Hunter Sparks made the national finals last season at 125. Corban’s David Rubio returns at 157 after reaching the finals last season at 165. 

Evan Potter is another name to watch this year. He was a two-time All-American at 133 but is off to a hot start at 141 after taking out that weight’s highest returning place-winner in Pat Gould of Keiser at the Patriot Open.

Newcomers To Watch

Menlo benefits from a host of NJCAA All-Americans in Nico Aguilar, Brant Porter, Kana’i Tapia, and Ledger Petracek. Oklahoma Wesleyan freshman Maxximus Martinez is the highest-ranked recruit heading to an NAIA school. The California native placed third at the 2019 Super 32. Missouri Valley picked up Wyoming transfer Chase Zollman, an NCAA qualifier for the Cowboys. Life snagged NJCAA national champion Fabian Padilla at 165 and added Gardner-Webb transfer Kyle Homet at 184. 

Other News, Notes And Nuggets 

One of NAIA’s top newcomers last season is not expected to be back this year. Menlo’s Gulomjon Abdullaev captured the 133-pound national title last season. Abdullaev placed seventh at the World Championships in September at 57 kilograms for Uzbekistan. He lost in the round of 16 against eventual World champ Stevan Micic before falling against three-time World and Olympic champ Zavur Uguev in the repechage. … Three new programs debut this season at the NAIA level — Evergreen State (Wash.), University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy (Mo.) and William Woods (Mo.) ... NAIA is adding a third day to its national tournament. This year's NAIA Championships will be held Feb. 29-March 2 in Park City, Kansas.