GPAC Ratings | NAIA National Ratings
SEWARD, Neb. – Conference and NAIA rankings for the 2025-26 season have been unveiled. As a team, Concordia University, Nebraska Wrestling begins the new campaign with rankings of third in the GPAC and 19th in the NAIA. The NAIA National Office released its official team and individual rankings on Thursday (Oct. 16). Eight Bulldogs are ranked on the conference level and six appeared within the NAIA national rankings.
Head Coach Josh Watts enters his second season at the helm of the program. His 2024-25 squad concluded the season in a tie for 17th at the NAIA National Championships. Within the conference, Concordia tied for second in the dual standings and placed third at the GPAC tournament. The Bulldogs bring back 2025 NAIA national runner up Hagen Heistand and five other national qualifiers. The most significant departure is Creighton Baughman, who earned All-America status in his final season of collegiate wrestling.
The list of Concordia wrestlers with conference or national preseason rankings is included below. Both Heistand (149) and Torrance Keehn (197) were placed atop the GPAC rankings within their respective weight classes. The six Bulldogs who begin this season nationally ranked are Steven Barnes (16th at 141), Heistand (second at 149), Cole Price (17th at 157), Hunter Weimer (19th at 174), Barret Brandt (16th at 184) and Keehn (14th at 197).
2025-26 preseason ranked Bulldogs
141 – Steven Barnes: 2nd GPAC | 16th NAIA
141 – Cal Price: 4th GPAC
149 – Hagen Heistand: 1st GPAC | 2nd NAIA
157 – Cole Price: 2nd GPAC | 17th NAIA
174 – Hunter Weimer: 2nd GPAC | 19th NAIA
184 – Barret Brandt: 2nd GPAC | 16th NAIA
197 – Torrance Keehn: 1st GPAC | 14th NAIA
285 – Gabe Kant: 6th GPAC
Concordia cracked the NAIA top 25 towards the end of the 2024-25 season, checking in at No. 19 on Jan. 30. The Bulldogs moved up one spot to No. 18 in the final rating of last season. The 17th place finish at the national tournament marked the highest for the program since placing 15th in 2020.
The Bulldogs will officially open the 2025-26 season on Saturday, Nov. 1 at the Friends Falcon Open in Park City, Kan. The season’s first home appearance is slated for Nov. 13 when Concordia will host Hastings for a GPAC dual.