KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) released the sixth Women's Wrestling Coaches' Top 20 Poll of the 2025-26 season on Thursday. The Campbellsville University women's wrestling team climbed two spots to #15, accumulating 58 points in the national rating.
The Tigers' upward movement comes on the heels of a competitive stretch that included duals against #5 Lindsey Wilson and #8 Indiana Tech. Despite the team losses, individual brilliance against top-tier competition has bolstered the Tigers' resume.
The headline of the poll is the meteoric rise of freshman
Makennah Craft. Craft jumped four spots to #2 in the 103-pound weight class with 61 points. The jump follows her statement victory last week against Indiana Tech, where she dominated the then #2 wrestler in the country, Zoey Haney, via an 8-0 major decision. Craft now sits just behind Providence's Erin Hikiji for the top spot in the nation.
Gaby Perez also made a significant move, climbing from #10 to #7 at 145 pounds with 48 points. Perez has been a reliable scorer for the Tigers, recently battling to a criteria win over a ranked opponent in the Indiana Tech dual and keeping matches close against top-five foes.
Kylee Tait moved up one spot to #12 in the 160-pound rankings, gathering 33 points. Tait continues to be a bonus-point threat for Campbellsville, highlighted by her 44-second pin against Lindsey Wilson earlier this month.
The Messerly sisters also improved their standing.
Addison Messerly moved up to #15 at 124 pounds, while
Olivia Messerly climbed to #16 at 131 pounds.
Campbellsville Individuals in NAIA Poll #6:
Life continues to hold the top spot in the team rankings with 233 points, followed by Grand View (Iowa) and Providence (Mont.).
The Lady Tigers return to the mat on Saturday, February 7, traveling to Columbia, Kentucky, for the Blue Raider Open hosted by Lindsey Wilson College. Action is set to begin at 10 a.m. ET.
| TREND |
RANK |
LAST TIME |
INSTITUTION |
POINTS |
| ● |
1 |
1 |
Life (Ga.) |
233 |
| ● |
2 |
2 |
Grand View (Iowa) |
200 |
| ▲ |
3 |
4 |
Providence (Mont.) |
182 |
| ▲ |
4 |
5 |
Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) |
154 |
| ▼ |
5 |
3 |
William Penn (Iowa) |
153 |
| ● |
6 |
6 |
Cumberlands (Ky.) |
129 |
| ● |
7 |
7 |
Wayland Baptist (Texas) |
116 |
| ● |
8 |
8 |
Indiana Tech |
115 |
| ▲ |
9 |
12 |
Southern Oregon |
97 |
| ● |
10 |
10 |
Missouri Valley |
95 |
| ▲ |
11 |
13 |
Ottawa (Kan.) |
88 |
| ▼ |
12 |
11 |
Doane (Neb.) |
83 |
| ▼ |
13 |
9 |
Texas Wesleyan |
78 |
| ▲ |
14 |
16 |
Hastings (Neb.) |
65 |
| ▲ |
15 |
17 |
Campbellsville (Ky.) |
58 |
| ▲ |
16 |
18 |
Central Methodist (Mo.) |
57 |
| ▼ |
17 |
14 |
Oklahoma City |
56 |
| ▼ |
18 |
15 |
Evergreen State (Wash.) |
49 |
| ▲ |
19 |
20 |
Baker (Kan.) |
45 |
| ▲ |
20 |
RV |
Missouri Baptist |
41 |
Key: RV - Receiving Votes | NR - Not Ranked | Climbed -▲ | Dropped -▼ | Steady - ●
Dropped from Top 20: Dickinson State (N.D.)
Receiving Votes: Saint Mary (Kan.) 37, Dickinson State (N.D.) 36, Avila (Mo.) 28, Midland (Neb.) 25, Friends (Kan.) 25, Eastern Oregon 21, Waldorf (Iowa) 17, William Woods (Mo.) 14, Georgetown (Ky.) 11, Westcliff (Calif.) 11, Montreat (N.C.) 8, York (Neb.) 7, Lourdes (Ohio) 3.
