MANHEIM, Pa. (Duhawks.com) - The Loras wrestling program opens the season ranked third in the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) preseason poll announced on Monday, Oct. 30. The Duhawks are behind Wartburg and Augsburg, winners of the last 23 NCAA Division III National Championships. Monday's poll marked the highest Loras has ever been ranked in the NWCA Coaches poll.

The Duhawks finished the 2016-17 dual season with a 12-7 record, which included a run of 10 consecutive wins and victories over ranked opponents in Central, Coe and Cornell. For the first time in program history, Loras finished second in the Iowa Conference with a 7-1 mark.

"It's pretty amazing to think this program was 2-13 two years ago and now is ranked No. 3 to begin the year," head coach TJ Miller said. "It's a testament to the hard work of our student-athletes and coaching staff who all put in the work to help us prepare week in and week out."

"I know it's an exciting day for our fans, alumni and our Loras campus, but for us as a program, we need to keep improving each and every day," Miller added. "Right now, we're focused on the Super 8 Invitational on Saturday and starting our year off on the right foot."

Four Loras wrestlers earned a spot in the NWCA Individual Preseason Rankings, including three ranked third or higher.

Sophomore Guy Patron, Jr. begins his second year in the Purple & Gold as the No. 1 wrestler in the nation at 197#. As a freshman, Patron, Jr. posted a 39-6 overall record and his 20 falls ranked third in all of Division III. The Harvey, La. native placed third at the 2017 NCAA Division III Championships to earn his first All-America honors. Patron, Jr. was named to the d3wrestle.com All-Freshman team and becomes the first Duhawk to be ranked No. 1 since Nov. 18, 2014.

Senior Jimmy Davis begins his final campaign ranked second at 157#. The Aurora, Ill. native compiled a 25-6 overall record in the 2016-2017 season including six tech falls and four falls. Davis earned his first All-American honor after a fifth place finish at the 2017 NCAA Championships. Davis started the season 10-0 and rode his streak all the way to a second place finish at the 2017 NCAA DIII Central Regional.

The Duhawks' third returning All-American in sophomore Clint Lembeck begins the season ranked third at 141#. Lembeck went 23-11 as a freshman, which included a perfect 3-0 record, with three falls, at the NCAA Central Regional in which he garnered Outstanding Wrestler honors. The Marion native finished fifth at the NCAA Championships and totaled 13 falls along with five tech falls in his first season. Like Patron Jr., Lembeck was named to the d3wrestle.com All-Freshman Team.

Junior Quin Gilliam was Loras' fourth national qualifier from a season ago and begins the season ranked eighth at 285#. As a sophomore, Gilliam posted a 27-13 record overall, which included a 7-1 record in the Iowa Conference. Gilliam, a native of Shreveport, La., posted a career-high 10 falls in the 2016-2017 season. The eldest of the "Bayou Boys" qualified for nationals with a third place finish at the regional.

D3wrestle.com also released its preseason rankings on Monday, featuring Patron Jr. at No. 1, Lembeck at No. 3, Davis at No. 2, senior Awais Arain at No. 6 (184#) and Gilliam at No. 8. Additionally, senior Michael Triplett was listed as a contender at 133# and sophomore Eddie Smith was listed as an honorable mention at 165#.