MANHEIM, Pa. -- The Wartburg College women's wrestling team comes in at No. 17 in the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Preseason NCAA Women's Coaches Poll for the 2026-27 season, with two Knights earning top-10 rankings in their respective weight classes.

Sophomore Gable Hemann (Osage, Iowa/Osage) lands at No. 7 at 117 pounds after earning All-American honors at the inaugural NCAA Women's Wrestling Championships last season. Hemann placed eighth nationally with a 27-10 record and earned NCAA Region V Rookie of the Year honors, becoming the first Knight to receive the award. She also was named American Rivers Conference Rookie of the Year.

Senior Kylie Birchman (Mineral Point, Wis./Mineral Point) earned the No. 3 ranking at 138 pounds after placing fifth at the NCAA Championships last season. Birchman finished the year with a 26-7 record, recording 11 pins and 10 technical falls. She captured titles at the Luther Open and American Rivers Conference Championships and qualified for the NCAA Championships for the third consecutive season.

Wartburg opens the 2026-27 season Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 6 p.m., against Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois.