PEMBROKE – The UNC Pembroke wrestling team will head into the new season in familiar territory as the Braves were one of a trio of Mountain East Conference squads included as part of FloWrestling's preseason top 25 poll.
 
UNCP, who is one of just two (Newberry) NCAA Super Region 2 squads included in the listing, checked in at No. 23 in the organization's initial ranking of the 2020-21 campaign. MEC foes West Liberty (No. 6) and Notre Dame (T-15) are among the top 20, as is Newberry (13).
 
Two individuals will head into next month's opener at Belmont Abbey with a national ranking as well. Reigning NCAA Super Region champs Nick Daggett (125 pounds) and Logan Seliga (133) are ranked 3^rd and 8^th, respectively, among the nation's best wrestlers in their respective weight classes.
 
The Braves posted 14 dual meet victories (2^nd all-time) last season and captured titles at both the MEC Championships, as well as the NCAA Super Regional Tournament which was hosted by the Black & Gold. Six Braves punched their tickets to the NCAA Division II Championships which marked the fourth-straight year that UNCP has sent multiple representatives to the sport's biggest stage.