NEW LONDON, Conn. – Following its most successful season in program history, the Castleton University wrestling team has earned the top spot in the 2022-23 New England Wrestling Association's pre-season team rankings.
 
Castleton's 89 points tops the NEWA charts behind the strength of nine wrestlers ranking top-eight in their respective weight classes. It marks the first time ever that Castleton has earned the top spot in the NEWA ranks. Springfield College is second with 77 points followed by Johnson & Wales third at 76 points. Coast Guard slots in fourth with 73 points before a drop-off in the rankings to No. 5 Southern Maine with 50 points.
 
Castleton returns the top-ranked wrestlers at 141 pounds and 174 pounds in James Rodriguez and Cooper Fleming, both of whom won matches at the 2022 NCAA Division III National Championships. Rodriguez placed eighth in the 141-pound bracket, earning Castleton's first-ever All-America accolade in wrestling.
 
The Spartans have the second-ranked wrestlers at 133 and 165 in Michael Gonyea and Michael Angers, while Nicholas Roeger, Sampson Wilkins and Shea Garand are slotted fifth at 149, 184 and 285. Kaya Bogle and Haven Tatarek each rank sixth at 125 and 197, respectively.
 
Castleton returns nine wrestlers from the lineup that beat then-No. 29 Springfield College to place third in the NEWA Duals a season ago, while welcoming a number of new faces that will work their way into the lineup right away.
 
Castleton opens the 2022-23 season next Friday, November 4, at the Ithaca Invitational.