GORHAM, Maine  –  Headed into the 2022-2023 season, the University of Southern Maine Huskies' wrestling team has been picked fifth in the pre-season New England Wrestling Association (NEWA) team rankings. 
 
The Huskies' 50 points is fifth among 16 teams in the New England Wrestling Association and is led by four wrestling ranked in the top eight of their respective weight classes.  Castleton University earned the preseason no. 1 spot with 89 points and nine wrestlers in the top eight of their weight class. Springfield College is second with 77 points followed by Johnson & Wales third at 76 points. Coast Guard slots in fourth with 73 points.
 
Southern Maine returns the top ranked wrestlers at 149 and 285 pounds in sophomore Colby Frost (Steep Falls, Maine/Bonny Eagle) and graduate student Jake Peavey (South China, Maine/Erskine Academy).  Junior Ethan Ford (North Andover, Mass.) and sophomore Anthony Mears (Lawrence, Mass./Central Catholic) are ranked fourth in 133 and 197 pounds respectively. 
 
As a freshman, Mears placed eighth at the 2022 NCAA Division III Northeast Regional Championship, earning All-Region honors and was selected to the NEWA Honorable Mention team.  Mears is a Business Management major. Ford put together a strong effort in his first full intercollegiate season, placing seventh at the regional championship to earn All-Region honors.  Ford is studying Criminology
 
The second freshman in program history to earn a berth to the NCAA Division III National Championship, Frost had an outstanding rookie campaign, ending with a 29-10 record, including 12 wins by fall.  Placing third at the 2022 regional championship by stringing together a remarkable five-match streak after an opening round loss, Frost earned All-Region honors and was named to the NEWA second team. Frost has not yet declared an academic major.
 
A two-time All-Region wrestler, Peavey earned second team NEWA honors after a dominant 2021-22 season that included a record of 26-5, including 15 wins by fall.  The Huskies' captain posted a 3-1 record at the regional championship to finish second overall and earn his first bid to the NCAA Championship.  A standout student-athlete, Peavey earned NEWA All-Academic Team honors, and was named a NWCA Scholar All-American for the fourth time in his career. 
 
A three-time William B. Wise Scholar Athlete, Peavey completed his undergraduate degree in Business Management and is pursuing his Master's degree in Leadership studies.  During the summer, Peavey was recognized by the Maine Amateur Wrestling Alliance as the College Wrestler of the Year. 
 
The Huskies start their season at home on Saturday, November 5 (1:00 pm) in a dual meet against Bridgewater State University.