Zak Hensley has a loaded roster — one he hopes will help the Iowa Central women up the wrestling ladder a year after earning a bronze trophy at nationals.

The Tritons enter the season with 11 rated athletes, including three top-ranked individuals and three more sitting in the second spot in the early NJCAA rankings.

Allie Grow, Emily Angelo, Hannah Brown, Lacey Reed, Molly Sek and Annabelle Petsinger are anchoring the lineup for 2025-26. Sek and Petsinger were both All-Americans a year ago.

“These women know what it takes,” Hensley said. “We’ve seen a lot of development, and they’ll have plenty of opportunities to make a name for themselves.”

The Tritons, who are ranked second in tournaments and third in duals nationally by Open Mat, open the season on Friday at home against Hawkeye. The women’s dual will begin at 6 p.m. inside Hodges Fieldhouse, with the men to follow at approximately 7 p.m.

Erica Pastoriza (103), Petsinger (131) and Valerie Hamilton (145) are No. 1 at their respective weights.

Aneth Camos (110), Sek (117) and Mahalia Adams (180) are all ranked second.

Reed (No. 4 at 124), Destiny Krum (No. 11 at 138), Grow (No. 6 at 160), Harmoni Callins (No. 6 at 207) and Aailyah Presley (No. 9 at 207) are gaining early recognition as well.

“It’s nice and reassuring to have a lot of ranked wrestlers, especially in the practice room,” Hensley said. “We have depth in there, and they get to compete against each other every day.

“As a staff, it allows us to be able to adjust our lineup as a team. It’s a game-changer.”

Iowa Central has already spent a month competing on the mat, participating in the Simpson Open, Waldorf Open and Missouri Valley Open. They also own a dual win over Iowa Lakes.

“It’s been going really well,” Hensley said. “Every week, we’ve had good surprises. Of course we’ve had some bumps and bruises, but this team gets after it.

“We continue to develop and reach new levels. It comes back to our depth and having elite people pushing each other and this team’s goal to reach the top.”