NWCA WOMEN'S WRESTLING (NCAA) PRESEASON TEAM RANKINGS
NWCA WOMEN'S WRESTLING (NCAA) PRESEASON INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS

MINNEAPOLIS -- With four individuals ranked in the top eight in their weight classes, the Augsburg University women's wrestling team is ranked eighth in the National Wrestling Coaches Association's NCAA team preseason national poll, it was announced on Monday.

Augsburg received 39 points from a ranking committee of six coaches to rank eighth in the top 15 preseason poll, just a point behind No. 7 Colorado Mesa (40). Simon Fraser (B.C.), which finished second in the 2020 Cliff Keen/NWCA National Championships in the NCAA women's bracket, received 97 votes to top the preseason poll. McKendree (Ill.), which won last year's national title, was second with 92 points. In its inaugural season in 2019-20, Augsburg finished ninth at the Cliff Keen/NWCA national tournament and sixth at the Women's Collegiate Wrestling Association national tournament.

Emily Shilson (SO, Maple Grove, Minn./Mounds View HS), who won both the WCWA and NWCA national titles at 109 pounds last season, is ranked No. 1 in the 2020-21 preseason national poll at 109. Shilson went 14-0 in collegiate competition last season, with six pins and six technical falls. In her eight matches, all wins, in national tournament competition, she claimed four pins and four technical falls. At the USA Wrestling Senior Nationals in October, Shilson placed sixth in the 50-kilogram (110-pound) freestyle class.

Gabby Skidmore (SO, Spooner, Wis./Cumberland HS) enters the 2020-21 campaign ranked No. 3 nationally at 130 pounds. Skidmore finished 14-6 in her first collegiate campaign last year, with five pins and three technical falls. She finished second at 130 pounds in last season's WCWA national tournament and sixth at 130 at the NWCA nationals, going 6-4 with three pins in her 10 national matches.

Marlynne Deede (SO, Springville, Utah/Springville HS) has been ranked No. 5 at 155 pounds in the NWCA preseason poll. Deede went 11-11 with four pins and five technical falls last season, finishing sixth at 155 pounds at the NWCA national tournament, going 4-3 with two pins and two technical falls at the meet.

Vayle-Rae Baker (SO, Benton, Pa./Wyoming Seminary HS) is ranked No. 6 at 123 pounds in the preseason poll. Baker finished the 2019-20 season with an 18-6 record, with six pins and seven technical falls. Baker finished second at 123 at the 2020 WCWA national meet and sixth at the NWCA meet, going 5-4 with a pin and two technical falls in national competition. At the USA Wrestling Senior Nationals in October, Baker placed sixth in the 57-kilogram (126-pound) freestyle class.

Augsburg will enter its second season of varsity competition under head coach Max Mejia. Augsburg is the first and only college or university in Minnesota with a varsity women's wrestling program.