"Swedes are on the Rise" is the theme for the 2012-2013 wrestling team, which is preparing for its second season at Bethany College. The team finished their inaugural season with a 2-3 record and sported Bethany's first-ever National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) NAIA All-American and NAIA Academic All-American in Colby Crank.

The Swedes will return eight starters to the team. In addition, they will return eleven letter winners. Top returning wrestlers are sophomore Crank, who had the highest individual grade point average of all wrestlers in the NAIA with a 3.66 and was named a NAIA All-American for finishing fourth in his weight division at the national tournament; sophomore Courtney Strauss, who earned NWCA NAIA Academic Honorable Mention honors and was a national qualifier; and sophomore Colt Rogers, who was a national qualifier.

Head Coach Jacob Marrs says, "This group has matured and is starting to come into their own. We look forward to watching them improve daily as they try to realize their potential."

The Swedes lose seniors Brandon Goodwin and Kyle Allen who graduated in the spring.

"We have a nice mix of guys in year two and I believe they are hungry to hone their craft," adds Marrs. "It will be an exciting year for the Swede wrestlers in year two."

The team will start its season on November 10 when they host the Bethany Swede Open at Smoky Valley High School.

The wrestling team is also receiving votes in the 2012-13 NAIA Coaches' Preseason Top 20 Poll. Individual rankings have Colt Rogers ranked no. 10 in the 133 pound division and Cole Schreiner ranked no. 16 in the 141 pound division.

The poll was voted upon by a panel of head coaches representing each of the Qualifying Groups.

For a complete look at the 2012-13 NAIA Wrestling Coaches' Top 20 Poll calendar, click here. For individual rankings, click here. The first regular-season poll will be announced Nov. 21.

2012-13 NAIA Wrestling Coaches' Preseason Top 20 Poll

Others receiving votes: William Penn (Iowa) 17.5; Hannibal-LaGrange (Mo.) 17; Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) 11; Northwestern (Iowa) 10; Concordia (Neb.) 8.5; Jamestown (N.D.) 7; Central Baptist (Ark.) 6; Bethany (Kan.) 5; Brewton-Parker (Ga.) 4; Truett-McConnell (Ga.); Hastings (Neb.) 1.5.